Donutorama

Location: SW 10th and Alder
Hours: Mon-Fri, 7am-2pm

The Story:

Everyone loves a good donut. I remember as a child visiting Dunkin’ Donuts or Winchels and craving something, anything, with Boston creme filling. I couldn’t get enough of that. These days, the donut has transformed into something truly unique and so have the purveyors. Donut-O-Rama is Portland’s first full service donut cart.

Greg Slauson opened Donut-O-Rama a couple of months ago in the same cart that housed Cool Harry’s Frozen Yogurt the past summer. A great use of the cart during these winter months when not too many people are seeking out cold treats. Greg has eaten donuts from many different vendors and has a goal to exceed everyone’s expectations for his sweet treats.

Creme Brulee donut @ Donut-O-Rama

The donuts at Donut-O-Rama range from raised donuts to cake donuts to donuts with bacon atop. You can’t have a donut in Portland without adding bacon can you? But it isn’t all about the crazy donuts, it is about the art of the donut and the craft. A simple glazed donut from Greg is truly a treat – especially in the morning with a hot cup of coffee. One of the stars at Donut-O-Rama is the crème brulee donut, a cream filled pouch covered with sugar which is then melted with a blow-torch to create a hard crust which melts in your mouth.

Donut-O-Rama is a great new option for a morning sweet along with your coffee. Greg continues to come out with new flavors and great creations – the most recent being an energy donut made with Viso energy drink which contains about 60mg of caffeine. That will get your day started! Let Greg know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

The entire menu can be found at Donutorama.com

• Cake donuts like the Viso energy drink donut or the Dynamo or Vigor – $2.50
• Raised round donuts like coconut, glazed, chocolate, banana, maple, berry – $1.25
• Buttermilk Bars like glazed, chocolate, banana and maple – $1.75
• Raised Bars – specials like hot banana, bacon banana, maple bacon, Nutella and Jelly – $2.50

Hours: Mon-Fri, 7am-2pm
Phone: 503 960 6825
Website: Donutorama.com
Twitter: @Donutorama
Facebook: Donut-O-Rama

Angel's Cabana

Location: SW 10th and Alder
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-’til they go home; Sat, 11am – 5pm.

The Story:

A year or so ago, Dreamer’s Marketplace opened with much fanfare and some great carts. Sadly, many of the carts have moved or closed since that summer leaving only one left. One of the carts that opened back then was Angel’s Cabana. It is now located at SW 10th and Alder, a location that will showcase their menu to a much larger audience.

Angel’s Cabana focuses on Central American and Caribbean food. Other than Mexican, Peruvian and Argentinean, I really haven’t been exposed to flavors and foods south of the border. It is an area I really want to explore more. I love that they take what I think of as fruit – the plantain – and use it in savory dishes. Angel’s Cabana has many traditional dishes from the region including Baliadas – flour tortillas with fried beans, eggs, chorizo, cheese, creme and avocado. A simple yet satisfying dish that can be done vegetarian.

Yuca con Chicharón

The day I visited, I was perusing the menu and the Yuca con Chicharrón caught my eye. Chicharrón! You don’t find that too often downtown. One needs to venture out to Gresham or Hillsboro to get good chicharrón. I love it and when I get a chance, I order it. The plate is layered with yuca, also known as cassava, topped with chopped cabbage, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, red peppers, celery, cilantro and plenty of Chicharrón. Yuca, a root vegetable, is well known in the region as a source of carbohydrates. To me, it was like a sweet potato. I’ll probably learn that they are in the same family. Being at the bottom of the pile, the yuca absorbed a ton of flavor from the sauce they used. The Chicharrón was wonderfully crunchy and flavorful and mixed with all the veggies, made for a great dish. I’ll definitely be back to try some of their other treats.

Angel’s Cabana is open from 8am until they close – that is actually their hours. Downtown doesn’t have too many options for breakfast from a cart, so here’s your new choice. Drop on by for a papusa, baliadas or maybe some plantains with beans and cheese. They have it all. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Pastelitos (Empanadas): Maseca, Achiote, ground beef, green pepper, rice, onions – available vegetarian – $2.50
• Ceviche Nery’s Style: shrimp, imitation crab, lime, onions, tomatoes, cucumber, cilantro and avocado – $3
• Sandwich de Puerco/Aderezo – Aderezo dressing, bread, fried beans, pork seasoned with chipotle, jalapeno peppers, garlic and cheese – $6
• Yuca con Carne Molida: yuca, ground beef, green pepper, red onions, garlic, cilantro and tomatoes – $6
• Yuca con Vegetariana – yuca, green pepper, red onions, garlic, cilantro, tomatoes – $6
• Yuca con Chicharrón – yuca, chicharrón, cabbage, veggie sauce, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, red peppers, celery and cilantro: $7
• Papusas: corn masa, pork, cheese and beans – $3
• Enchilada Hondurena: corn masa tortilla, refried beans, cabbage, cotija cheese and choice of meat or veggies – $4
• Baliadas: flour tortilla, fried beans, eggs, chorizo, cheese, crema and avocado – $6
• Huevos con cebolla: onions, 3 eggs, refried beans, cheese, corn tortillas – $6
• Desayuno Especial: eggs, beans, fried plantains, cheese, crema: $7

Hours: Mon-Fri, 8am-’til they go home; Sat, 11am – 5pm.
Contact: unknown

I Like Thai Food

Location: SW 10th and Alder
Hours: M-F, 11-7pm, Sat, 11-6pm

Thai cuisine. More information coming soon.

Taqueria El Rodeo

Location: SW 10^th and Alder
Hours: Daily for breakfast and lunch

The Story:

As the second most popular street food in Portland, Mexican can be found at each pod. Some are great, some are simple, but all of them offer a good product at a low price. Taqueria El Rodeo opened in May to compete against the longtime Tito’s just around the corner.

In the cart that use to be SaBaiDee Thai for many years, Taqueria El Rodeo didn’t do much other than put up new signage. With a traditional menu of Mexican fare, they have something for everyone, including breakfast burritos and vegetarian options. We were in a hurry with only a few dollars in cash, so chose the $1.50 tacos with carnitas, chicken, fish and machaca. Served with the two small tortillas stacked, the tacos were overflowing with meat, chopped onions and fresh cilantro. I think these had twice the amount of filling as other carts in town. Everything tasted great and was made to order. The fish taco though was the stand-out with plenty of fish, a good white sauce and finely chopped cabbage. All in all, a cart I would return to.

Taqueria El Rodeo sits among the numerous Thai carts on that corner. As stated, it is the former bright red SaBaiDee Thai cart, so if you would normally pass it, stop by to try some of their items. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

Options for meat and fillings: asada, chicken, carnitas, pastor, shredded beef, chorizo, machaca, fish and veggies

• Tacos: $1.50
• Burritos: beans, rice, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream and choice of meat or veggies – $5
• Dinner Plates – served with sides of rice and beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream – $6
  • Enchilada Burrito
  • Quesadilla
  • Chile Relleno
  • Taco Salad
  • Nachos
• Tortas: Mexican sandwich served with your choice of meat – $6
• Breakfast Burritos – ingredients can include meat, eggs, hash browns, rice and veggies – $4

Hours: Weekdays – open for breakfast and lunch
Phone: 503 810 9303

El Cubo de Cuba

Location: SW 10th and Alder
Hours: M-Sat, 11:30am-4pm

The Story:

Cuban Food in downtown Portland – that is the slogan of El Cubo de Cuba and after enjoying a wonderful lunch there, I realize we’re lacking those excellent flavors of Havana.

Emily Roskam and Milko Vigil Escalera setup their Cuban cart after a few years of education and travails trying to make a go of it in this troubling economy. Portland has a thriving Cuban community where Emily met Milko a couple of years ago at Cuban salsa dancing. With that mixture of Cuban culture and the desire to do something different, the idea of a Cuban restaurant was hatched, yet the costs were too high, so they decided on a cart. Emily describes the cart in a loving way – a la “The Money Pit” with Tom Hanks. Yet, with the help of friends and some elbow grease, they outfitted it and muscled it into their spot on SW 10th. Milko was in charge of the menu, seeking out recipes from friends and family, having tasting sessions and perfecting the details. I appreciate this approach. Rarely do you hear about the hard work and research that goes in to creating the dishes we enjoy each day.

"Chicken Box"

Initially, I wanted the traditional Cuban sandwich with thinly sliced pork, ham and Swiss. Yet I had just enjoyed a wonderful sandwich earlier in the week and wanted something I hadn’t tried before so I ordered the Cubo de Pollo – the Chicken Box. A large plate of black beans, white rice and two pieces of baked chicken, this dish is also served with your choice of tostones, maduros or sweet potato fries. I chose tostones, salty fried plantains, which were a great match with the rest of the dish. The chicken, baked in a combination of guava, garlic, onion, salt, pepper and some secret spices was moist and fully flavored and simply fell off the bone. Wonderful. If your hungry, this is the place to go.

El Cubo de Cuba is now open on the ever expanding lot at SW 10th and Alder. Nestled amongst Thai, Korean and European food, this Cuban cart will quickly define itself as a destination spot for Portland’s cart fans. Milko hangs out the window with a huge smile, engaging people as they walk by and you may catch him drumming on the pots and pans in the cart with the drumsticks he carries with him daily. With few Cuban options at the carts, El Cubo de Cuba should be your next visit. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Cuban Sandwich: classic grilled sandwich with thinly sliced mojo marinated pork, ham, baby Swiss cheese and a pickle. Served with tostones, maduros or sweet potato fries – $7
• Cubo de Puerco: Mojo Marinated Pork.  Served with rice and black beans, and your choice of tostones, maduros or sweet potato fries. Gluten and Dairy free – $7.50
• Cubo de Pollo: Guava Marinated Chicken.  Served with rice and black beans, and your choice of tostones, maduros or sweet potato fries. Gluten and Dairy free – $7.50
• Tostones: salty fried plantains – $3
• Maduros: fried ripe sweet potatoes – $3
• Sweet Potato Fries: $3
• Batidos: fruit and milkshake – $2.50 or $3.50

Hours: Monday-Friday, 11:30-7pm
Phone: 503 894 1525
Facebook: El Cubo de Cuba

Snow White House Crepes

Location: SW 10th and Alder
Hours: Daily, 12-11pm

The Story:

A venerable old cart, Snow White House has been serving Portland crepes and sandwiches for over 13 years. Even before the current owners took it over back in the 90′s, it was acting as a food cart downtown. Talk about the stories that cart may hold.

Snow White House Crepes is the work of Abby Tian who bought the cart oh so many years ago with the idea that people love crepes and she needs to cook for them. The cart was originally across from the Guild Theater where Directors Park now sits, but moved to SW 10th and Alder about 8 years ago to a spot where there were only two other carts. That area now is overflowing with some of Portland’s best street food. A wise choice Abby.

Tuna Crepe from Snow White House

Snow White House’s menu is huge. Three pages filled with crepes, sandwiches and other on the spot prepared foods. In addition to that, you can get chips, pop, candy and maybe even trinkets. They have it all. Sandwiches choices run the gamet with turkey, chicken breast, ham – you name it, she’s got it with all the fixin’s. Though, I don’t think sandwiches are the focus here being the cart’s name has crepes in it. Just choosing from the list of thirteen crepe offerings makes one dizzy with delight. They can make the crepe either traditional or with buckwheat flour and choices range from Swedish meatball to spinach and cheese to chocolate and fresh fruit or lemon curd. The tuna crepe I enjoyed was humongous – tuna, Tillamook cheddar, pepper jack, cream cheese, spinach, tomato, eggs, celery, onions, parsley, mayo, salt and pepper. A giant of a crepe. As I watched her layer on the ingredients, I began to wonder if she would get it closed. There was a lot of cheese in that crepe, but the other ingredients balanced it out for an enjoyable, albeit filling meal.

Snow White House Crepes is an example of tenacity and drive. Recently in an interview with OPB, Abby stated she works every day for 12 hours in addition to running a restaurant. She believes her customers come to see her and her crepes. Well done lady. You can find Snow White House at SW 10th and Alder. When you visit, let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Ham or turkey and cheese: ham or turkey, Mozzarella, romaine lettuce, tomato, parsley, salt, pepper, mayo and mustard – $4.99
• Swedish Meatball: sliced meatball, Mozzarella, Parmesan, spinach, onion, olive, parsley, salt and pepper – $6.50
• Tuna: see description above – $6.50
• Spinach and Cheese: spinach, tomato, Mozzarella, feta, parsley, pesto, salt, pepper – $4.99
• Fresh fruit and homemade custard: fresh strawberries and banana with custard and banana – $5
• Chocolate and fresh fruit: Nutella, strawberries, bananas with roasted sliced almonds – $5

Hours: Daily, including weekends, 12-11pm
Contact: unknown

Location: SW Alder, between 10th and 11th
Hours: Monday-Friday, 11am-4pm

The Story:

Over the past month or so we have been able to follow the opening story of The Dump Truck on Twitter, learning about building the cart, sourcing equipment and getting inspections. The challenge was, with the name dumptruckpdx on Twitter, we just couldn’t figure out what they were planning to serve. I thought it would be some crazy eclectic mashup cart serving something like a bacon-wrapped deep fried avocado …. Well, after visiting yesterday, I learned what the dump meant in Dump Truck – dumplings.

The Dump Truck is the partnership of Julia, Reid and John. While living and working in Beijing a few years ago, Julia and Reid met and became huge fans of dumplings, a staple there. As with every food craving, one is drawn to the location where you find comfort and consistency. For Julia, that was a dumpling restaurant close to her home run by Mr. Ma and his wife. After eating every meal daily at Mr. Ma’s restaurant, Julia became close with them, enough so that a menu item is named after Mr.Ma. I guess that’s where she learned the love and craft of dumplings. Since then, Julia and Reid moved back to Portland. Julia began making dumplings for Voicebox Karaoke in NW, saw how well they were selling and decided to open the cart with Reid and John.

One of the first items I heard The Dump Truck was selling was a bacon cheeseburger dumpling. Really? Wow. On the menu the day I visited was that bacon cheeseburger, along with Mr. Ma’s special and Down 2 Earth. With all those flavors available, I opted for a sampler which gave me two of each, with sauces for only $5. The bacon cheeseburger dumpling was interesting. You look at what we know as a potsticker, but it is filled with hamburger, some bacon and cheese. Strange as it may sound, it was quite good and tasted like a little burger in a wrap. My favorite of the sample was Mr Ma’s special – pork with ginger and scallions. I bit in and the ginger and scallions exploded with flavor in my mouth. Pair with the spicy tahini/chili dipping sauce they provide and I noshed them down in a heartbeat.

The Dump Truck is now serving their signature dumplings to the lunch crowd down on SW Alder, between 10th and 11th. They are the bright yellow cart at the end of the row. The cart sits high due to its placement on the lot, but Reid ensured me that they will be building a step so you can order your food without reaching to much. I’m excited about this cart. Dumplings are something new for the Portland food cart scene and if they mix it up as they have already proven with the bacon cheeseburger offering, I see a bright future. Head down there and try some dumplings and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Mr. Ma’s Special: pork, ginger, scallions – 8 for $6
• Down 2 Earth: portabello, rice noodle and ginger – 8 for $6
• Bacon Cheeseburger: yes, bacon cheeseburger – 8 for $6
• Sampler: 2 of each for $5

Hours: Monday-Friday, 11am-4pm
Phone: 503 877 3867
Twitter: @DumpTruckPDX

Location: SW 10th and Alder
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11am-5pm

The Story:

Many Portland cart fans mourned the closing of Asian Station in 2009. The cute little cart with the cedar mansard roof sat empty and for sale for more than a few months. Then, in February, a new roof and bright blue paint showed up along with the cutest penguin motif and Cool Harry’s Frozen Yogurt was born.

Cool Harry’s is the work of Michael, who wanted to bring Portland his version of organic frozen yogurt in unique homegrown flavors. Over the past couple of months, I have seen some of the most drool inspiring flavors flow across their Twitter stream – blood orange, lavender, peach rose, cherry almond, celery zest, peach dream, and most recently, rhubarb. Do I have your attention? Cool Harry’s switches out the flavors every week or so, announcing them on Twitter and sometimes providing a codeword for a free topping.

I had to try the rhubarb. Rhubarb is one of those flavors of spring and early summer that brings back wonderful memories for me. Everyone remembers the first rhubarb pie brought out at the first cookout of the season. We just made rhubarb jam at home. When I saw it as frozen yogurt, I couldn’t pass it up. Initially, I wanted it virgin, without any toppings, so I could take in the full flavor. I then spotted that Michael had marionberries available. Mmmm…marionberries on rhubarb frozen yogurt. A match made in heaven. The yogurt was sufficiently tart as you would expect from rhubarb, yet with a creamy texture. The berries were divine, creating a taste bud revolt in my mouth. Watch out, it is so good that you may eat it fast – brain-freeze warning issued.

Cool Harry’s has been open since February even though Portland’s weather hasn’t been conducive for cool treats on a hot day. Trust me when I tell you any day is a good day for a frozen treat. If you are looking for a dessert to finish off your lunch or just need an excuse for something sweet, visit Cool Harry’s and enjoy something special. Let him know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

Flavors of the yogurt change often, check cart for that day’s specials.

Sizes:

• Way small – $2.50
• Small – $3.25
• Medium – $4.25
• Large – $5.25

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11am-5pm
Website: www.coolharrys.com
Twitter: CoolHarryPDX

Location: SW 10th and Alder [Updated 10/2010]

The Story:

Twist and Shout! That’s what I wanted to do after eating at the newest cart from SW 3rd and Washington. Yet another cart has squeezed into one of the open spots at the SW 3rd lot and they are serving up some tasty Korean food…with a twist.

Korean Twist opened in early May as the big kid on the block with a rather large trailer overshadowing all around. When I say large, let me put it this way – 3 people were walking around inside comfortably prepping and cooking our food. We luckily arrived on the second day before all of Portland had discovered this new gem. On the menu are Korean tacos, burritos, a rice bowl and even a kimchi quesadilla. While you can order à la carte, they have the menu setup as dishes, so you get a full meal.

That first visit (yes, we’ve been back,) I ordered the taco combo with bulgogi beef, spicy pork and spicy chicken as my 3 tacos. They do offer Korean marinated tofu if you prefer a vegetarian option. What I got was a large container with three good size tacos, a side of fried rice and a Korean style salad. Each taco came with a sprinkle of cheese, your choice of meat and more than a few sprigs of cilantro. The spicy pork and the spicy chicken were the two standouts in this meal as they both exhibited that sweet yet spicy flavor. I could even discern a little garlic from the chicken whereas the pork had the heat. All three tacos were wonderful and along with the rice and salad, this was a big meal. Maybe one to share when doing a food cart mashup.

Korean Twist joins the Korean/Mexican fusion scene along with Bulkogi, Koi Fusion and others. They are the only Korean taco cart on 3rd, so if that is your usual stomping grounds, you are in luck. Since that first visit, I have returned to see they have built up a following in just a week or so. Stop on by, enjoy a burrito or taco with Korean flair and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

Meat and vegetarian choices:

• Bulgogi beef: sweet and tasty Korean marinated beef
• Spicy pork: sweet and spicy pork with Korean BBQ sauce
• Spicy Chicken: sweet and spicy marinated with garlic, onion and red pepper
• Tofu: marinated in spicy soy sauce with sesame and seaweed

Meals:

• Taco combo: 3 tacos with your choice of filling served with Korean salad and fried rice – $6
• Taco – $2
• Burrito: whole wheat tortilla filled with fried rice, choice of filling and cilantro – $5
• Rice Bowl: choice of meat or tofu served over rice with Korean style salad – $6
• Kimchi Quesadilla: Korean style spicy cabbage infused into cheesy Mexican melt – $5

Hours: Monday-Friday, Lunchtime
Contact: unknown

SomTum Gai Yang

Location: SW Alder, between 10th and 11th

The Story:

Just when you thought another cart couldn’t fit on the expanding corner of SW 10th and Alder, you get an email about a new cart. The owners of SomTum Gai Yang contacted us a couple of weeks ago, announcing their opening. I mentioned it to a couple of fellow cart fans and within a couple of days was getting rave reviews about the food, so I decided to visit.

The name SomTum Gai Yang actually describes exactly what they serve. Som tum or som tam is a green papaya salad that is shredded in a way to make it look like noodles. It tastes a bit like jicima with a little sweetness. Almost like cabbage. Pair that with some carrots, cherry tomatoes, green beans and spice and you have a tasty meal. Gai Yang is Thai barbecued chicken. Put it all together and you have a great meal.

I decided to try the whole meal – SomTum Gai Yang – in order to taste all that they have to offer. I chose to get barbecued pork instead of chicken though. I’m always the troublesome one. The dish comes with a spicy sauce for the rice which is a sticky rice served in a bag and sealed to keep it sticky and moist. The salad was something I had never had. I actually thought the green papaya was noodles until my buddy told me otherwise. I ordered mine medium hotness and it was perfect. It wasn’t hot for hot’s sake, but more of a flavorful spicy hot. I may even ask them to go a bit hotter to see if the flavor intensifies. The pork was cooked perfectly and was a great compliment to the spicy salad. In the end, a great meal.

SomTum Gai Yang is located up SW Alder between 10th and 11th avenue.  If you are a fan of Thai food, you should visit. They serve up only a few dishes, so they make those dishes special. I enjoyed that salad so much, I’m going to seek it out elsewhere to see how others prepare it. When you visit, let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Somtum – green papaya salad w/lime juice served w/ sticky rice – $6
• Gai yang – Thai style BBQ Chicken served w/ sticky rice – $6
• Moo yong – Thai roast pork w/ sticky rice – $6
• Tum Polamai – fruit salad combines chopped red and green apples, pears, oranges, and strawberries w/ lime juice – $6
• Somtum Gai Yang – combination of salad and bbq chicken or pork – $7

Contact: 503 522 9543 (call for pickup)