I Heart This Cart

January 4, 2013 by 3 Comments
I Heart This Cart

I Heart This Cart

Location: SW 3rd and Washington
Hours: Tues-Thurs, 11-4; Fri, 11-4 and 9pm-2am; Sat, 11am-9pm

The Story:

Multicultural Comfort Food is the theme for I Heart This Cart, one of the newest to join the vendors at SW 3rd and Washington. Looking at the diverse items on the menu, I see what they mean.

On a cool windy January day, I read the entire menu trying to decide which amazing item I wanted. Cory, the chef, has an eclectic blend of sandwiches, soups and event homemade mac and cheese. Cory’s been cooking since his teens and was the head chef at the Lake Hotel at Yellowstone National Park for two years. Nice resume. Also, when neighboring food cart owners urge you to visit, you gotta know it’s going to be good.

At I Heart this Cart you can pick up small bites like Arancinis or full size sandwiches like a seasonal po’boy with pork belly or a classic Philly cheese steak. I chose the hearty Southwest Mac and Cheese with chipotle cream sauce, cavatappi pasta and tossed with black beans, sweet corn, scallions, roasted red pepper and sided with a few tortilla chips. At Cory’s recommendation, I added in pork belly. A hearty meal served in a GO Box, I loved that it wasn’t a traditional cheesy cheesy Mac and Cheese. The sauce had a spicy bite, but mild and smoky from the chipotle. Al dente pasta is the perfect choice. More like an al fredo sauce. Did I mention the pork belly added in a wonderful creamy fattiness also. More than I could finish in one sitting.

Southwest Mac and Cheese

Southwest Mac and Cheese

I Heart This Cart had a steady stream of patrons while I stood around chatting with other vendors. Cory has built a following in the three short months he’s been open and is here for the long term. Drop on by next time you’re looking for something new and let him know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Arancini – 2 breaded risotto balls stuffed with Parmesan and fresh Mozzarella, deep fried and served with marinara – $4
  • Chicken and Dumplings – braised chicken thighs, brussell sprouts, root vegetables and potato dumplings – $7
  • Southwest Mac and Cheese – $8; add protein for $2
  • Parmesan Crusted Grilled Cheese with Vegan Tomato Soup – $7
  • Seasonal Po’Boy – braised and seared pork belly, apple fennel and radicchio slaw, served with a curried remoulade sauce on po’boy roll – $8
  • Classic Philly Cheesesteak – $4/half; $7/full

Phone: 707-299-7711
Facebook: I Heart This Cart

Filed Under: Comfort Food, Downtown, Go Box, Late Night, Lunch, Pasta, Sandwiches, SW 3rd and Washington, Vegetarian Options, Weekends Tagged With:

Pita Express

May 14, 2012 by 2 Comments
Pita Express

Pita Express

Location: SW 3rd and Washington
Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-5pm

The Story:

The lot at SW 3rd Ave has food from almost every corner of the world and with the addition of Pita Express, we can now get a taste of Lebanon.

Pita Express offers up both veggie and hot sandwiches with options including falafel, batata, chicken, kafta and beef shawarma. They have two different sized pitas so if you’re hungry, go with the large. I chose the smaller pita with falafel and had a forehead smacking moment when I saw they had lebneh. I love lebneh, the Lebanese cream cheese and will definitely return just for that. The falafel sandwich was wonderful with a grilled pita filled with falafel, greens, fresh tomato, cucumber, radish and tzatziki. This is the second falafel sandwich with the pita grilled and warm which I simply love it. The falafel was spot on, just how I like it and mixed with the fresh vegetables, you can’t go wrong.

Falafel sandwich from Pita Express

Falafel sandwich from Pita Express

In a lot with Egyptian, Indonesian, Korean, Mexican, Italian, Greek, Thai, Vietnamese and even a cart doing smoked salmon dishes, Pita Express will need to define themselves to gain a following and after just one sandwich, I think they can do that. Drop on by and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Veggie Sandwich – $5; falafel, batata, lebneh, zaatar, hummus, baba ghanooj
  • Hot Sandwich – $6; chicken kabab, chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, kafta, arayess
  • Combo Plates – $7

Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-5pm

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Filed Under: Debit/Credit Carts Accepted, Downtown, Falafel, Lebanese, Lunch, Middle Eastern, SW 3rd and Washington, Vegetarian Options, Weekends

Salmon Fusion

January 16, 2012 by 9 Comments
Salmon Fusion

Salmon Fusion

Location: SW 3rd and Washington
Hours: weekdays, lunchtime

The Story:

Earlier in the month, a new sign appeared on a cart that has been a few different vendors in the past year. Salmon Fusion. I wasn’t sure what to expect until I read the posted menu – Smoked Salmon all day long. It felt like Christmas waiting for them to open.

Roger Mumm launched the cart this month bringing his salmon to the eaters of Portland. The salmon in all of his dishes were caught by him this past summer while he was working for Deep Sea Fisheries in Bristol Bay, Alaska. The sockeye is then smoked weekly for us to enjoy. I’m not sure if I would share my salmon with the world. Visit the cart and Roger has photos of his fishing boat and daily catch.

As stated, the cart focuses on smoked salmon dishes like chowder, pot pie, a few sandwiches and tacos. If you’re shy about salmon, Roger will give you a taste of his chowder which is served hot in a toasted cheese bread bowl. Every time I have walked by, customers are raving about the chowder sample they are enjoying. I decided on the smoked salmon sliders served on Alessio bread with a mild pineapple teriyaki sauce, baby spinach and a side of Hawaiian slaw and saffron rice. For $7.50, the sliders were a great value and came with so much tasty smoked salmon, some even fell out for later nibbling. I’m a fan of all smoked salmon and Roger’s is some of the best with a briny flavor that doesn’t come across as too salty nor too fishy. The sauce that comes atop the salmon is more of a slaw with the sweetness of apples coming through to juxtapose the saltiness of the fish. A great meal.

Smoked Salmon Sliders from Salmon Fusion

Smoked Salmon Sliders from Salmon Fusion

Salmon Fusion is now open on SW 3rd between Stark and Washington in the former GIN Thai cart. Roger mans the window daily and may even lean out to draw you in with a sample. Check this new cart out, enjoy some smoked salmon goodness and let him know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Smoked Salmon Chowder w/toasted cheese bread bowl: white whole cream chowder w/roasted corn and Yukon gold potatoes served with Hawaiian slaw and saffron rice – $7.50
  • Smoked Salmon Pot Pie: pot pie served in a mild jambalaya with puff pastry cooked golden brown served with Hawaiian slaw and saffron rice – $7.50
  • Smoked Salmon Pita Wrap: shredded lettuce, mango pieces, shaved red onion, shaved cucumber and topped with tzatziki or mango chutney and served with Hawaiian slaw and saffron rice – $7.50
  • 2 Smoked Salmon Sliders: on Alessio bread with a mild pineapple teriyaki sauce and baby spinach served with Hawaiian slaw and saffron rice – $7.50
  • Teriyaki Smoked Salmon Sandwich: teriyaki pineapple glazed salmon served with Hawaiian slaw and saffron rice – $7.50
  • 2 Smoked Salmon Tacos: served with sweet and spicy salsa and Hawaiian slaw and saffron rice – $7.50

Hours: weekdays, lunchtime
Phone: 503 719 9018

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Filed Under: Downtown, Fish, Lunch, Sandwiches, Soups, SW 3rd and Washington Tagged With:

Batavia

December 20, 2011 by 6 Comments
Batavia

Batavia

Location: SW 3rd and Washington
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-3:30pm; Sat, 9am-5pm

Please welcome guest author Aaron Wakamatsu

The Story:

While downtown Portland has a stunning array of cuisines to choose from, there aren’t too many places offering Indonesian food. Thus, Rizky and Nella opened Batavia, a family-run food cart near SW 3rd and Washington. Here, you’ll be treated to this family’s take on Indonesian flare.

Since I love spicy food, the spicy beef satay (sate padang) caught my eye. Usually, the meat is boiled first to soften it, then gets seasoned, skewered, and grilled. Four or five skewers of cubed juicy grilled beef is set atop an alluring yellow sauce containing rice flour, coriander, turmeric, ginger, garlic, cumin, etc. At the base of the dish lies several sliced pieces of rice cake that possess a smooth texture…think a whitish-colored polenta without the grainy, mealy feeling. You’ll even get a small bag of crispy shrimp chips with the satay. The dish is prepared to order, so you’ll get a steaming, hearty container of yummy goodness in this chilly weather.

Beef Satay from Batavia

Beef Satay from Batavia

Was the dish spicy? Well, it depends on your tolerance for heat. As a person who has eaten “ghost peppers” before (not a smart idea), I could easily handle a spicier dish, but my taste buds were at least prodded out of their slumber.

Batavia offers Indonesian coffee that comes from Rizky’s father, so of course, I had to try that. The aftertaste on the coffee commands an exotic presence that domestic coffees lack. It’s a full-bodied, rich coffee experience. Batavia also has two types of Indonesian teas (from SariWangi): Melati Flower and Jasmine. (a Jasmine tea) and a cold bottled tea. Batavia has got some seriously good eats. Check them out today!

Sample Menu:

  • Fried Noodle – $4.99
  • Chicken Curry – $6.99
  • Fried Rice – $5.99
  • Beef Rendang – $6.99
  • Chicken Satay – $6.99
  • Spicy Fried Chicken – $6.99
  • Spicy Beef Satay – $8
  • Noodle Soup – $6.99

Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-3:30pm; Sat, 9am-5pm
Phone: 503 954 7529
Twitter: @bataviapdx
Facebook: Batavia PDX

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Filed Under: Downtown, Indonesian, Lunch, Noodles, SW 3rd and Washington, Vegetarian Options, Weekends

Hog Time

July 15, 2011 by 4 Comments
Hog Time

Hog Time

Location: SW 3rd and Washington
Hours: M-F, 11:30-3pm

The Story:

When you see a cart with Hog in the name and the logo has a pig above a fire made from 503, you know you have a local who want to sell you some pork. Hog Time is here for you pig eaters.

Opened in June of 2011, Hog Time is made up of the mad chef skills of Dave and the welcoming attitude of Garrett. Dave cut his teeth in Portland’s restaurant scene at Macadam’s Grill before he and Garrett decided to buy a trailer and take their show on the road. If the name didn’t let the cat out of the bag, this cart is focused on pork sandwiches. Using the shoulder cut of the hog, they braise it and then slow cook it for their sandwiches.

Hogita from Hog Time

Hogita from Hog Time

A cart can define itself not only with the unique name and excellent food, but also with memorable food items. At Hog Time, the sandwiches have some great titles including the Boss Hog, the Sloppy Hog and the one I enjoyed, the Hogita. The Hogita is a wrap, similar to a gyro, but with braised hog. The pita used is handmade and Dave’s own recipe which includes yogurt to give it a moistness and a bit of masa flour for texture and flavor. The wrap, while messy, melts in your mouth. As I devoured it, I could taste the masa in the pita and with the chipotle sauce they add, the kick was just what I was wanting on that cool summer day. The pork was top notch, similar to pulled pork, but with more chunks. Overall, I enjoyed it and even returned a couple days later for a follow-up wrap. These guys know their pork and have figured out a few new ways to present it for lunch.

Hog Time is open at the lot at SW 3rd and Washington on the Washington side of the street. In addition to sandwiches, they also have fries and even a taco. Check them out next time you have a craving for some pig and say hi to Garrett and Dave, two friendly guys who want you to enjoy their food. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Hogita: braised hog, lettuce, tomato, chipotle and yogurt sauces on homemade pita – $7
  • Boss Hog: braised, battered and fried hog, lettuce, tomato, green chili and chipotle sauce on grilled brioche bun – $6.50
  • Sloppy Hog: shredded hog, chipotle sauce on brioche bun – $6
  • Pig Pen: crispy salted fries below shredded hog, queso fresco and sauces – $5

Hours: M-F, 11:30-3pm
Facebook: Hog Time

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Filed Under: Downtown, Lunch, Sandwiches, SW 3rd and Washington
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