Chilango

Location: SW 4th and Hall
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30am-7pm

The Story:

When one cart departs, someone is always there, ready to repaint and relaunch as something new. Chilango is one of the newest faces on SW 4th at the PSU pod.

When I visited the other day, it took me a few minutes of reviewing the menu to realize this cart served Mexican food. Normally, the first items on the menus are tacos and burritos. At Chilango, it is bowls. After ordering my lunch from Veronica, I asked what Chilango meant and she told me it was a boy from Mexico City and then pointed at Caesar who was making my lunch and said – him!

Chilango Bowl Taco

At Chilango, you can get soft tacos and burritos, vegetarian fare and other traditional Mexican food, but what caught my eye was the Chilango Bowl. Your choice of meat served with beans, rice, pico de gallo, guacamole, cotija cheese and handmade masa tortillas. What I pictured in my mind paled in comparison to what they served. A large portion of beans and rice covered with chicken tinga (my meat choice), a few large spoonfuls of fresh guacamole and pico. Chicken tinga is shredded chicken breast stewed with tomatoes and onions. The tortillas were amazingly fresh and putting it all together into a small little taco was a treat. The guacamole, made fresh that morning, had a hint of lemon that when paired with a bit of chicken and black bean was amazing. A very large portion, more than enough for a hearty lunch.

The bright red cart that looks like a small cabin is welcoming – especially with Veronica and Caesar there with their big smiles and wonderful food. They have an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu using tempe. Head on down if you haven’t visited the pod in awhile and give it a try. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Chilango Bowl – choice of grilled chicken, asada, ground beef, carnitas or chicken tinga with black or pinto beans, rice, pico de gallo, guacamole, cotija cheese and corn tortillas – $6
• Burrito – choice of meat with black or pinto beans, rice, lettuce, cheese, onions and cilantro – flour tortilla – $6
• Soft Taco – corn tortilla with choice of meat with onion and cilantro – $2
• Vegetarian Chilango Bowl – black or pinto beans, rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, cotija cheese and 3 corn tortillas – $5.50
• Tempe Chilango Bowl – black or pinto beans, rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, cotija cheese, corn tortillas and tempe – $6
• Breakfast Burrito – eggs, potatoes, black or pinto beans, cheese, pico de gallo – $4.50

Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime
Phone: 503 218 3352 (text to go orders)
Resources: Debit/Credit Carts accepted

Location: SW 4th and Hall
Hours: Weekdays, 11am-2:30pm

The Story:

Simplicity may be the root of success. Pick an item you like to cook, source the right ingredients and prepare it well and you too can make it in the food cart world. Pastrami on Rye does that with their namesake sandwich.

The cart is a collaboration between a brother, a sister and their mom. I like seeing a family support each other in these types of endeavors. It tells me they are willing to put in the long hours and hard work for those they love. The day we visited, Dre was taking orders while his mother Kelly made the sandwiches. Here in Portland, when an item like pastrami is discussed, many transplants jump to the front of the line to tell you how awesome the pastrami is somewhere else – usually a deli in NYC. Well, I have never been to those deli’s so have virgin taste buds and think Portland makes some great sandwiches. A contentious issue for sure.

The sammy I devoured came either on marbled rye or what I ordered – caraway rye. Kelly commented that the cut of the meat was off and apologized, but I couldn’t tell. How could you be wrong with sliced pastrami thickness? Almost an inch of that smokey corned beef love then topped with sauerkraut and deli mustard. How can one not enjoy such a work of sandwich art. The kraut wasn’t overwhelming, allowing the pastrami to be the star between the slices. The edges of the pastrami had a light crusting with what appeared to be crushed black peppercorns and other whole spices. Just a nibble of that and I’m in meat heaven.

Pastrami on Rye is now open at SW 4th and Hall, a vintage travel trailer sandwiched between a Thai cart and an Indian cart. They serve up all things pastrami including a veggie reuben with sauteed mushrooms and onions and home made matzo ball soup. There are a lot of carts out there doing great sandwiches. Hopefully, Pastrami on Rye will meet your expectations. Check them out and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Pastrami on Rye: choice of caraway or marble rye, sauerkraut, deli mustard and 1/4lb pastrami – $4.75
• Reuben: 1/4lb pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and homemade Russian dressing – $5.75
• Veggie Reuben: sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, tomato, sauteed mushrooms and onions with Russian dressing – $4.75
• Homemade Matzo Ball Soup: small $2.50; large $3.50

Hours: Weekdays, 11am-2:30pm
Twitter: @PastramiPDX

Location: SW 4th and College by PSU

The Story:

Every so often I realize I go to the same set of carts and eat all the same meals. I’m a creature of habit. As a result, I sometimes miss the carts that sit on the outer edges or are alone in a lot. The other day, while perusing the choices at SW 4th and Hall, I saw a cart in the 76 station parking lot that I hadn’t tried. I bee-lined it, intent on trying something new, no matter what it was. I’m glad I did because Ahla W Sahla Lebanese food was superb.

This bright silver cart is newish, but I think it has been around for awhile. Run by an older Lebanese gentleman, it offers some of the standards you would expect from a middle eastern cart – falafel, hummus, gyros, kabob, kafta and much more. The prices are reasonable – $6 for a sandwich and $8 for a platter. I think the difference may be what you get.

I ordered the kafta sandwich which includes ground beef mixed with herbs then formed into small patties and grilled. Once cooked, it is chopped up for the sandwich and placed on a pita with pickles, lettuce, parsley, some potato slices and a red hot sauce. Everything was prepared fresh while I waited, which is perfectly fine with me. As I watched him construct the sandwich, he piled on the ingredients and started rolling it together. There were splits in the pita and stuff was falling out which concerned me, yet he then rolled it in a second pita and placed the entire wrap in a toaster oven. It was at this point that I realized I was getting something new. Kafta sandwiches elsewhere haven’t been toasted. The sandwich came out crispy on the outside with the pita formed perfectly around the goodies inside and while I ate it, nothing fell apart. A great sandwich with just the right mix of spiciness and ingredients.

While I waited, the owner had a spirited conversation with a young many who came to order. They spoke in what I can only assume was Arabic. What I gleaned was that they were discussing the food being served. Back and forth. A sample of a rice dish.  Back and forth. Hands flailing about in animated fashion. The owner even pulled out a huge bag of jasmine rice to show the young guy what he was serving. I enjoyed the conversation even though I didn’t know what was going on. I just knew they were talking food, no matter what the language was.

Ahla W Sahla serves up Lebanese food from their cart at the 76 station at SW 4h and College. If you are down by the big pod on 4th, cross the street and try something new. I’m glad I did because I was introduced to a new way of serving kafta. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

Veggie Sandwiches:

• Falafel – $5
• Hummus – $5
• Labneh – strained yogurt – $5
• Zaatar – mix of Middle Eastern herbs spread on pita – $5

Meat Sandwiches:

• Gyros – $6
• Chicken Shawarma – $6
• Chicken Kabob – $6
• Kafta – $6

Platters:

• Kibbeh and Rice – $7
• Chicken and Rice – $8
• Falafel and Hummus – $8

Hours: Monday-Friday, lunchtime
Phone: 503 901-8951

Chopollos

Location: SW 4th and Hall (by PSU)

Description:

Chopollos is one of those carts that has taken their space and converted it into both a cart and dining area. By taking over 2 spots in the lot, they have a place for their cart and a place where you can enjoy your food under an awning. In the realm of carts, there are few that offer covered seating.

Chopollos

Chopollos specializes in Mexican food – a traditional taqueria with tacos, burritos, tortas and other items you would expect from a Mexican cart. They do have on their menu some items that I haven’t seen at the other carts downtown that intrigued me, but only after I had ordered my carnitas burrito. One item, Huarache (yes, like the sandal) is a masa base made with corn flower topped with all different toppings. Like many taquerias, they had photos of their food and just looking at the huarache made my mouth water. But I had ordered the burrito and vowed to enjoy it.

Chopollos

The carnitas burrito I received for $4.50 could have fed a small family. It was a monster. Filled with refried beans, rice, carnitas, pico and guacamole, it was just what I needed on that busy day. It came with hot sauce, which I used, but only to spice it up. The flavors in the burrito were enough to keep me eating even though I knew I shouldn’t finish it. I did.

Chopollos has an extensive menu, yet when you peruse it, you realize there are only a few variations on traditional Mexican fare. They do offer breakfast burritos along with hamburgers and even fish tacos. Judging from the steady stream of customers, they are pretty popular down there which tells me they make some great food consistently. Check out Chopollos next time you are down there and need something different and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Tacos – choice of meat including carnitas, asada, pollo, veggie or fish – $1.50
• Burritos – rice, refried beans, choice of meat or veggies – $4.50-$5
• Breakfast burrito – eggs, potatoes, cheese, bacon – $4.25
• Chorizo con papas – chorizo, eggs, potatoes, cheese, sour cream – $4.50
• Chopollo burrito – chili relleno with refried beans, rice, steak, picado and guacamole on flour tortilla – $5
• Hamburger – $5
• Veggie or Chicken tamale – $1.50

Hours: Breakfast through lunchtime, Monday through Friday
Contact: unknown

Location: SW 4th near College St. (Portland State University area)

Description: I love Banh Mi, those distinctive Vietnamese sandwiches that cause people all over to swoon. In Florida I’ve heard they are often called, the “Saigon Sub”, while in New Orleans they are known as the “Vietnamese Po-Boy.” As poetic love letters to this humble sandwich, there exist essays*, articles and even websites in homage to what has to be one of Vietnam’s great French/Asian hybrid exports.

Portlanders also love the Banh Mi, and our city has several different Banh Mi shops, from the hidden hole-in-the-walls, to the elaborate fast food style California Banh Mi chains. Yet  until this colorful little cart popped up a couple of months ago at the PSU “cart row” on SW 4th, there were oddly few Banh Mi specialty shops to be found anywhere in downtown Portland.

Glad someone finally figured out there is a demand for them downtown, because Banh Mi makes for the perfect office workers lunch; cheap, quick, easy to transport, and substantial enough to be filling, but never overly heavy like a “foot long” from that certain sub-sandwich chain that shall not be named.

The no-nonsense named Vietnamese Banh Mi Sandwiches cart does the Bahn Mi right. No stale, refrigerated and shrink wrapped versions here; these are freshly baked french bread rolls, slightly crackly on the outside and soft within. Made to order sandwiches come stuffed with one of eight choices of fillings such as traditional “pic-nic” pork pate and other Vietnamese “deli” meats, grilled chicken, or an occasional Vietnamese meatball special. However, the Banh Mi here are not as generously “stuffed” as others I’ve encountered and sometimes seem a bit toned down for American palates; some are missing some of the funky, fish sauce taste or lemongrass and other aromatic herbs found in many other Banh Mi. Still, these are still all very good and tasty sandwiches indeed.

A bargain at $3.50, all come dressed with the traditional condiments of mayo, shredded and pickled carrots and daikon radish, sliced cucumbers, cilantro, and jalapeño peppers. Vietnamese Cafe Sua Da – iced coffee with condensed milk, a choice of three rice and meat plates, and a few other drinks round out the simple menu.

(End Note* My favorite essay on the Banh Mi is by one of my favorite food writers, John Thorne. It isn’t available online, but is available in his outstanding book, Pot on the Fire. If you want to know what makes Cuisine Bonne Femme tick, buy this book and read it.)

Menu:

(Their words, not mine)

1. Vietnamese Sandwich (Banh Mi Thit – bacon and pork roll)

2. Beef Sandwich (Banh Mi Thit Bo – Teriyaki Beef)

3. Chicken Sandwich (Banh Mi Thit Ga – Teriyaki Chicken)

4. BBQ Pork Sandwich (Banh Mi Xa Xiu)

5. Vegetarian Sandwich (Banh Mi Chay – with tofu)

6. Pork Roll Sandwich (Banh Mi Cha Lua)

7. Grilled Pork Sandwich (Banh Mi Thit Nuang)

8. Shredded Pork Sandwich (Banh Mi Bi)

Rice Plates – $5.0o – Grilled Chicken, Grilled Pork, or BBQ Pork

Cafe Sua Da – Vietnamese Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk – (I forgot to write down the price)

Other Beverages such as green or black iced teas, or juices $1.00 – 1.25

Hours: Lunchtime Mon-Fri

Phone: 503-927-0896

*Photos provided by Tim Roth. You should hire him because he’s really good.

Location: SW 4th and Hall [Updated 3/2010]

Description: Eating good Thai food can be a revelation. Julia Child once said she never really knew good French food until she went to France. Thailand is my France. My initial visit to the “Land of Smiles” was in the early 1990s and I fell in love with both the country and the cuisine. Sure, I had my fill of perfectly fine Phad Thai noodles, coconut milk based soups, and green curries stateside before that. But it was my first meal at a simple outside street cart in the notoriously seedy Pat-Pong area of Bangkok that I finally “got it.” It was simple food, but prepared so incredibly well that I realized what I had been eating back in the States was but a pale comparison of the real thing.

This is what separates great Thai food from the merely ok stuff – Hot, Sweet, Salty, Sour and an underlying “Umami” to bring it all together in harmony. Food perfectly balanced with the right combination of fresh herbs and exotic spices; sauces that don’t overpower or drown what’s in them; noodles and fresh vegetables cooked to just the right bite; and food made by people who have a light touch and have perfected their own special dishes. It’s an art form really.

Eating food in Thailand has ruined me forever. I just can’t get too excited about most Thai food in Portland with the tendency towards candy sweet curries and oil heavy overcooked noodle dishes. That’s not to say Portland doesn’t have some terrific Thai restaurants, we do. It simply seems to be a case that there are more of the mediocre ones that ones I am impressed with. This is especially true at many of Portland’s Thai carts. Several seem to have only four elements available: Fatty, Salty, Chili Hot, and Starchy. It’s a pity really to be served such slop, no matter how cheap it is.

So when I was given a tip by my friend Food Dude about Poompui, a new Thai cart on NW 8th and Couch, I was skeptical.

Then I tried it. Wow. Just wow. Poompui makes food like you get in Thailand. It’s not that they are offering any out of the ordinary menu items or serving obscure regional Thai specialties. It’s just that the food at Poompui is somehow better. It’s brighter and fresher and lighter. I don’t know how or where the young Bangkok born and raised owner and his team learned how to cook, but whatever the reasons, they are doing Thai food right.

Sample Menu:

Appetizers – $3.00.
#1 Choice of Salad Rolls (vegetarian)
#2 Popia Tod (vegetarian fried spring rolls)
#3 Fried Wonton (stuffed with marinated pork, and seasonings)

Soups – $3.00
#4 Tom Yum (Thai hot and sour soup)
#5 Tom Kah (Thai coconut milk soup)

Noodles – $5.00
#6 Phad Thai
#7 Kua Gai (wide rice noodles with egg, green onion, bean sprouts, wonton stips, lime)
#8 Pad Kee Mao (wide rice noodles with egg, vegetables, basil and seasonings)

Fried Rice – $5.00
#9 Pineapple Fried Rice
#10 Tom Yum Fried Rice (carrot, mushroom, egg, dry chili, peanut, cucumber, onion, green onion, cilantro)
#11 Curry Fried Rice

Stir Fries – $5.00
(served with rice. Choice of beef, pork, ground chicken or tofu)
#12 Pad Pug (stir fried veggies)
#13 Pad Gaprao (basil, vegetables)
#14 Pad Cashew (with vegetables)
#15 Stir Fried Eggplant

Curries – $5.00
(served with rice. Choice of beef, pork ground chicken or tofu)
#16 Praram Curry (red peanut curry with vegetables)
#17 Green Curry
#18 Yellow Curry

Beverages $1.00 – $1.50
Thai Iced Tea, Thai Iced Coffee
Soft Drinks
Roasted Coconut Juice
Mango Juice

Hours: Mon-Fri 11AM -5PM

Phone: Call in advance or text in order!
503-709-1662

Email: Unknown

Website: None

Location: SW 4th Ave. between College and Hall Streets (near Portland State Campus)

*photos provided by Tim Roth (Thanks Tim!)

Thai Iced Tea!

Description: A Thai cart serving up all the Thai cart standards such as curries, noodle dishes, stir fries and fried rice  as well as  things like salad rolls and Thai Coffee or Tea.  Food here comes in the normal Portland Thai cart humongous portions with a decent amount of veggies to noodles or rice ratio. Asia Express also serves the comfort food known as the “gravy covered” Rad Nah Noodles; a rarity from most Portland Thai carts. Check ‘em out and let me know what you think. However, I will say the “Express”, in the Asia Express might be a misnomer. My order took quite a while to make the day I ate there, and certainly took longer than other Thai carts I’ve been to. Could have been an off day though. Still, the food at Asia Express was perfectly good. And the $5.00 portion of Rad Nah noodles with chicken  was big enough for three meals,  so I’m not complaining. Another funny quirk about Asia Express is that this isn’t a purists Thai cart. Other Asian dishes and influences are evident on the menu including Korean kim-chee fried rice and Vietnamese beef Pho noodle soup.

Rah Nah "gravy" noodles

lots of veggies in the Pad Kee Mao noodles!

Sample Menu:

Choice of beef, chicken or Tofu

Noodle dishes such as Phad Thai, Phad Kee Mao, Rad Na, Phad-See-ew – $5.00

Stir Fried Rice Options – $5.00

Orange or Lemon Chicken with Rice – $5.00

Salad Rolls – $3.00

Yellow, Green, Red or Musaman Curry – $5.00

Salad Rolls – $3.00

Phone: unknown

Website: none

Email: unknown

Location: SW 4th Ave. in between College and Hall streets (near PSU)

Description: I have no idea about the name Inter Selects and what it has to do with Thai food. However, I do know that this cart is pumping out one of the largest Thai cart menus with far from the standard Portland Thai cart fare. In addition, this cart wins the cart award for most menu photos. The menu is blasted all over the cart, and someone in the operation must be a passionate photographer, because all the food looks fantastic.

Sure, you can get your Pad Thai or green curry cravings met, but dig a little deeper and you’ll discover one of my favorite Thai salads: Som Tom. I call it the “Thai Coleslaw”. Shredded green papaya and carrots, mashed together with peanuts, tomatoes and a spicy lime/fish sauce dressing. Served with sticky rice and the BBQ chicken, this is the essence of Thai street food. For an Isaan Thai treat (Isaan is a Northeast region of Thailand), try the larb ground chicken salad.

Stirfried dishes like the Ginger Perfect with your choice of sliced meat or tofu and fresh ginger, mushrooms, celery and onions is a standout. As is the rib sticking hearty muslim inspired Musaman Curry (Musaman means muslim in Thai) with potatoes, carrots and meat in a deep red curry sauce.

Inter Selects is also one of the few Thai carts serving Thai Dim-Sum type dumplings and fried treats like fried chicken or the decadent Heavenly Chicken – ground chicken and spicy seasonings bundled in a crepe like wrapper and fried to a golden crunch.

Inter Selects. Whatever the name means or comes from, I don’t care. The food here is darn good.

Sample Menu:

The Menu is far too big to list all of it here. In addition, they have a printed menu that they gave me, but it doesn’t really match up with everything they offer.

(Prices are in the $3.00 to $7.00 range, but you can grab the standard lunch stuff for around $5.50. A bargain!)

• Summer Rolls (tofu) – $3.00
• Spring Rolls (vegetarian)
• Satay Chicken
• Steamed Vegetable Dumplings
• Tom Kah Kai (coconut) soup
• Tom Yum Chicken Soup
• Pad Thai Noodles
• Drunken Noodles
• Fried Rices (variety of different types including curry and pineapple/cashew)
• Variety of different stir fry dishes
• Variety of different curries (red, yellow, green, musaman, panang, etc)
• Fried or Grilled chicken with sticky rice and som tom papaya salad

Hours: Generally lunch – late afternoon Mon-Fri. Call for more info  503-270-1732 or 503-703-0619

Website: Unknown

Email: Unknown

Phone: 503-270-1732 or 503-703-0619

Location: SW 4th Ave near Hall Street (near PSU)

Description: Look at this lovely senorita and handsome senor in their pastoral surroundings. Don’t they look so happy to be plastered on the side of this spiffy white taco truck? I would be too, since the food at Taqueria Villanueva is some of the better Mexican food at the many downtown carts.

Taqueria Villanueva serves cuisine typicales of taco trucks in our city: various forms of big ass burittos, different types meat based tacos, fish tacos, chilli rellenos, and combination plates.  But what they make is always fresh and made with care.

There are a lot of taco trucks in Portland, but Villanueva is certainly one of the better ones.

Tacos ($1.25 to $1.50 each). All tacos come with pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole. Choice of corn tortilla, crispy taco, soft tac, or taco fajita base. Fillings include chicken, shredded beef, pork, vegetarian, fish, pastor, ground beef, asada, machaca.

Burritos. ($3.50-4.50). Chicken, ground beef, pastor, vegetarian, shredded beef, asada, carnitas, fish, chile relleno, chorizo, fish.

Beans, Rice and Cheese Burrito ($3.50).

Bean and Cheese Burrito. ($2.50).

Quesadilla ($4.00). Choice of meat.

Chille Relleno Plate. ($4.50). Comes with rice and beans

Torta ($4.00). Choice of meat

Two Tamales ($4.00). Chicken or Pork.

Phone: (503) 309-9334

Website: None

Location: SW 4th and Hall Parking Lot (near PSU)

Description: “Special Variety Better Choice” or so says the menu at Thai Pasta, located at the popular “PSU Cart Pod” on SW 4th. Not much pasta here, but some noodle dishes like the ubiquitous (but tasty) pad thai, hearty Pad Kee Mao noodles (also known as drunken noodles), and the stir fried wide rice noodles called Pad See Ew. ($5.00).

Thai soups like Tom Yum, Tom Kai, and a soothing vegetable soup are only $3.00 for a generous “small” portions, $5.00 for a large carton that can easily feed two.

Other options include curries, fried rice dishes, and several aromatic stir fries such as the “Lovely Ginger” or a nice version of Cashew Chicken (which can also be ordered with tofu instead). Appetizers include satay chicken skewers with peanut sauce ($1.50 each), spring rolls ($1.00 each), salad rolls (2 for $3.00), or something called, “Oh My God” ( I have no idea what exactly it is – something fried with cream cheese and crab and served with plum sauce). Thai iced tea or coffee is only $1.50.

Everything on the menu is $5.00 or less. Open until 5PM. Lots of vegetarian options.

Sample Menu: Coming Soon!

Hours: Mon-Fri 10:30 Am to 5:00 Pm

Phone: 503-548-3096

Website: None