Wayang House

Location: SW 9th and Alder
Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime

The Story:

The other day I was asked why I write about the food carts the answer is easy – I get to try something new every single day. Wayang House Indonesian exemplifies this.

I’ve walked by the cart numerous times, pointing out to visitors and friends that Indonesian is the newest cuisine to join the food cart scene. I finally decided to visit and was immediately welcomed by Anton and Feny, the owners. Feny spends her time outside the cart working at Shigezo down the street and even spent a few days working the Minizo cart to get a better understanding of cart life before opening Wayang House. I chuckled at how small a world it was and love that the owners are there to advise and guide each other when needed.

Nasi Campur from Wayang House

The menu at Wayang House has only five dishes with protein options which include beef, chicken, tofu and tempeh. The Nasi Campur is a meat and rice dish with spicy beef rendang, spicy eggplant served over a boiled egg and chopped string beans. When I was pondering the menu, Anton asked if I liked spice, which I do, so he recommended this signature dish. I’m a fan of spice for flavor with the heat index being secondary and with this dish, the spice was spot on. The eggplant dish was where the real spice was. With quartered eggplant marinated in hot chili sauce it is then served over a hard boiled egg. This was the best part of the meal. The eggplant was so flavorful and the heat from the spice hit my toungue, burned a bit, but then disapated, leaving a lasting memory of the flavors and not the spice. The beef was perfectly cooked to fall apart with the use of a plastic fork. I will definitely return for that dish by itself. I may even try to find the recipe for the eggplant.

Wayang House is a great new addition to the pod at SW 9th and Alder. Beyond the beef and chicken, they also have fried tofu and tempeh in a couple of their dishes. I definitely recommend this cart and encourage you to check it out on your next trip out for lunch. Let Anton and Feny know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Nasi Campur: spicy beef randang, spicy boiled egg w/eggplant, string beans and steamed rice – $7
• Nasi Uduk: steamed coconut rice with fried chicken, tofu or tempeh, shredded egg and homemade sambal sauce – $6.50
• Kari Ayam: Indonesian chicken curry with potato and steamed rice – $6
• Gado Gado: mixed steamed veggies with tofu or tempeh, egg and peanut sauce and melinjo chips – $6
• Tahugoreng Nanas: fried tofu with green leaf, sprouts, potato and pineapple peanut sauce – $6

Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime
Contact: unknown

Santana Mexican Food

Location: SW 9th and Alder
Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime

There are a lot of Mexican food carts in Portland, so it takes that extra step (hint: a very spicy option helps) to give me a little more incentive to head in that direction. At Santana Mexican Food, Lorena is the lovely woman taking orders at the window. I don’t speak much Spanish, and I found out that English is not her first language, but no language barrier could deceive my observations.

At least a couple of customers who ordered before me were in a joyous mood, talking to Lorena in Spanish, and happily awaiting their food. As other people stepped up to the window, Lorena smiled and acknowledged each person. I had no clue what to get; everything looked so good. Lorena just smiled and told me to take my time, no rush.

Santana Mexican Food

Lorena said the fajitas ($6.50) sell very well, but the Wet Burrito ($7), covered in a mildly spiced red sauce and shredded cheese, is the most popular. My carnivorous side told me to get the beef fajitas. Beef, bell pepper, mushrooms, and onions are cooked on the flattop and served with a scoop of vegetables, Spanish rice, your choice of beans (red, pinto, or black), and corn tortillas. Lorena asked if I wanted hot sauce – red, green, or habanero – and being the spice nut that I am, habanero all the way! The beef was juicy, and the cooked vegetables retained a bit of crunch. The corn tortillas were separately wrapped in aluminum foil, steamed perfectly. The habanero salsa brought pleasing heat and an assertive fruitiness. Overall, this was an abundance of food that didn’t break my wallet into multiple pieces. Huzzah!

The fajita plate takes a bit longer to prepare than other dishes but Santana’s offers tacos and burritos, should one be in a hurry. There are meat and vegetarian options that cater to almost all customers. Check out Santana Mexican Food and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya!

Sample Menu:

Meat choices include asada, pastor, pollo and carnitas

• Tacos Combo served with Spanish rice and choice of red, pinto, or black beans – $6
• Fajitas served with Spanish rice and choice of red, pinto, or black beans – $6.50
• Wet Burrito served with Spanish rice and choice of red, pinto, or black beans – $7
• Tacos $1.50 each
• Burritos $5.50 with meat, $4.50 vegetarian
• Sope $3

Hours: weekdays, lunchtime
Contact: Unknown

Zizzo's FC

Location: SW 9th and Alder
Hours: M-Sat, 11-4pm

The Story:

With much fanfare and a green scarf, Zizzo’s FC opened last month to feed an army – literally, the Timber’s Army.

Zizzo’s FC is the creation of Sal Zizzo, midfielder for Portland’s MLS team, the Timbers. Since we’re in the off season, Sal decided to take his family recipes and love of the kitchen and open a food cart. Many of his fans in the Timbers Army are happy he did. On any given day the last month, there were lines of people waiting patiently for a meatball sub or some pasta al forno. Not many carts are able to gain a huge following right out of the gate, but Sal knows who his audience is and feeds them well. Sal also comes from a family of restaurant owners out of California, so has the experience in the kitchen to hold his own.

Meatball Sub from Zizzo's FC

The meatball sub is one of those sandwiches that if you don’t do it right, it is very wrong. I’ve had some bad meatball subs in my eating days, so am sometimes wary to order as I have a high bar for such a sandwich. At Zizzo’s, they cut the balls in half and throw them on the flat top to sear them before laying them on a hoagie roll and smothering them with a robust red sauce. If you eat it right away, it will be nice and hot, but you won’t be able to experience the roll soaking up all that flavor – something I enjoy. Halfway through, you need a fork; which for me, is a good thing. All in all, a great sandwich which I would return for.

Zizzo’s FC is now open, serving lunch Monday to Friday. You will find Sal in the cart most days, so wear your colors and show some support for a hometown sportsman. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Caprese Sandwich – $6
• Meatball Sub – $6
• Salsiccia Sandwich – $6
• Pasta al Forno – $7
• Calamari Fritti – $7
• Cannoli – $4

Hours: M-Sat, 11-4pm
Phone: 971 263 3148
Website: ZizzosFC.com
Twitter: @ZizzosFC
Facebook: Zizzo’s FC

New Taste of India

Location: SW 9th and Alder and SW 9th and Washington
Hours: weekdays, lunch

Indian food. Multiple locations including two at the Alder lot.

Phone: 9715635284

Thai Food Factory

Location: SW 9th and Alder
Hours: M-Sat, lunchtime

Thai cuisine. More details coming soon

Waka Sushi

Location: SW 9th and Alder
Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime

Sushi made fresh daily and other traditional Japanese dishes. More details coming soon.

Thai Me Up

Location: SW 9th and Alder
Hours: Weekdays, lunch

Thai cuisine. More details coming soon.

Roll Plus

Location: SW 9^th and Alder
Hours: Daily for lunch

The Story:

Sushi is one of those dishes you usually do not find served from carts. Portland has a vegetarian sushi cart and a Hawaiian cart that does great rolls and now Roll Plus becomes the fourth.

We always say that when one cart closes, someone is always there to take its place and sometimes offer something new or unique. Roll Plus is in the former Pho Sam cart. I’m going to miss those Banh mi sandwiches and Pho, but am excited to have sushi options available for lunch. Upon first visit, I was a bit overwhelmed by the options. Usually, a cart will focus on just a few simple items that can be mixed and matched. Here you can get everything from fresh spicy tuna rolls with cucumber and imitation crab to edamame, seaweed salad and even Miso soup.

Spicy Tuna Shrimp Tempura Roll

I never know how much sushi to order. I’m a fan of the sushi train so I can regulate my intake and try different items made fresh. At Roll Plus you order whole rolls with either 4 or 6 pieces. I’ve had 4 pieces at restaurants that have filled me up but have also had a roll with 6 pieces that left me wanting, so at Roll Plus, I ordered two rolls – a Spicy Tuna Roll and the Spicy Tuna Shrimp Tempura Roll. For $10 I had enough to easily feed two if not three. Each roll was well prepared and put in the to-go container creating a great presentation. The spicy tuna roll came with imitation crab and avocado rolled with the rice on the outside, sprinkled with sesame seeds and topped with spicy tuna and sauce. The spicy tuna shrimp tempura roll was even larger with the tempura shrimp, imitation crab and avocado inside and the spicy tuna on the outside. I love the crunch of the tempura and the creaminess of the avocado all mixed together. On a warm sunny day sitting in the park, I sat there with a smile on my face while enjoying some amazing rolls and plenty of wasabi and ginger.

I have eaten at many of Portland’s sushi places and I have to say Roll Plus will offer some stiff competition – especially downtown with the lack of inexpensive sushi options. The food is prepared made to order and the price is unbeatable for what you get. Now open at SW 9th and Alder, drop on by and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• California Roll – 8pcs – $3.50
• Spicy Tuna  – 8pcs – $4
• Unagi Roll – 8pcs – $4.50
• Super California Roll – 6pcs – imitation crab, avocado, cucumber – deep fried – $5
• Shrimp Tempura Roll – 8pcs – imitation crab, avocado, deep fried shrimp – $5
• Spicy Tuna Shrimp Tempura Roll – 5pcs – $6
• Chicken Katsu – $4.50
• Fried Rice w/stir fried chicken – $5
• Edamame – $2
• Seaweed Salad – $3
• Yakisoba – $3
• Miso soup – $1

Hours: Daily for lunch
Contact: unknown
Twitter: @Roll_Plus_PDX

Island Grill Hawaiian Barbeque

Location: SW 9th and Alder
Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime

The Story:

When one cart closes, someone is always there to re-open with something new. Shortly after Tofu House closed, Island Grill was open with a menu of Hawaiian treats.

We have a few Hawaiian carts in town now with 808 Grinds and Ninja Plate Lunch. With the addition of Island Grill, Portland cart lovers have yet another choice for Kalua Pork or a side of macaroni salad. Hawaii is also famous for loco moco and Island Grill has it if that is your desire – a plate of rice with a hamburger patty, brown gravy and fried egg atop.

Teriyaki Chicken Plate

The plate lunches are pretty a la carte – rice and macaroni salad with your choice of meat – and two different sizes if you’re looking to eat less. The meat options aren’t surprising – kalua pork, beef shortribs, chicken katsu, hamburger steak – just to name a few. I decided to try the Teriyaki chicken and got a full plate with two scoops or rice and the salad. The grilled chicken had a char to it that when paired with the sweetness you get from teriyaki sauce, created a great mix of flavors. The macaroni salad was a treat, one of my favorite types of salad. I even added a spam musubi – rice, spam and sauce wrapped in seaweed. I love spam musubi.

Island Grill is open right there on cart row on SW Alder between 9th and 10th. Check them out if you’re looking for a change – they usually have daily specials that are different from the menu. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

Plate lunches are either mini for $5 or regular for $6.50
Mini: 1 scoop of rice and 1 scoop of macaroni salad with choice of meat
Regular: add a scoop or rice

Meat choices:  BBQ beef; Teriyaki beef; Hamburger steak; Beef short ribs; Kalua pork; BBQ spicy pork; Pork katsu; Fried shrimp; Fried mahi mahi; BBQ chicken; Teriyaki chicken; Shoyu chicken; Chicken katsu

• Add Musubi for $2
• Burgers – $5 with choice of meat
• Yakisoba noodles – $6
• Loco moco – $7
• Island Bibimbap – $6

Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime
Contact: unknown

A Little Bit of Smoke

Location: SW 9th and Alder
Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime

The Story:

When one takes a view of Portland’s cart scene, they will see plenty of Thai and Mexican carts, but few BBQ even though that is one flavor that is truly American. Portland does have carts that specialize in BBQ, but the are few and far between. With the addition of A Little bit of Smoke in southwest Portland, downtown gets another opportunity to try an American original.

Bar b que or BBQ is like NYC pastrami, there is always a discussion as to where it is from, who made it and what style it is in. I’m not a BBQ connoisseur or historian, but I do know there is a different flavor of BBQ for every county in every state south of the Mason-Dixon line. When I first heard of A Little Bit of Smoke, I learned they were doing Carolina style BBQ. My first visit was to try their pulled chicken sandwich which had a vinegar hint to the BBQ sauce. I learned later that that the vinegar is typical of eastern North Carolina BBQ and that western North Carolina BBQ has more of a tomato based BBQ sauce. Crazy I tell ya, but intriguing. To think that what I think is simple BBQ can change from city to city and state to state makes me want to do research. You know what research requires? Eating!

Pulled Pork Sandwich

A Little Bit of Smoke was put together by Scott and Genevieve. The first time I visited, Scott, the man behind the menu was in the cart ready to teach me. What I loved was how laid back he was. It was as if I was visiting him at his home and chillin’ in the backyard with a beer. Scott gets assistance from another Scott and Genevieve who are equally as welcoming and offer up samples and smiles. The pulled chicken sandwich, something I have never had, was a treat with moist chicken chunks on a standard white bun with a sauce that complemented well. Each bite introduced me to a new flavor, but most predominately was vinegar. I am not usually a fan of chicken as my experience has taught me that it normally comes out dry, yet at A Little bit of Smoke, it was far from dry. The second visit introduced me to Scott’s pulled pork which, if you’re a fan of pork, is a divine little sandwich. Plenty of meat, a good sauce on a white bun. That second visit also introduced me to a couple of their sides – a sweet potato salad with nice chunks of orange sweet potato and their black eyed pees with plenty of bacon flavor. These guys know what they’re doing in the kitchen.

A Little Bit of Smoke has been open now for a few weeks and captured a spot at food cart central at SW 9th and Alder. Their prices are comparable to other carts and the service is welcoming and friendly. I’m more excited for the sides they offer than the BBQ, but am a sucker for good pulled pork or chicken. Head over, give Carolina BBQ a try and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Pulled Pork topped w/ slaw – $6
• Pulled Chicken – $6
• Add 2 sides to either sandwich – $9

Sides:

• Black Eyed Peas – $3
• Sweet Potato Salad – $3
• Cole Slaw – $3

Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime
Phone: 503 758 8860
Twitter: @bitofsmoke
Facebook: A Little Bit of Smoke