Miss Kate's Southern Kitchen

Location: N Mississippi and Skidmore, Mississippi Marketplace
Hours: Tues-Thurs, 10am-3pm; Fri/Sat, 9am-4pm

The Story:

Miss Kate, Charles’ grandmother, was from Vicksburg, Mississippi and Charles, the owner of the newest cart in Mississippi Marketplace is bringing the tastes of Mississippi to the street.

When Kate passed, Charles’ took control of the hundreds of recipes that Miss Kate had collected over the years from her time with the ladies at bridge and garden clubs. They would sit around and simply write down their favorites on the bridge pads, so some of the recipes don’t have titles. Charles takes the recipe and puts the ingredients together without truly knowing what the outcome will be. These are true southern dishes made by a descendant of the founders of Vicksburg. Charles loves to cook and it was at the cajoling for friends that he opened the cart. He also loves to tell stories – did you know the first bottle of Coke was made in Vicksburg by the Biedenharn Candy Company in 1894?

At Miss Kate’s Southern Kitchen, you can discover some amazing southern dishes like coleslaw, mac and cheese, succotash, chicken salad, meatloaf, turkey, pork roast, biscuits and gravy and their awesome pimento cheese. They also have southern fried chicken with biscuits which is what I enjoyed that opening week. I didn’t grow up with crispy homemade fried chicken, so as an adult, I’ve been seeking it out whenever I can. With just salt, pepper and flour, Charles creates an amazing crust that keeps the meat juicy and savory. The biscuits that come with the meal are something special. Sweet cream butter was a dominant taste in the biscuit, but the secret is actually a brown sugar/butter glaze that creates the sweetness I so loved. I’m excited to have Mississippi food now on Mississippi boulevard in my neighborhood.

Fried Chicken from Miss Kate's

Charles and his cart Miss Kate’s Southern Kitchen are open Tuesday through Saturday for the morning hours through the afternoon. You can enjoy some biscuits and gravy or grab a full meal. Charles has an extensive menu, so you can try all that he has to offer. I’m looking forward to some southern succotash. Drop on by this brand new cart and welcome them to the neighborhood and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

Biloxi Biscits (Savory Biscuit)

• Biscuit and Bacon Gravy – $3
• Biscuits with Pimiento Cheese – $2.50
• Biscuit with Maple Syrup and Butter – $1.50
• Breakfast Biscuit with ham, bacon, or sausage – $3
• Biscuit Sandwich with choice of meat and egg and cheese with port beer cheese sauce – $4

• Vicksburg Beignet – 2 for $1.50, 6 for $4; Baker’s Dozen – $7.50

Sandwiches:

• Papaw’s Turkey Sandwich – turkey grilled in gravy, whole cranberry jam, onion cream cheese, greens, tomato, on grilled Italian white bread – $7.50
• Aunt Pat’s Ham Sandwich – country baked ham, pimento cheese, dill mayo, greens, tomato on grilled swirled white and rye – $7.50
• Mamaw’s Chicken Salad – rosemary chicken, cranberries, pecans, greens, tomato, Creole mayo, on grilled Italian white – $7.50

Other:

• Vicksburg Southern Fried Chicken – crispy fried chicken with a little kick – 2 pieces and served with cornbread or biscuit – $6
• Creole Beans and Rice with Cornbread – $5

Hours: Tues-Thurs, 10am-3pm; Fri/Sat, 9am-4pm
Phone: 503 724 7878
Facebook: Miss Kate’s Southern Kitchen

Koi Fusion Mississippi Marketplace

Location: N Skidmore and Mississippi, Mississippi Marketplace
Hours: Daily and weekends, 12-8pm

The Story:

Koi Fusion opened a second permanent cart at Mississippi Marketplace. Serving up their signature Korean tacos, burritos and other items.

Website: KoiFusionPDX.com
Twitter: @KoiFusion
Facebook: Koi Fusion

Burgatroyd

Location: N Mississippi and Skidmore, Mississippi Marketplace
Hours: 11-3:30 daily, including weekends

The Story:

Last year, a fellow burger connoisseur, Nick Zukin, set out to discover Portland’s top burgers. While mostly concentrating on restaurants, Nick did highlight the burger at Garden State as one if his top 10. I’ve enjoyed the Garden State burger also and am excited to see that Kevin Sandri, the owner, has taken that burger and opened Burgatroyd.

Located at Mississippi Marketplace in the same cart that housed Kevin’s first incarnation of Garden State and the short lived T-Rex last year, you will find a wide grill, a deep fryer and a bagel toaster oven. Kevin was the only burger joint in the lot and up until recently, one of the only burgers on N Mississippi. Since his introduction of the Garden State burger last summer, the street has seen the influx of other excellent sandwiches from the likes of Bar Bar, Lucy’s Original and Mee Sen Thai. The street is quickly becoming a burger fan’s destination spot. Burgatroyd though, has one of the coolest names.

Burgatroyd offers up an excellent burger for great price. Each one is a 1/4 lb Highland Oak Beef and burgers are $4 with cheeseburgers at $5. What sets Burgatroyd apart from other spots is that you can build your own masterpiece and add extras like pancetta, pickled beets, fennel kraut, a pineapple slice, Calabrian chili aioli or even a fried egg. While normally I opt for a simple burger on a bun in order to enjoy what the chef has in store for me, I’ve enjoyed Kevin’s burgers, so know it will be to my liking. The day I visited, I decided to go for it and added the aioli, some chopped red onions, dill pickles and a fried egg. They added the pancetta accidentally and I didn’t complain. What I enjoyed that day was one of those mind blowing burgers you tell your buddies about the next time you’re having beers. Each of the extra items cost more, but it was well worth it. A juicy flavorful meat cooked medium rare had just the right amount of fat for flavor. The chili aioli has an initial spice but mostly an afterburn that was enjoyable with every subsequent bite and complemented the shoestring fries.

Hamburger and Fries from Burgatroyd

Burgatroyd is a great addition to the Mississippi Marketplace pod. Every time I enjoyed a beer at PROST!, I imagined what it would be like with a good burger. If Kevin decides to go late night come spring and summer, Portland will keep him busy. Next time you’re in the mood for either a simple or complex burger, check out Burgatroyd and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Burger  – $4
• Cheeseburger – $5
• Burgafries – $2.50

Add-it-up for 25c each

• Fennel kraout
• Calabrian chili aioli
• Sliced red onion – raw or caramelized or pickled
• Pickled beets, giardiniera
• Mushrooms
• Dill pickles
• Pineapple slices
• Roasted tomatoes

Add-it-up for 50c each

• Roasted red pepper
• Roasted Poblano chile
• Sunchoke relish
• Cage free egg
• Pancetta for $1

Hours: Daily, including weekends, 11-3:30pm
Twitter: @Burgatroyd

Big Top Waffles

Location: Mississippi Marketplace, N Mississippi and Skidmore
Hours: Wed-Sun, 10am-8pm

The Story:

As Portland’s food carts expanded eastward in the last couple of years, it seemed the neighborhoods of southeast Portland took a bit of time to discover their love of street food. Yet, when they did, the growth was fast with three new pods in the last year. There is a new lot taking shape at SE 52nd and Foster and Big Top Waffles was one of the pioneers helping get it off the ground.

Big Top is the hard work of Josh and Katya who saw an opportunity to dish up breakfast to an underserved neighborhood. Living just a couple blocks from the lot where there cute little red and tan truck is, Josh did his research and discovered there were few options for waffles in that part of SE Portland.  He and Katya decided they would be the ones to bring the love of waffles to the Foster-Powell neighborhood.

Fire Eater Waffle

Big Top Waffles offers up both sweet and savory options when it comes to waffles. With three different waffle options, you can either build your own or choose from any one of their creations on the menu. I was initially drawn to the Amazing Fun Guy, a waffle with sauteed mushrooms, sausage, garlic and alfredo sauce over a savory 10 grain waffle. Mmmm, sausage and waffles, who could resist. The Fire Eater, though, is what we chose. A cornbread waffle is the base for this dish which is topped with chili, either meat or vegetarian, and finished with grated cheddar cheese. Even after reading the menu and subsequently ordering, it took the first bite to make that connection between the chili and the cornbread.  Always a wonderful combination and putting chili on a waffle would have never crossed my mind. An excellent and flavorful dish presented in a new way.

Josh and Katya were kind and welcoming, coming out of the cart to chat with us and tell us about their cart and the future plans for the lot. They seem to be the early ambassadors for the area. The truck, with its circus/clown theme is a fun reminder that you can serve great food and also be a bit whimsical. Take a trek down to SE Portland and give Big Top a visit and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

[Updated: Cart moved in Feb 2011]

Sample Menu:

Waffle types available – Savory (10 grain); Cornbread; Belgian (yeast raised waffle)

• Big Top: savory waffled topped with cream cheese, spinach, tomato, chives and two eggs over easy – $6
• Fire Eater: cornbread waffle topped with chili and shredded cheddar (vegetarian chili available) – $5
• Grand Cheesy: grilled cheese between two savory “sandwich” waffles – $4
• Amazing Fun Guy: sauteed mushrooms, sausage, garlic and alfredo sauce over a savory waffle – $5
• Tattooed Lady: Belgian waffle topped with strawberries, whipped cream and chocolate drizzle – $4
• Magician: Nutella spread over Belgian waffle topped with bananas, coconut drizzle and whipped cream – $4
• Ring Leader: Belgian waffle topped with spiced pear, Greek yogurt and drizzled with honey – $4

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-8pm
Twitter: @BigTopWaffles
Facebook: Big Top Waffles

Location: Mississippi Marketplace 4237 N. Mississippi

The Story: Some people think sushi means mostly raw fish rolled into or placed on top of vinegar seasoned rice. This is a common misconception. Although the Japanese invented sushi and indeed love to eat just about anything that swims in the sea, sushi traditionally refers to the rice part, not what’s in it.

The Sushi Tree is an all vegetarian sushi cart in the bustling Mississippi Marketplace pod. Rolls here come stuffed with all sorts of things from the plant kingdom including smokey tofu, marinated shiitake mushrooms, and other vegetables such as green onion, spinach, carrot or avocado. The rolls are inventive and substantial with the “mega rolls” often rolled in crispy fried Panko breadcrumbs and drizzled with sauces to give a little something extra with tastes and textures. A large roll might be $8.00 but they are all quite filling. The B-Stuffed mega roll with asparagus, sprouts, and several other veggies was enough to split between two people to make a light lunch.

Needless to say, Sushi Tree is vegan and vegetarian friendly, and also environmentally conscious. For example, they serve their “to stay” orders on reusable plastic plates rather than just serving in the standard toss away containers.

I love how the Portland cart scene continues to expand in both numbers and choices, especially in lighter, healthier and vegetable focused fare.

Sample Menu:

5 piece Medium Roll – $5.00 — 8 piece Large Roll $7.00

• Smokey Tofu – smoked tofu, carrot, green onion, red cabbage and spinach w/ miso or dynamite sauce
• Green Dragon – Asparagus, Sprouts, Sunflower Seeds, Green Leaf, Avocado, Cucumber and Cilantro w/ miso or dynamite sauce
• The Good Burn – Red Bell Pepper, Avocado, Cucumber, Daikon, Radish, and Wasabi w/ miso or dynamite sauce

Specialty Mega Rolls – $8.00

• NoPo Roll – Smoked Tofu, Cucumber, Red Bell Pepper and Green Onion w/ cream cheese or tofutti. Topped w/ sliced avocado and Shiso leaves
• The B Stuffed – Asparagus, Sprouts, Green Leaf, Sunflower Seeds, Smoked Tofu, Red Cabbage, Cucumber and Avocado. Rolled in Sesame Fried Panko Breadcrumbs in Miso Sauce.
• Shiitake Teriyaki – Marinated Shiitake mushrooms, Daikon Radish, Red Bell Pepper and Green Onions. Rolled in Panko Breadcrumbs w/ Teriyaki Sauce

A la Carte Menu – make your own – small $3.50, large $5.00 – any two ingredients of the following or $0.50 for additional ingredients – red cabbage, cilantro, spinach, smoked tofu, sunflower seeds, cucumber, sprouts, red bell pepper, green onion, avocado

Vegan Shiitake Miso Soup $2.00

Edame salted unshelled soybean pods small $2.00 or large $4.00

Hours: Wed – Sun 12 noon until ???

Phone: 503-705-3585

Email: info@SushiTree.net

Twitter: @SushiTreePDX

Website: www.SushiTree.net

***New Cart***

Native Bowl

Location: N Mississippi at Skidmore in Mississippi Marketplace

Description:

When we were over at Mississippi Marketplace showing an out of town guest the carts, we decided to grab one of the dishes from Native Bowl, another vegan cart in the pod. The dish had what they called “crack gravy” a gravy so good, you’ll get addicted to it like crack. I only got a couple of bites, but it was enough for me to return the following day and meet the owners and try one of their bowls.

Native Bowl is another brand new cart in the pod. The owners Jay and Julie have been open for about 4 weeks and are fully vegan. Jay relayed a story that one day their 8yr old son came home and asked if they could try vegan and it went from there. The Native Bowl specializes in what we would traditionally call rice bowls. A layer of rice (in this case, jasmine rice), then some sauce, some protein like marinated tofu topped with veggies. Pretty simple concept, but if you prepare each item very well, you come out with an amazing dish.

Couch Bowl from Native Bowl

I chose the Couch Bowl (pronounced cooch) per the owner’s recommendation. I’ll be the first to take someone’s advice, keeps me from hand wringing over all the choices. While they prepared it, I walked over to PROST!, the German pub in the lot, grabbed a table and ordered a beer. Before I knew it, Julie was actually bringing me my bowl. I don’t think this is standard, but what a great gesture. Upon opening the bowl, I was overwhelmed with the bright colors and savory aromas. The top of the bowl was a mixture of freshly chopped green onions topped with a savory sauce and sesame seeds. Just below the onions were bean sprouts, some mixed greens, chopped carrots and then marinated tofu and the rice. I’m the eater who prefers to mix everything together so you don’t end up with one single item at the end of the meal, yet this bowl was a mix of amazing flavors from top to bottom. The sauce had some spice to it also, something I didn’t expect but was glad was there.

The Native Bowl is another great addition to the Mississippi Marketplace pod. Jay and Julie are kind and welcoming to everyone who walks by. If you’re up in North Portland and need a great dish, check out Native Bowl and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Bowls are all vegan, $6 for regular, $7 for large
• Mississippi Bowl – peppercorn ranch sauce, BBQ soy curls, house coleslaw, scallions, and jasmine rice
• Couch Bowl – seasoned tofu, sesame bean sprouts, Kochujang sweet and sour sauce, jasmine rice, lettuce, carrots, scallions and sesame seeds
• Alberta Bowl – seasoned tofu, house-made fire-breathing dragon sauce, jasmine rice, shredded cabbage, carrots and scallions
• Cascade Grilled Cheese – Daiya cheese plus signature cashew based cheese sauce, pickled jalapenos, spices and panko on sourdough bread – $4

Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, open around 11am (they are still working out their hours.)
Twitter: NativeBowl

Dogfeathers Coffee and Juice

Location: Mississippi Marketplace – N. Mississippi ave at Skidmore

Description:

Along with the numerous wonderful carts that make up Mississippi Marketplace is Dogfeather’s coffee and juice. Dogfeather’s was one of the first to open and has been doing well. Parked next to a breakfast cart as good as The Big Egg probably doesn’t hurt.

Dogfeather's

Dogfeather’s gets its name from the owner’s past experiences. The owner use to own a bookstore named Laughing Bird and then had some teens who called him dogfather and finally they put it together to make Dogfeather.  They even have a cute logo to go with it.

Dogfeathers serves up organic coffee, both drip and espresso along with fresh fruit juices. They open at 6am for you early risers and will get you a cup of Joe for $1. How can you beat that?

Along with all the great new carts at Mississippi Marketplace, its great to have a good solid coffee cart. Head on down there for a cup and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 6am-2pm

The Big Egg

Location: N. Mississippi at Skidmore in Mississippi Marketplace

Description:

Breakfast! The most important meal of the day. Isn’t that what we’ve learned all our lives? And yet, what do we eat when running out the door trying to get to the office or run that important errand – coffee, pastries… or something like that. I try and eat healthy in the morning, but am not the best example of a breakfast eater. I am usually on the fly to work when I decide I need something and grab a donut or something equally unhealthy. Today though, I changed it up. I woke up earlier than usual, made quick my morning routine and walked down the street to a new cart offering breakfast in my neighborhood- The Big Egg. Mississippi Marketplace, a new pod located in north Portland opened two weeks ago and the carts are beginning to open and work out the kinks. This morning was The Big Egg’s first morning and I’m glad I was there to welcome them.

When I think of breakfast out, the mind ranges from the full greasy spoon breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, fruit and toast all the way to the simple egg McMuffin from the fast food joints. If you venture beyond the local diner and fast food, you can enjoy a healthier breakfast, but you may be required to stand around for awhile since there are more people wanting that than there are amazing restaurants that offer it. In comes the breakfast food cart! The Big Egg serves breakfast. Simple as that. They craft breakfast in the form of egg sandwiches and wraps, but also offer up french toast, granola, fruit and sweet stuff.

This morning, while perusing the menu for the first time, my heart skipped a beat seeing that The Big Egg had a Monte Cristo on the menu. Seriously, my heart skipped a few beats remembering the last time I ventured into Monte Cristo land. This is one sandwich you do not take lightly. It is also one I will need to return for as this morning, I wasn’t hungry enough to tackle it. I ordered up the Breakfast Wrap, a grilled tortilla filled generously with scrambled eggs, roasted red potatoes (chopped up in small pieces for easy eating,) grilled portabello mushrooms, fire-roasted poblano salsa and Gorgonzola cheese. All this comes drizzled with their yogurt-lime sauce. It was huge!

The Big Egg Breakfast Wrap

As I wandered back down the street to catch my morning train, I dove in. The wrap was a larger tortilla that wasn’t filled to the max. That to me is a good think since I don’t have to worry about everything bursting out the sides. It was juicy, so I got a little messy at the end, but it was worth it. I loved the mix of the ingredients. Everything was just the right amount that nothing overwhelmed anything else. The potatoes and mushrooms were cut perfect. Small, so when grilled, they became tasty morsels. Needless to say, it filled me up.

I’m excited to have these new carts so close to me. With a couple of them, including The Big Egg, offering breakfast, it expands our options for when we don’t want to make it at home. Also, this will be perfect for those weekend mornings when you want something good but quick before heading out on errands. Head on down to The Big Egg, enjoy some breakfast or brunch, welcome Gayle and Elizabeth to the neighborhood and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• The Portlander: two eggs any style, cheese, with fresh chive and country dijon mustard served on a toasted Grand Central brioche – $5. w/meat $6 (meat includes apple wood smoked bacon, ham, veggie sausage)
• The Arbor Lodge: one egg any style, grilled portobello mushrooms, caramelized balsamic onions, arugula with roasted garlic and herb aioli on grilled Grand Central brioche – $6.50
• The Mississippi Monte Cristo: one egg any style, grilled black forest ham and gorgonzolla, drizzled with pure mable glaze, stacked between two pieces crunchy vanilla cardamom brioche French toast and dusted with powdered sugar – $7
• Breakfast Wrap: tortilla filled with scrambled eggs, roasted red peppers, grilled portabello mushrooms, fire-roasted poblano salsa, cheese, drizzled with yogurt-lime sauce – $4.75; w/meat $5.75
• Granola, Fruit and Yogurt cup – $4

Hours: Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun: 8am-2pm
Website: The Big Egg
Twitter: TheBigEgg