Chez Dodo

March 27, 2013 by 2 Comments

Chez Dodo

Location: N Vancouver and Fremont
Hours: M-F, 11am-11pm; Sat, 11-9pm

The Story: A taste of Mauritian Paradise. That is all I needed to know before visiting Chez Dodo, a new vendor in the ever changing lot at the corner of N Fremont and Vancouver.

Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 1,200 miles off the south east coast of Africa. When the Portuguese arrived in the 1500′s, the island was uninhabited except for the famed Dodo bird. After a few centuries of different colonial rule, the culture of the island in the 21st century is a mix of several ethnicities – mostly of Indian, African, Chinese and European descent. At Chez Dodo, the cuisine reflects the inspiration of French, African, Indian, Creole and Chinese cuisine.

Upon arrival, Chef Shayamal leaned out the window to greet me and immediately listed off the day’s specials and instructed me to the vast menu and how to order. You start with a base of either flat bread, noodles or rice, add a curry sauce and then top with accompaniments like bean curry and potatoes, chicken or lamb. I chose pan fried curry noodles with the Island Fever spicy curry sauce and lamb. During the prep of the meal, Shayamal leaned out with a huge skillet of noodles and a fork to ask if the spice was sufficient. What brilliant service. A huge plate of noodles with vegetables and lamb was handed over. More than I could eat in a sitting, but so flavorful, spicy and complex, I couldn’t put the fork down. If you’re going, go with a friend as Shayamal is a giver of food and will load you up.

Curry Noodles from Chez Dodo

You may recognize the name Chez Dodo as his vegan pre-made products have been in local stores now for over a year. Chef Shayamal offers numerous options for vegan, gluten free, and vegetarian diets. He stated, “If it weren’t for the vegans buying my product, I wouldn’t be open.” Thanks vegans! Chez Dodo is open from lunch through late night and on Saturday, so there is no reason you can’t visit. The lot now has five different mobile vendors and the are continues to change for the better with a New Seasons store opening this year. Drop on by for a taste of Mauritius and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

Bases:

  • Dholl Puri Flat Bread; Pan Fried Curried Noodles; Brown Rice Pulao or Rice Noodles

Curry Sauces:

  • Healthy Vegan: mild curry sauce cooked with a blend of exotic spices and herbs
  • Tropical Happiness: creamy tomato based curry sauce cooked with spices, coconut and cashews
  • Island Fever: spicy curry sauce with 3 different peppers, onions, ginger, garlic, tamarind, lemon and vinegar

Accompaniments:

  • Assorted bean curry and potatoes – $4.99
  • Wild combo of mushrooms with lentil fritter – $5.99
  • Chicken cooked in red wine sauce – $5.99
  • Lamb Curry pressure cooked and sauteed – $7.99

Phone: (503) 284-4575
Facebook: Chez Dodo
Twitter: @ChezDodoPDX

Filed Under: African, Debit/Credit Carts Accepted, Dinner, Gluten Free Options, Indian, Late Night, Lunch, N Vancouver and Fremont, Noodles, Vegan Options, Vegetarian Options, Weekends

Lisa’s Lip Smackin’ Kitchen

March 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Location: N Vancouver and Fremont
Hours: Mon-Fri, 11am-9pm; Sat/Sun, 7:30am-11pm

The Story:

BBQ and other amazing dishes. Open late night. More details coming soon.

Filed Under: BBQ, Dinner, Late Night, Lunch, N Vancouver and Fremont, Sandwiches, Weekends

Que Sabrosa

October 12, 2010 by 5 Comments

Que Sabrosa

Que Sabrosa

Location: N Fremont and Vancouver
Hours: M-Th, 10:30am-9pm; F/S, 10:30am-10pm; Sun, 11-7

The Story:

On a cool rainy fall Saturday night, heading to a show on the east side, I needed something to sustain me. Having skipped dinner and not wanting to sit down anywhere, I saw the bright lights of Que Sabrosa and thought – let’s get some tacos.

Que Sabrosa opened this past summer on the corner of N Vancouver and Fremont, an lot that has seen numerous businesses come and go throughout the decade. The broader area, targeted for condos and grocery stores just 3 years ago, is now a couple of large fenced off vacant lots with weeds the size of redwood forests. The cart, along with Mum’s Kitchen, are situated to create a small enclosed seating area replete with picnic tables and strung with lights so you can enjoy your food in the evening. The bright lights were what pulled me in as I was cruising down Fremont. It’s welcoming. Carts can start the revitalization.

Asada Tacos

Asada Tacos

Que Sabrosa’s menu seems huge. When I arrived, I looked at the menu and ordered a few tacos. After ordering, I saw another menu and then another and a fourth. There was so much to choose from, I am kinda glad I didn’t dilly dally and chose the tacos. Handmade tortillas are the platform for these gems. All you have to do is top it with some asada, chopped onions, cilantro and hot sauce and you have yourself a simple, yet satisfying meal. The tortilla though was the ace in the hole here, being as fresh as it was. I had planned on sharing them at the party, but alas, they were gone before I left the parking lot.

Que Sabrosa is open daily from morning to night. They offer up breakfast items along with lunch and dinner plates. The owners are welcoming, turning away from their cooking and prep to smile and welcome you with an “hola!” I’m glad the carts have landed in this lot, it is a sign that the area supports small businesses and may spur further development of the empty lots. Go visit Que Sabrosa, enjoy some great Mexican food and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Quesadillas – corn or flour tortilla with choice of steak, chicken, pork, beef tongue, carnitas, veggie or cheese – $3.99
  • Combo plates – choice of meat or veggie, rice, beans, tortillas – $6.50-7.75
  • Tacos – choice of meat with onions, cilantro on homemade tortilla – $1.50
  • Burritos – choice of meat with beans, rice – $4.99
  • Tamales – pork or chicken – $1.50
  • Sopes – steak, carnitas or chicken – $3
  • Horchata – med, $1.50; lg, $2

Hours: Mon-Thurs, 10:30am-9pm; Friday/Saturday, 10:30am-10pm; Sunday, 11am-7pm
Contact: unknown
Other: Credit/Debit cart accepted

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Filed Under: Breakfast, Debit/Credit Carts Accepted, Dinner, Late Night, Lunch, Mexican, N Vancouver and Fremont, North-Portland, Tacos, Vegetarian Options, Weekends