Cobra Dog

Location: Government Camp, OR on Mt. Hood

Description:

I’ve been out on a roadtrip for the past few weeks seeing America. As we rolled through Oregon on the way home after 8500+ miles, I thought to myself – “hey, we should stop by Cobra Dog while we’re in the neighborhood.” I’m glad we did.

Cobra Dogs is a food cart up in Government Camp at the base of Mt. Hood. Cory Grove opened the cart up there during the summer months to cater to the snowboard and ski crowd. Did you know that Mt. Hood, specifically Palmer Glacier at Timberline, is the only place in the continental US that you can ski year around? That is why Government Camp is bustling with teens from every state in the union and beyond who just want some lunch after a long morning on the mountain. Captive audience.

Cobra Dogs sells hot dogs and brats, including veggie dogs. I opted for the Hot Snake Brat with Cobra sauce and jalapenos. Sounds good doesn’t it. A Hot Snake Brat is a bratwurst on the hot side, similar to a Louisiana Hot. The dog came served on a larger than normal french roll type bun with the aforementioned Cobra Sauce and a sprinkling of jalapenos. Holy smokes was it hot. My mouth was burning for awhile after I noshed it down. The Cobra sauce is Cory’s famous spicy sauce that he offers on any order and I highly recommend it. My wife enjoyed the “Very Veggie” dog. Served up hot, it was a great dog I was told.

Cobra Dogs is in its final days of the summer session. I’m glad I stopped by when I did since they close their doors for this summer on Friday, August 15. But don’t fret, Cory plans on travelling around with the cart to different events, so if you can’t get up there before Friday, you may be able to find him in the fall. I suggest a roadtrip. Oh, and when you do get your Cobra Dog, be sure to ask for it “Cobra Style” and tell them FoodCartsPortland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• All Beef Boa – 100% beef dog – $4.50
• Cheddaconda – Frankfurter infused with real Tillamook cheddar – $5
• Brattlesnake Brat – German brat with a hint of black pepper – $5
• Hot Snake Brat – German brat on the hot side – $5
• Very Veggie – tofu based veggie dog – $5
• assorted drinks and munchies – $1-$2
• toppings include jalapenos, onions, relish, cream cheese, sauerkraut, cobra sauce, etc.

Hours: June 15 to August 15, 1pm to 9pm
Contact: cobradogs.com
Twitter: CobraDogs

Location: 13732 McLoughlin Blvd – Milwaukie, Oregon

Description: If you ever find yourself zipping down McLoughlin in Milwaukie and have a sudden hankering for a cheap, delicious food cart taco, there’s hope – it’s called Maria’s Taco Cart.

It’s a welcome site for many reasons, mostly because it offers some decent Mexican food for hungry eaters that don’t want to make the trek to downtown Portland food carts or downtown Milwaukie’s Cha Cha Cha or Casa de Tamales.

The cart, parked almost across the street from venerable Bomber restaurant, sits in the parking lot of a closed “gentlemen’s club” [the kind with the signage spray-painted on the awning] and is pretty easy to miss if you don’t happen to catch the small roadside sign. Trust me; you won’t be casually strolling by on a leisurely walk.

The first thing I noticed on the freshly printed menu was its lack of prices, but if my order was any indication, the prices are pretty cheap. Two carne asada tacos, one quesadilla and one burrito totaled $8.50.

The two tacos were spot on – simple, moist and delicious. Toppings? Onion and cilantro, with a lime on the side making them the perfect combination for the 80+ degree day I visited.

Though the quesadilla was inexpensive [my guess is $2] it was bland and mediocre and made from what tasted like store-bought Mission flour tortillas and white cheese. That’s a deal breaker for me and inexcusable.
The bean and cheese burrito on the other hand was delicious and made with refried beans – greasy, fatty, creamy refried beans made with God-given lard. I’ve noticed many carts in town use whole beans in their burritos or as a side. Though I’ve been coming around to that style, my money is still on the traditionally made refried bean dish, the more lard the better.

But, the standout of the visit wasn’t the food itself but the red hot sauce – it’s some of the best I’ve had in Portland. Seriously. Most hot sauce served with meals around town is too smoky for my taste. Maria’s was a bright red, chunky goodness bordering on being too hot without being overbearing. Great colors, texture and taste.

My advice: stick to the simple and delicious tacos and while waiting for your order from Maria, marvel at the non-ironic 1970s soda stickers still adorning the sides of the former roach coach and gaze at the WWII bomber across the street that rules McLoughlin. Eat standing up, sitting in your car or on the lone picnic bench.

Maria’s is a welcome addition to this part of town – here’s hoping she starts a trend.

Sample Menu:

Prices weren’t listed, but it’s safe to assume that entrees other than tacos are in the $2-$4 range.

Tacos, tortas, burritos, tostadas, quesadillas, sopas are offered with choices of the following: Chicken, beef, pork, lengua, cabasa, carnitas, tripas.

Maria’s also offer a special Tostadas de Camarones – shrimp, cilantro, onions, tomatoes, avocado, lime.

There’s also a nice variety of traditional Mexican drinks including Jarritos, Sidral and Jumex, and Mexican candy.

Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Phone: Maria, 971-241-4064