Pork Chop City

July 16, 2012 by 8 Comments
Pork Chop City

Pork Chop City

Location: SE 50th and Division – A la Carts Food Pavillion
Hours: 11am-10pm daily

The Story:

Here in Portland we talk carts not trucks. Most everywhere else, the street food scene centers around trucks that roam the streets feeding the hungry. Wandering this city, you see every flavor of mobile cart from simple tow behind hot dog carts to retrofitted 60′s travel trailers to high end commercial kitchens on wheels. Pork Chop City took it to a whole new level with one of the largest trailers I have seen. Lots of space to do some serious cooking.

When I first spotted Roger William’s trailer out of Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, I didn’t think it was a food vendor. I thought it was a NASCAR trailer with the size and wrapping. Then, earlier this summer walking down 3rd ave, there it was, taking up the entire frontage of a strange triangular island created by how Portland mapped out streets downtown some 100 yrs ago. The trailer is beautiful and built to handle big crowds whether they be the lunch types or late night bar goers. My order came out in less than 3 minutes on a busy day.

Sorta Wrong from Pork Chop City

Sorta Wrong from Pork Chop City

Portland loves pork. Pork. Pork. Pork. Just downtown, there are six or seven carts serving up their recipe of pulled pork whether it be a sandwich or plate. At Pork Chop City, they do pulled pork, beef brisket and chicken, presenting them a few different ways. The #1 item on the menu is a sandwich aptly christened Simply Wrong. Smoked pulled pork, smoked beef brisket and cole slaw on a Portland French pub bun. One pound of smoked meats. I’m glad they get the veggies in there. While my inner devil wanted to see what that looked like, I balked and ordered the #2 item, the Sorta Wrong with about 1/4lb less meat. Still a huge sandwich with a heap of meat. Whomever decided to pair cole slaw with smoked pork gets a trophy in my food hall of fame. I love the cold creamy crunch mixed with the squeaky shredded pork and beef. Mixing the brisket and pulled pork together is genius, giving me the best of both worlds. More than one should really eat for lunch, but I did it and walked away a happy man.

Pork Chop City is now the sixth cart in the area to serve the bar goers and those waiting in line for Voodoo Doughnuts. If you’re a sandwich fan or simply enjoy smoked meats, check them out. On a hot day, try their Hawaiian shaved ice with twenty five different flavors. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Simply Wrong: smoked pulled pork, smoked beef brisket, cole slaw on Portland French pub bun – $9
  • Sorta Wrong: same as above but a bit smaller – $8
  • Smoked Beef Brisket Sandwich – $7
  • Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich – $6
  • Chicken Bento – $8
  • Pork Bento – $8
  • Smoked Meat Sampler – a bit of everything – $12
  • Smoked Pork Chop Meal – $12
  • Smoked Rib Meal – $12
  • Broiled Chicken Meal – $9
  • Sides: steamed rice, corn, baked beans, apple sauce, cole slaw, mac salad, potato salad – $2 each
  • Hawaiian Shaved Ice – $4

Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm; Fri/Sat, 11pm-3am
Phone: 503 793 2000
Website: PorkChopCity.com
Facebook: Pork Chop City
Twitter: @PorkChopCityPDX

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Filed Under: BBQ, Debit/Credit Carts Accepted, Dinner, Late Night, Lunch, Sandwiches, SE 50th and Ivon, Weekends

Aladdin’s Castle Cafe

December 13, 2011 by 6 Comments
Aladdin's Castle Cafe

Aladdin's Castle Cafe

Location: SE 50th and Ivon at A la Carts Food Pavilion
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 11am-9pm; Fri/Sat, 11am-10pm

The Story:

Every cart has its story. It may be the unique food they create or a family recipe or a childhood dream. For Aladdin’s Castle, the cart would never have been if it hadn’t been for two people falling in love at first sight.

Aladdin’s Castle Cafe is the creation of Ghaith and Tiffany who met and fell in love in a hostel in Amsterdam. Holland was Ghaith’s third country of refuge after leaving the perpetual violence of Baghdad where he grew up, had been injured during the war and where some of his family still live. Ghaith fell in love with street food while in Amsterdam and lo and behold, Tiffany was from the street food capitol of the world – Portland. Beyond each other, they obviously had other passions in common. Ghaith didn’t learn his trade in school, he just cooked and experimented and listened to his mother. Some of the best food comes from family tradition and plenty of love in the kitchen. Standing there, watching Ghaith, his mother and Tiffany prepare some dishes for me showed that kinship.

Mahshi from Aladdin's Castle

Mahshi from Aladdin's Castle

At Aladdin’s Castle Cafe they serve up traditional dishes from Baghdad and Iraq. You will recognize many of them like hummus and flatbread wraps and lentil soup, but there are a few that were new to me. Mahshi is like dolma, but they stuff onion with rice, vegetables and spices infused with the flavors of sun-dried tomato and pomegranate. This is one unique dish. I didn’t really understand it until I saw it with the onion as the outer skin. It was cooked just right that I was able to cut through it with a fork. The flavors were amazing. Another treat was the Marga, a slow cooked chickpea stew served warm over basmati rice with a side of cucumber salad. The rice was fluffy and light and the chickpea was just amazing. I had more food than I knew what to do with and each and every one had its own special flavor.

Ghaith put together three whole plates of food for me so I was able to sample almost every flavor on the menu including desserts like chocolate bean cake and a date roll. There was so much food there, I enjoyed it that night and most of the next day with my family. This is one of those carts you will need to visit a few times to try everything. Ghaith and Tiffany are welcoming and generous and we’re glad to have them in our city. Drop on by, enjoy an Arabic coffee while you wait and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Eggplant Marga, Hummus and Salad

Eggplant Marga, Hummus and Salad

Sample Menu:

  • Flatbread Wrap Sandwich: Iraqi shawarma or falafel served on warm flatbread with hummus, lettuce, tomato, onion and garlic-yogurt dressing. Beef, chicken or lamb shawarma and falafel available – $6
  • Rice Plate: bed of basmati rice with a dollop of marga, green salad and cucumber yogurt salad. Beef, chicken or lamb shawarma and falafel available – $7.50
  • Marga: slow cooked stew served warm over basmati rice with side salad or yogurt and cucumber salad – chickpea stew or eggplant – $5
  • Sambusa: a savory pastry stuffed with cheese and zaatar – $2
  • Mahshi: onions stuffed with rice, vegetables and spices infused with flavors of sun-dried tomato and pomegranate – $1.50 for 1 or $5 for 3 with a side salad.
  • Mezza Platter – $5 – choose 3 of the following: hummus, baba ghanoush, yogurt and cucumber salad, eggplant saute, beet salad, pickled mango with garbanzo beans, full mudammas (fava beans, olive oil and garlic)

Hours: Mon-Thurs, 11am-9pm; Fri/Sat, 11am-10pm
Phone: 971 400 3447
Website: Aladdin’s Castle Cafe
Facebook: Aladdin’s Castle Cafe
Other: Gift Certificates available and they take Debit/Credit Cards

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Filed Under: Debit/Credit Carts Accepted, Dinner, Falafel, Iraqi, Lunch, Middle Eastern, SE 50th and Ivon, Southeast-Portland, Vegetarian Options, Weekends Tagged With:

La Arepa Venezuelan

December 9, 2011 by 10 Comments
La Arepa

La Arepa

Location: SE 50th and Ivon, A la Carts Food Pavilion
Hours: Daily, 9am-8pm

The Story:

Portland has some great street food from around the world, but we’re lacking a bit in foods from South America. We have a few, but not many. La Arepa has opened and offers authentic Venezuelan food at A la Carts Food Pavilion.

The namesake of this cart is the arepa, a traditional snack/sandwich out of Venezuela. An arepa is a flat, round, bread-like patty made of cornmeal. It is then grilled and filled with cheese, meats, fish and/or vegetables. Since it is wheat-free, it is naturally gluten free and takes the place of bread in many Venezuelan homes. They may look small, but they are filling.

Arepas from La Arepa

Arepas from La Arepa

The arepas we enjoyed on our visit were served with shredded beef and shredded tilapia. The beef, slow cooked with garlic, onion, paprika and black pepper was moist and succulent with an amazing depth of flavor. The tilapia was seasoned with onions, garlic, paprika and sweet pepper, mellowing out the natural saltiness of the fish with some sharp flavors. The actual arepa patty was the key though. It is dense and makes a great vessel for the meat and fish. Looking at the menu, I now want to try one with meat and cheese.

La Arepa is open every day of the week to serve their tasty Venezuelan dishes. Beyond arepas, they have breakfast dishes, tapas (small plates,) empanadas, desserts, and full meals. This is one of those hidden gems you will be glad you found. Check them out and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Arepa with shredded beef – $6
  • Arepa with chicken – $5
  • Domino: arepa stuffed with black beans and white Cotija cheese – $5
  • Reina Pepiada: arepa stuffed with chopped chicken salad prepared with potatoes, carrots and avocado – $6.50
  • Perico: arepa stuffed with scrambled eggs with garlic, onion, sweet pepper and tomato – $5
  • Empanada with shredded beef: turnover-like cornmeal stuffed pocket – $3
  • Empanada with fish – $3
  • Empanada Domino – black beans and grated white cheese – $2.50
  • Pabellon Criollo – white rice, seasoned shredded beef, fried plantains, sliced avocado, fried egg, black beans and topped with Cotija cheese – $8
  • Cachapa – pancake-like dish made of fresh ground corn with a soft Mozzarella cheese and butter – $4.50

Hours: Daily, 9am-8pm
Phone: 503 200 4952
Facebook: La Arepa

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Filed Under: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, SE 50th and Ivon, South American, Southeast-Portland, Vegetarian Options, Venezuelan, Weekends Tagged With:

Year of the Fish

September 8, 2011 by 4 Comments
Year of the Fish

Year of the Fish

Location: SE 50th and Ivon, A la Carts Food Pavilion
Hours: Tues-Thur, 11:30-9; Fri, 11:30-12am; Sat, 12:30-12am, Sun, 12:30-8pm

The Story:

Out off Hawthorne in what many refer to as Stumbletown due to the number of bars, there is a new cart that is open late to sate those munchies you get after a few drinks – Year of the Fish. [Update 11/2011: Year of the Fish moved to SE 50th and Ivon]

Edward MacGregor opened Year of the Fish in September after being out of the restaurant game for a few years. Having grown up working in restaurants and subsequently owning them as a family business, he had taken a break from the grind, hoping to do something else. Well, the call of the deep fryer was too strong, but Edward didn’t want to do another restaurant, so decided on the cart. Locating at 47th and Hawthorne was also a strategic decision – an attempt to attract some of the crowds that line up to the few restaurant options in the area late night.

Tiger Prawns from Year of the Fish

Tiger Prawns from Year of the Fish

Year of the Fish is a fish and chips cart. With options including cod, red snapper and halibut, if you love fish, you’ll like love this cart. Edward offers traditional or gluten-free batter depending on your needs. What surprised me was the offer of tiger prawns. I love a good fish and chips, but to get batter fried tiger prawns raises the bar. Lightly breaded and crunchy, the prawns are delightful. You can get different sauces, but these are so flavorful, you don’t need it. Sided with a handful of steak fries, you have a great little snack.

Year of the Fish is now open for lunch and dinner weekdays and late night on the weekends. Drop on by for some well made fish and chips and other treats and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Cod and Chips – $7
  • Red Snapper and Chips – $7
  • Halibut and Chips – $market rate
  • Tiger Prawns and Chips – $8
  • Clam Chowder – New England style – cup, $3; bowl $5
  • Just Slaw – $3
  • Just Chips – $3

Hours: Tues-Thur, 11:30-9; Fri, 11:30-12am; Sat, 12:30-12am, Sun, 12:30-8pm
Phone: 971 258 6567
Twitter: @YearoftheFish1
Facebook: Year of the Fish

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Filed Under: Dinner, Fish, Fish and Chips, Fried food, Fries, Gluten Free Options, Late Night, Lunch, SE 50th and Ivon, Southeast-Portland, Weekends

The Burger Guild

August 1, 2011 by 11 Comments
The Burger Guild

The Burger Guild

Location: SE 50th and Ivon, A la Carts Food Pavillion
Hours: Tues-Sat, 12-9pm

The Story:

At some point, Portland became a burger town. Just last year, Willamette Week detailed the 50 best burgers in town which included some food carts. 2010 also introduce Portland to stuffed burgers and now we have our second cart offer such goodies – The Burger Guild.

Burgers and travel trailers go hand in hand and with The Burger Guild, the blue trailer that houses the operation is exactly what I would want as the kitchen for my burger maker. The Burger Guild opened in early July and already has a spot in one of Portland’s newest pods – Green Castle. Even after the first visit, the cart has moved to a more prominent position in the pod, indicating it’s immediate success. What makes The Burger Guild unique is that they stuff the burgers with ingredients like blue cheese, red peppers and onions or garlic and feta. These are great burgers with broad flavors.

Kalamata Mama

Kalamata Mama

The Kalamata Mama is a burger you would take home to mom. Using Cascade Natural beef, the burger is stuffed with red peppers, onions, garlic and feta cheese and then thrown on the grill. The whole shebang is put together well with a great bun, spinach, a mix named the Mata mix and some Burger Guild secret sauce. I gotta say – one of those burgers that is photo worthy. A stunning example of A) a unique way of creating a burger and B) an eye for presentation. That first chomp included the green flavors of the spinach with the juiciness of the burger and some overwhelming garlic tones mixed with the savory and warm flavors of the Mata mix. One juicy burger, don’t try to eat this on your lap. But if you do, its worth it!

The Burger Guild is now open at Green Castle on NE 20th and Everett with about ten other carts. There are tables there so you don’t have to sit in your cart with the burger on your lap. Drop on by, try one of their burgers and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

  • Black and Blue: Cascade Natural ground beef stuffed with blue cheese, red peppers and onions and topped with lettuce, tomato and TBG secret sauce – $6.75
  • Kalamata Mama: burger stuffed with red peppers, onions, garlic and feta cheese, topped with spinach, “Mata” mix and TBG secret sauce – $6.75
  • Deep Fried Mushrooms – $5
  • Deep Fried Sliders – $4 or 2 for $7
  • Midwest Style Pork Tenderloin Sandwich – pork tenderloin breaded and fried and topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles and mustard – $5.75

Hours: Tues-Sat, 12-9pm
Phone: 309 299 1377
Website: TheBurgerGuild.com
Facebook: The Burger Guild

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Filed Under: Dinner, Fried food, Hamburgers, Lunch, SE 50th and Ivon, Weekends
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