Curbside Grill

Location: SE 13th and Lexington
Hours: T-F, 11:30-7, S/S 11:30-5pm

The Story:

The corner lot at SE 13th and Lexington has seen a lot of change over the years. With a pioneer in the neighborhood like Garden State, it’s tough to follow in such footsteps, but Curbside Grill, a new sandwich and wings cart has taken on the challenge.

Curbside Grill was opened by Ray Koernig and Melanie Sandoval in the spring of 2010. A bright red kitchen on wheels, they hit the ground running with one of the simplest and best logos I have seen – a camping trailer, a picnic table and a fork and knife. While it defines street food for me since so many have converted older camping trailers to food carts, it also brings back fond memories of being out in the woods with an open fire. Grilled chicken is on the menu at Curbside with numerous sandwiches and even wings. I think they may be one of the first to try wings.

G-Bird Sandwich from Curbside Grill

I don’t normally order chicken sandwiches. I’ll admit it, I’m not the biggest fan of chicken no matter how it is cooked unless its wings. When we visited, we almost chose the falafel in order to get something new, but I realized the cart is all about the chicken sandwich, so took the plunge and chose the G-Bird. Take a floury ciabatta roll, slather on a little garlic mayo and add the seasoned grilled chicken thigh meat and top it with jack and Gorgonzola cheese, leaf lettuce, tomato and some red onion and you have 1) and beautiful sandwich and 2) a delicious meal. I grabbed half of it, as large as my hands could handle, and wrapped my mouth around a corner and took that first bite. The moist seasoned chicken mixed with the gooey of the mixed cheeses and the garlic aioli set my taste buds on fire. Everything about the sandwich was top notch from the soft bread to the seasoned meat to the fresh veggies. A big sandwich, it can be shared easily between two people with no one leaving hungry. Curbside Grill may have converted me.

Curbside Grill is a winner. A great sandwich for a great price from friendly food cart owners. I just wish the cart was closer so I could become a regular. Well, it will be that treat I pine after during the work week. If you are down in the Sellwood area, drop on by the pod on 13th and Lexington and visit Curbside Grill. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Buffalo Chicken sandwich: seasoned grilled chicken thigh meat dipped in your choice of wing sauce, topped with shredded carrots, red onion and blue cheese – $5.50
• El Guapo: seasoned grilled chicken thigh meat topped with roasted green chili, jack cheese and chipotle mayo – $5.50
• The Green Cheese sandwich: seasoned grilled chicken thigh meat topped with pesto cream cheese spread, lettuce, tomato, and red onion – $5.50
• The Plain Jane sandwich: seasoned grilled chicken thigh meat topped with jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion and garlic mayo – $5.50
• G-Bird: seasoned grilled chicken thigh meat topped with jack cheese, Gorgonzola, lettuce, tomato, red onion and garlic mayo – $5.50
• Fries or Tater tots added for $1
• Grilled Chicken Salad: romaine lettuce topped with grilled chicken thigh, red onion, carrot, tomato, blue cheese crumbles, and blue cheese dressing – $6
• Chicken Wings: with your choice of sauce – medium, hot, honey bbq, sweet chile – 6 for $5.25; 9 for $7.25

Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 11:30am-7pm; Saturday, Sunday, 11:30am-5pm
Phone: 503 422 0922
Website: CurbsideGrillPDX.com
Twitter: @CrbSideGrillPDX Facebook: Curbside Grill PDX

Location: SE 13th and Lexington, Sellwood

The Story:

The small block of food carts in Sellwood have seen some turnover during the past couple of years, some carts have shuttered while others have moved to different locations, which is completely natural – we’re talking mobile eateries here. Recently moving next door to Garden State [who are opening a new cart on Mississippi soon] is a welcome newcomer, Bruce Lee’s Kitchen.

The owner is upbeat and stoked to be in business. Her enthusiasm is awesome as were the tattered copies of “The Millionaire Next Door” and “Your Money or Your Life” next to the register. She’s ready, man.

The food? Hearty and huge portions. You can get it mild or spicy as you’d like it. I sampled the tofu stir fry which was served in hearty portions with bell peppers, carrots, onions, tofu and a side of white rice. How can one go wrong with a simple stir fry? It’s happened. Not so here, though. It was satisfying for a complete meal but I still managed to cram in a spring roll. Fresh, delicious and simple.

Future food carters: There’s enough foot traffic to keep the Sellwood food cart block in business. A couple more would make it more vibrant.

Sample Menu:

• Pad Thai, chicken or tofu $5.50
• Stir Fry, chicken or tofu $5.50
• Red Curry, chicken or tofu, $5.50
• Teriyaki chicken, $5.50
• Fried Rice, $5.50
• Various appetizers, including spring rolls, salad rolls, vegetable pot stickers, ranging in price from $1.25 to $2.50.

Hours: Daily, Monday through Sunday
Phone: 503-320-8269