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

GF Chef

Location: SE 82nd and Harney, Cartlandia
Hours: Wed-Sat, 7:30am-8pm; Sun, 9am-4pm

The Story:

Over the past few years, the term gluten-free has become more prevalent when discussing food as more people, both young and old, learn they have an intolerance to gluten. Executive Chef Jim Adams and his wife decided to create a food cart that catered to those needs but also served some amazing food and GF Chef was born.

GF Chef opened last summer at the now shuttered Green Castle food pod. After the closure, Jim and his wife Bonnie regrouped and moved the cart to the ever expanding Cartlandia pod. No one likes to move a cart and so it took them a week or so to get situated, but now that they are open, they have garnered a loyal following. Jim is the executive chef of the cart and has his own recipes for most of the items. He bakes three different gluten free breads daily – rye, herb and white – and even has some signature pancakes for the morning crowd. Every week he is coming up with new an interesting baked goods like bagels or biscuits or french bread.

Reuben from GF Chef

The rye for the Reuben had just come out of the oven. A hefty loaf with an aroma that began to spread throughout the pod and turn heads. What makes a Reuben special for me is the quality of the corned beef and the Russian dressing. Jim creates his own dressing from an classic German recipe which includes caviar. The bread is first toasted then the Swiss cheese and corned beef are added and finally the sauerkraut and dressing. One excellent sandwich. The bread with a crunch from the toasting melts in your mouth. The dressing, always a treat for my taste buds cemented a memory that I’ll dredge up as a comparison every time I try someone else’s Reuben. The ferment of the sauerkraut topped it off.

Jim and Bonnie are fun to chat with and love what they create and will answer any question you may have. Their focus is to create some great meals gluten free which one would normally not be able to get – including corndogs. Jim has his own batter. GF Chef is open from breakfast through dinner and offers specials daily. If your gluten intolerant or even if you aren’t, check this cart out for some great food and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Breakfast sandwiches with ham, bacon or sausage, egg and cheese – $3.75
• Pancakes – 2 for $5.25
• Grilled Cheese – $5.50; add meat, $6.50
• Turkey, Ham or Corned Beef Sandwich – $7.50
• BLT – $7.50
• Reuben Sandwich – $8
• Corn Dog – $3.75
• Onion Rings – $4.50
• Hand Cut Fries, Belgian Style – sm, $3.75; lg, $6

Hours: Wed-Sat, 7:30am-8pm; Sun, 9am-4pm
Phone: 503 927 9880
Facebook: GF Chef

Skewed Concoctions

Location: SW 3rd and Stark
Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm and later on the weekends.

The Story:

Every summer I get invited to events where someone has the grill going. Invariably, they have meat or veggies on a stick for everyone to enjoy. Being winter though, those skewers are put away except for at Skewed Concoctions where they have most anything available skewered and grilled.

Zach and Katay, the owners, specialize in marinated meat and veggie skewers with an Asian theme. Thai, Hawaiian, Laotian – all of these cultures and their culinary secrets are represented on the menu and more. They have pork, turkey and chicken and even large chicken wings on skewers. If you’re looking for non-meat options, you can get a papaya salad or egg rolls. There seems to be something for everyone.

One item on the menu caught my eye due to the interesting combination of fruit and pepper. The cranberry chipotle glazed turkey skewer comes with two skewers, some rice, a salad and fried egg roll. The cranberry chipotle glaze was both sweet and smoky as the name would imply. It infused the turkey well, providing a great flavor profile throughout the meat.

Skewed Concoctions

Skewed Concoctions is open for lunch through dinner daily and late night on the weekends. Drop on by for a skewer or a full meal and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Individual skewers are $2-2.50
• Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Skewer meal – $7
• Chicken Satay Meal – $7
• Pineapple Teriyaki Pork Skewer meal – $7
• Beef Satay Meal – $7
• Orange Glazed Chicken Wing Meal – $7
• Ramen Vegetarian Pad Thai Meal – $7
• Papaya Salad – $5

Hours: Mon-Sat, 11am-7pm and later on the weekends
Phone: 971 226 9050
Twitter: @skewedconcoctio
Facebook: Skewed Concoctions

Nong's Khao Man Gai 2

Location: SW 4th and Hall
Hours: Mon-Fri, 11am-4pm

The Story:

Portland has some amazing food carts and Nong’s Khao Man Gai is one of them. Nong Poonsukwattana opened her first cart in 2009 and quickly became the go to cart for something new – Thai street food. With a single dish of chicken and rice, Nong and her cart became the talk not of the town.

As stated, the first cart served up a single dish – khao man gai. With the second cart down by Portland State University, they have expanded the menu, adding a vegetarian version of their signature dish, a Thai chicken wing dish made with sriracha and Chinese whiskey among other items, and a pork and rice dish. The Kao Kha Muu is pork braised in Coca Cola, cocoa powder, Thai and Chinese herbs ans spices that is then shredded and placed upon jasmine rice. Pickled mustard greens and a half hard boiled egg round out the meal. The marinade from the pork permeates the the rice infusing it with a sweet spicyness that had me taking bites a bit to quickly. I forced myself to slow down and simply enjoy each bite. So good! The greens were a great addition also, mixing in a light vinegar flavor. Put it all together, cover it with Nong’s signature spicy sauce and it is one great meal.

Pork and Rice from Nong's Khao Man Gai 2

I’m excited to see Nong and her team succeeding and expanding the menu. The khao man gai is still one of my favorite dishes, but with the expanded menu at the new cart, I will probably be visiting there more often. Check it out and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Khao Man Gai – chicken and rice – poached organic chicken with rice simmered in poultry stock and Thai herbs and served with their signature stock – $6.50 or large size for $10
• Khao Man Gai Jay – vegetarian chicken and rice – steamed veggies with jasmine rice cooked in vegetable stock and served with Khao Man Gai sauce  – $6.50
• Thai Basketball Mon’s Wings – Peek Gai Nam Daeng – organic chicken wings braised in tomato, sriracha, Chinese whiskey, garlic and shallot sauce served with jasmine rice – $6.50
• Khao Kha Muu – pork and rice – pork braised in Coca cola, cocoa powder, Thai and Chinese herbs and spices and service over jasmine rice with pickled mustard greens – $6.50

Hours: Mon-Fri, 11am-4pm
Website: KhaoManGai.com
Twitter: @Nongskhaomangai
Faebook: Nong’s Khao Man Gai
Other: Debit/Credit cards accepted

The Sausage Shack

Location: SW 3rd and Stark
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 10:30am-2am; Fri, 10:30am-3:30am; Sat, 10:30am-7:30pm

The Story:

When the previous owners of the cart that houses The Sausage Shack landed the cart on the corner of SW 3rd and Stark, one would have thought the circus was coming to town. This uniquely shaped cart reminds one of getting a corn-dog after watching the clowns pack themselves into a Volkswagen bug.

The Sausage Shack laid claim and opened a year or so ago and has been feeding Portland some the city’s best bacon. How do I know it is the best? They won the 2011 Bacon Cup for best bacon in the city. That is a title to be proud of in this city where we believe bacon is one of the essential food groups. The Shack is the work of Shawn and Tamara who took their award winning bacon and created a menu of burgers, chicken wings, and dogs and incorporated bacon into each item. You can follow their exploits on their YouTube channel where they document the life and times of a food cart family.

Farmer John Burger from The Sausage Shack

While the bacon wrapped chicken wings did sound appealing and made my mouth water, I was on the move and didn’t have a place to sit down and get messy, so I perused the burger options. The Farmer John is BLT on a burger along with a fried egg. That egg surprised me, but I liked it. Not an over the top monster burger, all the different pieces fit together well so I could enjoy it while walking to my next gig. The bacon was excellent and paired with the crisp lettuce, a thick slice of juicy tomato and good quality burger, I would rate high on my burger list of Portland’s food carts.

At The Sausage Shack, you can get bacon wrapped chicken wings, a bacon wrapped corn dog, a Philly cheesesteak dog and so many more great combinations. They are open for lunch and late into the night every night except for Sunday. Drop on by, give it a try and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

Full menu can be found on their website – PDXSausageShack.com

Hours: Mon-Thurs, 10:30am-2am; Fri, 10:30am-3:30am; Sat, 10:30am-7:30pm
Phone: 503 515 7962
Website: PDXSausageShack.com
Twitter: @Sausage_Shack
Facebook: The Sausage Shack
Other: Debit/Credit cards accepted

Zizzo's FC

Location: SW 9th and Alder
Hours: M-Sat, 11-4pm

The Story:

With much fanfare and a green scarf, Zizzo’s FC opened last month to feed an army – literally, the Timber’s Army.

Zizzo’s FC is the creation of Sal Zizzo, midfielder for Portland’s MLS team, the Timbers. Since we’re in the off season, Sal decided to take his family recipes and love of the kitchen and open a food cart. Many of his fans in the Timbers Army are happy he did. On any given day the last month, there were lines of people waiting patiently for a meatball sub or some pasta al forno. Not many carts are able to gain a huge following right out of the gate, but Sal knows who his audience is and feeds them well. Sal also comes from a family of restaurant owners out of California, so has the experience in the kitchen to hold his own.

Meatball Sub from Zizzo's FC

The meatball sub is one of those sandwiches that if you don’t do it right, it is very wrong. I’ve had some bad meatball subs in my eating days, so am sometimes wary to order as I have a high bar for such a sandwich. At Zizzo’s, they cut the balls in half and throw them on the flat top to sear them before laying them on a hoagie roll and smothering them with a robust red sauce. If you eat it right away, it will be nice and hot, but you won’t be able to experience the roll soaking up all that flavor – something I enjoy. Halfway through, you need a fork; which for me, is a good thing. All in all, a great sandwich which I would return for.

Zizzo’s FC is now open, serving lunch Monday to Friday. You will find Sal in the cart most days, so wear your colors and show some support for a hometown sportsman. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Caprese Sandwich – $6
• Meatball Sub – $6
• Salsiccia Sandwich – $6
• Pasta al Forno – $7
• Calamari Fritti – $7
• Cannoli – $4

Hours: M-Sat, 11-4pm
Phone: 971 263 3148
Website: ZizzosFC.com
Twitter: @ZizzosFC
Facebook: Zizzo’s FC

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

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

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

Sanjai's Teriyaki

Location: SE 52nd and Foster
Hours: Everyday, 11am-6pm

The Story:

Some of the first street food I enjoyed back as a younger man was yakisoba noodles. While it is now widely available throughout the city, finding it on a cool winter day while driving through southeast Portland brought back some great memories. Sanjai’s Teriyaki has some great yakisoba.

Sanjai’s Teriyaki started as a street vendor doing events and catering. I had heard about them and how good they were from friends who had enjoyed their food at the Pirate Festival. When I saw the cart at the lot on 52nd and Foster, I did a loop around the neighborhood and parked. I needed some lunch. The menu offers yakisoba noodles, Pad Thai noodles and fried rice – with or without chicken. Pretty straightforward and simple which allows them to focus on what they do well. I asked for my vegetarian yakisoba noodles to be super spicy – Thai spicy. They obliged and even threw in a small cup of their spicy Thai pepper oil. I commented that I love the Thai oil and the owner, Tony, detailed how to make it at home for myself. I ended up walking away with some great noodles which were blazingly spicy and a recipe for myself. A win-win situation. The noodles, with chopped cabbage, sliced carrot and plenty of hot oil were just what I was looking for and satisfied my craving.

Yakisoba Noodles from Sanjai's Teriyaki

Sanjai’s Teriyaki is now open at the pod at SE 52nd and Foster which now has indoor seating and is looking to add a cocktail cart in the near future. If you’re in the area, drop on by and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Yakisoba Noodles – $6; w/chicken, $8
• Pad Thai Noodles – $6; w/chicken, $8
• Fried Rice – $6; w/chicken, $8
• Combo plate with all of the above – $10
• Eggroll – $2

Hours: Everyday, 11am-6pm
Contact: 503 453 3096
Facebook: Sanjai’s Teriyaki

Breakfast Lunch Today

Location: Cartlandia, SE 82nd and Harney
Hours: Mon-Thurs, 8am-4pm; Fri, 8am-6pm; Sat, 11am-6pm

The Story:

I saw the logo first and my mouth began to water. blt. I immediately had that memory from childhood of stacking bacon and lettuce on toasted bread (no tomato, I didn’t like tomatoes then) with plenty of mayo and taking that wonderful first bite. Breakfast Lunch Today, or otherwise known as blt is a sandwich shop at Cartlandia.

Etienne Saucier opened his cart in summer and moved to the Cartlandia pod in August. Originally, he had planned a large menu of diverse items, but reality set in and he realized he wouldn’t have a large cart to support such efforts. In the trailer he did outfit, he designed a menu that would work with the confined space. After a few months, he’s happy with his choice and has succeeded.

Montecristo from Breakfast Lunch Today

Etienne focuses on sandwiches and has a broad selection to choose from including fried sandwiches, cold sandwiches and classics like the Dagwood  and Croque-Monsieur. I was ready to go for the namesake and get a BLT, but asked him for his recommendation and he steered me to the Fried Montecristo. I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying a few variations on the Montecristo – usually a deep fried traditional sandwich with powdered sugar atop. When we opened up Etienne’s version I was completely surprised. Instead of a traditional sandwich with slices of bread, his Montecristo is made up of black forest ham, turkey, Gruyere and emmental cheese then wrapped in beignet dough and deep fried. Beignet Dough! I just stared at it for a minute not sure what to think, but took the first bite and tasted the sweetness of the dough mixed with the excellent choice of cheese and meats. So good. We even tasted a bit of wine in there, but Etienne explained that beignet dough is over yeasty which brings out those types of flavors and smells. A great twist on an already wonderfully decadent sandwich.

Etienne and his cart are open during the week and on Saturday for breakfast, lunch and on Friday and Saturday, you could pick something up for an early dinner. If you’re in the mood for a well crafted sammy, drop on by Breakfast Lunch Today and let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Fried Cheese: their special dough filled with Mozzarella or cheddar and fried – $4; add bacon or ham, $5
• Egg and Cheese: like a fried quiche – $5.50
• Fried Denver: bell peppers, ham, eggs and stuffed in dough and fried – $6.50
• Turkey-Cran: turkey, provolone, cranberry sauce fried in special dough – $6
• Tomato and Fresh Basil: tomato, Mozzarella, fresh basil in signature dough – $5
• Fried Montecristo: ham, turkey, Gruyere, emmental, dijin mustard wrapped in beignet dough and fried – $8
• Turkey Club: bacon, turkey, lettuce, tomato, may and cheddar – $5
• Ham and Spinach: ham, spinach, provolone, olives and honey mustard – $5.50
• Roast Beef and Cheddar: add lettuce, tomato, horseradish and cheddar – $6
• Muffuletta: ham, salami, mortadella, provolone and cajun olive spread – $7

Hours: Mon-Thurs, 8am-4pm; Fri, 8am-6pm; Sat, 11am-6pm
Phone: 503 310 4631
Facebook: blt
Resources: Credit/Debit cards accepted

Chilango

Location: SW 4th and Hall
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30am-7pm

The Story:

When one cart departs, someone is always there, ready to repaint and relaunch as something new. Chilango is one of the newest faces on SW 4th at the PSU pod.

When I visited the other day, it took me a few minutes of reviewing the menu to realize this cart served Mexican food. Normally, the first items on the menus are tacos and burritos. At Chilango, it is bowls. After ordering my lunch from Veronica, I asked what Chilango meant and she told me it was a boy from Mexico City and then pointed at Caesar who was making my lunch and said – him!

Chilango Bowl Taco

At Chilango, you can get soft tacos and burritos, vegetarian fare and other traditional Mexican food, but what caught my eye was the Chilango Bowl. Your choice of meat served with beans, rice, pico de gallo, guacamole, cotija cheese and handmade masa tortillas. What I pictured in my mind paled in comparison to what they served. A large portion of beans and rice covered with chicken tinga (my meat choice), a few large spoonfuls of fresh guacamole and pico. Chicken tinga is shredded chicken breast stewed with tomatoes and onions. The tortillas were amazingly fresh and putting it all together into a small little taco was a treat. The guacamole, made fresh that morning, had a hint of lemon that when paired with a bit of chicken and black bean was amazing. A very large portion, more than enough for a hearty lunch.

The bright red cart that looks like a small cabin is welcoming – especially with Veronica and Caesar there with their big smiles and wonderful food. They have an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu using tempe. Head on down if you haven’t visited the pod in awhile and give it a try. Let them know Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Chilango Bowl – choice of grilled chicken, asada, ground beef, carnitas or chicken tinga with black or pinto beans, rice, pico de gallo, guacamole, cotija cheese and corn tortillas – $6
• Burrito – choice of meat with black or pinto beans, rice, lettuce, cheese, onions and cilantro – flour tortilla – $6
• Soft Taco – corn tortilla with choice of meat with onion and cilantro – $2
• Vegetarian Chilango Bowl – black or pinto beans, rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, cotija cheese and 3 corn tortillas – $5.50
• Tempe Chilango Bowl – black or pinto beans, rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, cotija cheese, corn tortillas and tempe – $6
• Breakfast Burrito – eggs, potatoes, black or pinto beans, cheese, pico de gallo – $4.50

Hours: Weekdays, lunchtime
Phone: 503 218 3352 (text to go orders)
Resources: Debit/Credit Carts accepted