Che' Cafe

Location: N Williams at Shaver st.

Description:

North Williams street has become a new nexus of activity in North Portland. With in the influx of restaurants, salons, a dessert place and a brewery, it was only a matter of time before a food cart opened. And where it opened is important. The space where Che Cafe is located is right next to a 1935 building where you have indoor seating. The development, by the developer of Portland’s most green building – The Heritage on NE MLK – is perfect for Portland’s unpredictable weather.

Che Cafe is Ryan and Terri’s dream. Both love dogs, simple as that. Why talk about dogs? Well, throughout the years, Ryan and Terri have had four amazing dogs – Nikai, a husky who was active and free spirited; Che’, a large Princess Shepard who loved to lounge; Riley, a senior Shepard mix who appeared to have “doggy Alzheimers,” but was happy and kind; and then Sadie, a senior border collie mix who was very attached, loving and affectionate. All of these dogs had an impact on Ryan and Terry and they want Che’ Cafe to provide neighbors the same love and devotion those dogs showed them throughout the years.

Pulled Pork from Che' Cafe

I visited Che’ Cafe with some fellow food cart enthusiasts. We were all ready for the weekend and indulged in our personal weaknesses. A couple of pulled pork sandwiches over here, a burger over there and even a black bean burger for the vegetarian of the group. Each of the dishes came with crunchy fries and homemade ketchup.

Bubby Burger from Che' Cafe

I enjoyed the half pound Bubby Burger. A monster of a burger, it came with crispy fried onions and cheddar cheese. The burger is exactly what I was craving and it was cooked just right. The seasoning was spot on – you could tell this was good ground beef mixed with spices and made into a patty by hand. The crispy fried onions were an added bonus.

The added bonus to this cart is the building next door. They offer up indoor seating for those wet and rainy days or even for those who don’t want to take their food and go. Inside the 1935 redeveloped building is a coffee cart and restrooms, along with a performance space called the Analog Lounge (i.e. no cell phones or laptops.) When you get over to North Williams and you see this bright red cart named Che’ Cafe, stop on by, have some great American food and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Creamy Tomato Basil Soup with grilled cheese sandwich – $6
• Mr. Riley’s Sake Mac & Cheese – macaroni tossed with 3 cheese sake sauce, topped with fried onions and served with garlic bread – $6
• Caprese Capellini – capellini tossed with garlic tomato oil, fresh tomatoes and basil topped with fresh Parmesan and served with garlic bread – $7
• Fu fries – tofu lengths fried to a crisp and served with sweet and spicy sauce – $5
• Pulled Pork Sandwich – dry rubbed pork cooked til it falls apart sauce with homemade BBQ sauce on an onion bun – $7
• Meatloaf sandwich – homemade meatloaf smothered with sharp cheddar cheese – $8
• Half Pound Bubby Burger – burger topped with aioli served on onion bun with all the fixins – $7

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11am – 7pm
Phone: 503 477 0322
Twitter: CheCafePDX
Other: Che Cafe will take orders over the phone for pickup and deliver within specific geographic location

Burgerville Nomad

Location: mobile  – most recently seen at Pioneer Courthouse Square

Description:

If you are an Oregonian, when you think of Burgerville, you may think of Walla Walla sweet onion rings or Blackberry shakes or Tillamook Cheeseburgers. Burgerville is one of those local chain restaurants that bucks the fast food trend and embraces what this city loves – local. I have always been a fan of their burgers and known they were better than the other chains, but it was only in the past few years that Burgerville embraced a more local stance by partnering with Oregon Country Beef and sourcing their veggies from local farms. And they are succeeding. Now, they take their menu on the road.

The Burgerville Nomad is a burger truck by all accounts. Like many of the taco trucks we see around the city, it is designed to be truly mobile and doesn’t currently have a primary location. The Nomad has staff too. Not just a couple of individuals in the truck putting together your lunch, but they have greeters and hosts there to offer you a menu, take your order and hand you a napkin once your meal is done. I think I counted about seven or eight staff. Wow. They do a brisk business, constantly busy while I ate my lunch and observed, but no more busy than some of the other carts in the square.

The Nomad offers up an extensive menu. I haven’t been in a real Burgerville in awhile, so this may not be their entire menu. There are the signature burgers, the homemade veggie burgers, the turkey and chicken sandwiches. There are salads and fries and an assortment of drinks. They even offer up milkshakes and other desserts, including seasonal ones, leveraging local fruit harvests. The prices are reasonable – just like in the restaurant and the service is great. No complaints here.

I wanted to enjoy their signature Pepper Bacon Cheeseburger the other day, but upon arrival, I as informed that they had run out of bacon. Harrumph! It was only 12:15. I thought that was odd, but picked up the Tillamook Cheeseburger and enjoyed it just the same.

The Burgerville Nomad is a mobile truck, so if you are looking for it, you should follow them on Twitter or check out their website for current and future locations. If you want a great burger or blackberry shake, Burgerville is a good choice. When you find them, tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• Pepper Bacon Cheeseburger – Country Natural beef, pepper bacon, Tillamook cheddar cheese, condiments – $5.70
• Tillamook Cheeseburger – Country Natural beef, Tillamook cheddar cheese, condiments – $4.50
• Half-pound Colossal Cheeseburger – 2 1/4 lb. Country Natural Beef patties, American cheese, condiments – $6.40
• Hamburger -$1.60
• Cheeseburger – $1.80
• Spicy Anasazi Bean Burger – spicy Anasazi bean patty, Tillamok pepper jack cheese, chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato on a bun – $5.90
• Rogue River Smokey Blue Salad – spring mix greens, Rogue River smokey blue cheese, cranberries, apples and crape tomatoes – $6.95
• French Fries – $2.30
• Seasonal Milkshakes – $4.80
• Ice Cream Milkshake – $3.60

Hours: varies per event
Phone: 1-866-264-2313
Website: Burgerville.com
Twitter: BurgervilleUSA

Philly Cheesesteaks and Burgers

Location: Pioneer Courthouse Square (near the corner of SW 6th and Yamhill) and SW 4th and Hall Pod

Description:

[Originally written Nov. 2008; updated Aug. 2009] Philadelphia Freedom! Perhaps it is this monumental 2008 election year, but after dropping off my ballot at the Multnomah County drop box downtown, I found myself craving a cheesesteak. I mean, really, what is more patriotic than life, liberty and the pursuit of melted American cheese on tender grilled and thinly sliced beef?

For it was in 1776 that the founders of our great nation declared, in Philadelphia, the Declaration of Independence. In 1976, during our nation’s bicentennial I traveled to Philly for the festivities. Wearing a red, white and blue bell bottom jumpsuit, star printed tennis shoe laces on my converses and sporting a Dorthy Hamil haircut, I made the Spirit of ’76 pilgrimage. I went to the Liberty Bell, visited Independence Hall and watched actors and actresses in period costumes and white wigs talk in big words that I had no idea what they were saying. I do however, remember my first cheesesteak on that very same trip. It was dripping with grease, filled with grilled peppers and onions, thinly sliced tender beef and loads of oozing American cheese. It was heaven on a hoagie bun.

Philly Cheesesteaks and Burgers knows all about this particularly American sandwich. Their version is also pretty darn close to the ones found in Philly. With a simple menu that also includes that other quintessential American food, The Hamburger in all its forms, Philly Cheesesteaks is a quick, cheap and filling bite of Americana.

Sample Menu:
Philly Cheesesteaks – Thinly sliced steak grilled with onions, green and red bell peppers, mushrooms topped with melted white American cheese and served on a soft hoagie roll.
Small – $4.25
Medium – $5.25
Large – $6.25

Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers – $4.00 – $6.25

Soda – $1.00
Extra Steak – $1.75

Lettuce, tomato, extra cheese, pepperoni – $0.75 extra

Hours: Lunchtime Mon-Fri

Phone: Unknown

Website: Unknown

Email: Unkown