The Big Egg

Location: N. Mississippi at Skidmore in Mississippi Marketplace

Description:

Breakfast! The most important meal of the day. Isn’t that what we’ve learned all our lives? And yet, what do we eat when running out the door trying to get to the office or run that important errand – coffee, pastries… or something like that. I try and eat healthy in the morning, but am not the best example of a breakfast eater. I am usually on the fly to work when I decide I need something and grab a donut or something equally unhealthy. Today though, I changed it up. I woke up earlier than usual, made quick my morning routine and walked down the street to a new cart offering breakfast in my neighborhood- The Big Egg. Mississippi Marketplace, a new pod located in north Portland opened two weeks ago and the carts are beginning to open and work out the kinks. This morning was The Big Egg’s first morning and I’m glad I was there to welcome them.

When I think of breakfast out, the mind ranges from the full greasy spoon breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, fruit and toast all the way to the simple egg McMuffin from the fast food joints. If you venture beyond the local diner and fast food, you can enjoy a healthier breakfast, but you may be required to stand around for awhile since there are more people wanting that than there are amazing restaurants that offer it. In comes the breakfast food cart! The Big Egg serves breakfast. Simple as that. They craft breakfast in the form of egg sandwiches and wraps, but also offer up french toast, granola, fruit and sweet stuff.

This morning, while perusing the menu for the first time, my heart skipped a beat seeing that The Big Egg had a Monte Cristo on the menu. Seriously, my heart skipped a few beats remembering the last time I ventured into Monte Cristo land. This is one sandwich you do not take lightly. It is also one I will need to return for as this morning, I wasn’t hungry enough to tackle it. I ordered up the Breakfast Wrap, a grilled tortilla filled generously with scrambled eggs, roasted red potatoes (chopped up in small pieces for easy eating,) grilled portabello mushrooms, fire-roasted poblano salsa and Gorgonzola cheese. All this comes drizzled with their yogurt-lime sauce. It was huge!

The Big Egg Breakfast Wrap

As I wandered back down the street to catch my morning train, I dove in. The wrap was a larger tortilla that wasn’t filled to the max. That to me is a good think since I don’t have to worry about everything bursting out the sides. It was juicy, so I got a little messy at the end, but it was worth it. I loved the mix of the ingredients. Everything was just the right amount that nothing overwhelmed anything else. The potatoes and mushrooms were cut perfect. Small, so when grilled, they became tasty morsels. Needless to say, it filled me up.

I’m excited to have these new carts so close to me. With a couple of them, including The Big Egg, offering breakfast, it expands our options for when we don’t want to make it at home. Also, this will be perfect for those weekend mornings when you want something good but quick before heading out on errands. Head on down to The Big Egg, enjoy some breakfast or brunch, welcome Gayle and Elizabeth to the neighborhood and tell them Food Carts Portland sent ya.

Sample Menu:

• The Portlander: two eggs any style, cheese, with fresh chive and country dijon mustard served on a toasted Grand Central brioche – $5. w/meat $6 (meat includes apple wood smoked bacon, ham, veggie sausage)
• The Arbor Lodge: one egg any style, grilled portobello mushrooms, caramelized balsamic onions, arugula with roasted garlic and herb aioli on grilled Grand Central brioche – $6.50
• The Mississippi Monte Cristo: one egg any style, grilled black forest ham and gorgonzolla, drizzled with pure mable glaze, stacked between two pieces crunchy vanilla cardamom brioche French toast and dusted with powdered sugar – $7
• Breakfast Wrap: tortilla filled with scrambled eggs, roasted red peppers, grilled portabello mushrooms, fire-roasted poblano salsa, cheese, drizzled with yogurt-lime sauce – $4.75; w/meat $5.75
• Granola, Fruit and Yogurt cup – $4

Hours: Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun: 8am-2pm
Website: The Big Egg
Twitter: TheBigEgg