Portland Food Carts
In downtown Portland alone, there are 80 carts, a boon to lunchtime crowds in need of a quick grab-and-go. The food carts have not only meant an explosion of ethnic food choices in the city, they have attracted operators who, when it comes to cuisine, are cheekily inventive. Streetside dining has been the food story of the year. Food carts seem to group togeather in what Portlanders call pods. Listed next some of the more popular pods and carts that are on the must try list.
Southwest 10th and Alder Pod:
Savor Soup House cart’s owner and chef has a commitment to local, high quality ingredients and is extremely passionate and enthusiastic about her new endeavor using quality Grand Central bread, and environmentally friendly biodegradable utensils and containers. Beef Stroganoff with egg noodles, Vegan tomato with orange and fennel, velvety potato with fresh herbs, Hungarian mushroom with fresh dill, lentil with fried onion topping. The soups are inspired.
Nong's brings the Thai tradition of the one-dish street food vendor, serving khao man gai, or chicken rice, exclusively. One bite of moist, perfectly poached chicken with hints of cilantro, garlic, and lemongrass—served with a ginger-chile sauce and a side of broth.
Southwest 5th and Oak Pod:
Tabor Probably one of the best food carts in Portland. This little red hut located on is the home of the famous “snitzelwich” – a perfectly tender, breaded and fried choice of chicken or pork cutlet served on a fresh ciabatta roll and served with a hint of horseradish and a nice sweet paprika-red pepper sauce, grilled onions, and lettuce.
Brunch Box specializes in sandwich and burger fare. They also do breakfast. They bake their English muffins fresh each day and have numerous ways you can fix your muffin up.
Southwest 4th and College Pod:
Portland soup company offers up soup obviously, but also sandwiches and salads.
KOI Fusion does Korean beef tacos, hot grilled Korean-marinated meats sidled up next to some fresh Mexican flavors. Add some Korean spiced fries, and burritos. This cart moves around daily so check their web site www.koifusionpdx.com
Southeast 12th and Hawthrone Pod: (good lunch and late night spot!)
Potato Champion serves the perfect Belgian fries, fresh-cut, fried not once but twice, and super-crispy, served piping hot with just the right salt attack. A large selection of dipping sauces, including anchovy mayo, satay sauce, ketchup with rosemary and truffle oil and sweet hot mustard sauce.
El Brasero has a vast menu: Tacos, burritos, sopas, tortas, etc. They also have breakfast burritos and a good list of vegetarian burritos.
Bubba Bernie's serves up all your Cajun/Creole faves. Catfish and shrimp po boys, jambalaya, gumbo, crabcakes, clam strips, étouffée, as well as deli-style: sandwiches( one of Portland's best Philly Cheese steaks), polish sausages, kosher hot dogs and egg creams.
North Mississippi and Skidmore Pod:
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.(monte cristo sandwich)
Nuevo Mexico serves up Burritos, sopapillas, posole, green chile chicken stew, quesadillas, Navajo tacos, huevos rancheros, breakfast bowl, kids meals, fried sweet dough balls, Mexican Coke, Jarritos
