Wives with Knives

always fun ... sometimes edgy

Portland’s Thriving Food Cart Culture

Streetside dining is the food story of the year and Portland, Oregon is at the forefront of the food cart movement that is spreading across the country.  The quality and range of food rival what is available in some of the best restaurants in the city.  You can find all the usual fare plus upscale offerings like duck confit on a crusty baguette ($5.50…I swear to god!!).

Multnomah County has more than 450 carts that are clustered throughout the area.  Opening a restaurant can be a costly and risky business, and Portland has embraced these carts by offering affordable licences and easy access to real estate.  And many of these little restaurants on wheels can move around the city for special events and tweet their daily locations to faithful followers.

Yesterday my son, his girlfriend and I checked out a cluster of carts in Southeast Portland and decided on Bruce Lee’s Kitchen.
Their teriyaki chicken is perfectly cooked – tender chicken pieces, crisp stir fried veggies and a delicious, not too sweet, sauce.
Curbside Grill’s chicken sandwich selection is awesome and we chose a “Plain Jane.”  Not so plain in my opinion with grilled chicken thighs, onions, tomato and lettuce on a toasted ciabatta roll.
The fries that came with this scrumptious sandwich were hot and crispy and were sprinkled with a seasoning blend that reminded me of Old Bay…just right.
Some carts are permanently in place and fancy.  There is no inside seating, of course, and many have comfortable covered areas with a few tables and chairs.
Portlanders love these carts and on a typical day you will find lines at most of the them during lunch hours.  Portland Food Carts has a terrific website where you can find cart locations and track down exactly what foods you are looking for:  waffle, bbq, baked potatoes, salads, brats, the list is almost endless.
Here are a few suggestions if you are out and about in the city:
Tabor at 5th and Start downtown ~ Pork Schnitzel Sandwiches.  Thursday is spaetzel day.
Potato Champion at SE 12th and Hawthorne – Belgiun fries
Garden State in Sellwood ~ Sicilian food
Addy’s Sandwich Bar ~ This is where you can find the duck confit on a baguette and sandwiches that
                                        remind you of those sold in the boulangeries in Paris.
If you are thinking “gee, maybe I want to open a food cart” as you read this post here is a link that gives you the lowdown on what’s involved to do so.  I’m sure it’s like most things and it’s a lot more involved than it looks and requires much more work than you ever expected, but Portlanders love their carts and embrace them with open arms.  It sounds like fun, doesn’t it?
This one is a gem – a little converted travel trailer.  Visually this is my favorite.

Comments

  1. Every now and then I have this fantasy of having a little BBQ stand and the little green trailer in the last pic is exactly what I invision. But since I'd only serve fresh, and I think about having to BBQ everyday, I come back to reality.:-) Maybe in my next life.

  2. I've read about Portland's food carts in my local paper. There's controversy in our city about food carts, and proponents cited your success. There are a lot of uptight people though, who don't get the need for such a food culture so we are still sadly lacking in street food.

  3. How lucky ya'll are to have sooooo many choices. I wish someone would adapt this idea in downtown Jackson, MS.

    Seriously, our food options are pitiful here in the Capital City.

    This would be fantastic, maybe when I retire I can start a revolution!

  4. You do know how fortunate to are to live close distance to these absolutely delightful diners!! How I wish.

  6. I'm telling you what Cathy…..I want to fly out there to Portland for that fabulous food market you speak about so often!!!!!! One of these days don't be surprised if I email you and tell you I am coming, and you can meet me at the darling vintage trailer ( I want one so bad) and we can meet and have lunch!!!

  7. How fun Cathy. I would love to sample from each one. The vintage trailers are so cute.
    Sam

  9. When I was in Washingrton over the weekend I saw several taco carts. We have several carts at our farmers market but they are restricted from being anywhere else. I used to love to drive to the chips trucks scattered in the countryside back East.

  10. This is awesome!! There are a few in downtown NY I remember from years ago, but the variety in Portland seems fabulous! And I WANT a little green trailer!!
    xoxo Pattie

  11. What fun! We really don't have anything like this in St. Augustine that I can think of, but there might be some at the beach. I have to think about it now that you mention these, Cathy. And I love the one you like, too. It's got personality. I also love the red trolley cart. We do have a train car (silver) that is a diner that's lots of fun. It sits across from the old train station that is now part of Flagler College. But these carts are much fun!

    XO,

    Sheila 🙂

  13. I love street and fair food especially when there are international delights like these.

  14. I love this post, Cathy! What fun. And usually the best food comes from the food carts!

    Also loved the sandwich in your last post. All my favorite ingredients!

  15. It's so nice to know this kind of things. I love that sort of information and, some times, this publicity just help us and the people who work hard to give us good food!
    Love,
    Lia.

  18. I love the little green camper food cart! 🙂 TheTeriyaki chicken and stir fried veggies looks delicious!!

  19. I will take the Teriyaki chicken thank you. What a great little post on the food carts in Portland and how amazing that they have a web-site where you can find what's out there. That's amazing to me as we don't have one food cart in town. Joni

  20. Oh, how much fun (and how much work!) it would be to have a food cart. I love the little green trailer, too… looks real cozy. My nephew lives in Portland… I'm going to send him the link to this post 🙂

  21. Great post! Those are some delicious looking dishes you purchased. I wish I could visit Oregon and try some of those out:)

  22. Cathy – the food carts operate year around and the weather would have to be terrible to keep the foodies away. A typical Portlander would ride a bicycle to his or her favorite cart and eat lunch in the rain. We're just like that!

  23. Very convenient eats…love the idea. I like them all. We don't have these here, such a pity. Would love to try those delicious looking food.

  24. That would be fun, eating your way through the city! They look nice and clean, unlike the ones in NYC!

  26. What a great post, Cathy. I'll wager you had great fun doing research for it. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary

  27. You get to go to the neatest events, Cathy! That teriyaki chicken has my mouth watering already this morning & I am going to try your baked bean sandwich very, very soon!

    Thanks for all your inspiration!!!

  28. I had no idea such a thing was going on. I hope it catches on in Chicago–winters might prohibit that. As a child, it was my dream to grow up and live in a mobile home. I used to beg my parents to take me to see them at dealerships. My other dream was to mix "stuff" together and cook. I could possibly realize both dreams at the same time! I have thoroughly enjoyed your post.

    Best,
    Bonnie

  29. The carts remind me of the food fair they have in downtown Denver every year. Local restaurants set up stands and you are able to try a variety of dishes at reasonable prices. It is only once a year. You get to enjoy the food carts all year long. You are a lucky girl!

  30. I love the concept! There are many street vendors in the summer here but nothing as charming as this. Great choices you made 🙂

  31. How cute it that last travel trailer. Where is it located? I was on Alberta a couple days ago and saw a bunch of people walking down the street taking pictures of carts. Were you by any chance on Alberta on Wednesday? That's my neighborhood. There are indeed getting to be alot of carts on Alberta and Mississippi too.

  32. How great for the people of Portland! That would be so cool – just find a vendor and not worry abut sitting down and wasting alot of time in an indoor restaurant.

  33. Love your post; wish I lived in your area; so much variety.We have a couple of chips stands and that's it.
    Rtia

  34. We don't see these stalls here in Belgium, only on pop festivals!

    All of your tasted food looks quite fab & ooh so tasty too!,..thanks !

  35. I've heard that the food trucks in Portland can be amazing. The food looks very good. I also like how charming each of the trucks are decorated.

  36. Cathy, I love these! They're trying to do this in Chicago, but so many food laws and restrictions, I swear Chicago needs to get on the ball!

  37. Marilyn – This adorable trailer is at N. Albina and Blandena. I wasn't in the group taking pictures in the Alberta area but am looking forward to coming to visit with my camera. Thanks for your comment.

  38. Is the food they served cheaper than the one from restaurants? Who knows, they can actually surprise you with some awesome delicious meal! Have a nice day!
    Cheers, Kristy

  39. I really need to get out and visit the local food carts soon. That teriyaki chicken looks amazing! Great photos!

  40. The food carts are awesome. I went to one with some friends two years ago called Shut Up and Eat (they’ve since opened a storefront restaurant)….amazing sandwiches and homemade potato chips.
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