Spaghetti al Ragu: Pizza...

Today, I left a little earlier than usual for lunch. Many of the carts weren't open yet, as can happen if you show up before 11:30 or so.

I stopped by Spaghetti al Ragu, just off SW 5th and Oak.

This cart's been around a while, first starting out in the ill-fated attempt at a pod in the parking lot on SW 3rd between Oak and Pine. None of the carts that have set up there have lasted long, and the owner had to move to a pod with more traffic to try to keep things afloat.

When at the prior location, I enjoyed the spaghetti and tasty bread served with it, and as time went by, the menu was expanded to include sandwiches and calzones and pizza.

The noodles are rolled out and cut right in front of you, fresh as can be. The sauce is full of flavor, and comes in meat or non-meat varieties.

Pizzas are 10" personal size (PLENTY of food) and are offered with regular or Black Butte Porter crusts, $5 for up to three toppings.

Unfortunately, today, there was no Black Butte Porter crust, no chicken, none of the 'special of the day' offerings (such as Ravioli) - and the owner commented that he probably will be closing down the cart soon.

Despite it being one of the few places to get any kind of Italian food from a cart, and having some delicious dishes with huge portions, it appears this cart may suffer the fate of many of the carts that have come and gone in the last couple years, and even a location change to a more populous pod may not be able to save it.

So while it lasts, head on down to Spaghetti al Ragu and try some delicious stuff before it's too late. In the few weeks I've been trying to blog my meals, that's potentially the 2nd cart I've reviewed disappearing.

I noticed a new cart right next door, about to open for their first day, "Sin Wagon," in a spot that was occupied by a Cuban food cart for all of three weeks or so earlier, after having been converted from a Thai cart prior to that. This seems to be the pattern with that particular corner of an otherwise rather busy cart pod - the ones on the North end of the lot change out frequently.