Lamb Platter - A Taste of Greek - SW 2nd and Oak

I didn't travel far today, due to the rain - and ended up at a cart right next door to the one I visited yesterday.

This is one of the longer running carts downtown, from my memory, and has been in this spot for quite some time. I've considered it a 'standard' - a consistent, reliable cart with good food - and yet I rarely go there, because I'm often trying to find something 'new' to try.

Today, I went with the Lamb Platter, instead of a gyro. Basically, it's the same ingredients, a little more generous on the greens, plus some rice thrown in for good measure... over some tasty, warm pita bread wedges.

I think this is what I'll order when I want a gyro from now on - it's considerably less messy. The pita was easily liberated from the bottom, and picking up the pre-cut wedges of pita to then pick up the tender bits of lamb and tzatziki sauce turned out to be a much cleaner and efficient way of eating. (Often times, regardless of location, when I order a gyro... by the end of the meal, the sauce has broken through the packaging and started to leak on to my hands at an alarming pace)

This cart features lamb and chicken gyros, mezza plates, Falafel, Baba Ghannoug, etc.

It's good stuff, for sure - and considering the turnover of carts on this particular lot, the length of stay this cart has enjoyed is a testament to the quality of their food.

Green Vietnamese cart on SW 2nd between Oak and Stark

Today, I wanted short and simple - the little green Vietnamese cart on SW 2nd between Oak and Stark was open (which is a plus, the 11-11:30 lunchtime crowd is often too early for some of the carts) - and the BBQ pork dish looked like a quick and easy way to get my lunch.

It was, indeed, quick and easy - less than a minute after stepping up to the window, I had my food in hand.

It was decent. There was enough rice for three meals. The vegetables (lettuce, cucumber, tomato) were fresh, and served on the side, as was the pork itself, next to the humongous pile of rice. It is the uncannily pink variety of BBQ pork, which was, disappointingly, not served with hot mustard.

$5. Not bad. I'm still hungry, which would probably be resolved by eating the rest of the rice, but there's nothing to mix it with but soy sauce.

This cart, which doesn't appear to have a name at the moment, has gone through many iterations. My first recollection of it was as a tamale cart, and a few different owners and cuisines have made this their home over the past few years.
They're about smack in the middle of the lot, next to the Greek cart and "Thai Tea Clean Food Good Taste," the most awkwardly named of the food carts I've encountered. No signs on this cart other than the menus on the front.

They offer Banh Mi for $3, most other meals (chicken, pork, shrimp based of various concoctions) all for $5 each.

To those who have mentioned before that all my reviews seem skewed toward praise of the carts, this is an example of a place that doesn't really stand out, but is there if you want a quick, inexpensive meal. For what it was (and I probably chose one of the least exciting dishes on the menu) - it was OK.

See, not every food cart is a mecca of culinary excellence, I've just had some pretty good luck so far.

Saigon Spicy Chicken Wings - Thien Nghi's - SW 3rd and Stark

During my recent visit to Yo-Yo and Lefty's, I noticed a cart I'd not seen before, parked right next to it, Thien Nghi's - They prominently offered beef and chicken Phở, and I'd been discussing Phở with my wife recently, trying to get her to try it.
I figured I'd check this cart out next, and today, I did...

Despite all this talk of Phở, the Spicy Saigon Chicken Wings were calling my name. (Well, not literally, that would be creepy.)

It's reasonably safe to say I'm a "hot wings enthusiast" - I love spicy chicken wings, usually the hotter the better.

Thien Nghi's offers their wings 3 for $3.50, served with some cucumber and tomato slices. I ordered six, because I know how I get when I have wings in front of me.

They are fried wings, yet the breading is light and they aren't greasy at all. The flavor is spectacular. A little hint of sweetness alongside a great combination of herbs, not too spicy, not too mild. Nice chunks of sliced garlic gloves abound, which I found to be a perfect touch. There is a cup of sauce served on the side to dip in if you like it hotter, and I made sure to make use of it.

Check out their menu here.
Bento, Phở, egg rolls, crepes, and those awesome wings - if their other food is anything like these wings, you're in for a treat. I'll certainly be back.

I finished up all six of my wings, the cucumber slices, and the tomato... and... I could eat more of these wings... though I probably shouldn't.

Beef Tongue Taco and Hot Tamales - El Sultan - SE 50th and Foster

Today, I had to work from home to facilitate the delivery of a new washing machine.
This left me nowhere near downtown, which is where I usually report from... however, this did not deter me from eating cart food, and gave me a chance to check out a nearby cart pod local to my 'hood, which I usually don't have the chance to try.

This brings me to El Sultan, the longest running cart at the seemingly troubled Carts on Foster pod. I've watched several carts come and go from this location since it was started up, but this one's been a mainstay.

An interesting cart, as El Sultan provides both Mexican and Mediterranean style dishes. I had greek food yesterday, so I opted to go the Mexican route.

I was in luck, their menu offered beef tongue as one of the meat options. I'd been meaning to try this for some time, so here was my chance. (Though, I was hesitant, as they spelled it "tounge" on the menu, a BIG pet peeve of mine, how seemingly half the population misspells this word consistently the same way -> T-O-N-G-U-E, OK?)

They had a sign up declaring the special to be chicken tamales, as well, and those sounded good. I ordered two chicken tamales, and one beef tongue taco. It took a few minutes to get my food, but they wrapped it up 'to go' nicely on a plate, and gave me some small cups of hot sauce to go along with it.

The beef tongue was soft and tender and flavorful - very good. Up until the last year or so, I'd have instantly rejected the idea of eating tongue, but had read a few articles in its defense explaining it's some of the best meat you can get. I'm inclined to agree, after this taco. It was served in street taco fashion, with soft, warm corn tortillas, onions, cilantro, and of course, little chunks of tender tongue meat. Perhaps I should have had two beef tongue tacos, and one tamale.

The tamales were great. The chicken inside was quite spicy, and I didn't need to use the hot sauce except to soak the remaning chunks of tamale after I liberated the spicy chicken from inside. Ate up every bite, and now I'm rather stuffed... and satisfied. Not a bad deal, $6.50 for the meal I had, which was more than enough.

If you haven't tried beef tongue - give it a whirl - I was impressed... and if you find yourself out in the Foster/Powell area, maybe give this struggling cart pod a try - it looks like they're trying a few good ideas out -- such as a beer bar, and heated tent for eating during inclement weather. There was music playing, but hardly anyone in sight. Currently, there appear to be four operational carts, including an Italian, Thai, and Hawaiian cart, plus the one I just reviewed.

Best Gyro Ever - Yo-Yo and Lefty's - SW 3rd and Stark

I spent the weekend in Salt Lake City, and went to lunch with a friend, right before flying home, at a Mediterranean restaurant she frequents - which got me craving lamb, despite the fact that I had a shrimp based dish at the time.

I knew there was a 'newer' Greek cart not even a block from where I work, and decided I would check it out -- this cart is Yo-Yo and Lefty's.

Run by some people who used to work at Berbati's Pan, authentic Greek is their intent.

The gyros are not made with the common style schawarma; but rather with thick, juicy, mouthwatering chunks of leg of lamb - cooked medium rare, nice and tender.
These things are HUGE. You may pay a dollar or two more for a gyro here than at other carts, but it's well worth it.

Fresh onions, tomato, Tzatziki sauce - the pita bread was toasted, and lamb cooked while you wait. You will wait a while for your meal, but as a sign on their cart reminds you - good food takes time.

They offer a sundae dessert option, baklava, various gyro choices (including vegetarian) - fried pita chips, and more...

After barely being able to finish off my delicious Traditional Gyro, I can definitely say this is the *best* gyro I've ever had, and I will be back to check out some of their other options in the near future.

Festive Reindeer Sausage from Beez Kneez on SW 3rd & Stark

Hey, what better way to celebrate the festive holiday season, than having authentic Alaskan Reindeer Sausage? I'd never stopped by this particular sausage cart, though they are well-reputed. Getting back into the swing of the cartivore lifestyle, I wanted to try something different today, and there it was.

$5 for a Reindeer Sausage on a toasted bun, with carmelized onions. There are traditional sausages, Louisiana hot links, as well as a few exotics on occasion. Reindeer is a mainstay for this cart. They are split on the grill while cooking, which was a nice touch.

There were a variety of toppings and sauces and mustards available, and I'm again finding myself wondering why it took so long to check this cart out, given how often I've passed by.

This sausage is DELICOUS. Not gamey at all, it comes in a spicy and regular variety. I chose the spicy, of course. Add to it a bit of stone ground mustard and some creamy spicy mustard blend sauce the guy recommended, and -- I'm quite pleased with this meal.

Two thumbs up for festive Rudolph sausage. Sorry, kids, if your presents are a bit late this year...

Ploy Thai - SW 5th and Oak - (I'm BAAAACK!)

If anyone noticed a lack of Portland Cartivore blogs for a while - I've been away, in culinary hell.

That hell is known as Minot, North Dakota. I was sent there for a work assignment, 30 days straight of 12 hour workdays with no days off, living in various hotels, and working in a windowless warehouse type building with a metal roof.

The food choices there are mostly limited to standard Midwestern chain and fast food joints. I gained 13 pounds, as I couldn't eat very well, given my choices. (Though I could certainly fill myself up...)

With that said, I was SERIOUSLY craving Thai food getting back to work downtown, with a new found appreciation for just how awesome it is to live in this town in regards to available food choices.

The smells coming from Ploy Thai drew me in as I walked up. I'd eaten here once before, when they first opened -- but it was before I'd started this blog. Excellent opportunity to satisfy my Thai craving and get my blog going again.

Ploy Thai is authentic Thai street food, brought to you by someone who sold food in the streets of Nakhonsawan, Thailand.... and it shows. This is AWESOME. Maybe I'm a little biased because I've just spent a month away from such wonderful choices, but I stand behind my assessment.

I had the Pad Ka Pao (ground meat stir fried with chili, basil, green beans, and serrano chili) with chicken, "hot" -- and I'm dripping with sweat eating this fantastic dish (and over brown rice, something that was seemingly unheard of in North Dakota)

While I waited, they offered me a spring roll with peanut sauce, and some tea to keep me warm. Can't argue with that.

Oh, how I've missed the fine food of Portland and the carts down here.

If you like Thai food, I strongly encourage you to check out Ploy Thai. It's the real deal, and my first cart meal since returning back home.