Carts on Foster - The Last Word - Roast Beef on Weck

So today's blog is going to be a mixed bag of commentary and my experience with the food from one of the carts.

I don't often get to the cart pod on SE 52nd and Foster, despite it being pretty much in my neighborhood, since I work downtown. Typically, I'll be passing by on the way to or from work.

Over the last couple of years, I've watched many carts come and go from this pod, with only one or two hardy mainstays present from month to month... since this is in my neighborhood, and we want businesses to succeed here, I kept hoping the high turnover didn't mean doom for the pod.

They've added covered outdoor seating, an enclosed area with beer and hot dogs, etc. - in all respects, this seems like a pretty awesome pod.

I've often imagined they must have a crowd at lunchtime, but I'm never around to see it. Today, I had an appointment and was teleworking, so I decided to head down there and see what could be had. There was a BBQ cart that set up a while back and I thought that might be a strong possibility as I checked out the other offerings.

When I arrived, it was about 12:15. There was one person sitting down eating. Half the carts in the pod weren't even open, severely limiting my choices. A mother and daughter walked around looking at the menus from the available carts, then wandered off. Two more ladies showed up and did order food from carts, but that was it. Hardly the scene at the pods downtown at this hour.

Of the open pods (the BBQ joint and egg-themed cart were not open, for instance) - "The Last Word" had the most intriguing menu -- sandwiches and soups, and the descriptions were making my mouth water.

I ordered the Roast Beef on Weck, which was new to me -- sliced roast beef with horseradish on a Kimmelweck roll (kind of like a Kaiser roll, but with salt rocks and fennel seeds on top) - and served with a side of celaric root 'slaw' of sorts. It was an impressive sandwich, for sure -- and the 'slaw' ended up being scooped on top of the beef as part of the sandwich, and enjoyed after I'd finished the sandwich - a great flavor, good amount of kick - and a good amount of food. I'm satisfied.

In researching the cart, they do their own ice cream, roast the meat in the cart, and rotate the soups and sandwiches on a regular basis - an ever changing menu. If their food is as good as this sandwich was consistently, this sounds very promising. Check out The Last Word if you get a chance.