Thick - Chicago style Deep Dish Pizza - SW 3rd and Stark

I know, it's been a LONG time since I posted a food cart blog... sorry..

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Today, I discovered a new Chicago style pizza cart... replacing the former Sabra's burger cart on SW 3rd and Stark.

I arrived slightly before official opening time, and the owner informed me it would be a few minutes, as he'd just pulled the pies out of the oven and the cheese needed to 'set.' - he tried a slice out while I waited, and the cheese, indeed, hadn't set yet... oops.

I am no expert on Chicago style pizza, but the combination of a new cart, and deep dish pizza - sounded appetizing today.
December is a ballsy time of year to open a new food cart, and several in this particular pod have closed in the last month.

In a few minutes, the cheese had set, and I was presented with a very heavy slice of Sausage deep-dish. $5 per slice. Today's offerings were Sausage, or Cheese. Perhaps with time there will be more options.

While waiting, a friend of the owner came up, and I learned he'd been one of the testing subjects while ramping up for opening. I'll take it as a good sign that he came up to try it out on opening day.

I hurried back to my cubicle, and, with the provided (and necessary) knife and fork, began to dig in... thick crust, topped by a very thick layer of cheese, then topped with chunks of sausage and sauce. No doubt, quite tasty.
[ ..and, look, a smiley face on the inside... :) ]

I could have gone for a bit more sauce on top, but overall (and being the first day) - this was impressive, and filling. I'll be back...

Picnic - SW 3rd and Stark - Chicken Mozzarella

A seasonal cart, Picnic, has appeared at the pod on SW 3rd, next to The Sausage Shack. This cart used to be at the pod on SW 10th and Alder, but had closed during the winter months. The owners are apparently avid bloggers. Click here for their site.


They serve "Oregon Trail Cuisine" - Today, I had the chicken sandwich, which featured slices of chicken breast, thick slices of mozzarella, pine nuts, and some leafy greens. They pride themselves on locally sourced ingredients for their food, and baking their own sourdough bread.
This was a $9 sandwich, as was the Brisket they offered, along with a $7 Roasted Carrot sandwich. The menu apparently rotates a bit.


I had hoped this $9 sandwich would be worth it -- and it was... thick slices of mozzarella and tender chicken breast with 'cart made' sourdough bread, and the crunchy pine nuts - was a very tasty combination.
I am curious to try the brisket, but I'll wait until next week - $9 sandwiches are more of a once-a-week type thing for me.

El Pilon - Columbian Food - SW 2nd between Oak and Stark

Another new occupant at the pod on SW 2nd Ave between Oak and Stark, "El Pilon" has occupied the former home of Thai Tea Clean Food Good Taste.

They offer Arepas, Empanadas, and Patacones, with vegetarian and meat options.

While I was waiting for my chicken and cheese Arepas, they handed me two Patacones, which are twice-fried green plantains (Tostones, as I'd previously been introduced to them) and some delicious salsa. They were trying to get on my good side, apparently, as I love these crispy fried patties of goodness.

A few minutes later, the Arepa was presented, with two different salsas. I'd had Arepas before from a cart that has since departed, which was Venezuelan cuisine, and had come to expect them to be small and served in pairs. This was served as one large Arepa, with semi-sealed edges (kind of like a pita pocket, but with a much thicker and tastier corn-based shell.)
It was quite tasty, I must say, and went down pretty fast. I might have been able to eat a second one. They provided a plastic fork, but it wasn't really strong enough to cut through the shell, so I just ended up using my hands. It was a bit messy, I went through about five napkins while eating it...
I'm sure I'll be back to try out the other menu items, the prices are reasonable (everything is under $5) and, of course, the fried plantains are a guilty pleasure of mine I find hard to avoid when I know where to find them.

Kim's Food to Go - SW 2nd Ave between Stark and Oak - Beef flank and brisket

With a shiny new white paint job, a new tenant has moved in to the formerly green cart between Thai Tea and A Taste of Greek

* Kim's Food to Go - Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup. *

With soups coming in at $6, and Banh Mi with various fillings at $3, you certainly get your money's worth. I ordered the Beef Flank and Brisket soup. It comes in a large bowl, with a side baggie of sprouts, jalapeno, and lime to add as you please.


As you can see, it's served in a large bowl, instead of those thin, tall to-go containers that are difficult to eat out of. It may be a small detail, but for me, that's a big deal when it comes to ordering Pho and the like - usually the containers they are served in are difficult to eat out of.
In addition to the soups and sandwiches, two large spring rolls with shrimp, pork or beef and combinations thereof are $3.

This is good soup, for sure, and I'm curious to try the sandwiches on my next visit.

Pulehu Pizza - SW 3rd and Stark - Bacon Cheddar Chix

A shiny new cart has appeared on the North side of the pod on SW 3rd and Stark, apparently coming to us all the way from Hawaii.
Pulehu Pizza
They feature 8" and 12" thin-crust pizzas with your basic standards such as Cheese or Pepperoni, and then some special combinations of their own - I had the Bacon Cheddar Chix, which is ... bacon, cheddar, and chicken... with fresh sour cream dollops on top. This was a welcome and interesting ingredient one normally doesn't expect on a pizza. Very tasty.

Of note, "Featuring Artisanal Sausages from Tails & Trotters and Gourmet Cheeses from the Cheese Bar"

Now, how can you go wrong with that?

They offer a steak pizza, margherita, truffle oil mushroom, and an Alasatian style that has a sour cream base topped by shaved onions, bacon & St Necataire Cheese. Caesar salad is also offered.
Prices range from $4 for an 8" cheese, $7-$8 for many others, and the steak pizza ringing in at $9 (Higher for the 12" models, of course)
It was ready in six minutes, and gone just about as fast - I really enjoyed this and will certainly be back to try some of their other offerings.

Hog Time - SW 2nd and Washington - NEW MENU!

One of my favorite and frequent carts, Hog Time, has recently revamped their menu to appeal to more than just those with an undying love of pork. (See my prior blog on Hog Time HERE)

In addition to the wonderful pork dishes they serve, (Sandwiches and hot dogs, often topped with pulled pork) - Burgers have been added to the menu - Something this particular pod had been missing since Happy Grillmore moved to Seattle - and these burgers are generously portioned.

Offerings include Mushroom & Swiss, Jalapeno, your standard Cheeseburger, etc.

In addition, they've taken my personal favorite, the "Pig Pen," which is fries topped with cheese and pulled pork and some special sauces, and created a healthier alternative, the "Pork and Greens" -- pulled pork over lettuce and tomato with cheese and special sauces - lighter, healthier, and every bit as tasty as the Pig Pen.
I will mention, though, that the fries here are excellent...

Now, being I'm a lover of spicy things, I had to try the Jalapeno burger first. It was AWESOME. Somewhat messy, but well worth it. The veggies are grilled and generously applied to the humongous burger patty.
Make sure you have plenty of napkins when you enjoy one of these... it gets all over, but it's worth it.

Steak Jaffle - Jaffles and Wraps at SW 2nd and Stark

A cart that has apparently been around for a while has moved into my Carthood, at SW 2nd and Stark - Jaffles and Wraps.
Apparently, these are an Australian thing, very much like the product of those handy sandwich press machines you see on late night TV, but made with a "Jaffle Iron"- Take two pieces of buttered bread, put your choice of savory and/or sweet stuff in the middle, iron together, and voila -- a Jaffle.
The prices are quite reasonable, my steak and grilled veggies Jaffle was $5. As I walked up to order, the guy behind the counter was just putting one in the package and it was exactly what I'd ordered - so I had my Jaffle in hand within 30 seconds of looking at the menu.

There's the finished product.

There are breakfast style egg and cheese Jaffles, artichoke and chicken, BBQ chicken, grilled cheese with tomato -- as well as sweeter concoctions like PB&J, Peanut Butter and Banana, or fruit-filled Jaffles.

There it is busted open, a decently stuffed concoction.

For larger appetites, wraps are available, same ingredients, but in a tortilla instead.
The Steak and Veggies Jaffle was delicious, had some nice kick (thanks to the pineapple and habanero sauce inside) - I might go for the wrap next time -- this is a meal, but I think I could have eaten a little bit more... or maybe I should have paired it with a PB&J Jaffle, which rings in at $2.

La Sangucheria - 108 SW 3rd Ave - Peruvian Sandwiches

Today, for the third or fourth time, I went to La Sangucheria - a Peruvian sandwich cart that is in the former location of the world-famous Big Ass Sandwiches, who have relocated to another cart pod across the river.


I must say, this is a fine replacement. The portions are huge, and the food is delicious.
I have been repeatedly ordering the Chicharron (Chee-char-own) - an absurdly tasty sandwich of deep fried pork shoulder chunks, topped with sauteed onions, honey-glazed sweet potato slices (like chips, but not crispy) and spicy mustard. It is served sort of 'open-faced' (you won't be able to fold this in half to eat, just treat it like a big, fat hot dog)



It is sinfully delicious. My intent is to try some other items on the menu, but I've been so impressed with this particular sandwich that I keep ordering it time and time again.

Other offerings include the Saltado, which is a beef tenderloin sandwich with fries (similar to the style Big Ass Sandwiches does things, adding fries into the sandwich) - The Pachamama - a heart-attack inducing combination of smoked ham, grilled chicken, bacon, mushrooms, cheese sauce -- and fries. There is a breakfast sandwich that includes scrambled eggs, bacon, smoked ham, and fries.
They're open late, and on weekends, and this is probably perfect food to absorb copious amounts of alcohol after being out on the town...
Give them a try, you won't regret it.
Prices - $7-$8 per sandwich.

Winter update, and a 1-year anniversary for Wagsy's

It's been a while since I've blogged. Winters are rough times for the food cart world, and many depend on the success of the warm months to carry them through the winter.

Unfortunately, not everyone makes it.
The last cart I posted about, the Indian Fry Bread cart, has already shut down.

Recent incidents with 'street kids' and an altercation between them and some cart owners have shuttered a few carts in the pod on SW 3rd and Stark, including Persian Plate and Thien Ngi's. These carts will be sorely missed.

The Cuban cart "Havana Heaven" ended up being a short-lived stint on SW Stark and 5th, now replaced with what appears to be a hot dog stand with some mediterranean dishes.

On a positive note, I stopped by Wagsy's Beef Sands today, on SW 5th and Oak, where they delighted me with their weekly special of tri-tip steak, zucchini, a baked potato, and a roll for $6.

*****
They'll be celebrating their 1-year anniversary next Tuesday (January 15th) with $1 Italian subs. Surely not something to be missed.

Not many carts open up in the winter months, which is partially why there haven't been many updates to my blogs... many close for some of the colder times.

If you're downtown in Portland in the winter time, and need some food, sometimes it's worth it to brave the elements for a tasty meal - good stuff, and you're supporting local businesses.