Recently in Tour de carts Category
Met up with Greg for lunch and we went to the best cart in Portland: Samurai. First of all, the place is huge. It's shaped like a barn and it's at least twice the size of the other food carts.
We both got the veggie soba and it was awesome.
I've eaten here a few times and it's THE BEST. That's it. Short review.
Josh and I went to Ugarit, the Mediterranean Meals cart on SW 10th and Alder. I've always liked this cart because they are blaring music before they open and they seem to be open or at least occupied far longer than their neighboring carts.
Ugarit has a few small tables and there is a patch of grass around a nearby tree. There is always a line at lunch and you can bet some jerk will likely claim a table before they order. I ordered the Super Halal Chicken Gyros and Josh ordered the Super Falafel. Much of the menu involves foods described as "super". I'm not sure that that means.
The food was fine. Because of the steady line of customers and the $5.50 price we both expected the food to be a little better than it was. The ingredients were unremarkable and the whole thing felt a little rushed.
Ugarit: ***/of 5
EURODISH is some serious comfort food. While it may sit right next to Huong's Vietnamese Food, these carts share very little in common other than a penchant for delicious fare. EURODISH serves hearty warm foods that counter Portland's damp and cold winter. I had a delicious and incredibly filling Pork Schnitzel Sandwich and a mix of some of the best pierogies I've ever had. It's hard to beat a grilled kielbasa sandwich and the cheese blintzes. I will say one flaw of EURODISH was the time it took to prepare, but the taste more than made up for it!
It struck me while devouring my lunch that the food carts are the opposite of mall food in almost every way. Carts are smaller, slower, better tasting food created by a very small number of people. Mall food stands are part of massive chains, serve food quickly, and are usually bland to terrible. Also, carts are cheaper! Why can't the cart experience exist within the food court?
EURODISH is located on 10th ave. They have Coke (and Pepsi). Cash only. Very friendly, but the service can be slow. The info on Food Carts Portland is a little out of date.
The good news is that you no longer have to drive all the way out to 82nd for a Bánh mì sandwich! The bad news is that it might be faster than eating at Huong's.
Welcome to Tour de carts, an exploration of the wonderful food carts that surround the City Center parking lot between SW 9th and SW 10th, and SW Alder and SW Washington. These are the carts near my work and I'm incredibly excited about them.
Huong's Vietnamese Food is all about the Bánh mì, which will cost you $3.00 and comes in Pork, Chicken, or Vegetarian (tofu). The Pork is the best. It's hard to beat a $3.00 sandwich, even if you do have to wait a little too long to get it, and the fact that it tastes so good only makes you feel guilty for paying just $3.00.
The Veggie Curry is also good, as are the salad rolls. I found the Egg Rolls to be very good, but also very greasy. And I did try the grilled pork chops and Vietnamese egg-pork patty over rice, but I just can't see why anyone would order anything other than the Bánh mì.
Huong's Vietnamese Food is located on the 10th ave side. Unfortunately they serve Pepsi products. Cash only. Very friendly, but the service is slow.
Read more on Food Carts Portland.
