Comments on: Eating Cart to Mouth

By: Ms. Potato Head

Ms. Potato Head — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:01:59 +0000

I love cart food! There is nothing like Saturday Market to make you feel like you can take a trip around the world by going around the block.

In Salem, where I live, there is not much variety, but the quality is fantastic. Mostly Mexican and Latin American fare are available at the many “taco trucks” in Salem and I have grown to love them as they are delicious and perfect for my student budget. One of them sells tomatillo salsa by the mason jar and it is the best I have had anywhere in the world.

And thank you ML for introducing me to the food cart blog. What a fun way to try something new in Portland! My boyfriend has been craving a street style steak and cheese sandwhich. Maybe the food cart blog can point us in the right direction.

By: Empanada Boy

Empanada Boy — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:10:41 +0000

While at the Fish Party with Daddy Salmon, et. al in Vancouver, WA last week, I met a women who’s daughter had started and worked a Portland food cart for 15 years, or something like that. She she she made enough $ to only have to work 6 months of the year and travel the rest. Sounds like the life to me! Maybe ML and I have a new calling…

By: Mango Lassie

Mango Lassie — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:18:09 +0000

Thank you for taking on the project of documenting the food carts for the rest of us. I grew up in Portland but haven’t lived there for more than six years. There are always more food carts to try, but it’s good to know the best ones so I can maximize my precious Portland dining opportunities. Living in Chicago— or really anywhere outside of Portland— makes me realize how great Portland’s government and residents really are.

By: Cuisine Bonne Femme

Cuisine Bonne Femme — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:29:24 +0000

Thanks for all the links. You know, I’ve traveled all over the world and fell in love with food cart food a long time ago when as a dirt poor backpacker realized the tastiest, most authentic, cheapest (and most of the time safest) food to eat when traveling (especially in Asia) was at food carts.

I started the Portland Food Cart website on a whim. Little did I know there are over 170 food carts in Portland and it has become a challenge to document all of them. It’s definitely a phenomenon here, unlike many cities that prevent them through zoning or other regulatory restrictions.

Anyway, as the economy continues to dive, I think we are going to see more food carts. I’m just really glad I live in a City that supports them (both from a consumer and government level).

By: Eating Adventuress

Eating Adventuress — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:42:04 +0000

Nice to share your happiness with you last week.

Having returned recently from a brief trip to Vienna, Austria I thoroughly enjoyed snacking on Roast Chestnuts from street carts. They may not have any nutrients, and are highly caloric, but irresistible, to me anyway.They are part of my childhood memories. I had also had them in Paris many years ago. Hot Roasted Chestnuts are a natural winter time favorite in some parts of the world. Wish we had some here in PDX.

Rain City Resident

By: Mango Mama

Mango Mama — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:24:57 +0000

Thanks for highlighting my favorite Portland carts. The India Chaat House deserves 4 stars!

Recently Flav and I tried out a few good carts on the corner of Hawthorne and 12th. There was a great Mexican cart and a really cool one specializing in buffalo wings. I can’t wait to try Spella Caffe. I’m going there tomorrow for my afternoon “pick-me-up.”

ML – your Portland fans already miss you and EB. Come back soon for more great eating!