UPDATED December 05, 2008

Recommended!

Location: SW 10th, between Alder and Washington

Description: A Vietnamese cart serving rice noodle bowls, grilled dishes, a Bahn Mi sandwich variety or two, a couple of lesser known Vietnamese options and the great soup export known as Pho. Huong’s has also recently expanded their vegetarian menu. There are now an equal number of vegetarian and meat focused entrees.

Once upon a time I got stuck in Hanoi, Vietnam for an extended, yet unplanned stay. The story of this little adventure is long and complicated, but the end result? I fell in love with this ancient city, met some wonderful locals who adopted me as their friend and I absolutely fell head over heals in love with the food. I especially loved discovering some of the thousands of street stands, carts and humble little huts serving up some of the best food I’ve ever eaten, anywhere.

Huong’s reminds me of the little food stands I came to love in Hanoi, and in subsequent trips, other parts of Vietnam as well.  Especially the Pho, found at street stands from Sapa on the border of China all the way to the Southern tip of the Mekong delta. Pho is eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner and as a late night snack all throughout the country, features many regional variations on a theme, and is cheap, filling and healthy. It’s the perfect cart food really, and I’m excited that Huong’s is serving it.

Huong’s offers three types of pho: pho ga (chicken), pho bo (beef) and vegetarian pho. All come as a generous portions that could easily provide 2 meals for less ravenous appetites. Huong’s phos have quite aromatic and richly flavored broths, contain a good ratio of broth to rice noodles and are served with the accompaniments of lime, jalapeno peppers, basil and bean sprouts as well as the standard hot and savory sauces. For the price of $6.00, Huong’s pho certainly stands up to most others in Portland. My one beef (no pun intended) is that Huong’s doesn’t offer a nice ceramic or plastic bowl to eat the stuff at at their little table in situ, but the large paper carton they do provide works just fine. However, the tiny little teaspoons provided with the wooden chopsticks and paper napkins do not hold more than an eyedropper of broth at a time and make picking up the noodles, as per Asian noodle soup slurping custom, impossible. Huong’s, please invest in some Asian style soup spoons. My preference given their current soup spoon situation, is to take the pho back to my office where I can transfer it into my own large pho bowl to be eaten with my own chopsticks and spoon.

Also, Huong’s figured out that Portland has a proud, loud and strong vegetarian and vegan community and is now offering, in addition to vegetarian pho, vegetable and tofu stir fried dishes over rice or noodles, a lemongrass and tofu dish, and a hearty vegetarian curry. Yes, I checked and these are all “true” vegetarian dishes in so far as they do not contain the fish sauce or fish oil that is ubiquitous to many vietnamese dishes.

I’m happy to report quality is top-notch and Huong’s seems to have hit their stride making thema pretty nifty new addition to the downtown cart scene.  I know Huong’s will become a popular stop for hungry lunch eaters looking for healthy, quick and cheap Vietnamese food.

Sample Menu:

2 salad rolls - (shrimp, pork and vegetables) - $3.00

2 egg rolls (pork, shrimp and vegetables) - $3.00

Bahn Mi Sandwich -$2.50

Pho Ga - Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup - $6.00

Pho Bo - Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup - $6.00

Rice noodle bowl (with grilled lemongrass chicken, vegetables and egg rolls) - $6.00

Vegetarian Dish - tofu with mixed vegetables over rice - $6.00

Stir Fried Egg Noodle - with pork, shrimp and vegetables  or vegetarian version- $6.00

Sweet and Sour Soup with fish balls, squid, pineapple and other vegetables. Served with Rice - $5.00

Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00-5:00

Phone: 503-277-3421

Website: Unknown

E-mail: Unknown

Location: SW 10th near Alder and Washington

IMPORTANT UPDATE AS OF DECEMBER 05, 2008 - NOT OPEN FOR NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS DURING THE WINTER. From Jr Ambassadors:

Hello Everyone,

I Hope the Season is treating you well.

I am sorry to report that I will not be Opening my Cart during normal Open Times this Month, starting this Week, and through the Winter.

However, I will continue making Ice Cream and having Pints available for all your favorite Holidays and Parties. especially this time of year. Ordering, Pick-Ups or Deliveries will be made available.
An email with information about my Holiday Flavors and how you can place an Order will be sent to you soon, so stay tuned…
fa la la la la, la la la la.

Oh, and remember, you can always get a hot bowl of my Soup at Coffeehouse Five.

–
Love & Friendship,
JUNIOR AMBASSADOR’S
~a Mostlandian Food Cart

{ the lil’ orange food cart on the grassy lot next to 4734 North Albina, up from Mississippi, south of Alberta, and kitty corner from the Albina Press }

Call 503-880-0851 for the menu of the day or to place an order
or go to myspace.com/juniorambassadors for more info.

Location: The lot next to 4734 N. Albina (on N. Albina near the corner of N. Blandena)

Description: To describe this neat orange cart as specializing in “*panwiches and ice cream”, is to say Alice in Wonderland is merely a book about a girl and a rabbit.

For eating at Junior Ambassadors is to transport yourself to another world. I guarantee you there is no other food cart like this anywhere else. Well, in this stratosphere at least. Perhaps they eat like this all the time in the land of Mostlandia, a topsy-turvy place inhabited by the likes JR. Ambassadors’ owner Rudy Speerschneider. For you see, Rudy is a mad food cart scientist. An evil gourmet genius. The Salvador Dali of the Portland food carts. A poet the likes of Ferlinghetti with a griddle. A cook who shares certain DNA with Alice B. Toklas. A man who basis his menu on dreams and premonitions. Inspired by the seasons and whatever force of nature artistic muse possesses his spirit. I’m not kidding.

Rudy with his signature Mostlandian panwiches

But is the food good? Yes. Very Good. Made fresh and made with care, everything I’ve had here is balanced and a delight on the tongue. Satisfying to the tummy and presented with flair.
First off there are the panwiches. Described by Rudy as, “*griddled cornmeal and whole wheat pancakes are the bread, panini grilled.*” These sandwiches (of sorts) are like flavorful toothsome soft bread paninis stuffed with all sorts of goodness. They are wonderfully inventive and include things such as the Turkey Ruby - “like a Reuben, but with a homemade Applekraut ( red cabbage ) & Swiss cheese, Tangy sauce, on the New Rye Panbread”, or the Tuna Melt (the time I tried it, it was made on a cornmeal panbread, and contained Lime-Cilantro, Tomatoes, & Cheddar cheese). Sides for the panwiches include a refreshing ginger slaw or Cheez-Its. It’s like comfort food made by your mom. If your Mom was Bjork.

Soups are whimsical but substantial and rotate daily. I could never do the descriptions justice, so I’ll just let Rudy do the talking:

The soup of the day is not only guided by the season, but also the weather. Like Split Pea on a foggy day or a brothy stew on an under the weather day, or a goulash on a muddy day.

Finally, In Rudy’s world, ice cream is not just a dessert but is perfectly fine anytime. Indeed, Rudy states Mostlandians consume almost every meal and beverage in ice cream form and well, that’s something this Portlandian can certainly groove on. Thus, the menu guide is divided into breakfast ice creams such as (cantaloupe or maple syrup “strip tease bacon”), lunch ice creams (caprese sundae, strawberry chipotle), dinner ice creams (coconut curry, corn on the cob), snack ice creams ( ginger snap cookies n’ basil, or chocolate and pretzel stick), drink ice creams (green tea, apple cider for example), and dessert ice creams that are a bit more mainstream (chocolate, orange, etc.).

We All Scream for Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Ice Cream!

At first I was horrified, then intrigued, then amused by the thought of the Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Ice Cream Sundae. Yes, you read that right - Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Ice Cream (WTF?). Then I tried it. Whoa. Riddle my taste buds. It was…delicious. It took my brain a couple of minutes to compute the cold, the creamy, the savory, the smoky fish and sweet of the cream cheese together with the added elements of dill and capers. But be damned, it somehow all worked in harmony. Served with flat bread type crackers and a sprinkle of dill and caper relish it was the bagel and cream cheese as reinvented by leading molecular chef Ferran Adria. Seriously, it was wonderful.

Yes, it might all sound a bit out there and obtuse, perhaps even childlike. And yes, it is certainly different than your standard Pad Thai, burrito or Indian combo cart meal. Yet there is something entirely charming, entirely transportive and entirely satisfying about the food at Junior Ambassadors. Plus covered seating, amusements like a chess board and the friendly chef/owner make this cart a wonderful addition to the Portland food cart scene. Highly recommended.

Sample Menu: (changes frequently. Be sure to check out their MySpace page for updates).
Spring PANWICHES: Griddled cornmeal and whole wheat pancakes are the bread, panini grilled. Served with side of house made ginger Slaw or Cheez-its or Soup (add $1.50).

TURKEY RUBY ~ like a Reuben, but with a Applekraut ( red cabbage ) & Swiss cheese, Tangy sauce, on the New Rye Panbread. ~ $6

VEG OUT ~ a roasted & seasoned assortment of vegetables with melted cheese ( Currently: Red Peppers, Zucchini, Sweet Onion, Garlic & Feta. ) ~$6

TUNA MELT ~ with Lime-Cilantro, Tomatoes, & Cheddar cheese. ~$6

GRILLED CHEESE ~ with Sharp Cheddar & Blue Cheese. ~$5

( Peanut Butter and Jelly is always available ~ $4 )

*

homemade ICE CREAM: Flavors change with the season and as each new batch that has to be made.

$2.50 a scoop ~ $4 for two scoops ~ $5 a pint ~ $4 as a cookie sandwich

Crazy Ice Cream Flavor of the Week: Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Sundae
(yup, that’s right…topped with Dill sprinkles and a Capers relish, served on a Cracker. )

Ice Cream Flavors “On Scoop”:
Banana ‘n Nilla Wafer Chocolate Chip
Strawberry Chipotle
Coconut Curry (vegan)
Vanilla Bean ( $3 as a Root beer Float )

*

homemade SOUPS: Soups change daily and seasonally. Served with a Panbread.

$2.50 cup ~ $4.00 bowl
*
Drinks: $1.50
Ginger Honey and Cayenne TEA
Root Beer
Orange Soda

Hours: Wed-Sat 12:00PM to Dark Call for Hours or to Place Special Orders

Phone: 503-880-0851

Website:http://www.myspace.com/juniorambassadors

Location: The lot next to 4734 N. Albina (on N. Albina near the corner of N. Blandena)

Location: Pioneer Courthouse Square - Downtown Portland

Description: Shelly’s Garden, another name for Honkin’ Huge Burritos has been serving up some of the best burritos in Portland for 17 years. I remember when I was in my last year of school coming down for an anti-war protest and trying one of her gems. I was hooked. There are only a few carts in Portland that keep me coming back and Honkin’ Huge Burritos is one of them.

A Honkin’ Huge Burrito features a grilled flour tortilla with refried pinto beans, fresh Spanish rice, cheddar cheese, guacamole, romaine lettuce, tomato salsa, and sour cream/or yogurt. There is usually an additional fresh salsa you can add if you choose. Do you see how simple that is? At first glance, many wonder - where’s the meat? Honestly, you don’t need it. An HH burrito will fill you and your small family up with leftovers. Seriously, I ordered a large once and had it for 3 days. I always order a small and still it is too much and I like to eat!

Thank you Shelly Sandoval and your Honkin’ Huge Burritos for being such a mainstay in downtown Portland this past 17 years. You probably have some great stories. Go check this gem out and support a long time Portland Food Cart.

Menu:
Burrito: Small - $5.75; Medium - $6.25; Honkin’ Huge - $6.75

Hours: Weekdays at lunchtime.
Website: Honkin’ Huge Burritos

Location: SE 12th and Hawthorne “cart pod”

Economic meltdown be damned! Yarp! proves the power of the Portland food carts: Good Food, Big Portions, Incredibly Low Prices.

Yarp?! spells their name with both a question mark (?) and an exclamation point (!) and it seems to fit. It’s a juxitoposition kind of cart and something you’ll only find in “keep Portland weird” Portland. For this bold cart calls themselves “Anarchist Gearhead Cooks” and the paint job on their old school black and white camping trailer perfectly matches the vintage 70’s muscle car parked next to it. Gearhead Gourmets Unite!

So what do gourmet Anarchist Gearheads cook? Pretty tasty food, it turns out with an emphasis on wonderfully prepared noodle dishes. There are classics like homemade Bolognase meat sauce over different kinds of pasta ($6) or a textbook Italian-American Spaghetti and Meatballs ($6.5). Then there is the rib sticking comfort of the Beef Stroganoff ($6) or the fancy pants smoked salmon fettuccine with lemon dill cream sauce ($6.5). Oh, and did I mention that the portions are BIG? They are.

I forgot, they also have a garlic, sausage and cream pasta. Whoa.

Yarp knows the Portland market and their “gateway to Hawthorne” location well, and the menu includes lots of vegetarian offerings. While most contain dairy, the menu simply states, “talk to the kook if yer a vegan.” I take that to mean, yes, there are vegan options available. The roasted tomato and red pepper spaghetti ($4) can also include “as many veggies as will fit in the pan” for a mere 50 cents extra. Like I said, A BARGAIN. One of my favorite Yarp pastas though has to be the Oglio Olio, that is described on the menu as, “it’s an Olive oil, white wine, Ouzo, Feta and Butter Sauce, also with as many veggies fit.” ($4.5). Damn.

Yarp Marinara. Vegan? Just ask for no cheese!

There are also a couple of different types of decently prepared burgers, veggie burgers and cheeseburgers available ($4-5.5). The wilted spinach salad on the opposite of the food spectrum brings high praise, ($4) with top quality greens and a choice of meat (cow, fowl or swine) or vegetables ($2.5) and includes roasted peppers, roasted garlic and raisins with a Parisian Dressing or an Apricot Balsamic. I have no idea what a “Parisian Dressing” is, but the whole thing overall sounds quite good.

The menu changes frequently, and hours are limited from dinner to late night “closing down the bar” hours, but Yarp is providing exactly what many of us need right now: comfort food, well prepared, at terrific prices. As Yarp states on their menu,

~Anything you’re good at contributes to happiness.
-Bertrand Russell

Rock On Dudes!

Sample Menu:

Menu v. 3.2
Carnivore

• Spaghetti Bolognese (that’d be a meat sauce) 6
• Spaghetti & Meat Balls 6.5
• Smoked Salmon fettuccini with lemon dill cream sauce 6.5
• Chicken Breast garlic cream sauce over fettucinni 6
• Sausage (changes all the time) garlic cream sauce over fettuccini 6
• Beef Stroganoff 6
• Hamburger 4
• Hamburger with cheese +.5
• Dragon Burger “…enough garlic to kill the west nile virus…” 5
• Cold Pasta Salad with an emulsified *(eggs) Paris
• dressing. 4
• Wilted Spinach Salad with choice of meat (cow, fowl or swine) roasted peppers, roasted garlic, raisins and Paris dressing. 4

Vegetarian (most dishes have dairy; talk to the kook if yer a vegan)

• Roasted Tomato and Red pepper Spaghetti 4
• Same sauce with as many veggies (changes all the time) as fit in the pan 4.5
• Oglio Olio; it’s an Olive oil, white wine, Ouzo, Feta and Butter Sauce, also with as many veggies fit 4.5
• Wilted Spinach Salad with Veggies (whatever Yarp?! Buys that day), roasted peppers, roasted garlic, raisins and the apricot balsamic dressing 2.5
• Garden (c0rp0r473 cr4p) Burger 3 add cheese +0.5

Hours: Night, Um let me find out exact hours

Phone: Um, let me find that out too

Website: Unknown

Email: Unknown

INSERT_LOCATION

Location: Pioneer Courthouse Square (near the corner of SW 6th and Yamhill)

Description: Philadelphia Freedom! Perhaps it is this monumental 2008 election year, but after dropping off my ballot at the Multnomah County drop box downtown, I found myself craving a cheesesteak. I mean, really, what is more patriotic than life, liberty and the pursuit of melted American cheese on tender grilled and thinly sliced beef?

For it was in 1776 that the founders of our great nation declared, in Philadelphia, the Declaration of Independence. In 1976, during our nation’s bicentennial I traveled to Philly for the festivities. Wearing a red, white and blue bell bottom jumpsuit, star printed tennis shoe laces on my converses and sporting a Dorthy Hamil haircut, I made the Spirit of ‘76 pilgrimage. I went to the Liberty Bell, visited Independence Hall and watched actors and actresses in period costumes and white wigs talk in big words that I had no idea what they were saying. I do however, remember my first cheesesteak on that very same trip. It was dripping with grease, filled with grilled peppers and onions, thinly sliced tender beef and loads of oozing American cheese. It was heaven on a hoagie bun.

Philly Cheesesteaks and Burgers knows all about this particularly American sandwich. Their version is also pretty darn close to the ones found in Philly. With a simple menu that also includes that other quintessential American food, The Hamburger in all its forms, Philly Cheesesteaks is a quick, cheap and filling bite of Americana.

Sample Menu:
Philly Cheesesteaks - Thinly sliced steak grilled with onions, green and red bell peppers, mushrooms topped with melted white American cheese and served on a soft hoagie roll.
Small - $4.25
Medium - $5.25
Large - $6.25

Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers - $4.00 - $6.25

Soda - $1.00
Extra Steak - $1.75

Lettuce, tomato, extra cheese, pepperoni - $0.75 extra

Hours: Lunchtime Mon-Fri

Phone: Unknown

Website: Unknown

Email: Unkown

Location: SW 3rd and Washington Downtown

Description: Heritage. What does that say to you? To me it means old world or something long lost that we need to remember. And that is what I thought when I saw a new cart named Heritage Street Food on the way to get a taco. I had my heart set on a taco that day, but the owner of Heritage Street Food beckoned us over with offerings of a homemade blondie - a light airy browny. Who can pass up sweets? While we munched on this little morsel, we eyed the menu and he stated he had just made beet ravioli from homegrown beets. He even show us the deep purple pasta to prove it. This engagement and what we saw on the menu was enough for us to give it a whirl.

A couple of us opted for the Cubano sandwich which was chipoltle port, honey ham, swiss, pickles, cilantro, lime may on a panini. It turned out to be on a homemade honey wheat roll that he had baked that morning.

Are you seeing the theme? It appears he has a penchant for making the food truly from scratch. Granted, a lot of food carts do that and that is why we go there. Yet, to get a sandwich with homemade bread - that is a treat. You should see his breakfast special - 10 grain beer pancakes with honey orange syrup. And the beer used is Deschuttes Inversion IPA. I’m not a big fan of pancakes, but I would try those.

Sample Menu:
Cubano Sandwich: $6
Fresh Pasta dishes daily: $6 (veggie options)
10 grain beer pancakes: 2 for $3
Roast Beef Sandwich: $7
Coffee bbq tofu steaks with jicama apple slaw: $7
and deserts…

Hours: Weekdays open at 10am

Phone: 503 409 6884

Location: South Waterfront District (located on corner of SW Moody and Abernathy, near Portland Streetcar). Delivery available to OHSU for $2.

Description: If you are a fan of Balinese and Indonesian food, you may be excited to know that Portland now has exactly ONE outpost of these fine vittles. Indonesian fare is a distinct cuisine in its own right, but it’s a safe bet that if you dig Thai and Vietnamese food, you’ll feel right at home with the curry, coconut, tamarind-laced dishes at this new(ish) cart, which is doing its part to remedy Portland’s dearth of this very fantastic fare. And if you have not had the pleasure to partake….well, now you have no excuse.

“Waroeng Nasi” roughly translate to “small roadside shack that serves rice”, according to owner Mike Hillis. The cart offers, of course, much more than rice - though the rice that accompanies the meals is far from ordinary. Seasoned with yellow turmeric and wafting with the faint scent of coconut, each fluffy grain is sepate and distinct - the opposite of sticky rice.

Hillis’ wife Priska, a native Balinese, makes all of the food fresh to order from family recipes. The Kare Ayam (pictured) consists of a generous helping of tender, cubed chicken breast that has been simmered in coconut milk and spices. It is both sweet and savory, but relatively mild with regard to spiciness. The vegetables (spinach, bean sprouts, blanched carrots and green beans) are fresh and vibrant, topped with a peanut sauce that is rich and nutty, but less sweet than the standard Thai variety. And the cart’s namesake rice, as described above, is quite lovely and more than ample.

I’m planning my next visit to Waroeng Nasi for a Thursday, so that I can partake in that day’s special: steamed fish in banana leaves with vegetables served in a clear, piquant broth…heaven!

Sample Menu: (All entrees in the $6-$7 range and are served with yellow rice and vegetables.)

1. Kare Ayam
Yellow chicken curry from java with a hint of coriander, cumin and turmeric.

2. Rendang Sapi
Sumatran beef curry with spiced toasted and grated coconut.

3. Urap (Vegetarian)
Balinese steamed vegetables mixed with grated coconut and spiced with kaffir lime leaves, turmeric and cutcherry ginger.

4. Gado Gado (Vegetarian)
Steamed vegetables and a hard-boiled egg with Javanese peanut sauce (family recipe).

5. Tempe Curry (Vegetarian)
Tempe cubes cooked in coconut milk, potatoes, and tamarind.

6. Sambal Goreng Udang
Yellow shrimp curry with coconut milk, potatoes and tamarind.

Daily Specials:

Monday: Sate Ayam
Grilled chicken skewers served with boiled rice cakes, topped with traditional peanut sauce from Java and a side of pickled cucumber.

Tuesday: Bihun Goreng
Thin rice noodles stir-fried with vegetables and chicken.

Wednesday: Babi Kecap
Pork cooked in ginger, garlic and a sweet soy sauce.

Thursday: Pepes Ikan
Steamed tilapia in a Balinese spice paste, wrapped in banana leaves and served with chayote squash in a clear broth.

No specials served on Fridays.

Beverages: Hot ginger tea, water and sodas.

Hours: Mon-Fri 10(ish)-2:30(ish)

Phone: 503-593-3611

Website: Unknown

E-mail: Unknown

Location: NE Corner of SE 12th and Hawthorne

Description: BBQ’d Turkey leg! Need I say more? I was off to visit my buddy who was working the swing shift at a local retail store and decided to stop in at the cart fest that is SE 12th and Hawthorne. It was Tuesday evening, so only a couple of them were open so I opted for Q BBQ. I knew I was in for a treat as I could smell bbq sauce coming around the corner and there wasn’t anyone around so I knew I would get excellent service.

As I walked up, I was heartily greeted by Gary, the owner and bbq master. Before I could even take a moment to look at the menu, he told me that this week was Chicken. I must have had a look on my face of misunderstanding so he explained. Due to the size of his cart, The G-Men stated he couldn’t offer everything on his menu all the time, so he switches it up by the week. Week 1 is pulled pork, week 2 is ribs, week 3 is brisket and week 4 is bbq chicken. Week 4 is also BBQ Turkey leg. As with all BBQ, I don’t have it enough, so always want to try everything on the menu. I ended up with a Turkey leg and 2 pieces of bbq chicken for $9.75. Oh, and he threw in some excellent rolls to sop up the bbq sauce when I was done.

I have to say. I loved that turkey leg so much, I wanted to ….. Not really, but it was tasty. I know the trick to good bbq is making sure the meat stays moist. Well, Gary has that figured out. Like I said, I was taking some for my friend who is a Texan and he too enjoyed every bit. Gary mentioned he wanted to expand in the future. Well, Gary, I think that would be a great idea.

Sample Menu:
Turkey Leg: $4.75
BBQ Chicken: $4.75
Brisket: $4.75
The Underdog (Veggie dog): $3:50
Our Original Beignets (Hot Fresh): $2.50

Hours: Evenings and late night

Phone: Unknown

E-Mail: Unknown

Website: Unknown