Stop 21: E-San's Yellow Curry

After being closed for a few weeks of vacation, last Friday E-San was open for business.  I had actually been to this cart before to buy some of their fresh spring rolls for the ridiculously low price of $2.50 or something unbelievable like that.

E-San was the third and final Thai stop for this stretch of carts.  The cart is actually the mini version of a restaurant with two additional locations in Portland (in actualy buildings, as far as i can tell.)  I am a big thai fan, but I have actually found that since I got preggo, it is just not my jam in the way that it used to be.  I am sure this will change as soon as I am back to myself, but for now it is preventing me from just going with the flow when the people taking orders offer their recommendations - which was this case again this time around.  The young lady recommended Pad See Ew, but I was just not feeling noodles.  When I asked her what else she liked, she recommended Gang Garee, yellow curry with carrots, potato, onions, red peppers and chicken.  That sounded much more like something I could get behind, so I ordred it along with brown rice.  I elected to go for mild.

As per usual, the meal was HUGE.  Tons of rice (which was normal brown rice, not the purple rice one often gets with Thai food.)  The curry was really frangrant and had just a tiny tiny hint of spiciness, which was a lovely color to offset the traditional sweetness of yellow curry.  The veggies were a tad on the soft side, but the chicken was absolutely perfect - tender and delicious.

So. Much. Curry.

At this point, however,  I have to confess that my ability to articulate the nuances and subtleties of flavor may have been inhibited by my burning my tongue as I tried to inhale my lunch (so smooth).  I am always so hungry and ready to tear into whatever I have purchased, that I don't wait a moment before I dive in.  With some trucks, my food has actually gotten cold on the six block walk back.  But not with curry - that stuff is HOT!  And I have zero patience (clearly.)

Having now been to three different Thai carts almost right next to each other, I unfortunately can't really say which one is the "best" or the one to go to for this or that dish.  I enjoyed each of my Thai lunches, so it is sort of a toss up.  But you can be confident in getting a solid lunch from E-San!

E-San Thai Cuisine:   Cards are a .50 Charge!
Gang Garee $7.00 (+ tip)

Stop #20: Kid's Favorite with an Extra Twist

There were a few things that made this particular cart stop unique.  The first was that I was joined by my friend, the fabulous and immensely talented Merideth Kaye Clark whom I met way back when I was getting my masters at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.  The second is that I arrived in a car.... Because it was just that kind of day in Portland.

Merideth had offered to pick me up from the office since the sky was looking threatening, but wanting to get myself moving after sitting at the desk all morning, I opted to meet her.  Just as I was walking over I-405, the sky OPENED.  And not just with water - hail, my friends.  HAIL!  In MAY!  I mean, I know that happens during those freakish storms that rip across the midwest and the south, but come ON!  As I ducked into a church doorway (like a god forsaken urchin) Merideth called and said she would come and grab me.

Merideth Giving her Order

Happily by the time we arrived at 10th and Alder, the insanity had ceased.  And I was excited - this week, it was the Grilled Cheese Grill.  (The final Thai cart in this little cluster was closed, as the owner was on vacation. Yay vacation!  We will hit them up next week.)

Now, a few things to know - grilled cheese is not something I usually allow myself or even particular crave.  However, I will use this post to announce that I am 14 week pregnant so not only are carbs and cheese the best thing EVER, I can eat them without my typical vain guilt.  Winning!

The Grilled Cheese Grill cart is actually one of three - the other two being located on the east side of the city.  I gazed at the menu rather overwhelmed, then asked the cool hipster guy (natch) who was taking orders which was his favorite: The Gabby with Pickles (we are, after all, in Portland....)  This sandwhich comes on toasted white bread (white bread, for the love of god.  Are adults allowed to eat that?) Between the two slices they melt Tillamook Cheddar, Swiss, Mozarella and Colby Jack (how are your arteries feeling?) Then just add pickles.

In an effort to balance things out a bit (and because why have grilled cheese without it) I ordered a cup of their tomato soup.  The young gentleman asked what was a good name to call.  I gave him my name, then realized I had missed a golden opportunity and asked to change it to "Their Royal Highnesses of Awesome."

 I am happy to report that he complied with vigor and enthusiasm.

 We headed back to the office and sat in the lobby to chat and eat.  OK, first off, they also include a handfull of awesome ridge cut potato chips with chunks of salt and pepper.  And a pickle spear if you want it (this is a question?)

The sandwhich was awesome - greasy and cheesy and crispy.  Felt like a real throwback to a childhood standard, but the pickles gave it that great something extra - a nice tart kick that was a perfect compliment to the cheesy richness.  The tomato soup was delicious as well - a touch sweeter than I usually like, with small chunks of diced tomato throughout.

I ate the whole thing.  Quickly and enthusiastically.  And then found it basically impossible to do anything else for the rest of the day.

Enjoy.  With caution.  Or abandon.

Grilled Cheese Grill:  
The Gabby With Pickles and a Cup of Tomato Soup: $8.50 (+tip)
ATM or Credit is an extra .50 fee

Stop #19: Vermicelli for the Win!

I love Vietnamese food.  I do not know what it is, but there is something so frickin soul affirming about a bowl of pho or a bowl of vermicelli - maybe all of the ingredients that you get to stir together?  (I seem to have a thing about that, don't I?)  I know the other big Vietnamese dish are sandwhiches, banh mi.  But whenever I have had one, I feel a little like I am eating the colonial past of Vietnam - I mean, come on- baguettes?  Merci, Le France, but I will take my rice noodles and fish sauce, thank you very much.

Anywhoo, I was super excited knowing that today was Huong's Vietnamese, as it has been ages since my last meal of this kind of food.  I knew, walking to the carts that I was hankering for vermicelli - the dish made with rice noodles, bean sprouts, cucumber, meat, fresh mint and sweet and sour fish sauce (which frankly tastes a lot more like sweet and sour salad dressing to me.)  However, I did my due diligence and asked the young man at the window for his recommendation.  He said chicken pho.  Damn!  The day was sunny and bright and the thought of a ginormous bowl of hot soup was just not what I was feeling.  Chicken vermicelli it was (I pointed out to him that it is basically the same dish minus the broth....right?)

It took some time to prepare, partially because there were about four people who were waiting ahead of me.  When my order was up, I was handed quite a heavy container of food.  If you want sriracha sauce, request it as your meal is being packed, and they will throw in a little container for you.

I made my way back to the office to tuck in.  Delicious!  They had actually included some fresh basil along with the mint - making it more pho like, which was great.  Also included was a handful of iceberg lettuce to lend the meal a bit more fresh crunch, and a ton of peanuts.  I am not sure how they prepare the chicken - it is very thinly cut and seemed to be pan sauteed or something.  A few pieces were a little dry, but it was very flavorful.

All in all a very satisfying dish.  Perhaps too satisfying - I should have eaten less of it, but I just couldn't stop myself.  Seriously, I could eat this stuff all. Day. Long.  And for the price?  All around winning.

Huong's Vietnamese:
Chicken Vermicelli
$6 (+tip)  CASH ONLY

Stop #18: Best Burrito in Portland...?

Last Friday I knew I was in for some Mexican and was feeling a bit conflicted.  I always love a burrito, but that seemed a little heavy.  Was I in the mood for a taco?  Maybe there would be a specialty surprise, like the panuchos at El Taco Yucateco from all those many weeks/months ago.

I ambled up to El Rodeo Taqueria, ready with my standard question: What's your favorite?  The gentleman said that he "likes the chicken burrito, but that is just him."  Well, I guess that committed me, qualms or no.  Burrito it was!

While I was waiting, a woman about my age approached me and said "He is just being humble.  Everything here is amazing.  My husband sends me here to get him the beef burrito - that is what I am doing now.  And I scored some tacos for me.  You are in the right place."  Well, now I was excited....

When my burrito was ready, I was offered red sauce or green sauce or both.  Both, naturally!!!  I made my way back to the office and unwrapped my lunch.  Which was the size of my head (see below).

 Then I took a bite.  Let's be real here - an outstanding burrito is something of a mystery.  I mean, the ingredients from one bundle of carbs and protein to the next are basically universal - beans, salsa, rice and some meat.  Maybe with some extras.  Usually very serviceable and hearty.

So this burrito.....Holy moly! It was the real deal.  The mercurial combo had been achieved - salsa fresca, pinto beans, rice, delicious and tender grilled chicken.  And the tortilla had been grilled as well, giving it a bit firmer texture and that added toasty flavor.  I think there was a little sour cream in there too, which never hurts.  And the sauces were both delicious - I alternated back and forth.

I ended up on a conference call while I was eating (I put myself on mute, natch.  I was NOT waiting around to eat this sucker.)  The problem was that in the process of eating and listening, I failed to notice until too late that I was eating the whole thing. I mean, look at that picture ----------------->
 And I ate that whole thing.  In one sitting.  Yeah, I basically couldn't move for the rest of the day, and for dinner was satisfied to just contemplate the idea of lettuce.

Ultimately, a delicious delicious burrito.  And very inexpensive!   Note: I also realized after I finished it that the sodium content was HIGH.  I drank an entire 32 oz bottle of water in about an hour -- but it was so so worth it.

If you go, I recommend buying a single burrito and sharing.  Or saving half for later.

El Rodeo:
Chicken Burrito $5.50 (+tip!)
Cash Only

Stop #17: Delayed Post: Kielbasa of Awesome

First off, dear readers, my apologies for two+ weeks of silence on the mobile culinary delights of PDX.  One week I was out of town and the next I was sick and was not able to make it over to the carts to purchase something full of nom nom.

Happily I was welcomed back into the fray with a fun, in some ways new and very delicious meal from the homeland of half of my family- Poland!  I don't necessarily find Eastern European cuisine to my taste on too regular a basis (the carb/protein/vegetable ratio is a little off for me to indulge too frequently) but Friday I was ready.

I was particularly excited by the prospect of kielbasa.   When it comes to sausages/hot dogs/long meat on a bun I will always go with kielbasa.  When I was living in Queens, New York, I was not far from the infamous Czech beer garden.  This place had an outdoor drinking area the size of a football field - I kid you not - which in the five borroughs (land of the 25 sqaure foot apartment) is mind boggling.  When the warm weather arrived, this beer garden was a pilgrimage site for New Yorkers from all parts of the city, who emerged from the relentless clutches of cold and winter and made the long trip North East to Astoria to drink beer at long out door tables.  Along with the fantastic beer selection, you could buy yourself a kielbasa and fries with kraut.  It was how you knew the fun part of the year had finally arrived.

So my associations with this particular sausage are sweet and affectionate.  I arrived at Euro Dish already knowing what I wanted - which denied me much opportunity to chat with the lovely lady in the cart who prepared the food.  I ordered "Combo Plate #1" which included (the much anticipated) kielbasa, 3 pierogies and a serving of Bigos - or "Polish Stew".

I was familiar with pierogies, but I had never heard of bigos.  Apparently it is the national dish of Poland and is basically cooked cabbage with pieces of various stewed meats mixed in.  It was hearty and peppery, clearly homemade with fresh and excellent ingredients.  Honestly a little too meaty and cabbage-ey for me, with a rich sauce, but it was probably because ultimately, I am just not a fan of bigos.

The pierogies however - brilliant!  I had two that were potato and one that was mushroom and cabbage.  The dumpling noodle was perfectly cooked - soft, melt in your mouth, not in the least bit sticky or chewy.  And the fillings were both excellent - creamy and peppery potato and flavorful fragrant mushroom.  Personally, I preferred the potato, but that is such a redundancy of starch, I feel like it should be illegal.

And the kielbasa - perfection.  Grilled up plump and warm, it had the perfect smoky yet sweet flavor, paired perfectly with lightly sauteed onions and some brown mustard.  My only gripe - more mustard!!!

The whole meal was $7 and for the second? third? time on this odyssey, I absolutely couldn't finish.  Though I gave it my best attempt.   If you are in the mood for some delcious sausage or craving some Eastern European comfort food on a cold day, hit up Euro Dish.  And maybe bring a friend so you can share.

Euro Dish
Combo Platter #1: Kielbasa, Pierogi, Bigos - $7 (+plus tip!)
Cash Only

Stop # 16: Curry on a Rainy Day

Folks, this one is for you.  Because it was very much due to knowing I had a blog post to write that I was willing to trek down to the trucks at all today.  It has been RAIN-NY up in here for the past few days and the forecast is promising more of the same all the way through the extended ten day forecast.  Harumph.  Well, it would be unfair to say that I hadn't been warned when I left California and relocated to the Pacific Northwest that rain and I were destined to get really, very deeply and truly well acquainted.

I made my way through the downpour and found that I Like Thai, the truck that had been closed last week, was up and running.  So Thai lunch it was!  The truck was super cute, with a bright red sign and a hand written menu describing the vegetables included in each dish.  Pretty standard Thai fare - noodle dishes, stir fried dishes with rice and curries.  You select your protein, which as this truck is described as "hen-pig-cow-shrimp-tofu".  Call it what it is, I suppose!

I asked the young lady for her recommendations.  However, I already sort of knew what I wanted, so when she said Pad Kee Mao and Sweet Basil with Rice, I broke my own rules and ordered the Panang Curry with chicken.  With the rain and still being on the mend from a cold, I wanted something hot and creamy.  I was given the option of white or brown rice and went with the brown.  Love having that choice.

Yay Veggies!

When my order was ready, I was handed a small paper bag that I hustled back to the office.  For an extremely low price, this was A LOT of food.  I ended up not being able to finish it (only the second truck so far where that has been the case!)  The curry was as warm and creamy as I'd hoped, however the flavors were a little subdued - I didn't get a really strong hit of curry spice.  And the vegetables were a smidge overdone - I like them really cripsy.  But it was a nice, south east asian comfort lunch that I thoroughly enjoyed - and will again tomorrow (yay leftovers!)





I Like Thai
Panang Curry with Chicken: $5 (+ tip)
CASH ONLY

That is A LOT of Curry

Stop #15: Eating Schwarma and Gaining Nuance About Middle Eastern Cuisine

I was all set to go for Thai food today, believing that the next cart on my odyssey was "I Like Thai Food."  But for whatever reason, they weren't open today.  So my eyes traveled one truck to the left --Saaj Baghdad.  While it took my brain/belly about five seconds to shift itself from curry and chilis to grilled meat and tatziki, I was psyched.

I asked the gentleman what he liked best on the menu.  He said schwarma - I asked him which kinds of meat he had - lamb, chicken and beef.  He then pointed to his menu and explained that they served their  schwarma on Iraqi bread called samoon.  This piqued my interest, as I suddenly realized my knowledge about food from the Middle East is extremely general.  Schwarma, hummus, kabob, falafel - but I have no real sense of regional or national specialties.  What is the local dish in Saudi Arabia vs. Qatar vs. Yemen vs. Iraq?  While a small drop in the bucket, samoon was going to be a first step in gaining some nuance about Middle Eastern food.

I was asked if I wanted everything on the sandwhich - lettuce, tomato, tatziki, cucumber, hot sauce?  I said yes, but after being burned by last week, requested light on the hot sauce.

While I waited for my food, an order was presented to a pair of men who had been waiting.  I was thrilled to hear them have a happily animated exchange in arabic with the truck owners as one of them devoured his sandwhich.  If those who were raised on the dishes being served are buying them from the establishment where you are getting your lunch, you are in the right place.

It took a fair bit of time for my food to be ready.  If you are in a rush, save this truck for another day.  However, if you want to be sure that your schwarma is cooked perfectly and to order, this is the place for you!  After about ten minutes I was presented with a steaming meal that looked like something between a sandwhich and a pita.

I got back to the office and dug in.  Delicious!  The meat had been sauteed with onions, the tatziki was refreshing with an extra flavor - tarragon? that was a great addtion and the creamy hot sauce was fabulous.  Finally, the bread, the samoon was awesome!  A little like a ciabbatta but with a crunchier and denser exterior, it was robust enough to balance the heartiness of the contents of the sandwhich better than a flimsy pita (I mean, those things ALWAYS fall apart when you fill them with deliciousness, ammaright?)

Note French Fry in the Middle

Also fun - the two french fries in the middle of the sandwhich.  I feel I can always get behind a general inclusion of french fries whenever possible.

 Saaj Baghdad: 
Chicken Schwarma - $7.00 (+ tip)
Accepts Credit Cards