THE FOOD CARTS OF PORTLAND, OR

WELCOME TO MY FIRST WEEKLY FEATURE

&

WELCOME TO MY HOME!

This week we'll be spending a little time discussing one of Portland's greatest attractions.....the food carts!   They are iconic and it wouldn't feel like Portland without them.  They are a part of the culture here and contribute greatly to this exciting food scene.   Let's get started exploring!

WHAT IS A FOOD CART & WHEN DID IT COME TO PORTLAND?

A food cart is simply a mobile kitchen and Portland has quite a few of them. According to article in Portland Monthly (Portland Monthly Magazine Article) in an effort to revitalize downtown at the end of the 1970's, business were required to have retail available on the bottom floor of new construction towers built.  This helped to increase business; however there were still many vacant parking lots.  The company that owned the lots soon discovered that pods of food carts thrived in those spaces and attracted more people to the area.   Hence, a culture was born.

WHERE ARE THE FOOD CARTS IN PORTLAND?

While many cities have food carts that move about the city, Portland mainly has food carts that are uniquely stationary and are part of a "pod."   The pods are located throughout the city in the downtown area (10th/Alder), in business districts, and in residential neighborhoods offering everyone the chance to experience their delicious cuisine.   Below is a link to where you can find a food cart pod near you:

Portland Food Cart Locations

WHAT TYPES OF CUISINE CAN YOU FIND?

A variety of different types of cuisine is offered and you can find foods you never would have imagined.  Think beyond the typical lunch truck of the past.  Food carts here offer gourmet sandwiches (Addy''s - a personal favorite of mine, Grilled Cheese Grill); fusion food (Koi Fusion); regional & ethnic food (The Frying Scotsman, Tabor, The Dump Truck); vegan cuisine (The Whole Bowl); Breakfast (The Big Egg).  

There are so many wonderful choices....unfortunately too many to name.   You'll just have to come and find out for yourself!

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION?

The website FoodCartsPortland.com is a fantastic resource that provides information on the history of the carts, new and exciting ones to check out, and links to trucks for the different types of cuisine you're looking for.  Saveur Magazine also has a wonderful article on the Portland food truck scene and observations on what makes this city so welcoming.

Thanks for checking out my feature this week!   Portland, OR is such a fantastic city and I'm so lucky to live here.  It is such a foodie paradise, but with all the cultural and historical accouterments to go along with it.  While you're here and in between bites, don't leave without visiting:

1. Portland Saturday Market (More yummy food available here)
2. Portland State Farmer's Market (here too)
3. Washington Park (Oregon Zoo, Forestry Museum, Children's Museum, Rose Test Garden, Japanese Garden)
4. Oregon Historical Society 
5. Lan Su Chinese Garden
6. Portland Art Museum
7. Powell's City of Books
8. Pittock Mansion
9. Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI)
10. Voodoo Doughnuts (Like nothing you've seen before)

For my feature next week, we're going to dive into the slogan, "Keep Portland Weird" and take a look at the idiosyncrasies we're so proud of! 

 

Now, grab your swimsuits fellow food lovers....we're headed to Maui, Hawaii next.   

See you there!   

Oh, almost forgot.....Aloha!