YEAR OF THE CARTS

November 11, 2010-A New Face In The Crowd

50^th and Ivon, a bit farther than normal when going on a carting adventure, but for both my mom and I, that that is the name of the game. As we pulled up to the sidewalk, we welcomed the opportunity of having another guest with us when carting. My sister was coming along, not that we weren’t happy to have her, but because her boyfriend happened to be out of town for a couple of weeks.

A la Carts, the pod on 50^th and Ivon has a plethora of foods to choose from and enjoy. The destination in mind, Off The Griddle, a vegetarian and vegan food cart making DELICIOUS garden burgers. It was not until I actually devoured the burger that I would come to the realization of the delicious tastes that were created by Ashley and Dan.

The absolutely great thing about Off The Griddle, is the fact that while many meatatarians have many options of burgers around town like BrunchBox on 5^th and Oak, and Rollin’ Etta on 43^rd and Belmont., vegetarians and vegans have less of an opportunity at eating delicious burgers that are equally teeth sinkable, and devoured in less than 15 minutes. Thus the creation of Off The Griddle is all but hailed by me and many others, vegetarians and meatatarians alike, who have already been able to experience the cart.

As I looked at the menu, the tough choice of choosing what to get hit me, much like always, but when my eyes settled on the list of ingredients for the Messy Bessy, I knew it was the one. An O.T.G. patty piled high with organic cage-free egg, Tillamook cheddar, organic avocado, grilled onion, lettuce, tomato, spicy tofu-avocado sauce and finally a layer of house-made potato chips. Seasoned and served with a fork. The fork and many napkins to go along with the very adeptly named burger are very much recommended.

As we waited for the burgers to be made, we happened to notice the cart sitting right next to Off The Griddle. Coffee Can Café. A very nice, wooden food cart café, that serves up all your espresso needs. While normally I would go for my usual LOVE, a mocha, when the holiday menu, written on a piece of cardboard, and tacked to the side was noticed, I knew that a Pumpkin Steamer would be heading my way. The pumpkin steamer was great for the chilly weather of Portland, and possibly the best holiday drink I have had. Even more than peppermint mochas some cafes offer. Also, while so many flavors combining might often times seem daunting and too much, the steamer and burger went together fabulously.

Since the weather in Portland has quickly been changing, it was after careful consideration, and a quick check to see if the heat lamps were on in the heated and covered seating area, that all three of us decided to hit the road and eat at home. Disappointing I know, and not very much like a true carter should be like, but non-adequate dressing seemed to negatively impact the experience.

When I was buckled in, and a napkin placed to my side, I opened up the box, keep in mind the fact that other burgers are served wrapped in tin foil, picked up the burger, and sank my teeth in. Absolutely delicious! As I sit here writing, and about five times a week do I think about this burger, and anxiously await the next visit to Off The Griddle. The Messy Bessy is a true genius of combination. All the grilled vegetables, fried egg, tofu, and sauce created a delicious dinner, that I cannot stress how delicious this burger was.

After getting home, we were all able to dig in, and of course share bites of each others burgers. As I sit there devouring the burger, I knew that I would indeed see Off The Griddle again.

Similar, Yet Completely Opposite

In northwest Portland, the is PBJ’s serving fabulous unique creations of the traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich. In Northeast Portland, up on Alberta, is the Grilled Cheese Grill, serving new takes on the famous grilled cheese sandwich.

On Alberta and 18^th, lying by itself, in what was once a old lot, now a nice hangout and eating spot, is the Grilled Cheese Grill. Before beginning “Year of the Carts,” the extent of my sandwich knowledge was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and caprese style sandwiches, I knew of grilled cheese, but was not a fan. Over the course of what is going on three months of carting, I have come to enjoy many more types of sandwiches, some of which I never knew were possible to be created.

When you walk up you are met with tables and chairs, umbrellas included, and an old, orange, green, blue striped, school bus that customers can sit and dine in, that is also playing music. All tables are equipped with trivial pursuit cards, so either while waiting or dining, a game can be played.

As you walk up to the actual cart, a silver trailer with its window open, and a big sign stating the name of the cart, the chef is waiting for your order. It took a minute look at the menu to decide on what sandwiched were going to be eaten. It was decided that we would order the Southsider, a combination of artichokes, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, mozzarella on grilled sourdough, substituting red onions for the mushrooms, and the special of the day.

It took about four trivial pursuit cards (not many questions actually answered) until our sandwiches were ready. We grabbed a few napkins, and headed into the old bus to chow down.

Pure deliciousness was what came to my mouth as I sank my teeth into the freshly grilled, crispy but not burnt, crust and bread of the sandwich. I could instantly tell that I would completely enjoy the entirety of what I was eating. The tomatoes were delicious, the mozzarella was perfectly melted over the whole sandwich, and the artichokes made everything come together. The onions were grilled nicely and gave the rest of the sandwich a bit of pop.

When my mom and I go out on a carting experience, we always try to share two different dishes. In this case, we each gave the other a half of each sandwich. This way, both of us are able to try two things in one meal. I was able to try the special of the day, which consisted of many satisfying ingredients, inclusing red bell peppers that were a nice touch to the sandwich, are were delicious grilled, the cheeses again, were melted very nicely covering the sandwiches in cheesy goodness.

Our stay at the Grilled Cheese Grill was coming to an end, and as we finished up our meal, the only thing left to do, was to have a photo op in the front of the bus. A scary thought of someone without there license driving a school bus.

We began walking to our next destination, Solar Waffle Works. The hours were posted, stating that the cart would be open, but after walking for about ten blocks we were met with an even emptier lot than we had seen the last time we had visited. Solar Waffle Works was not there, and all we could do was think of a plan b.

Our plan b was The Sugar Cube, over in the Mississippi Marketplace. When we had visited Garden State and Native Bowl, we had seen The Sugar Cube, where the treats with names like the Amy Winehouse cupcake, could all but tempt us. However, as we walked up to the lot, we saw the window, usually opened up for service, closed. And a sign placed, reading the new winter hours.

When carting, the first rule of conduct is: You must be flexible. Many carts change hours, locations, and are sometimes off catering an event. When you expect to eat a combination of vegetables and peanut sauce, or devour cupcakes and tarts, or slurp down a smoothie, that may not be what happens. Being flexible will make the experience more enjoyable for all. In the case where we had to move on to plan c, we were completely flexible and were very glad that we were, for our next treat was something that neither one of us had had in years.

An Old Favorite

When we walked up to the window, I saw a guy, who had previously been sitting down eating, jump up and head to the back of the cart. He came in with an apron on, and began talking to us as he washed his hands.

“What can I get you?” he said with a friendly smile on his face.

“The Sweet Lunas please.” Answering with complete swiftness one would question if I had even consulted the menu. The Sweet Lunas are the only dessert offered at Nuevo Mexico, a cart at the very enterance of the Mississippi Marketplace The sweet lunas are the only dessert offered at Nuevo Mexico. A sweet fried puff of dough, covered with both honey and powdered sugar. He said it would probably take about five minutes, though it took about three minutes of us standing in the weather that was now turning a bit nasty and cold, for the dessert to be ready. As we thanked him and were handed the red and white checkered tray, we headed to the car to gain some warmth. While not fully the effect of actually eating at a food cart, this was an exception, for my obsession with wearing track shorts is a bit ridiculous.

When we reached the car, we dug in. The sweet lunas were still warm, actually a bit hot. This did not seem to matter as the first bites enveloped our mouths with sweetness. A trend that I see happening on many of the carting adventures me and my mom take, is that anytime there is a meal, my mom takes less and I end up eating the majority. The was no surprise to me, as we sat in the car, eating the sweet lunas. I ended up eating a majority of the tray, as my mom gave me the excuse that she was driving.

Grilled Cheese Grill

Location:

1027 NE Alberta St

Portland, OR, 97211

Hours:

Tues - Thurs:

11:30 am - 9:00 pm

Fri - Sat:

11:30 am - 2:30 am

Sun:

11:30 am - 3:30 pm

For More Information visit: