Friday, July 26, 2013

Food Pod Adventure in Portland

Food Trucks, Food Pods, Food Carts....they're basically the same in the sense that it's a mobile restaurant.  Last month I had the opportunity to visit Portland, Oregon where I was amazed at the number of stationary food carts within a few feet of each other.  

My sisters and I stayed in the heart of downtown Portland, near Pioneer Square. From the 10th floor window of our room of the Benson Hotel, I could see the line of food pods (a group of food carts known in Portland as a pod)  along Alder Street; one of the many blocks that is home  to a sampling of good eats.

It was rather difficult to resist the many choices of food pods. There were many to choose from.  What ever our belly desired, it was there: Mediterranean, Thai, Cuban, Colombian, Peruvian just to name a few.  It was truly food heaven!  Most of all, the food were very reasonably priced.  Most food carts in Portland sold their entrees for $5 to $12.  I enjoyed checking out at all the variety of food and the food pod stands.  Since it was stationary, many even provided tables and chairs for customers to enjoy their food. Although some chose to sit at the numerous parks nearby which my sisters and I did.  
If you plan to visit Portland, I strongly recommend trying the food pods.  They're everywhere!   A must try is the nitro ice cream for dessert.  We discovered this cart just across from VooDoo Donuts on 4th street.  
So keep your eyes peeled for my posts while I fill your bellies with another gastronomic adventure of this hungry tEATeacher!
One of the many food carts along Adler Street near Pioneer Square
So many to choose from
We loved Colombian food, we returned for more the next day. 
Salpicon (refreshing fruit cocktail with vanilla ice cream),
          Patacones (pronounced: "pa-ta-con") 
Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream ready in seconds 
Waffles for dessert?  Yummy! 
Of course we had to try Cuban food.  This gentleman opened a new establishment in the area after operating from his food cart for a few years!  
Loved the Cuban plantains! 
My sisters and I couldn't wait to eat the plantains while waiting for our Thai food order!