What's your favorite downtown food cart?

[ramedud]

Originally Posted by hamellr

Sounds like you mean the pod on 9th. But there is another on 5th and Stark, and also 3rd and Morrison.

The Thai Tea place you're talking is good though. I usually get that and something from one of the BBQ places down there. The German Sausage cart is another favorite, it's been around for ages in that same spot, probably among the oldest carts in Portland.

9th and Alder, 10th and Washington, same pod.

I think you meant the pod on 3rd and Stark, 3rd and Morrison is just some building down the street from Pioneer Square. I think it's near a Forever 21? Don't ask how I remember that, my lady-friend dragged me along to shop there. XD

I never got around to eating at the German Sausage cart, it did look tasty. Will have to do that next time. There was a convenient Wells Fargo ATM at one of the pods, can't remember which. It could be gone by now for all I know. Haven't been to Portland for a little while.

[Beenhere4ever]

Can you cart history nuts tell me when a collection of carts became a "pod"? I'm not saying it sound inappropriate, I just love the evolution of language. Since I live on the wild frontier of FoodCartWorld, I don't know the history.

[PonderingPortland]

Homegrown Smoker! Although vegan BBQ might sounds strange, it's quite tasty!

[ramedud]

Originally Posted by Beenhere4ever

Can you cart history nuts tell me when a collection of carts became a "pod"? I'm not saying it sound inappropriate, I just love the evolution of language. Since I live on the wild frontier of FoodCartWorld, I don't know the history.

Who knows, but I guess it's like a seed pod? I use "pod" because for some reason people seem to understand the context better than saying "carts." I normally call them carts, lol.

Originally Posted by PonderingPortland

Homegrown Smoker! Although vegan BBQ might sounds strange, it's quite tasty!

Never got to try it but I heard it was tasty!

[EnricoV]

Originally Posted by Beenhere4ever

Can you cart history nuts tell me when a collection of carts became a "pod"? I'm not saying it sound inappropriate, I just love the evolution of language. Since I live on the wild frontier of FoodCartWorld, I don't know the history.

I did a search in the Oregonian, and in June 2009 is the first usage I find. And it's in quotes ... after that point, it's just using the term. Doesn't bother to describe what it is. The article also mentions there are 387 carts. So it's fair to say the term had been long in usage, just hadn't been in print.

Other cities have referred to them differently. But I see articles in the Seattle paper (2012) talking about opening the first cart pod there, others in Richmond VA. (2012), Albuquerque NM (2012), Eugene OR (2010), Bend OR (2011).

And I'll just add this link to share, what I thought was an interesting article about Portland's carts, from a global perspective. It's a very informative review done by a Dutch woman.

[turquoise1]

People's Pig was gone yesterday :-( Is this goodbye to milk-braised pork loin sandwiches on ciabatta? I hope this is just temporary.

[Beenhere4ever]

So are cart food nuts "pod people"? Like in Body Snatchers?

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by turquoise1

People's Pig was gone yesterday :-( Is this goodbye to milk-braised pork loin sandwiches on ciabatta? I hope this is just temporary.

According to their website they're still there. But according to Food Carts Portland, they're gone, but not totally. New owners - no clue if it'll be the same food or not. And Cliff Allen is working on a new cart.

[turquoise1]

bummer! this was one of my favorite carts. Thanks for the info.