In strange yet true developments, I have two friends from my hometown visiting Portland on vacation right now. Tis adorable. I don’t typically admit this, but I’m originally from the South Shore of Long Island and my accent is in full bloom once more from being around my friends. Commence TAWKING AND WAWKING AND CAWFEE without any deep prompting from excitement or libations.
Said friends aren’t vegan, so I’m not breaking out the normal must-go-to Portobello and vegan bakeries routine. One friend, however, is allergic to eggs, and the other is a pesceterian, so they’re both cool with vegan options – which has included obligatory $1.25 vegan corndogs * at Hungry Tiger Too this past Wednesday and perusing food carts. I haven’t been joining in on many of their tourist activities as I’m working during the day, but we have strolled Last Thursday and Alberta a few times, Powells, and hit a few carts – pretty damn Portland. Isn’t it nice that the food carts (and that IFC show which I warned my houseguests to watch in preparation but to never mention in town) have finally given tourists something more to do in this city besides drink Stumptown coffee, sip microbrews, eat donuts and plan hiking adventures?
With that, it’s hard being a food blogger and playing a tourist in this über hip city – you have to be incredibly discreet with your photography so you’re not mistaken as either role in public, jeez.
Iced toddy and carafe of soymilk, Barista II. Creepy friend in the background, of course.
Iced toddy and carafe of soymilk, Barista II
Alyse, meets the Floor Punch. aka The Bye & Bye without the booze.
BBQ Brussels bowl, The Bye & Bye. I'm normally a BBQ Platter gal, but the brussels were calling my name.
BTW, The Rapture TM hit NE Alberta. Remnants.
I played tourist myself, lunching with a friend at Nicholas, SE. Photo by Melissa.
Obligatory rainy day lunch time visit to the food carts, SW 9th. I had a vegetarian "can you leave out the fish and oyster sauce, please? thanks!" lemongrass tofu salad bun from the Mai Pho cart on SW Alder.
Small french fry, vegan chipotle dip, Potato Champion! (now bigger!)
Alyse's first Whiffles. I think she found our peanut butter chocolate chip fried pie both mystifying and glorious. I think it was my first pie of the year! I dedicate this pie to Panda.
Back to NE Alberta for Last Thursday
Last Thursday on Alberta. My friend was considering buying one of these fabulous skirts until she saw the $125 price tag.
For some reason, my friend was a bit creeped out by the candy schoolbus. Quirky buses I've seen on Alberta now include the beer bus, grilled cheese bus, bong bus, Vaudeville showbus and the candy bus.
El Nutri Taco Truck
Could this really be the first cupcake first cart I've seen in town? The return of the cupcake? I didn't check it they had vegan options- anyone know? cute logo & colors.
food & beer buses. how we roll.
Lastly, I had a chance to hit up the Baked! ma & cheese window for dinner.
Margherita vegan mac with tomatoes & garlic, Baked! take out on NE Alberta. Hell yeah. It was super salty, but super creamy and good without any of that gross packaged vegan cheese-ness going on - I'd add a green vegetable next time, for maturity's sake.
And before they depart, they plan on getting hitched at the 24 Hour Church of Elvis window after a couple rounds of Ms. Pac Man and Visos at Ground Kontrol. Oh my god, what should I wear?!
*Truthfully, I’ve gotten to the point where I have ordered a corndog, but I can’t bring myself to eat it. As much as I can get down with pancake batter, I just don’t have any desire to eat veggie dogs.
OY!!!!!!!! That mac and cheese looks awesome.
omg come visit again so we can go to the bye & bye and then to the window!!!!!!!
who’s that dashing man in your photos?
I was wondering the same thing, not Lucas. So Dashing.
I was wondering the same thing, not Lucas. So Dashing.
I don’t normally read your blog too often but had to comment when every single one of the pictures in this post mirrors my footsteps last night. I am both a food blogger AND tourist visiting my best friend here and we LOVED the alberta street fair. might i add vintage to your list of things people do in portland? and no … the truck did not have vegan cupcakes
did you get to visit wanderlust? (vintage camper). we also ate at the eat a lot truck around 10 pm. kimchi and rice and veg! YUM.
karen, that is awesome. <3
Whattup LI, haha, I’m from Queens and will never leave this city but I say be PROUD of yr nasally accent! My bf and I want to visit Portland so badly (me fueled not least due to yr photos and food raves) and watch out because you will hear us tawking loudly when we do
come visit and I will not only break out my accent, I will take you guys all around! promise.
what’s the fabulous skirt made out of? looks neato.
mostly these things!! http://www.allartsupplies.com/item.php?articleId=121
I can’t explain the rest, but it was impressive.
Yes! I would also like to learn more about the rainbow skirt
you have to see it to believe it!
The Chalk-let Candy Bus is great and the vegan candy is labeled. Nice people too.