Aisle Aisle Off-Course in Portland: Food Carts and Voodoo Doughnut
One thing I look forward to the most about visiting another city is experiencing things that are unavailable in my own. In Portland, food carts spanning some city blocks was one of those things.
As we were visiting Portland over Saturday and Sunday, many of the food carts were unfortunately closed. But that didn’t stop me from checking out the offerings, like the “5 Course Lunch Special” for $6. Why were you closed, Taste of India, why?!
La Jarochita Mexican Food. Mmm, Mexican food.
Mr. Taco Mexican Food sells sopes (thick tortillas) with any meat filling for $3.
Gyros, falafels, salads, and mezzas that way at Aybla Grill.
The only Greek food I’ve tried is falafel, hummus, and salad. Clearly I need to change this fact.
Another time, however, because I’ve added food carts to my list of unfinished Portland food business. My friend and I didn’t try any food from the carts because we already had plans to eat somewhere, weren’t hungry at the time, or were too full.
I took this photograph purely because of the name. See, I am easily amused. But I do crave rice sometimes. This Rice Junkies is located at Portland State University.
Apparently you can choose your own sauce, meat, vegetables, rice, noodles, black beans, etc., to be served in a wrap or bento.
You can even have your food dished up in one of six tortilla varieties. (This place confuses me. Black beans? Tortillas? Huh?)
Me being easily amused again.
Do you recognize this name/place?
Voodoo Doughnut appeared on the finale of the 13th season of The Amazing Race.
A giant donut displayed on the wall of the small, standing-only room.
I didn’t visit Voodoo Doughnut because it had been on national television. No, I went to the shop for its donut selection. Now, this here’s a G-rated site, so I’m not going to mention anything about the offerings other than go here to see why I was very amused.
Voodoo Doughnut from Asian Aisle on Vimeo.
I got the Portland Creme, a “raised doughnut filled with creme and covered in chocolate with two eyes.” No photos because frankly, the few that I took of it sucked.
Okay, these are not meant to be fighting words: I liked my doughnut only fine. I’ve had better-tasting, freshly made doughnuts, and the Portland Creme actually reminded me of some Krispy Kreme ones I’ve eaten. Like those Krispy Kreme doughnuts, I found the Voodoo Doughnut one too sweet. The lightness of the doughnut itself and the creme were good, though.
I encourage you to view the larger version of the video.
And maybe visit this page to see brief video footage of both the food carts and Voodoo Doughnut on that episode of The Amazing Race. Oh, and there’s also this awesome video of Voodoo Doughnut with Anthony Bourdain and Chuck Palahniuk.
Ah, reading these has made me so nostalgic! That Rice Junkies is right next to my old high school (St. Mary’s Academy– the large brick building across the street to the right when you were facing the store), and I’ve gotten food from the food carts on more than on occasion. I’m glad you enjoyed your trip to Portland.
Great post! I was just there, but sadly was not able to sample from them. I linked to your blog in my post!
Thanks!
April
abarnstormer.blogspot.com
Nyx: I *think* I saw a brick church across from Rice Junkies, but I don’t recall seeing a high school. Yes, I really enjoyed visiting Portland. I regret not trying at least one thing from the food carts, no matter how full I was. We almost had crepes at one of the few open carts, especially since it was open until 10 PM, but because it was Voodoo Doughnut night we had to pass.
By the way, thanks for popping over from LJ. Kenny & Zuke’s pastrami is fantastic.
April: It sounds like you had a great time eating and drinking your way through Portland, too. Ah, Stumptown Coffee. We checked it out on our way to Voodoo Doughnut but it was closed for a private party. Oh well, next time, right? And I LOVED Powell’s Books. I’m looking forward to reading your post about it.