Food Cart Culture in Portland, Oregon, USA

1. Food Cart Culture in Portland, Oregon, USA A look at an alternative way of eating out

2. Food carts near Portland State University (PSU) It’s all about location – and price. Hungry college students in the inner city are the target for these food carts. They offer an abundance of choices – from good old American hamburgers and fries , via vegan variations, to exotic , spicy dishes from Asia or Latin America – all for usually less than 10 US dollars.

3. The Portland Soup Company

4. Pork and Slaw Sandwich from the Portland Soup Company for US $ 6 Jeremy Davidson, proprietor, makes his “pulled” pork by first soaking it in brine for several hours, then slow cooking it for several more until it is so moist and tender it can be pulled apart.

5. Not a sit-down meal Here is the author making the most of the limited seating. Most carts don’t even have this much, so ordering “to go” (takeaway) is the norm. Low overheads , partly from not providing seating or roofing, and relatively easy licensing requirements for operators mean customers can enjoy foods which they might never encounter in restaurants and get great value for money.

6. Tomato soup with croutons (which the Portland Soup Company makes with butterand potatoes for extra smoothness and flavour) Is it good? Hesays yes!

7. Food carts in two areas Downtown near PSU, a well-established location Rose City Food Park, a newly created court for food carts in a residential area

8. Food carts offer a chance to try lesser-known cuisines A cart offering dishes from the Pacific island of Guam, such as “KelaguenManok”, spicy chicken salad “Pupusas”, savory corn-meal pancakes stuffed with meats and veggies, from El Salvador

9. See www.foodcartsportland.comFrom African to Venezuelan, there’s a food cart making it in Portland, Oregon, USA.Some thing for town planners to ponder at home in Adelaide?