Kargi Gogo – Food from Georgia from a Food Cart

I always like to support local businesses, and after returning a library book I had borrowed to read during my flights to/from Baltimore, I decided to take an extra few blocks of walking to circle the food carts at SW Alder and Washington and SW 9th/10th. During that little stroll, I discovered a new food cart has just recently opened, Kargi Gogo, showcasing food from Georgia. No, I know you went naturally to southern food from Georgia, USA, but actually this cart specializes in the Republic of Georgia, the country in Eastern Europe.

Kargi Gogo food cart portland Georgia food Kargi Gogo food cart portland Georgia food

That face of that cartoony wide eyed girl made this cart hard to miss, and endearing to me immediately. I had to give them a try, and as I was reading their menu I found them very reasonably priced and liked their attention to detail in descriptions of the food, and the helpful photos as well on the cart, and the ALSO endearing illustrations of the food next to each menu item. What great design!

So feeling not very hungry, but very adventurous, I went with the #8, the Supra Feast of a sampler of all of the 5 items on their menu:

Kargi Gogo food cart portland Georgia food Kargi Gogo food cart portland Georgia food

  • Khachapuri: Georgian Cheese Bread. Melted cheeses wrapped in crust and cut in a triangle. I was tempted to go back and just get a whole order of this to have for dinner, and even after walking 2 blocks away after eating it I was still thinking about it. Yes it is reminiscent of a quesadilla and a grilled cheese sandwich, with the bread is more like a doughy pizza or foccacia bread. I went back later and just got an order of these and had all 4 pieces for lunch and dinner 🙂
    Khachapuri Georgian Cheese Bread Kargi Gogo food cart portland Georgia food
  • Lobiani: Stuffed Bean and Onion Bread. Ground red beans and caramelized onions and Georgian spices stuffed inside crust
    Lobiani Stuffed Bean and Onion Bread Kargi Gogo food cart portland Georgia food
  • Khinkali: Not Your Average Dumplings. More like gigantic dumplings the size of my palm that are full of a soupy filling that includes beef pork and herbs, like a supersized Chinese soup dumpling but with a Georgian take, and the dough here of the dumpling is thicker which reminded me a bit more of pierogi.
    Khinkali soup dumplings Kargi Gogo food cart portland Georgia food
  • Badrijani: Eggplant, Garlic and Walnut rolls. Small strips of eggplant rolled in a mixture that includes ground walnuts, garlic, and Georgian spices, topped with a pomegranate seed… Looking lovely like a fancy appetizer, and this seemed to have a bit more of a Mediterranean feel to the flavors.
    Badrijani Eggplant, Garlic and Walnut rolls Kargi Gogo food cart portland Georgia food
  • Peasant’s Salad: a light acidic salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and parsley in a walnut garlic dressing: walnuts are very abundant in Georgia

As a tidbit I found out while still thinking about that deliciously savory and cheesy Khachapuri, I learned that per Wikipedia’s article on Khachapuri, since is a Georgian staple food, the price of making a Khachapuri is used as a measure of inflation in different Georgian cities by the Khachapuri index! I did go back a week later just to get the Khachapuri.

Khachapuri Georgian Cheese Bread Kargi Gogo food cart portland Georgia food Khachapuri Georgian Cheese Bread Kargi Gogo food cart portland Georgia food

Speaking of food carts, tomorrow is the Willamette Week’s Sixth Annual Eat Mobile Food Cart Festival, boasting a single price admission ticket (no food tickets needed) and then small tastings from almost 50 food carts from all round Portland until 9pm (starts at 5:30 for general admission, 4pm for pre-tasting early admission which is the ticket I have).  Just as last year, it will be held in the parking lot area of Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), and this year OMSI is going to partner with Eat Mobile to also include food demonstrations and a Whole Foods Eat Mobile Culinary Science Stage. I’ve been going since 2010- see my blogs/photos there from my first time, and then my visits for 2011 and 2012, and enjoyed every single one.

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Artigiano – Yukon Gold Gnocchi in Gorgonzola-Cream Sauce

Artigiano– fine dining quality Italian food from a food cart.  It’s amazing that they make their fresh homemade pasta all in a cart, and they also source local ingredients to complete the dish. Seriously, this is tablecloth restaurant quality stuff, the kind of food that I would expect with candles and sparkly chandeliers… but instead you get to enjoy it al fresco on the streets of SE Division.

Here is a photo of their meltingly delicious gnocchi, one of their handmade pasta dishes from their menu. This is the Yukon Gold Gnocchi in Gorgonzola-Cream Sauce with Filberts hazelnuts, and along with some arugula, parmigiano reggiano, and ground pepper with a touch of vinaigrette to help balance the richness… and a nice piece of bread to wipe up the sauce afterwards. I don’t know where the gnocchi kept disappearing so quickly- it was in my mouth and then gone like waking up from a good dream and trying to remember it quickly before it fades- and I kept taking spoonfuls and then I had no more, sad. 🙁

Recently the recipe for this dish for this dish was shared in Mix Magazine as part of an article on Comfort Food, Italian Style: Five Portland chefs share recipes. As Artigiano owner is quoted as saying the article regarding this dish…

“There’s nothing more comforting than the melt-in-your-mouth texture of perfectly made potato gnocchi,” says proprietor Rachael Grossman.

I agree- I barely noticed the gloomy cloudy skies of a rainy spring day as I sat beneath the little tent next to their cart to embrace the comfort from this dish.

Don’t let a rainy blustery day stop you from getting your pasta: you can call in take-out orders, and they have parking available in the Larry’s Lighting Repair Lot on 33rd & Division after 5pm for your quick pick up and go!

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Pulehu Pizza- coming soon to you

At the Saraveza Block 15 Winter Dinner I attended last month, I was fortunate enough to make the acquaintance of Pierre and Anabelle, a couple who moved from Maui and were planning to open a food cart specializing in oven grilled pizzas with inventive flavor combinations and quality local ingredients. Pierre and Anabelle ran a similar cart in Hawaii, and are bringing it to downtown Portland.

After becoming twitter friends and being tortured with instagrams of their pizzas in practice runs, they had a small pre-launch party this past Sunday and I was so thrilled to be invited. UPDATE: Pulehu is now open at SW 3rd and Stark, check them out for lunch and late night: see their Twitter for updates on their hours of operation!

Both Pierre and Anabelle miraculously balanced being hosts that found some time to chat with guests while also being producers of multiple pizzas to feed us two dozen people most of their planned cart menu! Also, they were going to that same evening to move their cart to its downtown PDX location where they will be opening the Pulehu Pizza food cart SW 3rd and Stark. These two are passionate and so excited to get started. Also thanks to the Hurlimans for opening up their lovely home, and everyone who brought their adorable and so energetic kids who were endlessly fun to watch, like a constant show…

Here are some photos of their creations from that day. The tastings started out with their Caesar salad with homemade croutons. I never got any of the Dark Chocolate Mousse with a velvety vanilla bean creme, but given the way I saw the kids of the house licking the chocolate from their hands and scraping at the cup, and then running off refueled for more time playing soccer or on the trampoline… my conclusion is that that chocolate mousse definitely wasn’t bad… :X
Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza

The classic cheese and a pepperoni pizzas were devoured by the kids in mere minutes. The dough and execution on the grill strikes a perfect balance between crispy with a bit of stretchy doughyness still left, and there was never any soggyness in any piece I sampled. The Shepherd’s Grain flour they use for the dough, and sourcing some cheese (if not their homemade ricotta) from Steve’s Cheese Bar or meat from Tails and Trotters speaks to their high quality ingredients that also support other local businesses. Pulehu also plans to explore curing their own meats as well.
Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza

The Margherita includes tomato, pesto, and what will be their housemade ricotta. The pesto was so good we wanted more than just the pretty squiggle!
Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza Margherita includes tomato, pesto, and what will be their housemade ricotta Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza Margherita includes tomato, pesto, and what will be their housemade ricotta

Here is the Mushroom Lovers, with mushroom, housemade ricotta, garlic and herbs, and the extra addition of truffle oil (there is also an option to meatify it with bacon).
Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza Mushroom Lovers, with mushroom, housemade ricotta, garlic and herbs, extra addition of truffle oil bacon

Everyone I saw seemed to swoon when they bit into this Cheddar, Chicken, Bacon pizza with a generous dollop of sour cream and sprinkle of green onions.
Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza Cheddar, Chicken, Bacon pizza with a generous dollop of sour cream and sprinkle of green onions

Somewhere in the middle, I had a chance to visit their  sexy black pizza cart and the shiny (weighing in at a muscular 250 pounds!?!)  “Beast” grill inside which nurtures their pizzas to completion, either at the 8″ or 12″ sizes. Somehow in the excitement to see the pizzas being made, I did not take a snapshot of the cart on the outside- my bad.
Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza food cart Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza food cart Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza food cart

The Meat Lovers with pepperoni, sausage, garlic, and grana padano was a big hit and really does celebrate the meat- Pulehu might have to dial it back slightly because seriously, this is a lot of meat! I can barely see the pizza.
Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza Meat Lovers with pepperoni, sausage, garlic, and grana padano

Pierre brings this pizza as a representative of his French background: the Alsatian Flamee with a sour cream base, onion and bacon, and here St Nectaire Cheese although Anabelle explained that usually this pizza is served “Natural” just without the cheese, and with the cheese it is usually called a “Gratinee” instead. I’ve had this sorta of pizza before- specifically at Gruner for New Year’s when ringing in 2012, but theirs was a tarte flambee “bonne anee”- alsatian pizza with sweet onions, maine lobster, smoky bacon, fromage blanc & chives.

Even without the lobster, I found the version by Pulehu Pizza better.
Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza Alsatian Flamee with a sour cream base, onion and bacon, and here St Nectaire Cheese

The Pulehu Steak Pizza with grilled steak, tomato, garlic, shaft blue cheese and madeira wine sauce was heavenly high quality ingredients, fine dining stuff.
Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza Steak Pizza with grilled steak, tomato, garlic, shaft blue cheese and madeira wine sauce

At first, the idea of a dessert pizza sounded bizarre to me. But, I had to admit they looked so delicate and beautiful. And then I put a slice in my mouth and it was so light and refreshing that I thought this was “healthy” and made up for the cheesy pizza bites I had earlier, and see I was getting fruit into my diet! I need another slice! Seriously, this is better than many many desserts I have had at restaurants.

The Strawberries & Creme Pizza with meyer lemon zest and mint… already so delicious, and it isn’t even strawberry season yet.
Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza Strawberries & Creme Pizza with meyer lemon zest and mint dessert pizza

Apple and Cinnamon pizza… heh some of the slices have already been claimed. This one too disappeared in less than a minute!
Pulehu Pizza grilled pizza Apple and Cinnamon pizza dessert pizza

The cart is not open yet at SW 3rd and Stark- it is still pending some permits and inspection. But believe me, I am following this carefully because I need some of that pizza again, stat! It’s only been a few hours and I’m already craving that strawberries and creme pizza. I also am very excited with the idea (I hope it may come true once in a while) about being able to even have the opportunity to get any of those creative creations they experiment with and  that I see on their twitter feed once in a while varying from a Reuben Pizza, a breakfast pizza with scrambled eggs and bacon and mushrooms, sauteed elk with sour cream and caramelized sweet cherries…  and back in Hawaii they also did Braised Escargot Pizza, a Gyro Pizza with lamb sauteed in butter and garlic with rosemary, and a Banana Sundae Pizza that included caramelized bananas and housemade salted caramel with a spiced nut crumble and dark chocolate sauce…

Why is this food cart not open yet???? Hurry UP! UPDATE: Pulehu is now open at SW 3rd and Stark, check them out for lunch and late night: see their Twitter for updates on their hours of operation!

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Sideshow Eatery

This food cart, Sideshow Eatery, started out with mainly side dishes 6 weeks ago, but recently added sandwiches, and a photo from Food Cart Portland of their pork belly sandwich successfully tempted me to try it for lunch after a dentist visit downtown. They are open until 11-6pm so if you hurry you could grab this after work as well- these hours are good M-Sat, they are open 11-4 on Sun so their sign says (so they are open on the weekends!). Besides the pork belly sandwich, they also offer a Caprice vegetarian sandwich of mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes and basil mayo, and a PBJ sandiwch which uses peach jam and homemade peanut butter.
Sideshow Eatery, food cart, Portland Sideshow Eatery, food cart, Portland Sideshow Eatery, food cart, Portland

Pork belly sandwich is a quickly seared pork belly nestled atop arugula for a bit of bite, sriracha mayo (spicy and creamy, but more towards the kick end of the spectrum), and pickled red plums for a bit of sourness, all in a toasted Pearl Bakery baguette.

Pork belly sandwich, Sideshow Eatery, food cart, Portland Pork belly sandwich, Sideshow Eatery, food cart, Portland

Poutine was the side I chose, though you can also get regular pommes frites (twice fried yukon gold potatoes… yes, fries.) and then enjoy them with your choice of handcrafted sauces varying from curry ketchup to garlic mayo and sriracha mayo or Japanese mayo. My poutine was plain, but you can also add extra cheese and gravy, chopped onion, or bacon. If your arteries are still flowing, consider that Sideshow also offers fluffy sugar coated beignets, those New Orleans style powdered square doughnut covered in powdered sugar, and you can even order chicory coffee to go with.
Poutine, Sideshow Eatery, food cart, Portland Poutine, Sideshow Eatery, food cart, Portland

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Noodle House Food Cart

Handmade hand pulled noodles from a Portland Food Cart called “Noodle House“, located at SW 9th and Alder. They are open from lunch to about 6pm, which means they are great for grabbing noodles to go for home for dinner too! Great comfort food for a cool rainy day while also feeling good supporting a small business where this husband and wife are shivering in their cart (and remember their prep time making those noodles beforehand), waiting to cheerfully take your order and cook it to order.

The noodles are thick and chewy, picking up a lot of the coating from the sauce so your face will get dirty as you slurp up these long firm doughy strands. They are cooked to order (here, shown stir fried) noodles along with the veggies of carrots, cabbage, peppers and onions, and here, with plump chunks of spicy chicken, so you may have to wait a little bit depending on the line but you will be rewarded when your dish is up and she proudly previews your meal for you before closing it up and handing it to you. The portion is generous for slightly more than a fistful of dollars- kept me going for two meals! Don’t worry- the spicy is not as spicy as it looks at all.

Handmade hand pulled noodles, Noodles House food cart, Portland Handmade hand pulled noodles, Noodles House food cart, Portland

Next time I’m getting the seafood one!

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