Portland Hot Dogs – Food Carts

July 31, 2015 by 8 Comments

This post has been a long time in a making, usually because after having one of these I feel like I need to take 5 exercise classes. But, it’s finally time to share some of the hot dogs I’ve been tasting around town.

Hot Dogs, or at least a new gourmet/all in with toppings trend, has emerged recently this 2015. It seemed like it was only just a couple months ago where on a panel Dougie Adams (of Imperial, and also Top Chef,  which is what the panel was celebrating) confessed his love for simple hot dogs.

But then in the past couple months, fancy hot dogs have been a trend. There was the opening on NE Alberta of Donnie Vegas, the Beaverton and roaming truck of Clutch Prime Sausagery, Stray Dog PDX Pop up that specialized in appearing once a week with fancy dogs (and even traveled to New York to pop up), and more on the way thanks to upcoming Micah Camden venture of Hop Dog (which popped up earlier at Boxer Ramen this month and gave out free hot dogs for  National  Hot Dog Day).

I want to do individual reports of the hot dog brick and mortars, but I did try and wanted to share a few other doggies in town that come via the traditional hot dog vendor way: a food cart.

In summer heat wave weather you may not think to visit a food cart, but bad weather days be it too hot, too cold, rainy are days you should especially patronize the food carts. Inside the little kitchen of their cart, it sucks a lot more for them and your visit can be the difference between them even breaking even that day because of lower foot traffic. So visit them, they’ll appreciate you!

We Be Weiners

First, we have the start of my hot dog journey with We Be Weiners . We Be Weiners has been serving up hot dogs since 2005, and the food cart has re-located from the cart pod A la Carts at SE Division to now SW 5th and Harrison by PSU. There are 15 other dogs on the menu (outside biscuits and gravy, meatball sandwiches, Frito Chili Pie and more), ranging from breakfast dogs with gravy to spicy dogs with salsa or one with jalapenos and chilies or even Sambal Oelek, as well as Chicago of, Reuben Dog, Corn Dog, Tofurky Italian Sausage and more.

Of all the food carts offering fancy hot dogs, We Be Weiners has the most variety to choose from. At most dogs hovering at $3-5 it is also the most value for your fancy dog.
We Be Weiners where I got a Porklandia hot dog, with a Hebrew National all beef hot dog filled with Swiss Cheese, Bacon Wrapped, then deep fried and topped with onion crunch and mustard We Be Weiners where I got a Porklandia hot dog, with a Hebrew National all beef hot dog filled with Swiss Cheese, Bacon Wrapped, then deep fried and topped with onion crunch and mustard

This is where I got a Porklandia hot dog, with a Hebrew National all beef hot dog filled with Swiss Cheese, Bacon Wrapped, then deep fried and topped with onion crunch and mustard.
We Be Weiners where I got a Porklandia hot dog, with a Hebrew National all beef hot dog filled with Swiss Cheese, Bacon Wrapped, then deep fried and topped with onion crunch and mustard We Be Weiners where I got a Porklandia hot dog, with a Hebrew National all beef hot dog filled with Swiss Cheese, Bacon Wrapped, then deep fried and topped with onion crunch and mustard

We Be Weiners on Zomato

Dog town

Next, I wanted to highlight the hot dogs available at the Tidbit food cart pod on SE Division and Division, at Dog Town. Their list of about a dozen impressive dogs varies from LaLa Land with bacon and more bacon to a veggie sausage (Farmer’s Daughter, with romesco sauce, grilled leeks, shaved fennel, arugula to go with the veggie sausage so even a vegetarian won’t feel left out), 6 hour pulled pork a la Memphis Pulled Pork dog, to Fricken Chicken with fried chicken and bourbon bread or Lamborghini with Australian Lamb Sausage cuddled in naan bread, or a Sonoran bacon wrapped hot dog with salsa verde and avocado creme nestled in a made to order fry bread. The Friday Night Lights chili dog of course comes topped with Fritos too – they think of everything here to take it to the top and a little past that.

I don’t think it’s possible to neatly eat any of their insanely generously topped hot dogs. What makes them stand out to me is how the hot dog menu options are so bold, while still being thoughtfully composed to balance a fun range of flavors and textures to go all out in meeting the dramatic names of the hot dog option. At around $6 these hot dogs deliver upgraded flavor that more than justifies the price. This is more of a sandwich that happens to also have a sausage in it than just a hot dog.
Dog Town, located at Tidbit Food cart at SE 28th and Division offers an impressive heavily topped hot dog menu selection in Portland
Return of the Mac, a hot dog smothered in gooey mac and cheese, crispy bacon, and garlic bread crumbs on a fresh baked bun
Return of the Mac at Dog Town food cart, a hot dog smothered in gooey mac and cheese, crispy bacon, and garlic bread crumbs on a fresh baked bun Return of the Mac at Dog Town food cart, a hot dog smothered in gooey mac and cheese, crispy bacon, and garlic bread crumbs on a fresh baked bun

You’d think with the mac and cheese that would be my favorite, but at Dog Town my favorite is the Rocky Balboa, which is a Philly Cheesesteak Dog that includes All Beef coney Dog split and grilled topped with thinly sliced beef, grilled onions and peppers, and melted provolone.
Dogtown Rocky Balboa hot dog, which is a Philly Cheesesteak Dog that includes All Beef coney Dog split and grilled topped with thinly sliced beef, grilled onions and peppers, and melted provolone Dogtown Rocky Balboa hot dog, which is a Philly Cheesesteak Dog that includes All Beef coney Dog split and grilled topped with thinly sliced beef, grilled onions and peppers, and melted provolone

Dog Town Food Cart on Zomato

Bro-Dogs and Burgers

Finally, we have the super messy but delish offering from Bro-Dogs food truck (roaming food truck so check their social media, and also located at PDX Airport pre-security) of the “Dude!!!” The Dude!!! Bro-dog includes a Zenger smoked bacon and cheddar sausage with bacon, cheddar, mushroom, onion, garlic, cream cheese and two kinds of BBQ sauce, all on a handcrafted Alessio Bakery bun.

Bro-Dogs and Burgers menu also has a regular Bro Dog, Bratwurst, Polish, and Vegan dog as well as a Dirty Burger and Dirty Veggie Burger,  and special sausages like jalapeño cheddar or chicken apple,  all on the Alessio Bakery sandwich bun.

It’s hard not to be drawn to The Dude!!! in really being bad for you in a good way. I would almost expect this to show up on an episode highlighting over the top hot dogs in the US. I mean the size of this thing is veering into burrito territory,  thus the higher $7 price that’s the same price as their Dirty Burger. The rest of the menu is priced a couple bucks less.
Bro-Dogs and Burgers Bro-Dogs and Burgers menu famously includes their Dude!!! dog, as well as Bro Dog, Bratwurst, Polish, and Vegan dog as well as a Dirty Burger and Dirty Veggie burger. Bro-Dogs and Burgers menu famously includes their Dude!!! dog, as well as Bro Dog, Bratwurst, Polish, and Vegan dog as well as a Dirty Burger and Dirty Veggie burger. The Dude!!! Bro-dog from Bro-Dogs and Burgers food cart/truck includes a Zenger smoked bacon and cheddar sausage with bacon, cheddar, mushroom, onion, garlic, cream cheese and two kinds of BBQ sauce, all on a handcrafted Alesio Bakery bun The Dude!!! Bro-dog from Bro-Dogs and Burgers food cart/truck includes a Zenger smoked bacon and cheddar sausage with bacon, cheddar, mushroom, onion, garlic, cream cheese and two kinds of BBQ sauce, all on a handcrafted Alesio Bakery bun

What are your thoughts on the fancy hot dog trend? What’s the fanciest hot dig topping you’ve seen?

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Urbanhour at The Bent Brick

August 2, 2013 by 1 Comment

Disclosure: This meal was complimentary, but they did not require that I write this review nor did they request it.  The views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own, and I will always provide my honest opinion and assessment of all products and experiences regardless of whether they were complimentary or not.

I was excited to be invited to Urban Hour event courtesy of Urbanspoon at the Bent Brick, which has been on my wishlist since it opened last year, but I have never visited. Now I had a fabulous excuse! I’m a big fan of Urbanspoon because of how they aggregate professional reviews as well as blogger posts along with user reviews, so I feel like I can get the full story of experiences before I go to a place. And, just yesterday Urbanspoon announced they are going to partner with another favorite dining out resource of mine, OpenTable, to provide online reservations.

As I approached the Bent Brick (tBB), the red bricks of this neighborhood tavern in the NW area of NW Marshall and 16th/17th welcomed me in a familiar cozy way, though I was pleasantly surprised by the charming outdoor patio area and that one of the walls was a garage door that they rolled up for us to enjoy the summer breeze.
the bent brick, neighborhood tavern, northwest portland the bent brick, neighborhood tavern, northwest portland the bent brick, neighborhood tavern, northwest portland the bent brick, neighborhood tavern, northwest portland

The inside is a mix of lots of brick wall that is echoed in red chairs, though the front lounge area has a cool “jenga” in its center.
jenga lounge at the bent brick, neighborhood tavern, northwest portland the bent brick, neighborhood tavern, northwest portland

I started with the cocktail “damson in distress” with averall plumb gin, rhubarb, lemon, egg white, tea bitters.
the bent brick, place setting the bent brick, the cocktail damson in distress with averall plumb gin, rhubarb, lemon, egg white, tea bitters

We shared lots of starters, including popped beans, smoked salmon chips (accurately bringing to memory Thai shrimp chips), ken’s bread with whipped lardo topped with salt, and the country ham plate, including Johnston County, Fincheville, and Wigwam. All four of these are part of their happy hour menu (happy hour everyday 4-6pm and 9-10pm).
the bent brick, starter of popped beans, appetizer, tavern, drinking snacks the bent brick, starter of smoked salmon chips, appetizer, tavern, drinking snacks the bent brick, starter of ken's bread with whipped lardo topped with salt, appetizer, tavern, drinking snacks the bent brick, starters, appetizer, tavern, drinking snacks the bent brick, starter of the country ham plate, including johnston county, fincheville, wigwam, appetizer, tavern, drinking snacks the bent brick, starter of the country ham plate, including johnston county, fincheville, wigwam, appetizer, tavern, drinking snacks

Then, we were so lucky to be able to see cocktail magic as bartendress Michelle schooled us in making a cocktail called “on the veranda” with mint, strawberry, simple syrup, rhubarb cordial, sage liquor, white verjus, and gin. They were even kind enough to share their rhubarb cordial, as you can see below. Also, how freaking adorable is she?

On The Veranda Cocktail from the Bent Brick, Portland OR
On The Veranda Cocktail from the Bent Brick, Portland OR with mint, strawberry, simple syrup, rhubarb cordial, sage liquor, white verjus, and gin

  • 2 springs mint
  • 1 strawberry
  • 1/4 oz simple syrup
  • 1 ounce rhubarb cordial
    • 2 pounds of rhubarb cleaned and cut into one inch pieces
    • 1 cup of sugar
    • 1 liter of vodka
  • 1/2 ounce sage liquor
  • 1/2 ounce white verjus
  • 2 ounces gin
  • 1 dash angostura bitters

First, for the rhubarb cordial: combine the ingredients for the rhubarb cocktail and shake it all up good, then keep chilled for up to one month but shake daily. Are you kidding, this would not last a month.

For the On the Veranda cocktail itself, muddle the mint, strawberry and simple syrup together. Then pour in that 4 ounces of other ingredients (wow! 2 ounces gin!) and shake it all up! Double strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a mint sprig.

Then we returned to the table and after sipping a taste of that amazing On the Veranda Cocktail, we were treated to more delicious food. Someone at the Bent Brick clearly knows drinking food: duck fat jojos with ranch, TBB Hot Dog with house ketchup and mustard, were were easting two more winning options available on their happy hour menu. I was soooo happy that I got to try the duck fat jojos because I had been eyeing that ever since I first saw the menu when I got the invitation. I maybe had 3 of those jojos too. They were just so crispy but not oily on the outside, but soft potato wedge goodness on the inside. I didn’t even need the ranch dressing they came with.

In addition, whaaa! There was a Hamburger Dog (because Scott Dolich of Park Kitchen, after explaining how the hot dog migrated from Park Kitchen to here at the Bent Brick, admitted that he just didn’t want to ever do burgers. And thus… a burger dog!) with cheese, bent sauce, and relish. Scott told us how his grilled squid salad with Mendocino seaweed and potatoes come s from his East Coach beach memories merging with the irresistible umami of seaweed. Also unexpectedly adorable: tea sandwiches with tomato, cucumber, gin, and goat cheese.
duck fat jojos from the bent brick, portland, neighborhood tavern, drinking food TBB Hot Dog with house ketchup and mustard, portland, neighborhood tavern, drinking food the bent brick, Scott Dolich Hamburger Dog with cheese, bent sauce, and relish from the bent brick, portland, neighborhood tavern, drinking food grilled squid salad with Mendocino seaweed and potatoes from the bent brick, portland, neighborhood tavern, drinking food tea sandwiches with tomato, cucumber, gin, and goat cheeses from the bent brick, portland, neighborhood tavern, drinking food

My favorite dish though was the side of smashed chickpeas that had an earthy creaminess from the chickpeas but a light coolness yet something that brightened it from what turns out to be sour cream and Frank’s hot sauce. Meanwhile, the cocktail of the bearded lady with bourbon, strawberry shrub, hum, salt and pepper was loved by everyone at the table, and was the perfect finish to the meal for me.
side of smashed chickpeas from the bent brick, portland, neighborhood tavern, drinking food cocktail of the bearded lady with bourbon, strawberry shrub, hum, salt and pepper was loved by everyone at the table, the bent brick

Clearly, the Bent Brick is specializing in comfort bar food that does try to push tavern snacks beyond the regular American fare of burgers and nachos and salted nuts. This is a change from its original concept which seemed more a exploratory deconstruction viewpoint that tried to push it farther than Scott’s other restaurant Park Kitchen, but then meant customers weren’t always sure what they would be getting. It looks like they have retreated from that to items that are more comfortable and recognizably home-y but definitely have a slight edge on them to provide a little mystery and surprise to the familiar. The duck fat jojos, hamburger dog and the smashed chickpeas, and all their cocktail concoctions (other ones I lusted after included their housemade beet shrub soda or pomegranate soda with choice of vodka, gin, or whisky, or the “g and tea” cocktail with smalls gin, lavender syrup, white verjus and black tea, or the “barrel and branch” cocktail with spruce tip ice cube, gin, heather cordial, and white pepper) being examples of this where it just had a little more something something.

Thank you to Urbanspoon, the Bent Brick, and Little Green Pickle. And, check out other fellow bloggers (soooo cool to all be taking photos together and gushing about deliciousness past, present, future!!) from the event:

Disclosure: This meal was complimentary, but they did not require that I write this review nor did they request it.  The views and opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own, and I will always provide my honest opinion and assessment of all products and experiences regardless of whether they were complimentary or not.

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