Visiting Portland (Summer 2013 update)

The fact that 86 degrees here isn't that hot and it gets cool enough at night that you can pop open a window and use a blanket?

 

I've been in both HOTD and Cascade when it is mid 80's outside and it definitely detracts from the experience.

 

Well the time at Cascade they had the doors wide open so not sure how much the AC helped if they did have it going. Good to hear HOTD has improved things.

 

I think I know PDX pretty well. We visit often. We have relatives who live nearby. We love the place. So, my wife, ever thoughtful, searching the web for something different to fill a few hours when we arrive on Tuesday in advance of the OBF and she suggests Lardo! A food coach? They serve beer. Obviously not some coach parked along the street if we can drink beer.
What's up with these?
Are they worthy?

 

Lardo is definitely worthy, and the beer selection is great. It's not a food cart anymore, just a small restaurant. Don't fear the food carts though, some amazing stuff that those.

 

Yes, food carts are totally legit in PDX. I don't know how you can say you know PDX well and not know about them. Many have gone on to open full brick and mortar shops since they were so successful. You should definitely be checking them out.

One of my favorite things to do is get fish and chips from the Frying Scotsman and walk it over to Bailey's.

 

Well, I did say "pretty well". Obviously not as well as I thought. Gotta fix that.

PS I used to refer to them as "roach coach" but didn't want to be nasty. Food coach was best I could come up with. Food cart it is.

 

Is this the same thing as a food truck? If so, Seattle's scene seems to be growing as well—though of course not to the level as our trendy hipster neighbor to the south. I've liked the food trucks I've tried outside Chuck's, great idea.

I also thought NWer was talking about some kind of personal trainer in the culinary arts—which, come to think of it, isn't a half-bad idea. I'm sure it exists somewhere, probably California. It'll get here eventually.

 

Pretty much, but the Portland versions are more permanent trailers. They bunch them together at different blocks downtown rather than have trucks driving around all the time.

 

Thanks for all the great info of places to visit. My gf and I will be going up there next week for the beer festival and wine country pinot festival. I plan on coming up with some beer from a local place by me. Do any of the places let you bottle share? If so, seeing if any BA's would like to meet up? I plan on hitting up HotD and Cascade for tap it Tuesday.

 

HotD still does not have fans... or didn't a week or two ago. that place is pretty miserable in the summer...

 

I haven't been there recently, but I could have sworn johnmichaelsen mentioned in another thread that they had recently installed AC.

 

When I was there over the 4th of July weekend they definitely had box fans. I don't remember if they had AC though (I'd already been to Cascade and Commons so I wasn't exactly sober at that point).

 

From June 28th

@hairofthedog: It might be hot outside, but its cool in here. Come enjoy our new A/C

I was there on July 6th and it was uncomfortably hot inside.

 

I've been there on a few afternoons this summer and experienced the A/C, and it was fine. Dunno what happened on July 6th, but so far it's been a great improvement over last summer all the times I've been there recently.

 

Sounds like your Matt pours are paying for that new A/C!

 

Some more Food Cart lingo -- "bunch of carts" equals a "pod."

Also, those all over the city, not just downtown. Two of my favorites are Good Food Here (the pod's name) at SE Bemont & 43rd, and the 12th & Hawthorn pod. The latter of which houses Pyro Pizza, a cart with maybe the gnarliest looking pizza oven you'll ever lay eyes on. The pizza, however, is far from gnarly. There are lots of good/great stand-alone carts too.

 

I gotta know lingo for food carts now? Can't I just buy some f'in falafel without worrying about disapproving hipsters?