And WHEN will someone, anyone, open a neighborhood pub? Menu: burgers, salads, flatbread pizzas and local brews and wine... Not looking for anything fancy, just a regular pub fare lunch and dinner, family-friendly, watch the game, stop by after work for happy hour kind of place. I've heard this from so many neighbors over the years, but especially now.
South Waterfront's Little Big Burger made its grand opening this week. Their 3704 SW Bond location is open 11-9 daily.
The store had notified the neighborhood about the official opening last Friday, but after a last-minute delay due to mechanical difficulties, it was put off. They opened on Tuesday 3/12 with free burgers, and plenty of neighbors showed up to partake.
LBB at Bond & Gaines
Opening night line for free burgers
Rumors about LBB moving in to this location date back over a year, which many questions and some skepticism over that time. It looks like many locals are excited to see them here and will keep them busy from here on out.
A new food cart, actually "Portland's most delicious food cart" per their website, is taking advantage of the newly opened Gibbs St Bridge. At the west end of the bridge (SW Gibbs & Kelly), the brightly colored cart settled in to prime position in time for the grand opening of the bridge this weekend.
Jaffles & Wraps - "An Australian hot pocket sandwich with your choice of fillings"
Looking for reviews...I have not had a chance to try it yet - have any of you? any recommendations out there?
The South Waterfront Farmers' Market is taking place Thursdays 3:00-7:00. Today was the 3rd week and it's looking like a big success so far! The first week was a sell-out by 6pm.
Another item for discussion - the word on the street is NO MORE LITTLE BIG BURGER for the South Waterfront. This is just a rumor so far, but I have not seen a bit of action at the location in the Ardea, which was supposed to open in June. Highly unlikely from the looks of things.
The LBB website lists Eugene & SE Portland, but doesn't list other new expansion locations (which it did previously).
Update 5/18 - This just in from South Waterfront Community Relations on Facebook:
"Just
wanted to let everyone know that Little Big Burger iscoming to the
South Waterfront. They will probably begin build out July 1st - so we
will have to wait a little longer, but the burgers will be here!"
I would read "begin build out July 1" to mean an opening in the Fall. But hey, we are happy that they are still planning to open here!
1. Mayor Sam visited the South Waterfront today along with Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff and cohorts, to check out the Streetcar and Moody Ave project.
Story from the BizJournal:
FTA leader lauds South Waterfront development
"Rogoff said Obama officials believe Portland can set examples for other places that could add streetcars. Those cities include Atlanta, St. Louis and Washington, D.C. “It’s not just jobs that we’re excited about, it’s the way you brought about this development,” he said, pointing to the new life sciences center site. “Oregon Health & Science University will add thousands of jobs to this space that, before, was abandoned.”"
AND...
2. We are getting a burger joint. Little Big Burger announced plans to open a store in the South Waterfront. Watch out Subway, you are in for some competition!
Missing Rip City? If you frequent the South Waterfront food carts, you may have noticed that Rip City Grill has been closed down since the holiday season. Clint is on his annual vacation. Not to worry, RCG will be back up and running Feb. 1.
Big News: Walking down the Food Cart Docks today, we found that Taste of a Gyro is no longer our "neighborhood Greek spot" and no longer serving gyros! They are now serving $1.50 tacos and $5 burritos. Apparently, the price of gyro meat has risen unexpectedly, forcing them to make a drastic shift in menu. No word on a new name yet; until then, the sign says "Taste of ..... Food". If you are a fan of his famous "I'm Sorry" sauce, you can still get it with your tacos, now with a little Mexican flair.
Next in line:Local Motive appears to be building a loyal following of local seafood fans. Wednesday's special included Wild Mushroom Risotto Balls stuffed with bay shrimp and Tillamook vintage white cheddar for $2. How can you resist?! Check out their Facebook page for details on daily specials, such as this posted today:
"Super Special!!! For tomorrow and Friday, we will be offering a 1/4 lb hazelnut/panko-encrusted Halibut Burger with a side for $8. Served on a locally baked como bun with lettuce and our homemade Tartar sauce. ALSO - we have been waiting to find the right one, but... we officially have gluten-free bread to offer!!!!"
Phone: 503 - 917 - 9292
Thai is back: And finally, I was happy to see Let's Eat Thai Food back this week, after a brief closure last week due to a family emergency. Everyone is doing better now, by the way. Judging by their lunchtime traffic, business seems to be going strong, due to regular customers from OHSU and the neighborhood. Take-out customers dominate, but there were still a few brave souls eating outside in the January wind and cold. Hey, but it is a dry cold!
Crazy for Cornmeal Encrusted Razor Clams? Here's your cart! Local Motive is the newest (and the most colorful) cart to join the growing South Waterfront food cart scene.
Their menu is local, organic and seafood-centric, featuring chowder, salads and sandwiches, and a Crispy Panko Cod if you're lucky.
Two new food carts are opening on Moody Ave. in the south waterfront very soon, bringing the total to 6. The word on the street is these carts will bring: 1. seafood, chowder, crab; and 2. fondue.
This week my Food Cart Monday post was pre-empted by all the "Grimm" excitement. So for this week, it is Food Cart Tuesday - and the lucky cart is... "Let's Eat Thai Food"!
Let's Eat Thai Food is located at the north end of what we are now calling Food Cart Row in the South Waterfront, including the 4 carts* parked along Moody Ave.
This is the first food cart venture for owner/founder "Venus". She started the cart business up a few months ago and is working together with her parents. Her mom is doing the cooking and to give you a hint of what you are in for...she is using HER OWN FAMILY RECIPES.
Venus said that their standard noodle dishes, Pad Thai & Pad Kee Mow, are popular, as well as Green Curry & Yellow Curry on the rice dish side of the house. I chose to go with the Pad Thai for lunch (medium spice). Three words to describe it? Light Fresh Tangy...maybe even Citrus-y (if that is a word)
It was a full, hot box of tangy, fresh pad thai, maybe the best I've had in Portland. I'll be back to explore the menu further! (Those salad rolls looked good.)
We also ordered the Thai Tea, upon recommendation from a friend. It faintly reminded me of an orange creamsicle, in a good way. Definitely $1 worth of wonderful-ness there.
A crowd of people were eating & waiting for orders, including a few regular customers (already). Venus said that while business was a little slow starting, it is now picking up. They are also getting some 100% straight positive reviews on Yelp. These are all good signs!
By the way, Let's Eat Thai Food is the only one of our food carts open through dinner, and some on the weekends. So, it is a good option if you are looking for somewhere to stop by on your walk, bike, or drive home from work.
I continue to be surprised and impressed by what I'm finding on Food Cart Row.
Today I visited Kai's Kitchen for lunch, and I'm a little embarrassed to admit it was my first time.
I have often wondered about this lone, green food cart stationed at the NW corner of Moody & Bancroft. It always seemed an odd spot for a teriyaki stand, right at the exit to Macadam, and especially so when the foreign car dealer/shop was located in the same lot.
Kai's Kitchen is a hidden gem! Why did I wait?
It turns out, Kai's Kitchen may be one of the longest running businesses in the neighborhood. Kai says she opened the stand over 10 years ago. At that time there were no high rises or OHSU CHH in the neighborhood, just some businesses in (what is now) the OHSU Research Administration offices & surrounding buildings. The spot was a good choice due to very affordable rent, although pretty isolated. She says her business has not really benefited from the growth of the South Waterfront yet, but I predict it is just a matter of time, as the older buildings are filling up again, new ones are popping up, and the word gets out.
There are 4 items on the menu, including 3 standards and a daily special. Kai's secret ingredient is her thai sweet chili sauce, used on all the dishes. I tried the chicken bento box. I thought the extra pop of the sweet chili sauce was perfect, and an order ($6.95) was enough for 2 lunches.
The delightful Kai prepares and serves her teriyaki goodness:
A new food cart popped up overnight on SW Moody: Taste of a Gyro, "your neighborhood Greek spot". The cart was previously located at A La Carts in SE Portland, and offers an "I'm sorry" sauce which was featured on the food network.
The gyros were tasty, and service was swift and friendly.
Taste of a Gyro joined the other 3 carts currently located in the SWF, all on Moody: Rip City Grill (local fave), Let's Eat Thai Food, and Kai's Kitchen.
The Hot Pink Taco Truck was hanging around the SWF for a few weeks around the time of the Leverage filming, but I haven't seen them for a month or so. The last I saw, they were by the Atwater tanking up with water from the SWF Community Garden water hose... which I must say is probably looked down upon by the gardeners and did not go unnoticed by the Atwater residents.
