GO HERE NOW: TIDBIT FOOD FARM AND GARDEN

One of the most fun things about having visitors in town is showing off our amazing food scene.

And more often than not, I like to start with food carts.

It’s truly an embarrassment of riches on this front. Name the cuisine or food and chances are at least one crew is kickin’ it.

So when my hubby’s ex Anita and their son Daniel came from S.F. for a long-overdue visit, I knew it was time to go grubbin’– and I’d been hearing some good things about Tidbit Food Pod, so we headed over there.

The actual name for it if you look it up — and you should — is Tidbit Food Farm and Garden, and it’s located at 28th and Division Street.

I’d never been here yet, so I was surprised by how beautiful the set-up is.

About twenty food carts surround a lovely little gravelled patio — complete with some covered areas for days that aren’t as pretty as Friday was.

It’s been my experience that most food pods have one or two standout draws, but this particular pod has so many, and so making a decision with this many appealing choices was terribly difficult.

First in, we saw Eat Well, a cart cranking out really interesting looking bowls.

We ordered a Green Bowl and it was bright with herbs and avocado and black beans (chicken could have been added for $2 more).

We loved it.

Also ordered — and shared amongst us all — was a burger from Doghouse PDX.

It was called the Brunch Burger and it had bacon, fried egg, avocado, cheddar cheese, grilled onions and truffle aioli.

Yes, you read that right — and it was priced at just $8.

Pinch me.

And what made it even more outstanding was an order of their uber-crispy fries alongside (a very generous serving for $2.75).

So if just those two carts weren’t reason enough to head over, think of a dynamite pizza offering, too.

Say hello to Paper Bag Pizza.

Don’t you just love the informality of the food here? Look at the mom  and baby checking out the status of the wood-fired pizza.

It’d be a mistake to assume that such casualness means a sub-par product.

Just the contrary.

What a beautiful pepperoni pizza ($10) — and oy!

That crust.

Okay, that was three for three.

Then came Hapa Ramen.

Both Daniel and I were drawn to the aromas coming out of this particular truck

— and so we each order a different bowl, both with Cha Su pork: the Miso (with garlic butter and corn) and the Tonkatsu (featuring a rich pork broth).

Words fail.

So here’s the thing.

I’ve had cheap ramen; like nearly everyone else in college, I dipped into those waters on occasion.

I’ve had really good ramen, like the one at Marukin at Pine Street Market.

And Boxer on Alberta.

I’ve enjoyed renditions at both — but so far the best ramen I’ve ever had was the one at Hapa.

Both versions at this cart were amazing, with the Tonkatsu narrowly beating out the Miso (but barely).

This cart is KILLING it — and I can’t wait to go back.

And so Tidbit has all these amazing places to eat (we didn’t even get to try Garden Monsters or some of the other tempting places) and then there is some really interesting retail, too.

Look at this place, located in a converted double decker bus.

A well-curated selection of mostly womenswear (with a little jewelry and housewares mixed in) awaits.

Upstairs is like a little atelier with a dressing room behind a curtain.

It’s just the cutest vintage shop EVER.

And then in the dreamiest Airstream Trailer, was Menagerie.

Every single detail of this place is gorgeous and so well thought out, from the entrance

to every little vignette inside.

A woman by the name of Casey Shagena (who, according to her website, was “a former packaging designer and beauty brand developer working for Anthropologie” among other places) created this place and she has an incredible eye for design and merchandising.

Just look at the inside of this trailer.

Wouldn’t you love to have this for an office or guest cottage?

I so admire someone like Casey who has the ability to envision something radically different for a space — and then turn it into a reality.

Menagerie is a perfect example of that rare talent.

I also thought the prices were very fair for the items offered, and I look forward to doing a little more shopping here during the holidays.

Okay, people, take my word on this.

Tidbit Food Farm and Garden might just be the most interesting and appealing food pod in town right now.

Go (and when you do, be sure to let me know what you got and what you liked best there).

In the meantime, I’ll be daydreaming of more meals like this.

And Anita and Daniel, you’re already missed.

Everything about our time together was perfect: the epic poker game, Ocean City, our steak and roast chicken dinners, neighborhood walks, talks, Apple-to-Apple marathon, and pie-making session.

We love you two even more than the pumpkin pie we made

and are already counting the hours until your next visit.

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