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You are here: Home / Eat Portland / PORTLAND MERCADO FOOD CART POD AND MARKET HALL

PORTLAND MERCADO FOOD CART POD AND MARKET HALL

August 12, 2015 by Sarah Kline 5 Comments

El Gato Gaucho Steak Sandwich at Portland Mercado

Every burgeoning business slaves for it, prays for it — and then waits to see if it will ever happen.

I’m talking about the moment when recommendations start to go viral and perhaps bolstered by a smidgon of press, a narrow window of opportunity opens.

In that brief window of time, the business gets to play to an audience outside the immediate neighborhood and hopefully finds the necessary traction in order to survive in a sea of worthy competitors.

They’d best grab the opportunity fast — and nail it!— before a restless crowd moves on to the next big thing.

Portland Mercado is having that moment now.

image

I’d heard from a couple pals about this convergence of food trucks and small market hall on 72nd and Foster, and I’d been reading about Portland Mercado on both Pinterest and Portland Mercury.

It’s gotten a bit of press lately as it’s the first Latino public market in Portland and an incubator for all kinds of Latino start-ups and entrepreneurs.

Yesterday afternoon I grabbed a pal and our kids and we went in search of some tasty fare.

Boy did we find it.

Mexican Grocery at Portland Mercato

Inside the pristine hall is a butcher shop (boasting some serious looking chorizos and meats), a mini-bodega like shop of specialty Latino products, a fruit and juice snack shop, mini brewery and wine shop (not open at lunch that day) and a little sweet shop specializing in Mexican candies and treats.

The kids thought the candy corner was a riot; all those unusual flavors straddling sweet and sour awaiting them —  and, as it turns out, some even see-sawing sweet and savory.

I knew I was falling short on my kids diet. Little did I know what was missing was just waiting there for us in the Mexican sweet shop.

Roast Chicken Lollipop, Portland Mercado

A roast chicken lollipop of course!

(Why sit down and eat a meal when you can put it on a stick and take it to go? Same ideas as the gum in Willy Wonka’s, I guess.)

But let’s just focus on the main event, shall we? We had come to pound some tasty vittles — and a lovely shady eating area awaited.

Even with four of the eight carts closed that particular day, there were still lots of options (I gather from the website that on Mondays and Tuesdays the carts take turns giving each other a much deserved break).

First up, we ordered from Las Adelas, a cart doing a brisk business, even on a hot Tuesday.

This is what was ordered.

image

This was what it looked like.

food from tierra del sol food cart, Portland Mercado

It was huge — enough to feed two handily — and a deal at  just under $9. The homemade tortillas hugged the melted cheese and created the perfect platform for all the goodness atop it — toothsome steak, black beans, lettuce and luscious avocado.

Adelas Huarache, I think I love you.

Next up, fixings from Mixteca.

Mixteca Food Cart, Portland Mercado

I was torn here between the tamales (the Oregonian raved about them) and the mole bowl (why can’t I have a second stomach in moments like these?) but ended up getting the owner’s favorite — the latter.

What a wise choice that was.

Mixteca Food Cart at Portland Mercado, Mole Bowl

Handsome shredded chicken is topped with an expert mole. This is then served atop rice and black beans and a sprightly cabbage salad adds a welcome levity and brightness to the dish.

I couldn’t believe how balanced and smack-down tasty the mole bowl was.

Who would ever go through the laborious process of making mole when one as delectable as this one awaits? (My friend Elona walked me through the process at lunch that day and I was exhausted just listening to all the steps).

Eight dollars was the meager price for such a princely meal. So delicious!

Mole Bowl at Mixteca Food Cart, Portland Food Cart

I can’t wait to try the tamales next time; if they’re half as good as the mole bowl, I’m going to be jumping on the picnic tables like an Orangutan on a cake pop high.

And then there was the last cart we hit.

And man, we hit it hard.

El Gato Tuerto, Food Cart at Portland Mercado

Remember these three words, people. Trust me — it’s important.

El Gato Tuerto.

El Gato Gaucho Steak Sandwich at Portland Mercado

Apparently, this is run by two guys (one Argentinian, one Cuban) and evidence of their culinary heritage is sprinkled throughout the many fantastic offerings — pressed sandwiches, smoky black beans, fried plantains, grilled meats, chimichurri, and so on.

Difficult as it was to pick just one dish, we settled on the Gaucho Steak Sandwich with grilled steak, Swiss cheese, onion, tomato and lettuce on a grilled panini.

Dear Heaven.

The steak was still hot, seasoned perfectly and sporting the char of a hot grill. The cheese oozed and the bread soaked up all those sumptuous juices. It was beyond.

Oliver ordered it and he looked positively stricken when without warning I walked up to him, grabbed it out of his hands, and took the biggest bite I could fit into my craw. He looked at me, first stunned by the unforeseen attack, and later ticked off. Say what??

Have you seen the video of the South African surfer attacked on live TV by the shark? My sudden dive for his sandwich was like that. If you haven’t yet seen it, Google it — it’s amazing, and the fact that the guy came out unscathed all the more watchable.

Oliver’s sandwich wasn’t as fortunate, but I say Oliver was just lucky he got that steak sandwich back at all.

Gaucho Steak Sandwich at El Gato Tuerto Food Truck, Portland Mercado

All in all, a very successful venture jam-packed with deliciousness.

I can’t wait to go back — just next time, no shares-ies.

http://www.portlandmercado.com/

 

Filed Under: Eat Portland, Favorite Portland Outings, Meat

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Comments

  1. Kathy Hill says

    August 12, 2015 at 7:31 pm

    Come on… This is torture! Remember what it is like visiting in Land O’Lakes and your choices are burgers, hot dogs or ice cream . I have yet to see anything ethnic except Thr Dairy Maid , with their one Greek sandwich .

    My mouth is watering. A word of warning, Sarah., Oliver could take you down while you are grabbing his sandwich. Be very wary! He is a big guy, as you know and I promise I will never steal a bite of his sandwich unless offered. Love you, mom

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      August 12, 2015 at 8:51 pm

      I know, I know, Portland has an embarassment of riches. If you knew what I had for lunch, you would be headed to the airport right now. Truffle tortellini anyone?

      As for Oliver and stealing his sandwich, my motto is “If I birthed it or bought it, I’ve got dibs.” Doesn’t that make sense?

      Reply
  2. Lynn D. says

    June 8, 2017 at 7:49 pm

    Oh, I am so happy to have found your blog (thanks to Katy from the Nonconsumer Advocate). I am going to enjoy exploring your finds and your recipes. I live in Salem and if you ever want some Salem recommendations just send me a note.

    Reply
    • Sarah Kline says

      June 8, 2017 at 8:47 pm

      Welcome, Lynn, and thanks so much for chiming in! I love hearing from readers. And Katy is a new friend but am thrilled to have made her acquaintance and to have done a little thrifting with her — as you surely can imagine, she’s both a fascinating advocate and a fun pal, be it virtual or actual. Cheers!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Sarah Kline. Former cook at Greens. Restaurant reviewer and food columnist for San Francisco Examiner. Copywriter/recipe writer for Williams Sonoma. Private cooking teacher.  Flash forward.  -> Read More

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