Fenando's Mundo Fiesta

Location: SW 4th & Hall

Type: Sandwiches, mexican influenced

Cost: $5.00

Food: Philly steak fiesta sandwich

Wait: Reasonable

Size: Ample

These guys are open at 11.  Which is great, since many of the carts down here don't open until a bit later.  Sadly, the sandwich was lacking.... in cheese!  Good meat, plenty of peppers and onions, but where was the cheese.  In a philly, I expect oooey and gooey and then more ooey.  Sad.

Also, my sandwich came in a half size box, which is a lot of packaging for a sandwich.

Summary:

Would go again is someone else wanted to? Maybe

Would take Dave there for a repeat visit? Nope.  It has to live to what we make at home with a stop for pastrami at Kenny and Zuke's.  Those are delicious!

Sultan's Kitchen

Location: SW 4th & Hall

Type: Turkish

Cost: $7.00

Food: Döner plate

Wait: Quick

Size: Plenty

I liked this place.  It was very friendly; the guy was welcoming and told me I'd made a good choice.  It was very quick and the food was quite satisfying.  Buttery rice, refreshing greek-type salad, savory chicken.  But it wasn't so amazing in taste or quality as to measure up to the high (for carts) price.  Shucks.

Summary:

Would go again is someone else wanted to? Probably not

Would take Dave there for a repeat visit? Probably not

Abyla Grill

Location: 10th & Alder

Type: Greek

Cost: $5.50

Food: Lamb gyro (regular) with feta added 

Wait: Fine

Size: Good for lunch and a mid-class snack

This place seems very commercial, given the multiple locations and the glossy signage.  But they are friendly, quick, and yummy.  Low on packaging, which I love.

Unfortunately, every gyro I eat has to measure up to Hush Hush.  And none of them quite have so far.  Still, this was a very good meal and a good option to have going forward.

Summary:

Would go again is someone else wanted to? Sure

Would take Dave there for a repeat visit? Hmm

Thai Pasta

Location: SW 4th & Hall

Type: Thai

Cost: $5.50

Food: Pad Kee Mao with Tofu (Drunken noode)

Wait: Looong

Size: Generous (after school snack leftovers

Maybe it's just because I had to wait in the sun, but the wait here seemed crazy long.  Deceptive, because people can wait in front on the side walk, or to either side in some seating areas and so it's not clear how many people might be waiting for this cart versus others next to it.

The food was good, very flavorful and satisfying in an umami way.  But the wait was so much of a bummer.

Summary:

Would go again is someone else wanted to? maybe

Would take Dave there for a repeat visit? maybe

Choza's Peruvian Taste

Location: 9th & Alder

Type: Peruvian
Cost: $6.00
Food: Tallarin Saltado with beef
Wait: Short
Size: Plenty

Yum.  I'm glad I finally tried Choza's out.  Last time I thought about trying them, I dismissed the menu as being too similar to thai carts.  How foolish I was then.
On recommendation, I tried the Tallatin Saltado.  This is spaghetti noodles, sauteed beef, romaine lettuce, and tomatoes.  I went with medium spicy, which turned out to be quite peppery.  Delicious, but probably more than my mouth can handle.
The whole thing was yummy.  Spicy, flavorful, crunchy (the lettuce).  There was a light yellow sauce they gave me with it.  I have no idea what it is (by itself it tasted tangy, but not recognizable).  At any rate, I poured it over and it added the the flavor situation in a marvelous way.
So, yum.  It looks like the same meat with grain (rice or noodles) that so many carts offer, but the flavors are unique.  And very tasty.
When do I get to try a food cart in Peru?

Summary:
Would go again is someone else wanted to? yes
Would take Dave there for a repeat visit? yes

Taqueria Villeneuva

Location: SW 4th & Hall

Type: Mexican

Cost: $6.00

Food: Soft taco combo

Wait: Short

Size: Standard

Pretty standard all around.  Standard food, standard pricing, standard service, standard wait time.  Good, dependable, but not the special mexican cart food I'm still hoping to find some day.

Summary:

Would go again is someone else wanted to? maybe

Would take Dave there for a repeat visit? meh

Turkish Kitchen and Kabobs

Location: 10th & Alder

Type: Turkish
Cost: $6.00
Food: Doner Kabobs with rice
Wait: Short
Size: I was hungry!

Yum.  But I should admit up front that given my hugnry level, I likely would have loved anything.  Still, this was good, tender lamb with paprika and other spices, comforting rice, crunchy salad for a break from the flavors.  And a few french fries.  It's interesting how some cusines add French fries to dishes.  (e.g. It's the fries in some of Choza's peruvian dishes are authentic.)
All in all, good, satisfying food.  Not fancy, but solid.

Summary:
Would go again is someone else wanted to? sure
Would take Dave there for a repeat visit? maybe

Altengartz German Bratwurst

Location: 10th & Alder

Type: German
Cost: $6.50
Food: Bratwurst with cheese combo with beans and chips
Wait: Short
Size: Hearty lunch
Ah, for so many days, a sausage jsut hadn't appealed.  Finally, it seemed like just the right thing and I went to Altengartz.  And yum.  It's a brat; it's hard to do it an injustice.  maybe my hunger level contributed, but this was just right.  Although, next time I'll pass on the combo and get just a brat with toppings.
Summary:
Would go again is someone else wanted to? sure
Would take Dave there for a repeat visit? perhaps

BBQ Fusion

Location: 10th & Alder

Type: BBQ
Cost: $6.00
Food: Pulled chicken sandwich with slaw and beans
Wait: Short
Size: Hmm

I was on BBQ overdose when I went here, having had ribs the ngith before and anticipating noshing on leftover ribs that evening.  Thus, I don't think this joint got my proper aprpeciation.  I was imrpessed and happy to see them handling and processing big pieces of meat in the back so they win big points for that.  And next time my mouth is asking for barbeque flavor, I'll be back here.
Summary:
Would go again is someone else wanted to? maybe
Would take Dave there for a repeat visit? yes

Ka-Bob's

Location: 3rd & Stark - Washington

Type: Mediterranean
Cost: $6.00
Food: Chicken ka-bob and rice plate
Wait: Fine
Size: Small

So, there was no line.  Which can be a great thing.  And the food was yummy.  Flavors good, but not complicated.  But the volume of food was less than my food cart expectations.
Summary:
Would go again is someone else wanted to? maybe
Would take Dave there for a repeat visit? Naw