Portland, OR

Never have I lived in a city where thrift store/secondhand store/used goods store shopping is so big. In most cities, if I am in a Goodwill, I have my run of the store. But here in Portland, these stores are crowded. And it’s not just the crappy economy…

I mean, vintage, sure, that’s always hot in certain sub-populations all over the place, and sure, you will see a large percentage of those populations (hipsters, goths, etc.) at your local Goodwill or Salvation Army store. But in P-town, you will see all ilks of society, picking through the books, or browsing the kitchen stuff, looking for treasure.

That said, I checked out the newest Goodwill store in the Woodstock Neighborhood. It’s just south of the intersection of SE Woodstock and SE 52nd Avenue. It’s that awful yellowy-beige, manilla-folder color, and it’s shaped like a big box, but the facade has some windows and the blue tile design that Goodwill stores always have. You certainly don’t shop at Goodwill for the architectural charm.

Anyhoo, I had to find a laptop bag, and rather than plunking down a lot of money for a new, dandy laptop bag, I thought that it would be a good excuse to stop by the new Goodwill. I really didn’t expect to find anything, but as soon as I walked in the door, I had this competitive urge to find a proper bag.

To the left was the big wall of purses. I headed there as a starting point. Ah ha, I saw that past the purses there were shelves for backpacks, duffels, briefcases. But wait, a woman was in front of the area. My arrival made her aware of her position, and she slid closer to the purses. But then, out of nowhere, this old skinny Alan Alda-type guy is right next to me. Hi, personal space, please. He starts grabbing for bags, like right in front of me. Hold on there, buddy, I was here first.

He didn’t care. So, I didn’t care. I paid him no attention as I reached out for the prospects on the shelf. Of course, thinking laptop bag, I am looking at the black bags with straps. No padding though. And Alda starts looking at briefcases, so I could relax. We are going after different things.

I found a crazy blue bag, that was brand-new. The little bag for your power cord inside the bag was still wrapped in plastic. Score. But then, a little kid has trapped me against the shelves, with this old guy to the left of me, and the kid’s mom, complete with stroller, to my right.

If I haven’t mentioned it before, I am not a good shopper. I get freaked out when I feel boxed in by people. I started coughing, the old guy backed away, and I ducked out of the trap. Ahh.

It was such a harrowing experience that I didn’t look for anything else. And then, of course, when I was waiting in line to pay, the person in front of me was the old guy. How did he get there so fast? And he had a store credit voucher (the place has only been open 4 days, mind you — perhaps it’s from another store, or he just shows up everyday to invade other shoppers’ personal spaces and then sprints to the check-out to further drive that same shopper absolutely crazy!!), and some manager had to be called to help the cashier check him out. Three and half minutes later, and I’m free with a laptop case and a package of Sweettarts for $3.68. Not bad.

Upon rereading those last few paragraphs, it may not have sounded like such a pleasant shopping experience, but I guess for me the ends justifies the means.

Goodwill, Woodstock, Salvation Army, Portland, thrift, secondhand, used, shopping, vintage, clothing, books, treasure, economy

Last year, I was really excited about getting some trick-or-treaters. After living in Chicago, in an apartment, in a neighborhood of three-story six-flats, I was so excited to have a porch as a basis for my candy-giving adventures.

Three kids came to my door. Three.

I thought they looked familiar…

And I had the bomb candy, a veritable smorgasbord of treats, and all I got was three lousy trick-or-treaters. Ok, that is not fair, the kids weren’t lousy, it was just the turn-out that was lousy. I envisioned a constant barrage of children in cute, little costumes, some scary, some Disney no doubt.

I grew up in the country. A small farming town where there were three houses in my whole neighborhood, so needless to say, we did not get trick-or-treaters. Correction, we got our closest neighbors, before they drove to a more densely-populated neighborhood, with more candy per steps taken.

I live in SE Portland, and I figured it was prime trick-or-treat territory. Lots of houses, rather nice ones at that, and maybe ten or so houses per “normal” Portland block (which I always refer to as Barbie-blocks as they are not the big-city-size blocks, but instead about half the size of a Chicago block). But no, my block got nothing.

Granted, if I were an active trick-or-treater this year, I would head for the Laurelhurst neighborhood. Big, cool houses that are sure to give out good candy, right? Not so, usually. In my past experience as a pretty savvy “treater”, I found that the nicer the neighborhood, either no one was home or they gave you coins or something really healthy — and as this is Portland, Oregon, the land of Granola, I wouldn’t be surprised if Laurelhurst gives out organic, vegan candy.

Don’t get me wrong, I am into healthy foods and generally eschew the whole high-fructose corn syrup scene, but when it comes to Halloween, I take a day off and seek out the bad, the gooey, and the overly-sweet.

I wonder what neighborhood does give out the best candy in Portland. If anyone has an opinion on the subject, please drop me a line by leaving a comment.

To everyone, have a safe and happy Halloween. I have to work that night, but I will leave some candy on my front porch.

Portland, Halloween, trick-or-treat, trick-or-treaters, SE Portland, Laurelhurst, Chicago

A somewhat unique aspect to Portland is the roach coach scene. When I refer to a roach coach, I speak fondly of food carts or wagons.

Obviously, food carts or wagons are found across the country and for that matter, the world. A mobile restaurant is quite handy when following a carnival or festival circuit. Well, in Portland, they are everywhere and rather permanent.

I cannot say that I am a mobile food wagon connoisseur by any means. I eschew festivals and carnivals, so for most of my life, I simply have not had the opportunity to try these places out. You don’t see a whole lot of food carts in Chicago. There is that crappy pizza cart outside the Wicker Park/Bucktown triangle, outside of Underdog and Flash Taco, in a “bar-muda triangle.” Unfortunately, I did get a slice from that cart late one night, and as it wasn’t good, it underscored my rather snobby opinion regarding food carts.

But then, there is a big difference between a food cart and a food wagon. A “wagon” can be either a truck, but usually more of a trailer. But it has power and water. There is equipment to cook food, rather than simply keep it warm before serving. So Portland is a food wagon town.

I am almost done trying every one of the wagons in Sellwood, on SE 13th Ave and Lexington. First, I had a burrito at Uruapan, a small wagon farther down on Lexington, and when I say farther down, I mean twenty feet, maybe. The burrito was good, as good as a Chicago taqueria. Sorry to keep comparing to Chicago, but one) it is my background and two) Chicago is heavily hispanic in its street food (whereas I would say that Portland is much more Asian in its street food scene — there is bento everywhere). The steak tacos were authentic, with onion and cilantro only. No shredded lettuce, no cheese, no white people tacos.

The next visit, I tried the BBQ wagon, perhaps Chuckwagon BBQ, if I can remember correctly. Really tasty pulled pork sandwich. Almost went back for that one today, but instead tried Garden State. I found a picture of the guy who runs the wagon, so I am guessing this one is better known, or he put the picture up himself. I kind of remember seeing some laminated newspaper pages hanging up, and the picture looked familiar, so it is probably from that. Anyhoo, I had the chicken sandwich, which I really wasn’t that excited about, as I am not one of those “chicken sandwich, please,” kind of girls, but it was really, really good. It had slices of cured lemon on it, with arugula and a goat cheese cream that was tas-tee. My BF had the meatball hero, and though I tend to require veggies on a sandwich, it was damn good. Good choice of rolls on both, and that is so important, which makes it so sad when sandwich chefs overlook the bread. The guys behind the counter were charmingly Jersey. Wait, is that an oxymoron?

I also had fish and chips at Sellwood Pub’s wagon. Two pieces of battered halibut, almost greasy chips, really light and crisp slaw. I will return there, and I am not big on fried food, so that is a significant recommendation from me. Now, I wouldn’t eat fish and chips every day, mind you, but why would I when I have so many choices on a 1500 square foot area. I have yet to try My Sister’s Soup. I am waiting for a rainy day…which, hi, this is Portland, and it has rained like two days in the past three months it seems. I’m confused and sick of watering my garden.

Portland, food carts, food wagons, Chicago, roach coach, mobile restaurants, Sellwood, Chuckwagon BBQ, BBQ, Garden State, Uruapan, Sellwood Pub, My Sister’s Soup

I heart Mexican food. But when it comes right down to it, most Mexican restaurants disappoint me. I believe the problem lies in the years I lived in Chicago, where good, real Mexican food was fairly plentiful. So far, my forays into the Mexican restaurant scene in Portland have been a mixed bag.

I did try San Felipe Taqueria today in Sellwood (6221 SE Milwaukie), and I am happy to say the food was quite good. I am a big fan of places that have a salsa bar with the pickled jalapenos and carrots. But more than that, I tried the fish tacos, and I liked them. I haven’t had a decent fish taco since living in Southern California, so it was such a delight to have some good fish tacos today. I would have preferred the fish to not be deep-fried, but with everything else on the tortilla, the fry-ness worked. The menu said something about the recipe being Marta’s(?) recipe from I forget. San Felipe, maybe, I guess I should have taken notes.

The small storefront reveals a much larger place inside. I had noticed the San Felipe Taqueria when I first moved here. I liked the sign. It’s a really happy fish flipping a pepper in its open mouth. Inside I noticed the same image but with an upturned Corona instead of the pepper. Cute. Unfortunately, presently the SFT is awaiting its liquor license, but once in hand, the place serves beer and margheritas.

I tried the tamale verde, and usually I don’t understand the attraction to tamales, this one was really good. There is also a “red” tamale, but didn’t try it. Maybe next time.

It’s one of those order at the counter, find a table and they bring you the food kind of place. Bus your own tables, too.

Cheap prices. Lots of old spanish-language film posters, and chipper music. I will definitely return.

Portland, Chicago, Mexican, Mexican restaurants, Sellwood, San Felipe Taqueria

If you know who these men are, chances are you “antique.”

Ok, first, I am not one to “antique” as a verb, per se, but I am an avid viewer of PBS’ Antiques Roadshow, as well as Bargain Hunt on BBC, and I do have quite a collection of antiquated technology (cameras, a turn dial adding machine, a late 1920’s typewriter), but again, I am not one to antique.

No, really.

Fine, I antique. There I said it and admission is the first step to recovery, right?

Since I moved to Portland, I have heard it mentioned that the Sellwood neighborhood is kind of known for its antique shops. I resisted as long as I could, though I did happen to visit some antique shops out in Yamhill, and today, I decided to spend Earth Day finding treasures from the past. Recycling as it were.

I thought today would be a good day for it. Raining, for the most part, grey, and slightly chilly. And it may have been a good day to visit the plentiful antique shops in Sellwood, but I will never know personally. I didn’t arrive until a little after 5pm, and alas most, if not all, of the shops had closed up for the day. The world is not scheduled for slow-pokes like me.

So, my advice to anyone who decides to go “antiquing” in Sellwood: Show up before five. And there are not one but two areas for the antique shops. The first is along SE Milwaukie also known as 17th or 16th ave in that area, past and around the intersection at SE Bybee. There is a second more-densely-antique-shop-populated area along 13th around SE Tacoma. I didn’t know that, so maybe someone else out there can benefit from this information.

Sellwood, Portland, Antiques Roadshow, Bargain Hunt, antiquing, Yamhill, Earth Day