Tabor Food Cart offers Czech Cuisine, and most notably, Schnitzelwich, from their foodcart located by 5th and SW Stark, right kitty-corner from the US Bank (or Big Pink) building that is part of the Portland Skyline. They are only open for lunch on the weekdays, geared towards serving the office workers downtown. As part of this cart pod at 5th and SW Stark, they are a part of the many cart options in just one block that give you an opportunity to taste foods from around the world. Besides the schnitzelwich, they also let you "Czech out Czech food" in the form of other specialties like goulash, halusky, spaetzle, and more.
This glorious Schnitzelwich sandwich is their main offering. The sandwich starts with a huge breaded pork loin (or chicken breast is another option) that is pan fried crisp and golden while keeping the meat still so tender and moist on the inside, almost as if it had been poached on the inside. If you have had katsu in Japan, it is very similar, although the breading used here is much more a solid layer around, almost like my pork grew a full layer of fried chicken skin that was all breading. The fact that Tabor can accomplish this while being a food cart, not a full kitchen, and does so daily and has been doing so for years, is an amazing feat in prep and execution. You will have to wait as they create this sandwich for 5-7 minutes (depending on the line ahead of you), but wouldn't you want this fresh?
This medley of textures of a "meat patty" is then placed in a soft doughy Grand Central bakery ciabatta roll with fresh crisp lettuce, sautéed and caramelized onions, and their sweet and tangy homemade paprika spread that adds both tartness and sweetness remiscent of romesco, as well as creamy horseradish thinned with sour cream drizzled all around for a little burn kick here. I had the Presidential Schnitzelwich, which adds an additional slab of melted Munster cheese on top for a little gooey extra.
No matter what angle you look at it, this sandwich, handed to you lovingly swaddled in paper and you need two hands to hold it, is beautiful and makes you happy. This sandwich is definitely enough for two.Even if you are vegetarian, they have an eggplant or muenster version as well so you won't miss out on their gigantic sandwich that offers incredible textures and a medley of tasty flavors.
Your blog is really awesome. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I like Czech food very much and i have tried many Czech recipes which i got from youtube and many other website. I like visiting Czech restaurants in weekend.
Posted by: Brand Adam | Friday, September 28, 2012 at 06:14 PM