PDX Food Cart: PBJ's

PBJ's Grill in the Northwest neighborhood of Portland serves up grilled PBJ concoctions ranging from sweet to savory to spicy. Shane and I walked by this place last weekend after brunching at 23 Hoyt and were in awe of the yummy sandwich creations the couple that owns this cart comes up with. We were pretty bummed we had just eaten when we stumbled across it, so we headed to the cart this weekend after Saturday morning spin class to try a couple of the PBJ's. (Yes, this post will take the place of my weekend breakfast series just this week since we skipped breakfast and went here instead!) I ordered the Hot Hood: a grilled peanut butter, strawberry jam, jalapeno and BACON mixture that had just the right amount of sweet and spicy. I was in loooove. Shane ordered the Cream of the Crop, described by the perky owner as "Banana Cream Pie without the sugar". It was super sweet and yummy, made with peanut butter, low sugar strawberry jam, cream cheese and bananas. The jams are low sugar because the berries are literally so sweet there is no need to use sugar! There were tons of other options on the menu and they were priced reasonably, around $5 for each sandwich. Their spreads are all homemade, including almond butter, and their jam is made from Sauvie Island strawberries. Try not to be jealous as you look at the photos!!

The Hot Hood: peanut butter, jalapenos, strawberry jam and bacon

The Cream of the Crop: Peanut butter, strawberry jam, bananas and cream cheese

We looooved this cart not only for the delicious comfort food gone gourmet, but the food cart atmosphere, the friendly woman running the place and the location (NW 23rd & Kearny...hole in the wall in between two buildings). There aren't many food carts in my NW 'hood and I hope more of them pop up soon!

*update* I literally cannot stop thinking about the hot hood sandwich. I have been craving it ever since I took the last bite. I really wish there was someway for me to be downtown during lunch on the weekdays...I will just have to stalk this place on the weekends!


*UPDATE*
Because I couldn't stop obsessing about PBJ's after I had it, we visited this food cart one week later to try more! This time I got the spicy thai...which included peanut butter, peanut sauce, orange marmalade, fresh basil and siracha sauce. SO YUMMY! I just can't believe this woman and her husband came up with such great recipes. I can't wait to try more of their sandwiches!

All PBJ's come wrapped in this paper

the Thai sandwich

a shot of the inside of the sandwich...the fresh basil, orange marmalade and peanut sauce. such a unique combo but so good!

the Hot Hood...strawberry jam, jalapenos and bacon!

this place is getting so popular...it was packed!

I can't wait to go back and try some of their sweeter sandwiches...there is one with dark chocolate I have my eye on!