OK let’s get right into it, the title says it all. First up is the featured image above, a special burger from Lone Star Burger Bar. “Paris Texas Deluxe” and fries. Double patty with chanterelles, Gruyère, onion and an au poivre steak sauce. It’s chanterelle season, which is one of my faves. This is one of the best burgers I’ve eaten in my life. The steak sauce and the mushrooms were so perfect, and that beef is always on point. Lone Star is the best burger joint in town. Period.

“Endless Summer” the September Chefwich at Lardo by chef Jimmy Askren of Bellwether. Smoked BBQ Pork Loin, Peach Glaze, Sweet Corn Aioli, Heirloom Tomato, Iceberg Lettuce, Nardello Pickle Relish on Sourdough. This was really tasty. The pork was so nice and smoky. The tomato and other accoutrement were excellent and it really sang of summer, though in a fin de siècle way. The monthly chefwich is one of my favorite culinary traditions in Portland.

Steak Bowl from Callejon 29. Grilled steak, garlic lime rice, grilled peppers, cotija, mojo verde, chipotle crema, pickled red onions and chili oil. Callejon 29 is a new food cart located in an alley off Alberta St. They opened this summer and have already turned into one of my favorite Mexican spots. Start with the tacos if you go there. This was my second time eating here and the flavors really blow me away, especially in the steak. This bowl was incredible, the portions were generous. Nice folks, great Mexican food, I highly recommend this spot.

Catfish Po’Boy from Dimo’s Italian Specialties. Crispy fried catfish filet, Louisiana hot sauce, remoulade, pickled green tomato, shredded lettuce, served on a housemade sesame baguette. This was one of the best po’boys I’ve had in my life. Done the Dimo’s way. It was a beast of a sandwich which you don’t normally think of when you think of po’boys. It had been a while since they ran a special, who knows if this will ever grace the menu again, but I’m glad I got it!

Chao Mian with beef from Stretch the Noodle. This is a top-5 Portland dish for me. The hand pulled noodles are perfect, the beef is insanely tasty and the veggies are always on point. I get medium spice (aka spicy!) and it is one of my favorite lunches ever. The portions and price are unmatched, $14 for all this! Highly recommend Stretch the Noodle, a food cart in the Midtown Beer Garden cart pod.

Chimichanga with Verde Chicken from The Meddling Lime, a food cart in SE PDX on Milwaukie Ave. The Meddling Lime is one of my favorite spots in town serving some of the best Mexican food. The menu is so deep and I love every single thing they serve, so I just rotate through the tacos, burritos, potato burritos, bowls, crispy rice, and chimichangas. It probably takes me a year to cycle through. Then I’m like oh damn I haven’t had their chimichanga for a year and I get super excited! This is the best cycle ever. Highly recommend this cart, as well as every other cart and sandwich joint in this post. Happy eating!