Juniper

Possibly the best flavors I had the pleasure of tasting during my stay for the vegan beer and food festival back in September.
The bulgogi soy curls and the samosa bowl were outstanding, layers of flavor crafted with love.

My vegan melt was pretty good! The bread is weird, but tasty. The texture sort of reminds me of a potato or other sort of root vegetable mixed with marshmallows. I can’t explain it. The «girls on grills» shirt they sell is pretty dope too.

This place makes eating out of to go boxes look and taste like fine vegan dining. The presentation of the food is beyond what I have seen in most vegan restaurants. The alchemy of textures and tastes are intricately balanced– leaving it’s natural taste and spices to take center stage. There is such thing as honesty in spicing. This is not vegan junk food. After tasting it you would be surprised it wasn’t. Leaving the cart I must have taken with me, the cleanest food coma in the city.
TLDR; Come here. This is what its like to have a rainbow in your mouth.

I found this via Happy Cow. First, the food is excellent. I have eaten here 4 times now and have never been dissatisfied. It is easy to make changes, the noodles were gluten free and nightshade free, the soy curls are yummy seasoned.
They change the menu at different seasons. Easy to find! Near other options so if others want different kinds of food, they get to choose.
The people there are very awesome. The food is affordable. They offer food to anyone even if they can’t afford it.
Downside (reason for 4 stars instead of 5):
No seating near by.
The hours are not consistent. They say they are open when they aren’t. Hard to plan to go there.
Cash only.

Imagine my joy when I spent several days in Portland and found not only food carts, but VEGAN food carts. (If you visit Portland, you HAVE to partake in the food carts!) Being that I was only in Portland for a limited time, I had to be very careful to choose wisely, as I had MANY vegan and vegetarian choices.
My first choice was, of course, Juniper PDX Food Cart. The words on their website, «We are a worker-​owned food cart founded by five women,» sold me right away.
We got there late in the afternoon and some of the delicious-​sounding eats were already gone. We got what they had remaining. I’m not sure what it was (see my pics), but it was so OUT OF THIS WORLD. I mean, delicious doesn’t begin to describe it.
The food was plentiful, delicious, fresh and cheap. It was served in biodegradable containers — which I would expect nothing less — and I appreciate that. Portland is such an eco-​friendly town and that’s just one of the many charming things about it.
I loved everything about Juniper; their motto, their food, their super-​cute cart, and the very pleasant ladies who served us the food.
When I find myself in Portland again, this is the first food cart I am hitting!

I’ve had two clean, flavorful vegan lunches from Juniper (I’ve tried a half portion of the samosa bowl, a half portion of the rainbow salad, & the mango berry mint smoothie) & look forward to more seasonally-​inspired world fusion dishes & drinks from these kind, talented ladies.

One of my favorite foodcarts. The service is incredible, and their food is delicious. I particilarly recommend the daily mash, the coconut bacon, the country plate and the samosa bowl. Their breaded baked tofu is some of the best tofu I’ve ever had.

I tried the five-​spice noodle soup. The broth is very flavorful. I might add a bit more salt, but more crucially, a spice component would greatly elevate this dish. Sliced jalapeño garnish (à la phở) should be available, at least as an option (the online menu claims there is chili oil here, but in typical Portland fashion, it, like, isn’t). The marinated oyster mushrooms are amazing.
I’ll be back to eat all the things and will maybe write about them too.

TRY THIS CART!!!
Vegan, gluten-​free, seasonal ingredients, well-​priced, friendly & fast service, conveniently located, local women owned, not to mention freakin delicious! What more could you want?! I’ll definitely be back, you should join! :)

Reach out. .. lunch break
Your own. .. Juniper. .. weakness
Go tell your therapist
That you’re obsessed
Your own. .. Juniper. .. weakness
Something to feed your friends
Something vegan
Feeling millennial
And no cooks at home
Flesh and bone
Health apps on smartphone
Vikings, Ducks, & Beavers
I’ll make you all believers
Mains and Handhelds
Tonics must come next
Greens are the best
You need to confess
I’ll praise the veggie
Your foodie DJ
Your own. .. Juniper. .. weakness
Summer, Lizz, Elena, Kashi & Francesca
Faithful Femmetrepreneurs
Reach out. .. lunch break
Depeche Mode seasonal château

I love Juniper!
I had the grilled Portobello sandwich and it was INCREDIBLE. Also tried the smoky mac and it was so delicious. Coming back many more times :)

The Don was sloppily served and skimpy on size. The pasta was overcooked to the point of mush, and there really wasn’t much presentation put into it. Overpriced for what ended up being a small plate of pasta.
I want to like this place, but on first visit I’m not willing to give the default «4-​stars for being vegan» rating. I’ll try ordering something different next time before I make up my mind.

I went downtown today for the sole purpose of checking out this new all vegan food truck. I ordered the country bowl, which consisted of breaded/​grilled tofu with mushroom gravy, mash of the day (today was carrots and beets) and a side of green vegetables. Everything was really flavorful and delicious even though the presentation was a little sloppy (everything running together). Somebody else was getting the Chinese 5 Spice bowl, which looked really small. But my meal was a decent portion size. I would definitely go to Juniper again and get this same bowl. I might be daring and try something else. Go give this new vegan cart some love!