Rain or shine and open late for those sobering up after a wild night, Potato Champion is a great choice for America’s favorite fried potatoes.
Potato Champion is located among other late night food carts in the SE 12th and Hawthorne parking lot in Portland, Oregon.
This food cart station is one of the most popular, and opens at noon or early evening, so there is still a chance to grab some fries as a snack and absorb some local Portland color.
SAUCE TIME
Potato Champion is more than the french fry king for poutine and otherwise, because the real zest lies in their condiments and toppings.
They are most famous for their French Canadian fries, the poutine: beef or vegetarian gravy with Wisconsin cheddar cheese curds.
Chili cheese fries and satay fries are also favorites, but the more exciting fries are the PB and J fries and the pulled pork fries.
The PB and J fries have peanut satay sauce but also a smokey raspberry chipotle jam, adding roasted notes to the potatoes.
The pulled pork fries also can come with two sauces like the picture above.
With Carlton Farms pulled pork, choose whiskey barbecue sauce or bourbon honey mustard, or both split across the middle!
If curry is your preference, there are Indian style fries, with spinach and paneer curry (palak paneer).
Various curry flavors also appear for specials.
Potato Champion also has created special flavors for their condiments.
Regular ketchup is a boring sauce to dip your potatoes in, since Potato champion has curry ketchup, horseradish ketchup and their always popular, rosemary truffle ketchup.
Their variants extend to mustard (Harder Sweet Hot mustard) and mayonaise (pesto).
WHO IS THE REAL POTATO CHAMPION?
Mike McKinnon is the owner and manager of this institution that is frequently ranked as the number one food cart in Portland’s Willamette Week magazine.
He read about Antoine-Augustin Parmentier, the man who encouraged potatoes to be added to the diet of humans.
Mckinnon really wanted a place to go for frites in the Portland area and was encouraged by friends to create such an establishment.
He worked on recipes for fries and sauces for over a year, and in Spring 2008, Portland now had their own french fry stand.
The honor of Best Food Cart in Portland means there is one other trailer reserved for being active around the community like Portland Cocktail Week, or the Renaissance Fair at Reed college.
They are happy to be involved in local special events; and, for your own catering needs, email Mike McKinnon at the below address.
CONTACT INFORMATION
SE 12th and Hawthrone foodcart pod
Hours
Tuesday & Wednesday 4pm-1am
Thursday & Friday 4pm – 3am
Saturday 12pm – 3am
Sunday 12pm – 1am
Email: potatochampion@gmail.com for questions and catering.