That Time I Ate at 20 Food Trucks

It's no secret that I seek out food trucks and carts wherever I go, but I usually only eat at one a day. This week I attended Portland's annual food truck festival, Eat Mobile. This has become a regular outing for me each April, because I don't often go across town to eat, and when I do, it's usually because I've got a specific restaurant in mind or I'm antique shopping. Portland is widely known as being a top destination for food trucks, and there's hardly anyplace in the city where you won't find one or two. We have food cart pods where many congregate and you can choose from a variety of yummy foods all in one place. It's fantastic.

Cute little Cuban sammie with homemade chip from Pyro's Wicked Wiches

So, like in years past Eat Mobile brings people to the trucks, though this year is the first time they've done so literally. Two large pods were involved and shuttles ran between them instead of moving them all to one big parking lot as before. Unfortunately, I feel like this caused them to raise the price to where it may not have been worth it, as there were half as many carts as well. Not all the carts in each pod were participating either, so you had to navigate around people who were there buying dinner and look for the sign on the carts that were actually giving away samples. The samples were larger this year, but that just made it harder to try everything, because we were stuffed by the time we were 2/3 of the way through tasting, as everything came with a carb of some type.

Cream Ale from Baerlic Brewing and "sushi" from Second Son Kimbap

The good thing about the new structure this year is that there was a lot more variety (not all the same trucks from before), there was more seating and there were waaaaaaaaaaaay shorter lines. Your admission also included two drink tickets which it didn't in the past. You paid for beer and any other drink you wanted, unless it was Vitamin Water, which was a sponsor. I, eventually, purchased a water, but I did have beer from a local microbrewery.

There were fewer tickets sold and the event took place on a Wednesday evening instead of a Sunday afternoon, which made it feel a bit more intimate and less like a cattle herd. I didn't have to wait 30 minutes for a sample of ice cream or a slider, but there was also the absence of some of my favorite carts like La Creperie and Soup Cycle. Obviously, there wasn't room for many extra carts in the already packed pods if any chose to participate and move for the evening. 

chicken, rice, beans and plantain from La Arepa Venezuelan Food

Enough about that, let's talk about the food!  Though there were quite a few American food trucks, there were a lot of ethnic foods, which I felt were lacking from the event in the past. I enjoyed a tiny slider and hot dog with pulled pork on it, but I also tried kimbap, which is a Korean street food that seems a lot like sushi, but is full of cooked meats instead of raw fish. So good! 

PDX Carpet ice cream from Scoop Handmade Ice Cream

I had some fantastic vegetarian Thai curry which was super spicy, a huge dish of tiny beignets with raspberry syrup (basically a bowl of bread that I probably should have split with my friend and also not started the event with), some really yummy cod nuggets and even ice cream dubbed The PDX Carpet that debuted at the event to celebrate Portland International's signature carpet getting replaced. The ice cream had just about all the ingredients in it: cranberries, hazelnuts, peppermint and dark chocolate stracciatella.

Indian Fry Bread "toes" at Teepee's (tiny beignets)

Krumkaka (pizelle with lemon cream) and Lefse wrap (salmon from Ingrid's Scandinavian Food

Soda sampling from Pyro's Wicked Wiches (can I just say that balsamic fig soda is O.M.Good?!)

I encourage you to check out Eat Mobile if you're ever in Portland in the spring. You can find more details here. Quite a few people make plans to visit specially for the event. Many come down from Seattle and some from Vancouver, BC. 

Can we, just for a minute, discuss how great food trucks are why they can help you save money on your trips? Here's a short list:

• They offer restaurant quality food for a fraction of the price - You don't pay for the huge overhead they have at traditional sit-down restaurants. They don't have waiters, big energy bills, busboys, etc.
• Food truck food is now much more upscale than it used to be - You can just as easily get a steak as you can a hot dog nowadays.
• Everyone gets what they want - No need to search for a restaurant that will satisfy your whole group - sometimes my husband and I don't agree on food either. If you find one food truck, you're likely to find several, so not everyone has to eat the same thing.
• No reservations needed - Walk up, order, get your food, take it and eat it on your way to your next tourist site or sit in the nearest park to enjoy it. Time saver!
• Food is affordable, because it's made with local ingredients - 'Nuff said.

Obviously, there are many more reasons food trucks are awesome. I know a lot of folks who've never eaten at one, but they can be addicting. Eat at one and you'll be itching to find more to try. Where have you found the best food trucks or street food in your travels?

48 Hours of Fun on a Budget in London

In this blog series I show you how easy it is to budget travel anywhere and I also give you a quick overview of a new city each time in a brief 48-hour itinerary.

By now you know I love the city of London. Two days is clearly not enough to do more than scratch the surface, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a lot out of a weekend, extended business trip or long layover there. There’s always something to see and always a long list of cool things to do whether you are willing to splurge a bit or are counting your pennies. Though it is known as one of the most expensive vacation destinations, you can certainly make it budget-friendly. If I had just two days to spend in London, here are the things I would pick.

Day 1

You're going to want to set out early in the day, so we're going to assume you got in last night and after a restful sleep you're ready to go. Unlike some people, I could spend a whole day just riding around on the tube. It's fun and I like watching people. It's funny to see that 98% of the people on the Underground are either glued to their phones or hiding behind a paper. Hardly anyone talks to each other, but maybe it's because they all have somewhere important to go, like work. I don't have that obligation, so I say start the day off right by taking the Tube to Notting Hill and head to Portobello Road Market. 

Once you get there, and before you start shopping, stop into Gail's, a sweet little cafe and bakery where you can get a great cup of coffee and either a pastry, muffin or a real meal. They have a small, but satisfying and scrumptious, breakfast menu, including the above English brekkie. Now that you're fueled for the day and properly caffeinated, head out to the stalls and shops to pick up a unique souvenir or even some delicious fruits, veggies or cheese to nosh on later. Gail's has loaves of bread that you can take away, so you can definitely make a lovely little picnic. The market is free and the average meal (with coffee or tea) at Gail's will run you around £8.00.

When you've had your fill of window shopping, jump on the Tube and make your way to Tower Bridge. People confuse the bridge with London Bridge, because it's the most iconic in the city, but London Bridge is actually pretty unremarkable and the original can actually be found in Lake Havasu, Arizona. Tower Bridge Exhibition takes you inside the bridge, shows you the history and construction and explains how it opens and closes. The walkway on the top now has a glass floor, so you can also watch traffic beneath you while you enjoy the rotating exhibits. Make sure your camera's charged, because you can get some spectacular pics of the city and The Thames from the top. This one-of-a-kind experience is just £8.00 per adult, which is way cheaper than the London Eye and has views just as good.

photo credit

Slow down and bit and head to Kensington and take a walk in Hyde Park, which is really expansive, but one of the most beautiful parks I've ever been to. you might want to plan out your visit, as it's quite easy to get turned around. We had to use a map and a compass last time we went. If you've brought fixings for a picnic lunch, you have a large choice of places to sit and enjoy it. One of the things on my list still is to have tea at The Orangery in Kensington Gardens, so this is where I would make my next stop in the park. Wandering the park and enjoying the sculptures and wildlife (huge squirrels!) are free. Afternoon tea runs £26.00 per person, which I'm willing to splurge on.

I feel like no trip to London is really complete without a visit to the iconic Harrod's department store. I don't expect to buy anything there, since it's very upscale, but you can find some of the coolest stuff downstairs in their food stalls. They run the gamut from fancy meats, jams, candy and mini restaurants that serve everything from oysters and sushi to coffee and pastries. I actually purchased some really big  macarons here that were amazing. There's so much to see in here, even if you aren't looking for clothing. Harrod's is a London landmark and when it first opened had a whole zoo floor where you could buy exotic animals. Now, luckily, the most exciting thing you can buy regarding animals is a crazy expensive cashmere sweater for your pooch. Totally free, unless you pick up some gifts to take home.

photo credit

You're probably over walking now, so why not catch a movie? I know you're thinking that you can do that at home, but trust me when I say that you'll not be disappointed by the hook this next place has. Pillow Cinema shows some of the newest and most popular movies in an unused Tube station. Awesome, right? Snuggle up with your travel partner and relax for two hours. If you're traveling in the summer, then visit Pillow Cinema's other venture, Hot Tub Cinema. I bet that hot water will ease your sore muscles, while you make new friends and watch a movie on a rooftop in an inflatable hot tub. Tickets run around £8 per person.

I bet the calories from your afternoon tea have worn off by now, so make your way to Picadilly Circus to grab some late-night eats. Jamie Oliver's Pop-Up Diner is crazy good, has large portions and doesn't require a reservation. Choose from comfort foods you'll love like baby back ribs. you could easily share an entree if you aren't starving, especially if you order starter salads and/or dessert. An average meal won't break you at around £25.

Head back to your hotel or vacation rental to rest up for your next day in London.

Day 2

Grab something to eat before heading out today. (As you know, generally I just eat in my room, like cereal or a bagel.) Take the tube to a stop near Buckingham Palace. This is a good time to walk along the river if you can and just enjoy the city. On certain days at 11am, the Changing of the Guard takes place, which is quite a to-do and I've yet to experience. Down the way you can see the Horse Guards as well. Both of these are free and make for awesome photos.

You can't go home from a trip to London without checking out Trafalgar Square. The art and fountains and people watching are fantastic. This is the best place to see all the red double-decker buses, as there seems to be an average of 8 in the surrounding intersections at any given time. Take your art pics of Nelson's Column and then wander down the street for a bite to eat at the Sherlock Holmes Pub. Get a pint and some fish and chips to fortify yourself for the next part of your day. You can expect to pay around £15 per person for lunch.

Make your way to the Victoria & Albert Museum, which is totally free and completely amazing. You'll find exhibits of textiles, clothing, pottery and more from all over the world. If these aren't really your thing, though my husband loved it, substitute a visit to the British Museum instead. Both museums are free and contain enough artifacts to keep you busy for hours. (You can also just stay in Trafalgar Square and go to the free National Portrait Gallery.)

My one must-do when I went back to London last time was to catch a show at the West End, which I was able to do and do so for less by using Broadway Box. you can find discounts for dinner and a show packages and see a wide range of shows. We took in The 31 Steps and had a wonderful 3-course dinner at Grace. Find awesome deals on your evening entertainment and dining from as little as £25 per person. (I kid you not!)

At this point you probably want to head back "home" to pack, or to unwind with a cocktail, but your two days in London have been jam-packed, but also fun and relaxing (and educational!). If you do everything on this list, not including what it costs to get around on the Underground, your two days for two travelers would cost approximately £230, or around $365. Look to Airbnb for affordable and awesome accommodations if you're looking to feel like a local. 

If you've been to London, what are your must-dos in the city?

Your Must-Have Apps for Vacations

A lot of people are planning vacations right now, because the weather isn't the worst everywhere anymore. That means road trips, theme parks, beaches and so much more. If you've got a trip on the horizon, then you're probably bringing your smartphone to keep you occupied and help you out. Fill it with apps that will make your trip better, cooler and easier. That's what we all want when we go somewhere, whether it's Europe, Mexico or the next state over. Here are all the latest and greatest apps to download before you go and have the best vacation ever!

I'd suggest AroundMe for finding things to do near where you are and Foodspotting for delicious dishes according to other diners. Download TripIt to keep all your travel info, including confirmation numbers and addresses, with you at all times. What are your favorite travel apps?