#21 of 48: Pulled Pork at Peco's Pit

Peco's Pit is one of those places I always drove past, but never really gave much of a second look. It turns out that the pulled pork is certainly worth a stop. Super messy and soaked in a punchy (but not overly sweet) sauce, the pork is melt-in-your-mouth tender and quite juicy. So much so that it's downfall is a resulting soggy roll that started off wonderfully soft.

The portion size is generous at $6.85, so the pulled pork is easily shared. Peco's Pit offers a fair amount of outdoor seating (which is a nice change), but be prepared. Peco's Pit is cash only.

#20 of 48: Cuban at Paseo

The first two times we attempted to visit Paseo, we were greeted with a "sold out of sandwiches" sign. What?! How is that even possible?! The challenge of getting our hands on one of Paseo's sannies had presented itself, and we were up for it.

Several attempts later, we finally tried both the Cuban and the Midnight Cuban. While the Cuban is undoubtedly an A+ sandwich, the midnight version is an A++. It's not pretty, but the zingy peppers, luscious mystery sauce and self-supporting roll make this meaty creation perfect. Giant grilled onions are a tasty addition.

Take note if you want to procure your own Midnight Cuban, however. Both Paseo locations are completely unmarked and are cash only.

Some PDX goodness.

We decided to pop down to Portland for some power eating in celebration of my birthday last week. I've been wanting to check out some of the food carts for awhile now and we managed to cross four off the list in less than 24 hours. Not bad! We also visited a few choice selections. Here are some of the highlights:

Burgerville
It's a tradition that we hit the Burgerville in Centralia on our way to PDX. Yeah, it's a fast food burger joint, but their ingredients are of fine quality and the milkshakes ever so tasty. I order their hot dog the old way—with Burgerville's special sauce, ketchup, onions and cheddar cheese. Mmm, mmm!



Pix Patisserie
Holy cow, what a find! Pix Patisserie has a wide selection of pastries, but we stopped in for the macarons. Our server told us that their macarons have been called superior to Thomas Keller's. Well, we've had both now and I think Pix might be a clear winner in such a throwdown. The filling was fresh and creamy, the flavor selection interesting and unique (maple and bacon! salt, pepper + olive oil!). We even picked up a glittery Tiffany blue macaron. If only Pix stocked every flavor on a daily basis...



Andina
We have craved Peruvian cuisine since visiting San Francisco's Mochica a couple of years ago. After seeing how highly regarded Andina is, we decided it was worth a shot. We dropped in at happy hour mid-week and were able to get a table with no problem. Shawn ordered a thick passion fruit cocktail called the Sacsayhuamán, which he cooed over for the duration of our meal. The stuffed yuca was creamy and spicy while the chicarron was not altogether exciting. The highlight of our meal was an avocado stuffed with crab and prawns, a fresh combination that hasn't since escaped my mind.



Flavour Spot
For breakfast the following morning, we decided to check out a food cart selling Portland's original waffle sandwich, Flavour Spot. I ordered a ham, gouda and maple that came sandwiched in a 7" waffle. Shawn opted for a sausage version. Divine! Seriously, whomever thought of this is god-like in my book. I'd happily eat a waffle sandwich for breakfast, lunch or as a midnight snack. Can't wait to visit PDX again.

#19 of 48: Grilled Cheese at Elliott Bay Cafe

We were a tad bummed when the Elliott Bay Bookstore relocated to Capitol Hill this summer. Fortunately, the basement cafe multiplied, staying behind in Pioneer Square and opening in the new location, as well. We've always been fans of the Elliott Bay Cafe. We've met favorite authors during readings there and have indulged in many a sweet treat and fine beverage there, too.

Because of this history with the cafe, we were enthusiastic about trying their unique grilled cheese sandwich. The grilled cheese is packed with Mama Lil's Peppers and a blend of three cheeses, including a powerful goat cheese, packaged between slices of perfectly grilled, soft Macrina bread. Unfortunately, these two particular items simply overwhelmed the sandwich. The mixture of cheeses and the unexpected peppers sure make for an interesting sandwich, but better execution is an absolute must.

#18 of 48: Chicken Pesto at Grinders Hot Sands

An assuming joint in a not-so-great location, Grinders Hot Sands has an array of, well, hot sandwiches to choose from. The Chicken Pesto is packed with ingredients that include a lovingly marinated chicken and tangy feta, but the grinder remains nicely balanced. The next time I drop in (and I will do so again very soon!), I plan to have the mushrooms left off. I'm a major fungus lover, but they just didn't fit in with this zingy sandwich. After all, the chicken pesto just might be an A+ with that minor adjustment.

#17 of 48: Kahlúa Pork Sliders at Marination Mobile

Marination Mobile is quite possibly my favorite food truck in town. The kimchi quesadilla, the spicy pork taco, the Kahlúa Pork Sliders... there is no such thing as a bad choice! The slider makes the list and with its sweet roll, salty pork, tangy + crunchy slaw, it's easy to understand why. It is perfection in a tiny bun. At $2 per slider, they make a great snack or can easily be paired up with another wonderful item from the Marination menu. Note: Marination is now cash only, so come with a fistful!

Examining Seattle's macarons.

Although Seattle's Cakespy is the local expert on desserts around here, we like to fancy ourselves as dessert lovers, too. Ever since visiting Paris this spring, I've been working hard to try each of Seattle's macaron selections. Belle Epicurean's are of the larger variety and burst with flavor. The only unfortunate thing about them is the slightly hardened and obviously refrigerated filling. If served fresh, these macarons would be a Francophile's dream.