November 2012
FEATURES
The Southwest Portland Post • 5
New Hillsdale food cart court offers burgers, waffles and veggie-laden dishes
By Jillian Daley
The Southwest Portland Post
Three new dining options cropped
up this fall in Hillsdale in a snug little
spot at Southwest Capitol Highway
and Sunset Boulevard.
The food cart court, which opened
in mid-September, features Violetta’s
juicy burgers and crispy fries; Smaak-
en Waffles’ all-day-long breakfast
treats with sweet and savory toppings;
and Radiant Life’s vegetarian and
vegan sandwiches, wraps and bowls.
Though neighbors frequent the
three carts, Radiant Life manager Lori
Dickerson said the new dining locale,
which abuts Wilson High School, has
become a special place for students.
“I think they’re really excited to have
a place to call their own besides the
school,” Dickerson said.
Developer Richard Stein said the
idea behind opening his food cart
court was to create not only a com-
munity hub for neighbors but also a
place where the students had access
to healthful, reasonably priced meals.
Stein’s new venture is a non-smok-
ing area. Amenities include portable
toilets behind a wooden screen.
Stein put in a large, white tent to pro-
tect customers who dine during chilly
weather, and he plans to install heaters
to keep the students and other din-
ers warm. In January or February, he
wants to add a cart featuring Middle
Eastern food and one with Asian food,
possibly bento.
Area residents are giving his new
development rave reviews, he said.
“The food is really good, and it’s
developing a reputation in the neigh-
borhood, and that’s just what I was
hoping for,” he said.
Wilson High School principal Brian
Chatard said he loves the Smaaken
Waffles’ waffle sandwich with roast
turkey, bacon and honey Dijon mus-
tard ($6.95). Chatard also enjoys
Violetta.
“If you want to get a nice burger
you don’t have to drive anywhere,”
he said. “You just have to walk across
the parking lot, and there it is.”
Chatard said the food carts offer nu-
tritious options, besides cafeteria food,
for the students and staff. Freshmen
are not normally allowed to leave dur-
ing school hours, but Chatard gives
them permission to step a few feet off
campus to visit the three eateries.
Radiant Life abounds with healthy
offerings, but the other carts have
healthy options as well. Violetta’s
hamburger meat is hormone free and
organic, and wholegrain buns and
veggie burgers also are available.
Smaaken Waffles has the Smaafu, a
waffle filled with fried tofu, cheddar
cheese and spinach ($6.25).
As for affordability, Violetta and Ra-
diant Life give students special deals.
Violetta provides free French fries – a
choice of sweet potatoes, Yukon gold
potatoes and russets – to students with
the purchase of a burger ($6.50-$7.75,
depending on toppings).
Radiant Life offers gluten-free torti-
lla chips at no cost with the purchase
of a bowl, which includes the Beans
and Rice bowl ($3).
The three food carts also hold special
hours for students, staying open dur-
ing Wilson High football games, which
can run until about 10 p.m.
Smaaken Waffles employee Molly
Bradley said she and the other em-
ployees enjoy the student dynamic,
which can create friendly peer pres-
sure during menu orders.
“A group of girls will come in, and
one girl will look at something and
say ‘that’s too sweet,’ and they’ll all
get something savory,” Bradley said.
“Another day, one will be like: ‘I want
some chocolate,’ and they’ll all get
something sweet.”
Violetta employee Jessica Leffers
said the students are polite and joke
around with the staff.
“They put up with Brendan” (Lav-
ery), Leffers said, teasing a co-worker
during a brief lull in business last
month. Lavery smiled and ducked
Violetta employees Brittany Plymell and Brendan Lavery adjusted the look of
the sign that adorned their food cart during a lull in business on Oct. 19. Violetta
is one of three food carts that opened in mid-September next to Wilson High
School. (Post photo by Jillian Daley)
his head.
According to their Facebook pages:
Smaaken Waffles is open 7 a.m. to 7
p.m. daily; Radiant Life is open 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 7 p.m. Monday to
Friday as well as 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun-
day. Violetta is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
daily. Portland Officer Brian Hughes
said police have received no reports
of incidents at the food court park.
Hughes said he and other officers have
visited somewhat regularly on account
of the food, however.
Hughes recommends the Grazing
Goat ($7) at Radiant Life, a wrap or
sandwich of Dave’s Killer Bread filled
with goat cheese, avocado and roasted
red peppers. “It was very good, and
the people that sold it to me were very
nice,” Hughes said.
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