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Category: Food Stands [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Southeast Portland, Central EastsideTue-Sat. 8:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.
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you know when something's good when you still can't get the thought of biting into a hot flaky deep fried crust and having your mouth being enveloped by the most perfect bbq brisket filling ever out of your mind.
it's been about a month now, whifflies. it's too bad i'm too "lazy" to get to you (i have to bike six miles...JUST FOR A PIE? the thought is still a little outrageous for me). i'll be back when i wanna eat ten of your delicious flaky awesomeness at a time. then i guess i can bike it off...
I've finally stumbled upon a buzz-worthy Portland joint that doesn't live up to the hype.
It's not that the food here is "bad"...it just...is exactly what you'd think it'd be. I got a chicken pot pie (this was the only non-fruit pie they had), it was incredibly bland and the filling was more lukewarm than hot. It was also really small, and 4 smokes seem like a lot to ask for something that only weighs a few ounces. And once you buy more than one it kid defeats the purpose of getting some low-priced, post-bar snack.
Like PBR and fixed-gear bicycles, this is a Portland obsession I just don't get. Maybe I was too sober.
Also: just because you're a food cart, it is NO EXCUSE to not take cards! Food carts in Portland could learn a lot from Biker Jim's Gourmet Hot Dogs in Denver.
Add one more star to Whiffies for making a pumpkin creme vegan pie that absolutely hit the spot after a night of hanging out with friends. The pastry part was perfect just like last time, and this time the filling was /exactly/ what I was wanting. Sweet, creaming, pumpkiny... this is my favorite time of year, and tasting this lovely dessert is one of the reasons why!
One word of caution: the pumpkin cream is very soupy, so eat with some care, it's worth it!
Well shoot. I really, really wanted to like this place, but the chicken pot pie just ain't right.… Read more »
One summer night, the wife and I shared a piping-hot marionberry fried pie. We dug it.. fresh filling, tasty crust. It really good, but I can't say that it was a "revelation." It was basically what I expected a fried pie to taste like.
I suppose I should consider this review a work-in-progress until I get a chance to try a savory pie.
Oh, and I should add that I really like their fresh lemonade. I always (when visiting other carts) suck it down way to fast, though.
Good times, had the raspberry.
Deep fried pies?
Are you f&*king kidding me?
Deep fried vegan Apple pies?
I'm in love.
I'm all yours.
While finally making the stop at Potato Champion after months and months of anticipation, I stood there next to my wife waiting patiently for the fries when my roaming eyes stumbled upon Whiffies.
Here's how the discovery panned out:
Me: "Wow... this cart over here has fried pies"
Wife: "Shut the hell up... are you KIDDING ME? Go get one!"
Me: "Okay"
That hot little number (the pie thank you) came out about 5 minutes later and was totally AWESOME.
It made me feel like I was 8 years old.
Thank you Whiffies. I love you. Don't tell my wife.
1 star for the idea
1 star for being open late at night.
no stars for the pies which have crust that is so thick that it is still raw on the inside and that have as much crust as they do filling. I got the pumpkin creme vegan pie which was super sweet and completely liquid.
But it is was only 3 dollars.
The first bite of a Whiffies deep fried pie should be enjoyed with eyes closed and a slight "mmm" emanating from the back of the throat. The crust is a wonderful balance of sweet and salty. Delicious golden brown that isn't the slightest bit greasy. It is warm doughy goodness that should be contemplated and enjoyed.
These pies are beautiful little half moons, dense with filling and flavor. It's important to get to know and appreciate the crust a little before it shares its gooey center with you. Trust me, it's worth the wait.
The sweet pies are wonderful. And, as noted by another reviewer, they are great hot, consumed on the spot at 12th and Hawthorne, as well as cold the next morning for breakfast.
The cart is run by upbeat, friendly people. There's usually a bit of a wait, but hey, they are frying up delicious, flaky, gooey perfection. You can't rush that.
Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference between the people standing around the cart (a) pre-order placement, full of excitement, or (b) post-order placement, full of anticipation. It's best to ask or risk hanging out behind a group that has already ordered.
Now close your eyes, take a bite, and brace yourself for the warm wave of pleasure.
"meh" can't sum up my experience at Whiffies better enough...
I thought I'd love this place... I mean...
pies = sugar
sugar = sweet
sweet = yummy
fried = extra, super-de-duper yummy!
right??? boy, I was wrong... for one, my pie was super crusty! Like literally, an inch into eating the pie, I didn't hit any of the filling that tempted me to buy it in the first place... and to top that off, I've never been a big fan of pie crust either!!! [don't kill me :( ]
Once I did make it to the filling.... strawberry because I love love love strawberries.... I thought my torture would be over... but to my unpleasant finding, it tasted like strawberry preserves!?!? [my LEAST favorite type of fruit spread]
I'm sad that I didn't love Whiffies like I thought I would, but you can't say that I didn't try!
Beef brisket fried pie came out very hot and had to wait a minute for it to cool down. Once sufficiently cooled, I took my first bite out of the wonderful flaky crust. After 2 bites in I hit the jackpot, a flavorful and cheesy brisket filling. It was a tad salty, and it was good they provide drinks to balance out the saltiness.
Want to go back and try the rest of the fried pie family.
PS: The potato champion mascot would kick the whiffies pie mascot's ass. http://www.entertoneme...
When I first heard a fried pie cart was all the rage I figured it wasn't for me because a) I don't care much for fried food b) I'm not a pie fan c) I don't have much of a sweet tooth. I became more intrigued when I heard about the savory pies and even more fascinated when I heard there was going to be a chick pea and eggplant filling made by Belly Timber in one of the pies. Seeing as chick peas are my number one favorite food, it was time for my first taste.
How can I summarize my experience in only three words? Oh. My. God.
That pie was damn near perfection! The crust was flaky and soft yet not falling apart and the inside was filled with delicious goodness that made me want to stop the world around me so I could enjoy my pie whilst moaning. I wasn't terribly hungry when I ordered my pie and yet I considered ordering a second. Now *that* is some damn good food right there. Turns out I'm a fried pie fan after all!
Whiffie this, whiffie that...... I can see why people love to flock to the deep fried pie crazy. Everything on the menu is less than $5 dollars and the pie itself is a generous portion. Friday night after catching a movie, I trekked over to the hawthorne food carts and dashed for it. I took caution and parked on the side street, not on the parking lot where I noticed cars were being towed right and left; sigh.... Anyways, there was no one in line at the food cart so I ordered the BBQ brisket. The order would take about 5 minutes to cook so I snatched a table to wait.
Less than 5 minutes later, my order was called and was warned it was piping hot. I grabbed some napkins so I wouldn't burn my hand. A couple of minutes later and I took my first bite. The crust was not rich nor was it dry. Just the right amount of texture, flakiness, and butter flavor got me hooked. As I munched further, the meat was very tender and moist. The BBQ sauce had the right amount of zing of sweet and spice. The cheese even had flavor after being fried. As I went back to my car, I saw more cars being towed....
The next day, I went to the food cart again before catching a screening of "Taxi Driver". No line again so this time I tried the sweet pie side. The peanut butter cream and chocolate chip was recommended by many people so I ordered it. Again, 5 minutes time the pie was ready to be devoured. I had mixed feelings this time however. The pie retained its great buttery and flaky texture but the sweet sauce was very messy. I did enjoy it, but I had a hard time trying to make sure it wouldn't land all over my clothes.
I can see why this place is worth checking out; it's affordable, portions are great, service time is prompt, and they are delicious. Next up is chicken pot pie!
I have eaten here twice now, and both times gotten a fruit filled pie - the first was blueberry, the second was cherry. Both were delicious. They are equally good when eaten warm or cold, so if you feel guilty eating a whole one immediately, you can wrap it up and take the rest home for breakfast the next day. I will eventually get around to eating one of the savory pies, but more often than not I'm there near midnight and the sweet always sounds better that late at night.
Just be sure you don't sit too close to the Wiffies cart and the porta-potty that sits next to it. It will ruin your overall experience.
Such a great cart! I love the people working there and the fillings are delish. I hope they get this crust thing worked out, though. I've been buying pies there since they opened, and the crust just gets thicker and thicker and thicker as the months go by....making the pies more and more like a door stop. After tonight's cherry-flavored gut-bomb, I think I'm gonna take a break on Whiffie's for awhile.....
My Ecuadorian grandmother used to make empanadas that I still dream about. So good, with a sweet cheese based filling with raisins. But what I remember most vividly is the flavor of the crust. I have been on a quest to find similar empanadas around town but have not had much luck. There are plenty of delicious empanadas in PDX, but nothing that I can directly compare to my Mamacita's. Who knew I would find it in a fried pie?
Somehow, in this beautiful cart in a lot full of beautiful carts, Whiffies has produced a crust that is very similar to my grandma-ma's. While there's is thicker, it has that same delicious, oily, but not too oily, soft, doughy, yet on the verge of flakiness, taste and texture that I remember.
Now, the fillings are different, of course, but they are still outrageously delicious. The options change, but if you see either Coconut Creme or Peanut Butter Cream with Chocolate Chip, be sure to order it. If, by chance, both are on the menu, by all means order one of each. Both are absolutely phenomenal. I have not been disappointed by the other sweet ones, either: Guava, Blueberry, Strawberry.
The BBQ Brisket and Vegan Franks and Beans were pretty good but I am more about the sweet stuff.
Because the crust is so good, I wouldn't hesitate to order any filling that catches your fancy. Chances are high that it will be fantastic.
Reading all these other reviews makes me wish I'd gotten a desserty fruit pie, but I was in the mood for a chicken pot pie--or it coulda been because I was thinking about that Los Huevos song "Chicken Pot Pie" from their first 7" record--and it didn't quite deliver like I thought it would. I wasn't convinced that the diced carrots and peas were fresh, not frozen, and I could hardly sense the flavor of chicken, nor find any substantial meaty chunks.
Still, I give it four stars simply because it's a fried pie cart that actually exists and keeps long hours and serves such a fantastic variety of fillings which shall entice me for future visits. Friendliest service in foodcartopia, too!
Peanut Butter Cream with Chocolate Chips...
'Nuff said...
I can seriously eat this stuff everyday.
Last night, I tried the chicken pot pie and it was…
Read more »
Biting into a steaming mini-pie full of warm gooey goodness on a rainy night: great concept. All it's missing is a little spice! Although at three dollars, I guess you get what you pay for. Plus they do their sweet tea right. Other big pluses: covered seating for the coming winter rain-pocalypse and friendly, patient service considering the drunken clientele.
Ah whiffies, the place where I go late at night to get that last bite to eat after clearly telling myself that yes the fried pie is worth the late night calories.
I have tried two savory vegan pies here so far, the tofu BBQ and the tofu pot pie, both where excellent though I imagine (since I have not tried them yet) the real treat of this cart is the sweet pies. Having chatted with the owner a couple of times at local events I have learned that the fruit pie fillings have sugar added to the mix so they fall outside of my regular diet.
I would love to see a banana walnut pie or other sweet fruit sans sugar sometime, and I am close to breaking down and trying just one chocolate pie next time they have it.
I am not much of a fried food person but these pies rock! The guava pie was fresh and tangy and the peanut butter/chocolate chip pie was almost too sweet to finish.
I wish I had a chance to try their meat pies - all in all a fun Portland experience.
Wow!
That was a delicious deep fried apple pie, just like McDonald's used to have but possibly better. I hear they use commercial filling but I don't care, it is not like a "vegan" deep fried pie is going to be healthy for me anyway so they might as well use commercially produced insides....
Well worth the 3 bucks and the five minute wait, this place must be a cash cow because the line was huge even just five minutes after opening.
Those sweet pies are GOOOOD left-over and cold.
That's the only way I'll eat my Whiffies from now on.
I really like their savory vegan pot pie. Golden flaky crust, hot and gooey middle, packed with… Read more »
How many bites does it take to get to the center of a Whiffies fried pie?
I'm sure it's going to a take a few. It won't be because it's a huge pie, because it's not. It's because of one of two things:
It's hotter than hell.
or
You're savoring every last bite of that flaky crust of perfection.
I've experienced both a couple of times.
However, I have yet to experience a mind blowing filling. The one time I had the pulled pork it was beyond salty. I ate it, naturally, but I was craving a glass of water when i was done. The next time I bypassed savory and finally tried a sweet. Blueberry. It was just too jelly and sweet for me. Clearly, the raves say I'm in the minority, and it's totally possible. Everyone has their tastes.
That doesn't mean I'm still not down to try some more, but it'll likely be from the land of the savory. I hear nothing but good things about that salmon.
And I love salmon.
Until then I'll maintain that cake is better than pie.
I probably should hold back on writing this review as my experience with Wiffies came at a bizarre time.
I walked up to Wiffies after hearing much about the cart on a nice June evening. Unbeknown to me, there was a pie eating contest going on. Loving good competition, I figured I needed to watch. Hulking figures emerged from the dark corners of SE Portland to take their place at the champions table. While 4 sat down, only one would be declared the winner. I felt as if I'd just walked into the Orange Bowl with hulking University of Miami football players running out of a smoke filled tunnel, bracing themselves for the upcoming battle. Was that Ray Lewis who just passed me? Maybe Michael Irvin? I digress...
Fast forward to the good part... People were slamming pies, it got gross, dudes started throwing up, lots of people cleared out the line, but for me it all worked out. I was a few pops deep and didn't mind the scene at all. I made my way forward as those with weaker stomachs wilted and faded into what Mike Tyson describes as "Bolivian."
I enjoyed a BBQ Beef and finished it up with a Lemon pie. Hot damn, I'd been converted. I was a believer. The flakey crust, the delicious fillings, I needed more. I couldn't help myself. When the pie eating contest wrapped up, I made my way to the table and sampled the leftovers that were out there. I couldn't tell you the flavors, but I can tell you that they were delicious.
Make your way over there. It's well worth the trip.
What can I say about this place that hasn't been said before... First off, it speaks volumes that I gave them a 5-star rating... I don't give 5 stars out often, but when I thought about it, I cannot think of a reason why they don't deserve it...
The pies themselves are big - I use 2 hands when I eat them, but maybe I just do that to ensure that nothing ever happens to my precious hand-pie... aside from my consuming it, that is... The prices for the size and the quality of the pies is awesome ($4 for savory pies, $3 for sweet pies) and has kept me coming back for more...
The pies all come with a fabulous crust that makes you LOVE the first bite where you get almost nothing but crust... It's savory and perfectly fried and delicious. Even on the sweet pies the crust works perfectly... and there are very few bites of these pies where you don't get a full ration of yummy filling with your crust... which is why you should savor those first and last bites of unadulterated crustiness...
The BBQ Beef Brisket pie is my favorite -- I ALWAYS get one, even if it means having leftovers the next day. The Chicken Pot Pie was good -- i think I would have preferred it to have more of a gravy filling, but other than that aspect, it was tasty and the filling was very good... The Vegan Franks and Beans was OK -- my husband said it would have been better with real hot dogs in it, but hat would defeat the purpose of it being vegan :P
The sweet pies are SO good... I love love LOVE the chocolate creme pie. If I could have one of these every day I would be a happy girl. The Apple Pie and Cherry Pie are also REALLY good, but I love chocolate pudding... I was curious about the Durian Pie, but never ate it. It scared me.
And, here's a bonus about Whiffies Pies -- They are AWESOME the next day. I don't even bother warming them up - I just eat them cold and they are so good. The chocolate creme pies ascend into food godhood by the next day and even the BBQ Beef Brisket is fabulous fresh out of the fridge...
If you have not tried a Whiffies PIe, get thee to SE 12th and Hawthorne and try it. You will NOT be sorry.
Brisket, guava, strawberry, blueberry, mixed berry, raspberry, marionberry, lemon, cherry, chocolate, peanut butter, durian, salmon, apple, pineapple, coconut creme.
Nary a pie that hasn't touched my lips, and nary a pie that I haven't loved.
Perfection.
You guys I seriously thought this place was called Whiffles --- L not an I. Until just now. This is how I have read it a bazillion times and I'm afraid I won't be able to call it anything else.
Come on it sounds better. Like Whiffles ball right?
Okay maybe not. Really the spelling doesn't matter. These pies are awesome.
My husband likes to buy those little pies with waxy paper wrappers from the gas station. I told him "this is what those pies wish they tasted like". But they never will. They are not delicious enough and they lack love.
Get your whiffles. whiffies. whatever. $3 a pop.
I have come to believe that Whiffies exists solely to maintain an air of gawking disbelief from Portland tourists.
"Fried PIES?" They say in wonder. "From a WAGON? What is this?" *camera phones snap to show all the fam back in Colorado/Florida/Texas*
And then when you hand them a pie, a foodporn-perfect golden crust encasing an impossibly perfectly-tempered gooey center (seriously, how does he manage to keep the filling from reaching magma temperatures?), they'll hem and haw and say they really shouldn't be eating fried anything because who knows how many Weight Watchers points one of these babies is worth?
But eventually, they'll eat it. And in that instant, they'll know exactly what kind of hedonistic lifestyle their Portland brethren enjoy.
Whiffies is one of the best food carts in Portland, bar none. They take a simple idea and run with it to create some really interesting, delicious and darn cheap food.
I've definitely heard people rave about their sweet pies, but I am a huge fan of the savory ones. The BBQ tofu is my personal favorite to date, and I'm not even vegan/vegetarian.
If I'm on the east side, it's late at night and I'm hungry, I go to Whiffies. No doubt about it.
How can you wrong with peanut butter creme pie?" beeline
Last night I fell victim to the siren song of the hedonistic lifestyle their Portland brethren enjoy.
"Tour de food carts on Hawthorne"
pies sweet and filled with I Love magma temperatures Pie.
the crust is something to appreciate on it's own. also a dooze!
Yeah, it does you guys! more hot and flaky than Kathy Griffin.
the brisket had some mozz in it from Portland tourists.
I know, I know, what's wrong with me?"
my experience with Wiffies came at a bizarre time.
Mike Tyson walked out of a smoke filled tunnel, was a few pops deep (or shall we say, full assed?) and didn't mind the scene at all.
we walked a few blocks home with them.(shutup, pervert) sobbing and asking God why
Awhile back, during a moment of unparalleled vulnerability, I registered for my first triathlon. Since then, I've tried to do two things:
1) Train regularly.
b) Limit my vices so as to minimize the damage done to my training.
This means that I've been drinking less and trying to quiet my inner late-night food-cart addict. And it's been successful. Mostly. Until now.
Last night I fell victim to the siren song of the fried pie. I'd been up the road at East Burn falling victim to the siren song of $2 beers, and my woefully empty tummy needed something. In the back of my mind a tiny demon began whispering sweet vegan-coconut-cream-themed nothings into my temporal lobe. I was done for.
Hightailed it over to 12th and Hawthorne. My eyes zeroed in on the familiar logo, I caught the cart in my tractor beam, and made a beeline for the window.
Long story short - I might have picked the wrong night. Pedalpalooza + unveiling a new pie + pie-eating contest = serious depletion of fried pie reserves. BUT BUT BUT - Greg gave both me and my beer-swilling partner each a free fried pie that had not been consumed by the contestants. Vegan! Coconut! Crispy, flaky crust! Hell, the crust is damn near perfect. The filling is a little on the sweet side for me, but it was creamy, hot, and plentiful. I can't wait to get my mitts on a savory pie (seitan! Now! Exclamation mark!!!!)
As a bonus - we got to watch the tail end of the pie eating contest. One poor, hardy soul was working on his seventh pie and I could see the bile rising in his throat. He quit about four bites away from the end, but I give him credit - I was expecting the kid to borch at any minute.
Really, what more do you need from my review? Gregg is wonderful (and had a donation box open for the Let Live Conference!), the cart is open late, and it's FRIED PIE.
I loves me some chicken pot pies. I've played with some half assed Cornish pasties and those are pretty bad ass, too. Well made (or shall we say, full assed?) pasties, are super bad ass, Cornish or not. Even Hostess apple pies demand I buy and eat them. So I was probably predisposed to be all about the Whiffies.
I still wasn't ready for the crust on these GBD* babies. My first bite of their chicken pot pie was the corner, which was of course unfilled. It was incredible.
In-credi-ble. It's bread, right?. I'm pro-bread but it's usually not super exciting. Unless it's in the form of the crust on a Whiffies fried pie. Holy shite this is some awesome stuff.
I haven't tried the pulled pork. The salmon and tofu are similarly in WTFland. And really, the sweet pies are meh. Whiffies' savory pies are where the maximal foot to ass action takes place and the chicken pot pie is ground muthaF'ing zero. I'll try the other stuff later. Except the tofu. Damn hippies.
That said, they're a bit small for $4. And their eating contests take for-EVER.
*= Golden brown and delicious
I thought the pies were overly puffy and greasy. It made what I call a "gutbomb" in my stomach. Kind of like eating a partially uncooked pastry. Plus, a portapotty was sitting next to the cart, giving off its distinctive odor. Yuck.
Every time I come here it is utter deliciousness.
The crust is flaky, delicious, and hot without burning your face off. I think this is in part due to the fact that although fried fresh, these pies are not soaked with grease. Big ups for the lack of face-melting action.
The flavors of every pie I have had there are right on.
Salmon chipotle-- NOM NOM NOM. The flavor of the peppers complimented the salmon nicely.
BBQ Brisket-- The sauce was great! Very tasty, but as mentioned in another review, I didn't need the cheese that was in it to be there. Still, it was good.
Pulled Pork-- A little sweet and salty, one of my favorite flavor combinations.
The fruit pies are pretty nummy too, but I'm definitely partial to the savory ones. I think maybe I'd like a light glaze on the fruit pies, not whipped cream. The crust is still good, but it doesn't really match the sweet fillings as well as it goes with the savory ones. Maybe I'm just a sugar junkie.
These are sure not your Hostess fruit pies, they are stuffed to maximum capacity with delicious goodness!
I watched the great Piechamp competition on 6/6/09, and somehow I still think these pies are delicious. (Let's just say I find the whole idea of eating competitions to be counterproductive-- they usually make the item at hand look far less than appetizing).
It's been a couple of weeks since I went to Whiffies with my wife and her sister. We went to the food carts to give the sister-in-law a taste of Portland, as she was in town on a first visit to the Rose City.
I was the only one willing to brave the wonder of the fried pies, and they didn't disappoint. I got the peanut butter-chocolate chip one on the menu that evening and I can say it's one of the best things I've ever eaten. The pastry was rich and flakey, and the filling warm, gooey and wonderful. I'd have one every night, if it wasn't across town. I can't say enough great things about them. You have to have em. Screw Hostess fruit pies, and buy Whiffies instead.
I like pie. I like fried things. I will be destroying a few of these on a weekly basis.
BBQ brisket = 4 out of five. The sauce is good. The meat is cooked well. It was a little empty for 4 bucks or this would be a fiverony and cheese. I could also do without the cheese in this one. There's no need for it.
Chicken pot pie = 4 out of five. Simply good overall but not as good as the last chicken pot pie I made so I have a biased opinion.
Strawberry = 4 out of five. The vegan crust is fine. No complaints from an enemy of veganism. The filling is not (Kevin Nash) tooooooo sweeeeeeeeet. It's just right. I'd like a little more fruit and less syrup.
If you are afraid of eating fried things let me explain something. Frying is not greasy when it's done correctly and these were fried to perfection. I had ZERO grease on my hands after consumption of three pies without a single napkin. Do not be afraid of fried, fried is good.
I want a roasted garlic mashed potato pie (ahem).
Up a star. I got wasted and Whiffies came through with a peanut butter/chocolate pie that is sure to haunt my dreams and my gastrointestinal system. It's the way drunk should taste.
I was pretty anti Whiffies when I first saw it. I love a good meat pie (shutup, pervert), an… Read more »
I can admit it when I make a mistake...sometimes you have to try things twice.
That cherry pie Whiffies has? OH YES. Even my skinny-ass sister [who swore she wouldn't eat because she "wasn't hungry"] kept on taking it out of my hand because it was so good.
I think we're becoming like Weebl & Bob: http://www.weebls-stuf...
Oh yeah, I'll be back. (Savin' that last star for when I get to try the Salmon Chipotle pie.)
EVERYBODY (*coughAmadocough*) IS TALKING ABOUT WHIFFIES.
Seriously.
I could practically leave my…
Read more »
Deep fried pie, as a concept, is damn near impossible to hate. I mean really. We all know that It's un-American to hate pie. And I'm pretty sure it's un-American to hate deep-fried things. Put the two together, and, well, talking smack about a deep fried pie is like kicking George Washington's corpse in the nuts.
Whiffie's has all the trappings of what will become another successful addition to the 12th and Hawthorne late night food cart court. It's comfort food, it's fried, it will soak up the alcohol, it's easy to hold in your hand and eat, it's quick, and it's ironic/WT enough to please the hipster crowd.
These are essentially classed-down empanadas (at least the savory ones are), done with a county-fair-esque lack of pretension. Pie crust wrapped around, say, beef stew, then deep fried. A hot-pocket, of sorts. An answer to those little apple pies that McD's used to have that everyone loved so much. Plus, they have some fruit pies which I have not yet tried (who the hell wants to put a fruit pie on top of a stomach full of bourbon and beer?!).
So, uh, I am not gonna hate (that would be un-American, remember?), but I have to say... they're good but not amazing. I tried two savory pies last night, one beef, one vegan. The beef pie was good, the crust was tasty, greasy, and flaky, but besides the greasy/flaky/beefy, there was not much to the flavor of stew. The vegan one tripped Hilary out a bit, so I took the liberty of finishing it for her (thanks honey!). It had that sort of "veggie stew" style flavor, with possibly some TVP or other meat substitute (we couldn't tell) which again, is good when drunk, but even in my crunken state, I noted that the pies lacked that certain je ne sais quoi. (yes, I just said "je ne sais quoi" about a deep fried pie from a cart named Whiffies. The irony is not lost on me.)
So yeah, the kids are gonna dig this one. I am fully enamored with the concept (albeit a tad underwhelmed by the execution). My arteries hate me for even considering eating here again. But really, who is going to argue with a deep fried pie at 1 am?
I'll be back, no doubt. That secret little spot inside of me that LOVES chicken pot pie will continue to draw me to this cart. But my first experience was enough to help keep it at arm's length for the time being.
The 4th star on this review is for the vegan offerings.
After circling the block several times for parking [looking like a creepster] I finally settled on a spot 2 blocks away. The scene was awesome and alive around 10pm when I arrived.
I ordered the BBQ Tofu as well as the Strawberry.
The Strawberry was a little too much for me, but the BBQ Tofu is DEFINITELY my new favorite. Maybe I will be adventurous next time and order the vegan frank and beans pie.
Whiffies gets 5 STARS in my book.
EDIT: So I did it; ordered the vegan frank and beans pie- which IMO was not as good as the BBQ Tofu. And the fact that I had to wait for 20 minutes didn't make it any better. Apparently they were still working out the kinks with a new pie machine- but seriously, 20 minutes? After awhile one of the workers actually asked if I was waiting for something! [yeah.. my food?] Maybe it was an off night, but I feel the need to dock a few stars.
**FYI: DO NOT PARK in the empty parking lot across the street. As convenient as it may seem, I actually witnessed a car being towed as I was leaving. Park around the block and walk off all those Whiffies!! ; ]
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Neighborhood: Northwest
My gutt likes to carty all the time, carty all the…
The lineup for the 2009 SMMR BMMR festival in…
My local dry cleaner, watering hole, deli, cafe,…
The best Portland food carts according to my super…
Complete freedom from the restaurant. Why stick…
I just moved to Portland but these are places that…
Kinda like Rapper's Delight, but with less hip hop…
When I first moved in the inner SE area, I didn't…
