Esan Thai Food Cart

When working downtown I would get esan Thai for lunch periodically and it was always good. So when taking kids to carts I figured I'd get a pad Thai from them. I don't know if all esan carts are connected or not but this one serves me the worst pad Thai I've had in years. I asked for very spicy because I know everything in these carts is made like a 6 year old is the customer. It wasnt spicy at all. In fact it had no flavor. White noodles. What had to be half a cabbage and a few broccoli. To some junior high white kid this might be pad Thai but to anyone whose had the real thing it's an insult. With so many great options at the carts try something else. Not like this option is even cheap really. 2 stars vs 1 for friendly and my experiences with their other locations.

Potstickers and basil stir fry is ok. But the chicken satay was VERY HARD/STALE. I've had chicken satay at several Thai restaurants and I've never had chicken that hard to where it's actually pokey and hard in the mouth. I could not eat it. Also the peanut sauce was not very good. It was a little chunky.

Part of the Troutdale Station food cart pod, Esan Thai offers fabulous food. The traditional blend of spicy, sour, sweet and salty is legit and adds a harmonious yet distinguishable flavor layer to their food. They have a huge menu and I plan on eating my way through it!Their Pad Kee Mao (drunken noodles) is crave worthy. The wide rice noodles have a chew, mixed in with the stir-fry of tender chicken, broccoli, peppers and onion with a bit of heat, the dish is my favorite. They top their version with fresh bean sprouts for added crunch and of course a fresh lime wedge that you must squeeze on top.Their Penang curry is also legit. The rich, nutty curry the perfect broth for the chicken and veggies. Served with rice so you can get every drop.The potstickers were also tasty but I will probably pass on them next time. They deep fry them and I prefer pan seared so that the bottoms are crisp while the top remains steamed. The food is all prepared fresh so it does take about ten minutes. They give you a buzzer so you can wander around the other pods or go stake out a seat, then come back when the order is ready. Service is friendly with a smile! They also accommodated my request for extra heat.

Love their food, great service! Love the idea of food carts around a central eating space with drink service.

Thought we'd try this food truck podBeing gluten sensitive many of the pods offerings are verbotenTried the massaman curry. Not terribly impressed Rice was average at best. The container of sauce was extremely thinChicken, potatoes and carrots were pretty blandNo need to go back

Best Pad Thai anywhere! I've been looking for years for a replacement after leaving downtown PDX and covid and saw that they have a food cart in Troutdale. It's as good as I remembered! Headed there shortly to get again. AND it's not hot!! Yay!!!

Can you say microwaved Satay? Gross. First, the piece of chicken on the skewers were tiny and didn't even cover 1/2 of the skewer...then I watched as she put them in the microwave. Totally disappointed. This is my 2nd time trying them and the 2nd time I was disappointed. Won't be back...Lastly, lady was rude. When I came back to share my unhappiness, she could have cared less. YUCK!

We came yesterday and ordered the pad thai it's not even pad thai and there's no flavor and the lady in the front has a bad attitude and they make premade food and put it in the microwave because they got my order done in 2 minutes not sure how.

Stopped by for the first time on Friday evening around 5pm. The woman who helped me was really kind and easily subbed the potatoes for broccoli in the yellow curry. When I asked her how spicy they make their food she assumed it was my first time trying Thai. Didn't say it but I was like, "Girl, I have my favorite place on speed dial!" It was a decent curry but very salty, like they added more salt for flavor instead of other spices. I got medium and extra chili sauce on the side. The spice was good and about a normal medium. But the salt...I was wondering maybe it was because the potatoes weren't in it to soak up the salt but even then, probably a bit heavy handed. Salad rolls: It was all lettuce, barely any tofu and nothing else plus the wrap fell apart with the first half I ate. A total mess and not worth picking it up to eat. All around it was so-so. I wouldn't spend my money on it again and would rather drive to a better place.