Over the weekend the news came out—two new food carts have joined the Upright Brewing/Junior’s Coffee location. Niños Birrieria arrived last last week and Pine State Biscuits opened Saturday.
Niños Birrieria
The first one I noticed was Niños Birrieria, catching a glimpse of it as I drove by last week. It is next door to Upright/Junior’s, essentially on the neighboring property.
They offer a variety of Mexican dishes, including Guerrero-syle birria, tacos ($2/each on Tuesdays), quesadillas, burritos, mulitas, taquitos, nachos, and more. Meat is definitely on the menu—choices are birria, asada, al pastor, carnitas, and chicken—but there is a veggie burrito option, too. I imagine a number of the dishes on the menu can be made vegetarian (vegan, I’m not so sure). Drinks include aguas frescas (fruity and horchata), champurrado (seasonal), and soda.
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They have a breakfast menu that features huevos rancheros (with tots), breakfast bowl, breakfast tacos and burritos, and chilaquiles. Choice of meats is a little different from the lunch/dinner menu, with chorozo, bacon, sausage, and ham as the options. That menu will be available from 8am to 11am daily. The rest of the hours vary, but are 8am to 9pm Monday to Wednesday, 8am to 10pm Thursday to Saturday, and 10am to 9pm on Sunday.
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Along with all that is their “Bomb Shell Challenge.” It involves “3 of the spiciest tacos known to man” and you have to wear gloves while eating them—and sign a disclosure before chowing down. You must eat the tacos, along with the serving of rice and beans that comes with it, in the course of 5 minutes (no drinking allowed). If you fail, you pay up $25; if you succeed you get a Niños Birrieria sweater, six quesa tacos, and your picture on their wall of fame.
Pine State Biscuits
On the scene for 17 years, these guys really know their biscuits. Their Airstream trailer is set up right next to Upright/Juniors and will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 8am to 2pm. They told me that they are going to give it a go for the next three months at this location and then reassess. I hope they choose to stay.
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They are offering all sorts of biscuit sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, and even just a plain biscuit (choose your spreads—butter and strawberry jam was our choice). Beverages, too, like sweet tea, Arnold Palmer, and coconut water.
You are able to bring your food over to the outdoor tables (and inside, too) to enjoy, perhaps in the morning with some coffee and in the afternoon/evening with some beer. This is such a great setup for this intersection of Cully and Roseway: super tasty Indian fusion food at Chaat Wallah, flavorful Mexican food next door at Niños Birreria, and yummy biscuits from Pine State in between. And all that in addition to excellent beer from Upright and coffee from Junior’s (plus baked goods from Shoofly, etc.).
This is a real win for the neighborhood, and yet even more reasons to hang out at this nice space at the intersection of NE Prescott and 72nd Avenue. See you there!
Pine State Biscuits, 7151 NE Prescott Street, Portland [open February 2024] pinestatebiscuits.com | Instagram | Facebook
Niños Birrieria, 7131 NE Prescott Street, Portland [open February 2024]
ninosbirrieria.com | Instagram | Facebook
Meg Cotner
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