Brunch Box

Love Brunch Box food cart. The texas toast!!! But more importantly, I LOVE to pay almost nothing to create a custom breakfast sandwich any time of day. On my favorite strip of food carts in the city. it’s an easy place to pick up something and then jump on the light rail. I always go for the BYOB texas toast egg sandwich with blue cheese and bacon.

I promise I’ll try a burger next time.
I had heard such good things about this place and their burgers. I’m not eating in this part of town very often since I’m a West Side Suburbanite. So like an A-​1 Jackass I cheap out and get a Monte Cristo instead of a burger.
I enjoyed the texture of the french toast. I’ve never been a big French toast fan, but this one wasn’t too eggy, but was definitely reminiscent of French toast. The cheese had a nice bite to it that kind of cut through all of the other stuff which unfortunately kind of all tasted the same.
I think I wanted maybe a little more sweetness to come through. The sandwich was also liquid magma hot and I was in a bit of a hurry. I guess that’s better than it being tepid and cold.
I love the menu, and the service was plenty speedy and friendly. I promise I’ll review again when I get to try a burger.

At first I was intimidated to try Brunch Box. I had to ask myself several times whether the calories were worth it. After going back and forth on what to order I decided, go big or go home. So I decided to order one of their most popular burgers, the YouCanHasBurger which consisted of a burger patty, lettuce, tomato, onions, ketchup, mustard, mayo, and cheese in between two toasted grilled cheese sandwiches… let me repeat all those goodies are in between TWO toasted grilled cheese sandwiches… not ONE… TWO. It sounds like too much for your heart to handle at first, but once you take that first bite it’s like you can’t resist a second, third or fourth and before you know it the burger’s all gone. I shared this burger thankfully and am convinced I wouldn’t be able to eat it myself since it’s pretty heavy. I can’t deny that this burger was pretty awesome and I’d be lying through my teeth if I said it wasn’t. My advice is to just do it. You only live once and fortunately I don’t live in Portland so I can’t eat this all the time. I will, however, be sure to come back the next time I’m in town.

Brunch Box (BB) has been on my list of Portland bookmarks for a while, and I finally got the chance to visit the food truck when a few friends and I went food cart-​hopping while I was in town for the weekend. Grilled cheese is one of my favorite sandwiches, so the question for me wasn’t IF I would like Brunch Box … it was more like, which sandwich (es) should I order?
There’s definitely a lot to choose from on the BB menu. There are multiple variations of the traditional grilled cheese, breakfast sandwiches, burgers and DIY options, where you could build your own sandwich or burger. Oh, the possibilities! We were fortunate that the place wasn’t crowded on this spring Saturday for brunch, cause we took some time to figure out what we wanted.
Ultimately, my friends decided to share one of the breakfast sandwiches and I got my own breakfast sandwich. I realized, though, that BB also has their own restaurant … which I would definitely like to visit on my next trip to Portland!
There was only one customer in front of us, so it didn’t take long to order and get our breakfast fare. I was completely satisfied with my sandwich and would return to BB again! The sandwich is a good size for breakfast or for a lighter lunch (well, depending on which one you get … if you get the «Redonkadonk,» that definitely isn’t considered a light lunch). But, there are so many things to try that multiple trips to BB are a must.
Here’s what we got, as well as items I’d like to try:
«Monte Cristo»: Since I rarely come across Monte Cristos on restaurant menus, I always jump at the chance to order one if it’s available. I love trying Monte Cristos from different places because each spot has a unique take on the sando. Though this may not have been the most extravagant MC I’ve ever ordered, I really enjoyed the sweet and savory blend of flavors. They really did a good job of featuring that salty-​sweet taste! This sandwich featured ham, swiss, grilled onions, fried egg and maple syrup on French toast. I customized my MC by ordering it sans the grilled onions, but it still had enough flavor from the ham and swiss. I loved the sufficiently melted swiss cheese that was oozing out of the sandwich, as well as the flavors and textures from the fried egg. What surprised me the most was how much I enjoyed the maple syrup that was included. I actually don’t use syrup on my French toast or pancakes, but I decided to try it, since it came in this sandwich. I actually ended up really liking the sweet – but not overly sweet – flavors from the syrup. There was just enough of it to provide some sweetness to the sandwich, but it wasn’t overwhelming and didn’t overshadow the other components. And, the French toast pieces were perfectly grilled – just enough crunch but not too hard, and the syrup in the sando soaked through some of the bread to make it even softer and spongier. I would definitely order this breakfast sandwich again if I had the chance!
«Black and Bleu Breakfast»: This is the sandwich that my two friends shared. For each breakfast sandwich, you have your choice of Texas toast, a bun, English muffin, bagel, biscuit or wheat bread. My friends ordered their sando with Texas toast, and it included bacon, sausage, bleu cheese, grilled onions, fried egg and blackening spice. They didn’t add mushrooms – since one of my friends doesn’t like mushrooms – but the sandwich itself still looked super delicious without the ‘shrooms. The bacon and sausage were well cooked, and the fried egg was just oozing onto the rest of the sandwich components when my friends opened up the pieces of Texas toast to peer inside. One of my friends said the Texas toast was grilled to perfection — slightly crispy, but still spongy enough in consistency to enjoy. Though I didn’t order this sandwich for myself, I have no doubt that I would enjoy it, since I love blue cheese. If I did get this sandwich, I would just order it sans the grilled onions.
«Redonkadonk»: This is one of the more expensive burgers on BB’s menu, but it’s no surprise as to why … this monster is LOADED and I would probably want to order it for the sheer novelty factor. It features the «OMG Burger” – which includes a patty with American, bacon, ham, spam, a fried egg, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, ketchup, mustard and mayo – in between two grilled cheese sandwiches instead of a bun. HOLY MOLY. The «OMG Burger» sounds like an award-​winning (artery-​clogging) feast in of itself, but to top this off with two grilled cheese sandwiches sounds … amazing, if you’re a grilled cheese lover like me. If I did order this sandwich (and take some of it home), I would just get it sans the grilled onions, tomato and ketchup. However, I’m sure to enjoy everything else in there – especially the fried egg, spam and grilled cheese exterior!

My bf and I stumbled upon this place when I first moved here and everything sounded SOOO yummy. We were both incredibly hungry so we decided to get the cheeseburger with spam and eggs inside with the grilled cheeses as the bun.
Oh my goodness. It was TOOOO much, like way too much food stuffed in one BIG ass burger. I honestly felt sick after eating the first half and thought I was going to get a heart attack from it.
I mean, how could we have gone wrong? A cheese burger with spam AND eggs AND the bun were made up of 2 grilled cheese sandwiches?! It just sounds soo good!
Sometimes, too much of something is not good. Because there was so much going on that I couldn’t tell if it was good. We were both starving and it didn’t seem all that spectacular.
Definitely coming back to try the less crazy items on their menu.

We stopped by for a quick breakfast and grabbed the Montecristo.
It’s like ham and cheese on french toast, complete with syrup. So basically it’s a Denny’s™ Grand Slam Breakfast™ made into a sandwich.
The sandwich came fast and was spectacular with well rounded flavor with good maple syrup, not the cheap stuff that’s actually corn syrup with caramel coloring. Char markings on the ham and drippy drippy, which means they allowed the fat to render, and the taste of carbon gives it a grilled flavor. Steamy melty cheese. The bread isn’t too eggy, as french toast would be, but would likely be weird here. Almost perfect execution on this sandwich.
Not sure what it is with places and temperature I keep seeing lately. I keep getting food ranging from tepid to scalding hot. It seriously takes away from the experience if you have to sit there and blow on your food, or wait for it to cool down. If I wanted a nuclear sandwich, I’d take it home and put it in the microwave. Here the ham was searing hot and burned my mouth about 3 bites in. Not cool. I’m retracting a star for that! *shakes fist*

This was our first time going here for breakfast… it was phenomenal!
we didn’t have to wait long, super friendly dude!
you could take order slip and put everything that you want to give it to him so your order would not be wrong. I think that’s a very smart idea.
priced reasonably about seven dollars for a sandwich I would definitely go here again it hit the spot

Had our last meal here in Portland tonight for tomorrow we head back to NJ. I chose this place and boy what a place it is. Had the Lil Mo and the name is deceiving. Little it was not. Delicious it was though. My eyes were bigger than my stomach but I finished this thing. It was great. Fresh beef and bacon. I think I won’t be hungry for a few days now. You guys are awesome.

They make an mean filling breakfast which I can eat all day long. Got some good music playing out the truck also and it’s not too expensive

While on business travel, I find it difficult to find decent food without having to sit down at a restaurant. However Portland, it seems, has done a pretty good job with supporting the food truck scene. On the corner of 5^th and stark, there are a ton of trucks ranging from asian food, mexican food and American (brunch box).
Since I live in the SF Bay Area, there are quite a few options with food trucks. However brunch box in Portland is just absolutely tasty. I had the outlaw burger with bacon, cheddar cheese, fried onions and bbq sauce all between Texas toast. The Texas toast was really crispy and buttery. The burger was juicy and flavorful. My only slight complaint would be the amount of mayo and bbq sauce. I’m sure this can be adjusted by asking.
Price wise, this is VERY cheap compared to SF. At only $ 7.75 for the burger and a bottle of water, you really can’t beat it.
The staff was friendly as well. They quickly took my order and it was ready within a couple minutes.
All in all, I recommend this place and will be back when I’m in town! Thanks brunch box!

Slaughterhouse IV is the bomb ($ 9; Beef patty, turkey patty with cheddar, bacon, a fried egg, tomato, grilled onions, ketchup, mustard, and mayo).
I love Kurt Vonnegut so when I saw that on their menu I had to get it. IT WAS AMAZING. Usually, chains and other food places only give a little bit of bacon, but Brunch Box does not short change you on their bacons! It was one of the juiciest and most delicious burger I have had for the longest time. I don’t know if Vonnegut loved burgers or not, but he would not be disappointed with this burger. You won’t be either!
My girlfriend had the Burgermeister ($ 9; Two patties with two slices of american, grilled onions, lettuce, and pickles smothered in 1000 island dressing on a three piece bun), which was also freaking amazing. I’m sure Kurt Vonnegut would’ve loved this burger too.
Both our burgers were the bigger than my fists. The staff were incredibly chill and friendly. They may look a bit scary because of their tattoos, piercings everywhere, and silver grills; but once they smile and take your order, you can’t help but smile back and order your heart out.
Overall, this place is a must when you’re in Portland (I’m from CA btw).
******THE HYPE IS REAL.******

It’s a food stand sandwiched between about 6 – 8 other food stands — Halal, Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican, Indian, etc. I got the steakhouse burger with swiss cheese and a fried egg on top. It was delicious! The meat was very juicy and tender, and there was an abundance of mushrooms and grilled onions. Highly recommend it.
There are a couple benches in front of the food stands, so you can sit and eat. Yumny options and breakfast served all day if you like breakfast. Friendly service too!

Food Truck Heaven
No clue how they make something this good in a small truck.
I had the Lumberjack $ 7 (Bacon, sausage, ham & grilled onions, fried egg & syrup on French Toast) and every bite and drop of the mouthwatering sandwich was delicious.
Will try some more sandwiches from this spot next time in Portland.

When I was planning my trip to Portland, I’d decided I must try this place.
I knew Portland was known for their «food carts,» but I had no idea food carts meant tiny little shack like buildings. I thought they would be like the ones around home or the ones you see in Thailand, little push carts. As I stumbled upon this little area of food carts I was in awe. If I’d worked near here I’d be trying every single one of the places every day.
I made a custom burger with bacon, a fried egg, and some of their spicy sauce.
Delicious. And I’m almost positive I didn’t think so only because I was very hungry. It truly was delicious.
The guy behind the counter was friendly and helpful.

Was super hungry on friday evening, and needed some nice heavy greasy food, wandered by this cart (which was surprisingly open, I’m always wondering why carts close so early on a friday evening, and this one has brunch in its name: P).
Looked like an interesting array of sandwiches and burgers on the menu and decided to give it a shot. Got the Five-​o burger and subbed in bacon for spam.
It was good, really good. Nice juicy burger patty and the teriyaki sauce, although I couldn’t taste the pineapple, I’m guessing it was there beneath all the layers. It was messy to eat but IMO thats how a burger should be.

HOW??? How the hell does someone come up with this??? What possessed them to say «Hey bro let’s take a regular burger and switch out the buns with grilled cheese and make a ton of money off of it.» This sounds like a highdea, and could very possibly been one considering it’s Portland, but I am so thankful they executed on it.
The YouCanHasCheeseburger ($ 7), which might as well have a hashtag before it, will leave you speechless. A normal burger patty, lettuce, tomato, onions, ketchup, mustard, mayo, and cheese smothered between two lightly toasted grilled cheese sandwiches. As if you didn’t already have enough cheese in there. The patty was high quality and the veggies tasted like they were just picked. The whole concoction of cheese is unforgettable. Every bite, every chew, every swallow.
I don’t care if it took a year off my life. Well worth it.

Food truck time… and what to have… why not a burger!
I was feeling like something a little different, so I went for the Thai burger… it was a burger with fried onions peanut sauce, grilled pineapple and jalapenos.
On a scale of mild, medium and spicy… I decided to go the medium route… well, I don’t think it was very medium because as soon as the cook put the stuff down on the grill, the whole food truck smoked up with spicy smoke that had the cook, me and several passerbys coughing because of the spicy smoke.
The burger was tasty as all get out… but quite a bit more spicy than medium (I can handle the hot… was expecting a little less though).
Really good burger… you should check them out… I know I’ll be back when I go back to Portland!

Incredibly disappointing. We got the burger between two grilled cheeses. It was a bit gross to be honest. I feel like this place is a gimmick to be honest.
The guy taking my order was incredibly rude. The food came lukewarm. I felt gross after eating it.
A huge huge letdown after reading all of the wonderful reviews.

Workers are not friendly and kept conversing between themselves that patrons do not understand their ordering system. First timers should be aware that you will not be treated pleasantly.
Sandwiches tasted like glorified McDonalds. Wouldn’t recommend this food stand to fellow out-​of-​towners.

Embodiment of american cart food. Bad for you, big, ridiculous, and pretty cheap. Don’t go here unless you are planning on putting something straight onto your thighs.
We had the youcanhascheeseburger with spam and a fried egg added to it. It was delicious. Huge, greasy (but not too greasy) and exploding with flavor. I could barely fit it in my mouth and it all went together incredibly. Tasty and decadent, I really enjoyed it.
My wife had the OMG burger, which was also good. I did prefer the grilled cheese as buns versus the traditional bun, but the with the bun was still good. The OMG burger has a lot going on and was definitely not short of flavor or size.
Protip: Check out the Mercury’s Merc Perks site and get the discounted certificate there. Everything tastes better when you get a deal on it.

Portland is awesome because there is so much contrast throughout the city and yet it all works in harmony. You have your environmentalists, vegans, and eco-​friendly folks juxtaposed against the business types working in the downtown district alongside corporations like Nike.
But something we can all agree on is its awesome Portland has food trucks/​carts seemingly on every block. Brunch Box is a little bit out of the way from food cart central and its located across from some banks. It may be a bit of a walk to get to but trust me its worth it!
Sometimes its nice to think we this cow grass-​fed and raised humanely, but other times you just want to bite into a thick, juicy, and gut-​busting burger.
The YouCanHazCheeseburger is that type of burger. For only $ 7 ($ 6 a year ago), you get a thick beef patty with American cheese, grilled onions, tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, mayo, and lettuce. Then you stack all those ingredients in between TWO Texas Toast grilled cheese sandwiches. A little drool just came out as I typed that. The burger is every bit as good as it sounds. The meat was tender, had the right amount of pink in it and the grilled cheeses were melty good. Also, the Texas Toast is incredibly buttery and delicious. It was so comforting to bite into this in the cold 30 degree weather. Your body and belly just thank you so much with every bite.
Who knew this food cart could house one of the better burgers I’ve had, even better than the heavy hitters in LA. They have so many other wacky burger monstrosities. Including a burger thats even called the Monstrosity. Sometimes, Portland can be overwhelmingly and comically hipster. Other times, they make these truly delicious unique burgers that brings everyone together in unison. I believe in the power of these burgers, please try them.

I think Brunch Box can be summed up by the two things my boyfriend said during and after the eating of his Monstrosity:
1. «I wish I had tastebuds in my stomach!»
2. «I think I am going to die… but it was worth it.»
With almost endless options for customization, super friendly service, and seriously damn delicious food, Brunch Box is an absolute win. No questions asked. No ifs, ands, or buts. I have nothing to fault and nothing to dispute.
I got the Big Kahuna, no cheese, swap ham for spam (for free!), and I can safely conclude that I want to live in it. Build me a spam house with a pineapple fence!
It was seriously spectacular, with all the fixings in perfect proportion and hand-​holdable to boot. Understanding the importance of getting sauce in the right place, the sandwich is wrapped with love, so (if you eat like a velociraptor, as I do) you can smear the sauce all over your face and get none on your jacket.
They have a normal punch card, and a punch card where you have to try one of each of several kinds of burgers in order to get your reward. I got the latter. It’s about the journey, not the destination, right?
Here’s to many Brunch Box adventures to come!