Sunday, October 30, 2011

Rock House Grill

(NOTE: Please read part 2, posted July 2012)

The Rock House Grill is located at the Cartlandia food pod in Portland, Oregon. Owner Jimmy Knight serves an array of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options any time of the day. It really is like one of those 1950s diners, but with wheels and no actual rock 'n roll music playing.


The Rock House Grill is one of the few places I know that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner at any time of the day. Want pancakes or French toast at dinner time? That can work here. How about steak or pork chops for breakfast? Consider it done.

Menu (as of early October 2011)
Some of Rock House Grill's most popular items include the "Big Bad Ass Breakfast Burrito" ($8); the "Godzilla Breakfast Sandwich" ($8); the "Double Double Steak Burger" ($8); and the "Triple D Terminator" (ham, salami, pepperoni, bacon, and three cheeses; $9).

And yes, Rock House Grill serves large portions of food.

I had a chicken craving this time around, so I ordered the South of the Border Chicken Sandwich ($8.50): avocado, salsa, jalapeno, lettuce, and spinach top a perfectly grilled chicken breast and placed in a large sub roll. Jimmy asked if I wanted grilled onions added...hell yes!

At first, Jimmy thought it was only $8, and even though I did point out that it was $8.50, he gave the meal to me at $8 anyway. A nice guy indeed!

Yes, the South of the Border Chicken Sandwich is $8.50...see?
South of the Border Chicken Sandwich
(Rock House Grill)
Cross-section shot!
Jimmy wasn't kidding with the portion size...massive indeed!

The combination of the chicken, salsa, jalapenos, avocado, and grilled onions worked very well here. The cilantro really added that extra bite to the sandwich. If I recall correctly, pepper jack cheese was used in this one; the flavors there also jived for me.

While some chicken pieces were cooked nicely, others were overcooked. The cheese slices either stayed intact or were (at least) attempting to melt but didn't quite get there. For me anyway, I like the cheese fully melted and the bun well-toasted. Neither of those were present here. A hefty sandwich, but it has room for improvement.

Even though my experience was not a complete hit, I still urge people to check out the Rock House Grill. Perhaps if you tell Jimmy just the way you want your meal prepared, he can make sure you get exactly what you want.

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