Red Skinz

(UPDATE 1/6/13: Red Skinz is no longer in downtown Portland, but they are still doing events)

Red Skinz is an Indian fry bread cart located near SW 3rd and Washington in downtown Portland, Oregon. Considering it's the only fry bread cart in Portland that I've found -- and one of only two in the Pacific Northwest (the other being in Seattle) -- I had to check this one out.

This cart was the former home of Burrito Box, but now a young man named Kennedy runs an Indian fry bread business here. He lived in Pendleton before coming to Portland, and he recalled making these Indian fry breads with his mom when growing up. Kennedy said fry bread recipes can vary, and he uses a rather simple family recipe that includes flour, salt, and baking powder. Some fry bread recipes use sugar, but not here.

More choices!

I decided to try the Indian taco ($7). A decent-sized piece of puffy fry bread held homemade chili (meat and beans), lettuce, salsa, and cheese. There is a vegetarian chili option available.

Indian Taco
(Red Skinz)

While the dainty people may opt for the fork-and-knife approach, pandas fold the taco and dive in headfirst. The chili has some flavor, but doesn't upstage the other components. Fresh veggies added to the experience. More importantly, I really enjoyed the lightness and pliability of the fry bread. Sure, it was fried in oil, but all I have to do is make a wish that the whole meal be fat free -- then I can eat guilt-free!

That's right...fold it and nuke the monstrous taco!

A hotter salsa choice couldn't hurt. He only had a mild version available on my visit.

There are a few other menu options here as well. For starters, there's just the plain fry bread ($3) with choice of cinnamon-sugar, powdered sugar, honey, peanut butter, jam, or butter. If you want to go bolder, there's a PB&J fry bread, garlic & parmesan fry bread, and garlic & cheese sandwich fry bread.

An awesome idea here to do a "chili dipper" option: a cup of the homemade chili with strips of frybread. It can be a nice portable option if needing to eat while walking back to the office.

But wait! An Indian Burger! Fry bread, beef patty, lettuce, cheese, onion, pickles, tomato, ketchup, mustard, and mayo! Should add chili to this and we got another winner!

Honestly, the possibilities are endless regarding fry bread dishes. Check this unique Portland food cart out! 7/10