Farhaad, a photo story by Elijah Mang

Persian Sofreh on 449 SW 3rd Ave. is a food cart that has been the place to go for Persian cuisine in Downtown Portland for many years. The local owner and operator Farhaad Khaldedi has been running this food cart alongside his other crew members to make the most efficient and delicious foods such as the lamb gyro. He hands out many samples of roasted lamb every night in attempt to draw in foot traffic to his cart. However, this food cart is soon to be removed in an effort by the city to excavate the area for holidays and future events. Farhaad takes life one day at a time at Persian Sofreh as his business venture will soon, unfortunately, end. 

 

Erica Harvey, a college student at Oregon State University, prefers Persian Sofreh over all of the other food carts in the area. Whenever she comes into Portland she is adamant about seeing if Farhaad is going to be running the cart because he is always very compassionate with his customers. It comes as no surprise that Farhaad is the nicest street vendor around!

Farhaad is at his cart day or night, rain or shine. Farhaad is pictured here running his cart on a rainy Wednesday morning in Portland. When he sees a loyal regular customer approach him, he knows that he's ready to sell one of his famous gyros, available in lamb and chicken. As well as gyros though, he sells philly cheesesteaks, fish and chips, kebabs, and other various types of food.

People are at Persian Sofreh at many times of the day. Needless to say, if Portland needs a gyro at 10 p.m. at night, Persian Sofreh has your food! Persian Sofreh doesn't have a competitive atmosphere with it's food selling peers.

Families crowd the store front of the Persian Sofreh and neighboring food carts for a taste of "portable Portland". Who's going to refuse to buy a delicious meal from this smile? Farhaad was very gracious to have his photo taken, but even when a camera isn't pointed in his face, he is always smiling and it's a contagious smile. It's going to be different seeing 3rd avenue without Farhaad and his salivating Persian cuisine, for myself and many Portlanders. You and your food will be missed Farhaad!