Recently, a new food cart named Burger Ritual opened at the Cartopia food cart pod in Portland, capturing the attention of food enthusiasts and locals alike.
Founded by Mike McKinnon and Andrey Sitnikov, Burger Ritual aims to provide not just great food but an engaging “ritual experience” for its customers.
Mike and Andrey’s journey together began at Cartopia, where they initially met while Mike was managing the property and Andrey was working next door at Chicken and Guns.
With Mike bringing over a decade of experience in the food cart industry, and Andrey having a rich restaurant background that spans across the U.S. and Russia, they decided to collaborate and open Burger Ritual.
The name ‘Burger Ritual’ stems from Mike’s desire to incorporate an occult or mystical theme into their branding. After tossing around various ideas, he discovered a combination that resonated well: “burger” and “ritual.”
Enthusiastically, he reached out to a friend in the branding industry who helped him develop the imagery for the food cart, resulting in a design influenced by Medieval art.
Andrey shared that in Russia, there’s a popular movement on social media that creates humorous content using Medieval art, familiarizing him with this style.
During our conversation, the founders also noted the symbolism behind Medieval feasts, emphasizing the theme of gathering and sharing meals within their restaurant concept.
Before launching Burger Ritual, Mike had an extensive background in food carts.
He was the original owner of Potato Champion, a French fry and poutine cart still operating at Cartopia today, and he later worked with Bottle Rocket, which served burgers and brews.
On the other hand, Andrey started in the culinary world after working as a lawyer in Russia and has since honed his skills at prestigious restaurants, including Michelin-starred establishments in New York City.
The menu at Burger Ritual is streamlined yet impactful, showcasing a cheeseburger and a hot dog as their primary offerings.
The cheeseburger features two smashed patties topped with American cheese, fresh onion, shredded lettuce, pickles, and a special burger sauce, all served on a durable sesame seed bun.
Andrey noted how crucial it is for the meat used in their burgers to have a high-fat content, as it helps create that desirable crispy texture when cooked on the griddle.
Taste-testing the burger revealed the perfect blend of flavors, with the creamy American cheese complementing the meaty smash patties well.
Their hot dog, featuring a Zenner’s frank, can be topped with ketchup, mustard, pickles, fried onions, and an optional slaw as well.
Alongside the main dishes, Burger Ritual also offers five enticing sides: waffle fries, fried pickles, fried Brussels sprouts, green bean salad, and cabbage fennel slaw.
Notably, the fried Brussels sprouts earned high praise from me, firmly placing them among my favorite culinary experiences of the year.
The drink program at Burger Ritual is designed to stand out from other food carts in Cartopia; they hold a full on-premises liquor license, allowing them to create an array of unique cocktails and mocktails.
Returning to their menu, Mike highlighted one of his favorites: the green bean salad, which he described as fresh and packed with flavor from sesame and spices.
Andrey preferred the fried pickles, which he perfected over time, using a three-layer panko breading method that results in a satisfyingly crunchy texture.
The house-made pickles are brined—not fermented—ensuring a consistent flavor and crunch that elevates both the fried pickles and the toppings on their burgers and hot dogs.
Andrey also acknowledged the influence of Danish-style hot dogs on their menu, noting that his experience in creating a signature dog omits mayonnaise, given American preferences.
The collaboration between Mike and Andrey has birthed an exciting food cart that encapsulates their shared passion for delicious food and inviting experiences.
Plans for Burger Ritual include rolling out seasonal drink specials and potential collaborations with other carts in the Cartopia pod, aiming to create community events that enhance the customer experience.
As the team emphasizes, their mission is to serve straightforward, delicious food with meticulous attention to detail, making the experience not just about the meal, but about partaking in a ritual.
If you find yourself in the Cartopia pod, stopping by Burger Ritual promises to delight your senses with flavorful food and delightful drinks in a unique setting.
image source from：bridgetownbites
