Anybody that visits Portland is aware of that endeavoring to seek out the perfect meals cart pods in Portland is a ceremony of passage. The truth is, our road meals scene is so well-known that Portland was ranked among the best road meals cities within the world by CNN in 2018.
In response to CNN: “Portland occupies a very privileged spot, close to the ocean and surrounded by fertile inexperienced lands that produce glorious wine and the type of small farms that make any straight-to-the-table enterprise a viable possibility. With an abundance of recent and native components, it is a metropolis the place road meals rivals the best eating places.”
I have to admit, as somebody that was lucky to develop up in Portland I used to be fully oblivious to how good we have now it with our meals vans. I assumed all cities had a sturdy road meals scene and didn’t understand that the perfect meals vans in Portland can rival these in a lot bigger cities, like New York.
In my 30+ years of dwelling within the Metropolis of Roses, I’ve gone to extra of Portland’s meals cart pods than I can keep in mind. I’ve discovered a factor or two about the perfect meals vans in Portland and wished to share a fast roundup of my private favorites.
Hawthorne Asylum
Named after a hospital that served the mentality unwell within the 1800s, the Hawthorne Asylum meals cart pod in Portland opened in 2019 however you wouldn’t understand it primarily based on the recognition. Most days of the week you’ll be able to look forward to finding lengthy traces of foodies elbowing previous meals vans en path to the coated seating space.
This Portland meals cart pod is residence to 21 meals vans focusing on consolation meals. The star of the present is Black Dagger, which serves a formidable number of nice draft beers that pair with no matter meal you select. Between the good number of eateries and the “mini brewery” it’s not laborious to know why locals think about this among the best meals cart pods in Portland.
Finest Portland meals carts at Hawthorne Asylum
Bark Metropolis BBQ: Voted 2018 Portland Meals Cart of the Yr by Eater PDX, Bark Metropolis BBQ affords beneficiant meat-forward BBQ dishes like brisket and ribs. The sandwiches and burgers deserve a standing ovation.
Day by day Gasoline: On the opposite aspect of the spectrum you’ll discover Day by day Gasoline, an amazing Portland meals cart churning out vegan and vegetarian meals completely. The meals all the time hits the spot and doesn’t depart you disliking your self, which is a win in my guide.
Korean Twist: Asian fusion at its best. Come right here for the bulgogi burrito for a punch of taste you gained’t quickly overlook. The tacos are additionally nice.
Black Dagger: Should you’re trying to wash down your meals cart finds, swing by Black Dagger for an amazing number of beers. They’ve 16 beers on draft, which is kind of spectacular contemplating it is a meals truck and never an precise brewery. Extremely suggest.
Cartopia
Tiny however mighty is one of the simplest ways to explain this beloved Portland meals cart pod. Positioned a stone’s throw from Hawthorne Asylum, Cartopia is residence to eight Portland meals vans. You’ll discover locals congregating nicely into the late midnight hours at this pod as a result of they’re open late and serve a few of the greatest hangover-preventative eats.
Outfitted with a coated seating space and three cozy hearth pits, that is the place you’ll need to linger with good associates in tow.
Finest Portland meals vans at Cartopia
Rooster & Weapons: This Portland meals truck churns out a few of the greatest rooster in Portland. Flavorful aspect dishes complement the principle course with out competing for consideration, this meals cart by no means disappoints.
Pyro Pizza: Wooden-fried pizza from a meals truck? Yep, seems it’s potential. By some means the proprietor of this well-liked Portland meals truck was capable of match a complete brick oven into the cart and we’re all higher for it. The pizzas are so well-liked that Pyro Pizza opened a second location.
Potato Champion: If in case you have a smooth spot for fries (or a smooth spot as a result of of fries), make a beeline for Potato Champion for a few of the greatest twice-fried Belgium model fries you’ll ever have. Strive their model of Poutin, the home made sauces all the time hit the spot.
St. John’s Meals & Beer Porch
Positioned on the fringe of the St. Johns neighborhood, John’s Market is usually thought-about among the best meals cart pods in Portland by these within the know. Dwelling to 16 nice meals vans that will be value driving out of the way in which for even when they have been solo, the choice is difficult to beat.
If in case you have a hankering for Japanese, Italian or comforting southern meals, you’ll discover all of it. Plus, identical to the meals cart pod on the Hawthorn Asylum, you’ll be able to seize a brew or kombucha from the beer porch.
Finest Portland meals carts at St. John’s Meals & Beer Porch
Jojo Meals Cart: A beloved Portland staple serving a few of greatest fried rooster in Portland. With a reputation like Jojo the fries are non-negotiable, you gained’t need to miss them. The traces are tremendous lengthy, but additionally warranted. Get there early to ensure they don’t promote out earlier than you place your order.
Calypso Southwest: Caribbean and American Southwest fusion meals, the menu is customizable and suited to gluten-free, vegan and people working towards the paleo food plan.
Arlo’s Fish & Chips: Beneficiant portion of handmade fish and chips fried to perfection. The fish tastes recent and is completely seasoned.
The Beer Porch: Serving 9 beers on faucet, 3 laborious ciders to select from and one faucet kombucha — to not point out the number of bottled and canned beer.
Prost Market (the unique Portland meals cart pod)
In some ways Mississippi Avenue is the one place you need to be on a sunny weekend afternoon. The truth that you’ll find a few of the greatest meals vans in Portland on this space is just icing on the cake.
Neighboring German pub Prost Market, this Portland meals cart pod is usually credited for beginning the pattern of utilizing meals cart pods as group gathering hubs. They’ve been doing it since 2009 and have been the primary so as to add patios with picnic tables and comfortable lighting. Up till that time having fun with a meal at a lot of the meals carts in Portland was a standing event.
As such, some of us name this the unique and greatest Portland meals cart pod. And it’s laborious to argue in any other case, with 10 of the perfect meals vans in Portland, this place has crowds most days of the week.
Word: You might be greater than welcome to get pleasure from your meal at Prost Market (the German pub) when you order a brew from them. Nice vibe, nice brews and memorable meals, what’s to not like?
Finest Portland meals vans at Prost Market
Matt’s BBQ: Arguably the perfect meals truck at Prost Market, Matt’s BBQ serves good-looking Texas model BBQ that draws each locals and guests alike. Ordering the brisket is non-negotiable in my guide, however you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable with something on the menu.
Little Conejo: Initially began in downtown Vancouver this restaurant determined to strive its luck within the Portland meals cart scene in 2018. They’ve been welcomed with open arms, of us love their tacos, that are made with handmade tortillas and high quality native components. You possibly can pair your taco with a cocktail or margarita, making it straightforward to overlook you’re consuming from a Portland meals truck in any respect.
Burger Stevens: Juicy cheeseburgers made utilizing high quality components. The fries are served in a beneficiant portion and are scrumptious as nicely. Anticipate to attend as much as 10 minutes in your burger (longer in the event that they’re busy) as a result of they don’t make them till you order.
Koi Fusion: Grilling recent Korean-inspired delicacies, what began as a humble meals cart truck in Portland’s Prost Market has now expanded to incorporate three meals vans and two brick-and-mortar eating places. Featured in The New York Instances, Meals & Wine Journal, CNN and Forbes, amongst others, Koi Fusion lives as much as the hype.
Desi PDX: Should you love Indian fusion, you would possibly discover you’ll need to go to the perfect Indian meals truck in Portland, Desi PDX. Serving conventional Indian recipes utilizing Western cooking strategies and native natural components — Desi PDX actually churns out a few of the greatest Indian meals in Portland.
Native Bowl: Do-it-yourself meals produced from scratch utilizing recent and native components, what’s to not love? That is the perfect Portland meals cart for vegetarians and vegans, look forward to finding a formidable number of wholesome meals to select from.
Cartlandia (the “tremendous” meals cart pod in Portland)
Cartlandia is taken into account a Portland meals cart “super-pod” and it’s not laborious to see why. Boasting 30 Portland meals vans that span the worldwide delicacies gamut, a full-service bar and a beer backyard, you gained’t need for a lot after visiting this epic meals truck pod.
Finest Portland meals vans at Cartlandia
Ball-Z Meals Cart: Run by Honey Thompson, Grill Ball-Z is without doubt one of the hottest meals carts in Portland. They serve ball-shaped dishes from everywhere in the world, making this one of the distinctive meals carts in Portland. Selection typically has a method of diluting perfection, however that’s not the case right here, each order is virtually assured to impress. The mac and cheese is a must-order.
Shawarma Categorical: It may be argued that these are the perfect falafels in Portland. The proprietor makes falafels recent onsite so that you don’t have to fret about tasteless frozen or re-heated stuff you would possibly discover elsewhere. The fervour and dedication is palpable, I swing by each probability I get.
Bobablastic: In case your insatiable candy tooth made an effort to point out as much as the get together, don’t depart it hanging. Bobablastic serves up a few of the greatest bubble tea in Portland.
Eastport Meals Carts
Very like Cartlandia, the Eastport Meals Middle is residence to a sizeable (and various) number of a few of the greatest Portland meals carts. You’ll discover 25 vans providing delicacies from everywhere in the world — Turkey, Afghanistan and Ethiopia.
It looks like beer gardens are a requirement to be deemed a contender for the perfect meals cart pods in Portland and Eastport Meals Middle doesn’t disappoint. The beer backyard affords each beer and wine and there’s loads of out of doors seating for guests.
Finest Portland meals vans at Eastport Meals Middle
E-San Thai: This Portland meals cart is so well-liked they’ve turned it right into a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Along with the classics like pad-thai and drunken noodles, in addition they provide nice vegetarian and vegan choices. Very flavorful dishes assured to fill you up.
Recoop Meals Cart: Should you love fried rooster this one’s for you. Recoop Meals Cart makes conventional traditional Southern fried rooster and serves them alongside West Coast waffles. To say they’ve perfected the artwork of frying rooster is an understatement, extremely suggest.
Recent Fish Poke: Beneficiant parts of tremendous recent fish, these poke bowls ship a punch of taste. The truth is, remembering these bowls makes my mouth water as I sort this, when you love fish you gained’t be disenchanted.
Nob Hill Meals Carts
Positioned on the north finish of the charming NW Portland neighborhood, Nob Hill Meals Carts is residence to eight carts, however most of them are award-winners. Successfully making this among the best meals cart pods in Portland.
Aside from the good number of Portland meals vans, you’ll additionally discover a nice coated seating space, swing by the Pour Home beer cart to correctly cap off your meal.
Finest Portland meals carts at Nob Hill Meals Carts
Farmer and the Beast: Serving a few of the greatest burgers in Portland, Farmer and the Beast is without doubt one of the hottest meals carts in Portland.
Bing Mi: Serves delectable savory Chinese language crepes stuffed with eggs and pickled greens. The duck crepe is particularly memorable and my go-to merchandise from the meals truck.
The Pour Home: Informal faucet trailer providing rotating record of native beers, ciders and wines. You possibly can benefit from the drinks within the cozy seating space or take them to-go in sealed mason jars.
Web site: Nob Hill Meals Carts Portland, Oregon
Portland Mercado
Should you’re a fan of Latinx delicacies then the Portland Mercado meals cart pod is the one place you want to be. The pod was opened in 2010 and affords 9 carts that cater particularly to Latin delicacies. Anticipate finding genuine meals that spans the gamut, from Cuban to Colombian.
There’s a heated coated seating space so that you can get pleasure from your meal with out feeling the necessity to rush out. The indoor portion of the Mercado is at present closed resulting from COVID.
Finest Portland meals vans at Portland Mercado
Tierra Del Sol: Arguably the most well-liked Portland meals cart on the Mercado however not with out cause. Unbelievable meals and environment friendly service, what extra may you ask for? The carnitas are a transparent standout particularly once you add the home made sauce.
Havana Station: Serving genuine Cuban meals, the flavorful and juicy Cuban sandwich from Havana Station is a private favourite in my family. Additionally, when you like plantains, that is the place to get them.
Go to the web site: Portland Mercado
Park the Carts
Half the Carts is your one-stop vacation spot for a few of the greatest meals vans in Portland. Positioned on MLK Blvd, these carts are buzzing with cheery power seven days every week. There’s loads of seating and a wide range of eating choices, plus clear restrooms.
Be sure that to strive the burger at Union Burger and the catfish at Jadas Soulful Eatz.
Piedmont Station Meals Carts
Piedmont Station Meals Carts in Portland is a superb place to go once you don’t fairly know what you’re craving. Not solely have they got an amazing choice and number of meals carts, however in addition they have lovely seating areas peppered all through.
Finest Portland meals carts at Piedmont Station Meals Carts
The Authentic Halibuts: Lengthy gone are the times of getting to drive out to the Oregon coast for fish and chips.
PDX Dönerländ: Meals cart serving German-Turkish meals like home made doner kebabs & salads.
Finest Meals Carts Portland, Oregon (Publish Abstract)
- Hawthorne Asylum
- Cartopia
- St. John’s Meals & Beer Porch (SE Powell)
- Prost Market at Mississippi Avenue
- Cartlandia
- Eastport Meals Carts
- Nob Hill Meals Carts
- Portland Mercado
- Carts on Foster
- Piedmont Station Meals Carts
Finest PDX Meals Cart Pods (Map)
I hope you discovered this information to the perfect meals cart pods in Portland useful, don’t hesitate to succeed in out with questions or feedback!
Cheers!
Antonina