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Popular Food Carts
From breakfast to dessert, Portland’s eclectic food carts have diners’ cravings covered, all over town.
John Patrick Pullen
Too much of a good thing? That’s one reaction to Portland’s staggering number of food carts (at least a few hundred). But rather than being overwhelmed by the options, why not embrace the delicious dilemma? Go whole hog (hmm, sounds like a good name for a food cart) and choose a day’s worth of meals from these popular Portland food carts.
Breakfast
The prize for most coveted morning meal from a Portland food cart goes to Matt’s BBQ Tacos on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard. (That’s a made-up prize, but they were really named 2019 Cart of the Year by the local paper.) Breakfast taco options include brisket, pork belly, jalapeno cheddar sausage and portobello mushroom, all served with eggs, potato and cheese, and all worth the almost-guaranteed wait.
In Northeast Portland’s Barley Pod, Smaaken Waffles reinvents the breakfast classic, turning it into a vessel for delightfully diverse fillings. Sandwiches on their thin Dutch waffles include combinations like sausage, egg and cheddar; ham, Swiss, house-made strawberry jam and powdered sugar; and the Smaaken: apple, brie and bacon. (The cart also offers gluten-free waffles and vegan and vegetarian sandwiches.)
Lunch
If you’re in the mood for a slice, Pyro Pizza has managed to cram a brick oven into its cart in the Cartopia pod, where they wood-fire margherita and puttanesca pies that are sized perfectly for sharing or hoarding.
On Southeast Division Street, Kim Jong Grillin stands alone, no pod required (the cart even has its own covered seating area). Chef Han Ly Hwang turns out stellar Korean barbecue; go for a bibim box lunch featuring delectably marinated meat, cart-made kimchi and a freshly fried egg.
Dinner
To satisfy a range of cravings, head to the Portland Mercado in Southeast Portland’s Foster-Powell neighborhood. Outside of the market is a row of rainbow-colored food carts, each serving up its own traditional recipes infused with Portland flair. Dig into stuffed arepas and fried yucca at Colombian cart Que Bacano, or sample specialties from its neighbors, who are serving up dishes from Mexico, Cuba, Argentina and El Salvador.
Dinner options include an earthy vegan mole, belly-warming pozole, thick and cheesy Salvadorian pupusas or pizza-like Oaxacan tlayudas (14-inch crispy tortillas topped with queso fresco, fresh veggies and pork rinds). In other words, Portland Mercado’s offerings stretch way beyond standard Tex-Mex fare.
Snacks & Treats
While many of Portland’s food cart offerings could be classified as treats (you’re on vacation, indulge!), a few spots are exclusively dedicated to the sweet stuff.
In ice-cream-crazy Portland, some of the best cones come from a cart, namely Atlas Scoops in Sellwood. The cart serves gelato and sorbet and offers picnic table seating.
Head to Hana’s PDX in Northeast Portland for authentic New Orleans snowballs — the Big Easy’s take on shave ice. This family-owned and -operated cart offers more than 50 delicious, housemade flavors. Feeling adventurous? We dare you to order a Kool-Aid pickle.
Traveling Snack Shacks
Mexican-American couple Daniel Huerta and Isabel Sanchez were born in the U.S. but trips to their ancestral home gave them a love for churros so strong they decided to open Churros Locos . This food truck travels around town to deliver the fried goodness. Don’t miss the churro ice cream sandwich.
For a lighter sweetness keep a lookout for Organic Island Shave Ice (OISI) and Mama Heber’s homemade fruit syrups. The frosty treat topped with “special sauce” and other goodies can be traced back to the island of Oahu in the early ’70s but you can usually find Ilika and his bamboo-covered cart around the Alberta Arts District.
Eat Al Fresco
Food Cart Pods
Portland’s selection of more than 500 food carts, most grouped in “pods,” has drawn raves from the likes of Bon Appétit and CNN.
Portland Mercado
With a neighborhood grocery, meat market, coffee shop, food cart pod and more, the Mercado is one of the city’s most delicious destinations.
Portland’s Best Patio Bars
Whether you're looking for a cocktail bar, a brewpub or a dive, enjoy your favorite summer beverage at one of Portland's rooftop bars or outdoor patios.
Food & Drink Events
Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University
The Portland Farmers Market at Portland State University will be open every Saturday, year-round. April through October hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. November through March hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Market at PSU is located in Downtown Portland in the South Park Blocks between SW College & Montgomery Streets.
Portland Saturday Market
Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.
Woodstock Farmers Market
The popular Woodstock Farmers Market features fresh produce, baked goods, fresh juices, sweets, cheese, meat and more from 30+ vendors, along with artisan-made products like jewelry, ceramics and art.
The Wedge
This event has been Canceled for 2021. Please check the website for further updates. The Wedge is a Farmers Market-style festival celebrating cheese and everything that goes with it. Sample and purchase local, artisan cheese, specialty foods, beer, wine, and cider. This is a family-friendly event that’s open to all cheese lovers. Join more than…
Holiday Ale Festival
The Holiday Ale Festival, set beneath the region’s largest decorated holiday tree, returns every year with more than 50 big, bold beers designed to keep revelers warm on cold winter nights.
My People’s Market
My People’s Market showcases local entrepreneurs and makers of color, connecting them with industry professionals and consumers.
Around the World in 82 Dishes
Heading into the holidays, for three full weekends, from Oct 23 – Nov 7, the 82nd Avenue Business Association is promoting the restaurants and food carts along 82nd Avenue. The only place in Portland where people can participate in real cultural experiences is on 82nd Avenue. Around the World in 82 Dishes gives Portlanders the…
Wolves & People Farmtoberfest
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Portland Farmers Market at Shemanski Park
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Trattoria Nights at Ava Gene's
Join us under the floating lights of Ava Gene’s dining room for trattoria nights, a bi-weekly dinner series featuring a 3-course menu of what we do best: Roman-inspired dishes highlighting the best produce, seafood and meat raised by Pacific Northwest farmers and ranchers.
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Show
America’s largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner show is now playing at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Portland Downtown. At The Dinner Detective, you’ll tackle a challenging crime while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware! The criminal is lurking somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before…
Ava Gene's Fall Dinner Wine Series
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Live Art & Cocktails At Hyatt Regency Portland
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Zenger Farm Community Chef Dinner: Dia de los Muertos
This event will take place as a celebration of Dia De Los Muertos. Join Community Chef Paula Hernandez for this celebration which will include sharing traditional foods and food practices, and in-person activities for children designed to build and strengthen our community. Each dinner pack serves two people for $150 and includes cocktails from Tito’s…
Holiday Food and Gift Festival
The Annual Holiday Food & Gift Festival returns to Portland. This festival is one of the largest holiday celebrations in the Northwest drawing some 15,000 attendees annually who happily complete their holiday shopping early. With over 300 exhibitors the festival will provide shoppers with one-of-a-kind gifts that cannot be found anywhere else. Featuring art, crafts,…
Willamette FLEA
Shop the Willamette FLEA for a delightful adventure supporting local micro-businesses. Discover a mix of vintage, collectibles, makers, and artists. Have a cup of coffee from Barista Brews and get some amazing Missionary Chocolate vegan truffles. The Willamette FLEA is a small indoor market held in NE Portland dedicated to creating an interesting market for…
Drag Brunch at The Pharmacy
21+ drag brunch in the heart of North West. Doors at 10 am with the show at 12 pm. $25.00 gets you your meal, a mimosa, and the best drag show in town. The event is hosted by PDX’s best queens with a rotating cast for each event that’s sure to dazzle you with their…
Lents International Farmers Market
Lents International Farmers Market opens on Sunday, June 2, 2019 and is open every Sunday through November 24, 2019. The Lents International Farmers Market (LIFM) is the only one in Portland with an intentional international focus. LIFM provides fresh, affordable and culturally appropriate produce to the diverse community of Lents neighbors. Founded in 2006 by…
Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon
Meet Oregon’s Wine Country. People around the world have fallen in love with its premier pinot noir, and once you’re here it’s hard not to fall in love with the place too. Here you’ll find that communities are tight-knit, talented, and creative. While the country roads are quiet, the sweeping vistas, pods of old-growth forest,…
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