In Portland, Oregon, we take our food trucks (commonly referred to as food carts) seriously. Whether permanent fixtures in local neighborhoods or trucks on the move, they provide a reliable go-to place for breakfast, lunch and dinner (and everything in between). With over 500 food trucks in the metro Portland area, I promise you’ll never go hungry.
From American burgers to soul food, Asian delights, European fare, and so much more, here is my definitive list of the top food carts in Portland, Oregon. Prepare to bring your appetite.
Matt’s BBQ
Run by a chef whose passion is traditional Texas-style BBQ menu, Matt’s BBQ has consistently topped the list of the best BBQ in Portland for several years. Their food cart is tucked neatly in Prost Marketplace in the North Mississippi area of Portland. Slow-cooked perfection translates to mouth-watering, finger-lickin’, fall-off-the-bone goodness.
Expect to wait in a substantial line during peak mealtimes, and don’t be surprised if they run out of their famous brisket later in the day. They also offer online ordering, ready for pickup, and have a second BBQ taco location across the river on the east side of town.
I love to order their bigger platter, which includes house-made pork sausage, beef brisket, and pulled pork, with a myriad of sides such as mac ‘n cheese, smoked baked beans, and collard greens, with a piece of white bread (to soak up all that BBQ sauce) and pickles tossed in for good measure. I usually bring a friend to share.
Fried Egg I’m in Love
Just across the way from Matt’s BBQ is one of the best portable breakfasts in Portland. In business since 2012, owner Jace Krause has two food carts and one brick-and-mortar location, which speaks to his success. With a menu featuring items such as the Egg Zeppelin, Huevo Mutilation, and Smells Like Protein Spirit, any music fan will quickly see a theme here.
I almost always go for the Yolko Ono – their signature dish. It all begins with a fried egg between two slices of perfectly grilled bread. A scrumptious hand-pressed sausage patty and homemade pesto complete the package. Pair it with a hot coffee or mimosa, and you have a delicious breakfast.
Stretch the Noodle
This popular food truck is located smack dab in the center of Portland’s downtown. It’s run by a husband-and-wife team, where the wife hails from China. You can usually see her making the noodles from fresh dough made that morning.
On the top of my list is the La Mian – a bowl of hand-stretched noodles served with beef bone soup, topped with fresh vegetables and garnished with cilantro and chopped nuts. It’s heaven. Because of their downtown location, the clientele is mostly office workers, so they are not open on the weekends.
Kee’s Loaded Kitchen
Kee’s food cart is a beacon on Portland’s MLK Boulevard. This is soul food at its best, and every time I pass by the bright red barn-like cart, I can’t help but stop by for lunch.
You can’t go wrong with the loaded half-chicken half-crack fish dinner, with sides like classic potato salad and buttery corn on the cob. Be sure to order the fresh-squeezed strawberry lemonade. And for dessert? Don’t skip the shortbread banana pudding.
Viking Soul Food
Since some of my ancestors hailed from Norway, you can be sure I checked this food cart out as soon as I heard about it several years ago. Lefse is a traditional Norwegian flatbread I grew up on, made from potatoes. It’s ironic when you travel to a Norwegian city and don’t see it on a menu, but there is no problem finding it here in Portland. At this airstream food cart, they use lefse as a wrap and fill it with all sorts of goodies. Meatballs, smoked salmon, mushrooms, hazelnuts, and pickled eggs are just some of the traditional Norwegian ingredients to be savored.
Kim Jong Grillin’
I consider this some of the best Korean food in Portland. Not only is the menu diverse (and delicious), but the dude behind the counter is always so upbeat and friendly, cracking jokes as he caters to hungry Portlanders. Your meal is presented in a no-frills cardboard box filled with perfectly grilled beef, Kim Chee, shredded carrots, and bright green cilantro. I always order the Bulgogi topped with sesame sprouts, daikon Bon Chan, and rice.
Bing Mi
Located in a food cart pod in Northwest Portland, Bing Mi serves up Asian crepes packed with flavor. They also have a dumpling and noodle bar location not far from the cart. I go here whenever I crave a crepe filled with scrambled egg, chili bean sauce, green onion, cilantro, preserved mustard tuber and wonton crackers. You can order the crepe with roasted duck or spam for those feeling more adventurous!
Farmer and the Beast
This food cart personifies the brilliance of the smash burger. While the menu may be small, the flavor packs a punch. If I’m feeling extra hungry, I always order the Beast Burger – two smashed beef patties topped with oozing melted cheese, shaved onion, lettuce, and their amazing special sauce. If I pair it with their milkshake of the day, I don’t need to eat again that day. Vegetarian? No problem. Their Impossible Beast Melt could easily pass for the real thing.
The Beer Porch
Portland may be a foodie town, but it also knows how to do craft beer. Enter The Beer Porch. Located in the St. John’s neighborhood in North Portland, the Beer Porch serves a rotating selection of 9 beers on tap, a couple of hard ciders, and kombucha. They also offer several bottled and canned beers and a selection of wines. Of course, I always opt for a nice IPA.
