Get ready to loosen your belt and bring your taste buds on a wild ride! From American favorites to soul-satisfying comfort food and Asian delicacies, here's the list of top food carts you can't miss in Portland, Oregon.
LessRun by a chef whose passion is traditional Texas-style barbecue, Matt’s BBQ has consistently topped the list of the best BBQ in Portland for years. Their food cart is tucked neatly in Prost Marketplace in the North Mississippi area of Portland. 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.
If you're on the hunt for a quick and tasty morning bite, you've got to check out Fried Egg I'm in Love. Their menu is loaded with rockstar-themed breakfast items like Egg Zeppelin, Huevo Mutilation, and Smells Like Protein Spirit - how cool is that? But, the real star of the show is their signature dish, the Yolko Ono – a perfectly fried egg with sausage and a dollop of homemade pesto sandwiched between two slices of grilled bread.
Located in the heart of Portland’s downtown, this food truck is run by a dynamic husband and wife team where the wife literally brings her Chinese roots to the table! You can spot her in action, kneading and stretching the fresh dough early in the morning. Try the La Mian. A piping hot bowl of hand-stretched noodles soaked in a savory beef bone soup, generously topped with fresh veggies and garnished with a sprinkle of cilantro and crunchy nuts. It’s a flavor explosion you won’t soon forget.
Kee’s is a beacon on Portland’s MLK Boulevard – just look for the bright, red barn-like cart – serving up soul food at its best, from hot water cornbread to fall-off-the-bone ribs. 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.
Unleash your inner Viking at Portland’s very own Viking Soul Food, where you’ll dine on traditional Scandinavian flavors. Their claim to fame? Savory wraps made with a traditional flatbread called Lefse. Imagine sinking your teeth into a hearty wrap stuffed with meatballs, smoked salmon, mushrooms, hazelnuts, or pickled eggs - now, that’s a flavor party! If your sweet tooth is calling, don’t worry, you can try a sweet Lefse filled with tangy lingonberries and cream cheese or zesty lemon curd.
Kim Jong Grillin' is the real deal when it comes to tasty Korean cuisine in Portland. Serving up a deliciously diverse menu with no frills (everything is piled into a cardboard box), this food cart is a great option for a quick lunch on the run. Bite into perfectly grilled beef, Kim Chee, shredded carrots, and bright green cilantro. Or, order the Bulgogi topped with sesame sprouts, daikon, and rice.
If you're looking for a food cart that packs a flavor punch, you've got to check out Bing Mi in Northwest Portland for its selection of Asian crepes. First, try their crepe stuffed with fluffy scrambled egg, zesty chili bean sauce, green onion, cilantro, preserved mustard tuber, and crispy wonton crackers. It's a taste sensation you won't forget anytime soon. But, if you're feeling brave and want to up the ante, you've got to try the crepe filled with roasted duck or spam.
It’s all about the burgers at this food cart, where the smash burger reigns supreme. While the menu may be small, these hearty burgers bring the flavor. Order the Beast Burger – two smashed beef patties topped with oozing melted cheese, shaved onion, lettuce, and their amazing special sauce. Vegetarian? No problem. Their Impossible Beast Melt could easily pass for the real thing.