In cash-strapped 2008, the lure of food trucks seemed irresistible to Portlanders hoping to enter the American Dream machine. Gregg Abbott, a sometime musician and professional slacker, was out in the cold. He drifted up to Mike McKinnon’s Potato Champion, a rocking house of Belgian frites holding vigil until three a.m., drawing ecstatic club kids. “Mike wasn’t just one of those guys who stands around doing nothing. He was building something. I felt empowered. By April 2009, the Cartopia “pod” at SE 12th and Hawthorne [also home to Abbott’s Whiffies Fried Pies and Dustin Knox’s sassy-theatrical Perierra Crêperie, and others] spurred spontaneous dance parties and Twittersphere buzz. That July 4, nearly 1,000 eaters showed up: black kids and goth girls, gay couples, teachers. Even the police came ... to eat.” An excerpt from Karen Brooks’s 2012 book The Mighty Gastropolis: Portland, with Gideon Bosker:
Food Carts
Order from one of Portland's famous Food Carts.
Don't leave Portland without trying at least one of the city's famed food carts. And cart "pods" offer the chance for the most window shopping. "Food carts" are food generating trucks that are stationed in & near downtown Portland for the purpose of providing quick, cheap meals for the Portland work force. Not to mention frugal tourists like you.
Here in Portland, food carts are different; Perierra Creperie, Korean Twist, Burmese Delight, Potato Champion, Grilled Cheese Grill, Mestizaje, and KOI Fusion push the boundaries and are our favs).
Don't leave Portland without trying at least one of the city's famed food carts. And cart "pods" offer the chance for the most window shopping. "Food carts" are food generating trucks that are stationed in & near downtown Portland for the purpose of providing quick, cheap meals for the Portland work force. Not to mention frugal tourists like you.
Here in Portland, food carts are different; Perierra Creperie, Korean Twist, Burmese Delight, Potato Champion, Grilled Cheese Grill, Mestizaje, and KOI Fusion push the boundaries and are our favs).
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WHERE ARE THEY? (+ SUGGESTIONS)
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Potato Champion
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- Hawthorne Asylum - It was a bit of a surprise when news broke earlier this year (2019) that an ambitious new pod would be opening in inner Southeast, just two blocks from Cartopia. Hawthorne Asylum is a 23-cart pod surrounded by brick walls and a wrought-iron gate. Named after a 19th-century hospital for the mentally ill, the pod looks like what might happen if Tim Burton were commissioned to design a Portland-themed section of Disneyland. Standouts include Bulgogi and spicy pork tacos at Korean Twist (three for $9), Shan kauk-swal thoke (shan noodle salad) at Burmese Delight ($10), Koshari bowl at Peri Koshari ($7.50 small, $8.50 large), Lamb cheesesteak with wiz at Dr. Philly Cheesesteak ($10.99), Fried chicken and pulled pork po’boy at South ($12 plus $3 for hush puppies), En Fuego burrito at Rollin’ Fresh ($11), Chicken pelmeni at Pelmeni ($8-$9.50), Sliced brisket sandwich at Bark City BBQ ($11 with side of mac ’n’ cheese) & Sangria at Black Dagger ($8).
WHERE ARE THE OTHERS?
They tend to cluster at downtown surface parking lots:
SW 5th Ave between Oak and Stark (parking lot). Next best. The 2nd highest concentration, probably 15 to 20 carts. Mexican, Italian, Pan-Asian, Indian, Soul Food, etc. (website)
They tend to cluster at downtown surface parking lots:
SW 5th Ave between Oak and Stark (parking lot). Next best. The 2nd highest concentration, probably 15 to 20 carts. Mexican, Italian, Pan-Asian, Indian, Soul Food, etc. (website)
- Everywhere & everything else - Lone & small cluster food carts are not uncommon. They pop up on the South Park Blocks on PSU campus, Pioneer Courthouse Square & many other locations.
- You can also book a Food Cart Tour. M-F 12 Noon to 1:30pm and costs $60 each (A walking tour of Portland's world class food cart scene led by Brett Burmeister, Managing Editor of FoodCartsPortland.com. The tour begins at one of the city's largest lots and traverses the downtown core visiting approximately 60-90 carts along the way. You'll learn the history of the carts, owner's unique stories, why it works in Portland and be able to try some of the tasty vittles they serve. Food is included in the tour. Take it before, during or after your city tour.
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- Indian food carts are a reoccurring theme in Portland (at least 6 of 'em). My favorite is Bombay Chaat House at SW 12th and Yamhill. For one they are open till 6PM Mon-Sat. Also, they have covered seats (rare) and the price is right. The starter special is $5 (w/naan +$1) but I highly recommend the massive 5-course vegetarian M-F lunch special (picture left) at $8 (3 curries (normally; Dal, Navratan Korma, and Channa Masala) which can change. Rice and Naan Bread.
Bread And Broth (Downtown)
Steve M reminisces, "Back when I was a kid, my grandma used to describe cold blustery weather as 'Soup Weather'," and we get "soup weather an awful lot in Portland." Good thing there's "someone downtown who makes soup as good as both of my grandmas."
Rescue Bagels (Downtown)
"These bagels are seriously the best thing to ever happen to bread," boasts Michelle H. "They're chewy and dense, without a wack texture. Plus, "the option to get a bagel breakfast sando for less than $5" is a real saving grace.
Pizza Box (Inner-SE Industrial)
With a wood-fired oven in the cart, it's no wonder "the crust is cooked perfectly and the ingredients are nice and fresh." Coleen M offers a protip: "It's not fun to stand in the rain to wait for your pie, so grab a drink at the brewery that's right there and then eat your pizza with a microbrew."
Okinoshima (SW 3rd & Stark Pod)
Lawrie M calls this the "best okonomiyaki in Portland. Warm, savory, seafoody goodness perfect for toting back to your office on a rainy day. Your salivating co-workers will be jealous (or think you're a sadist) as you awkwardly chopstick goopy chunks of meat and magic into your gaping maw."
Garden Monsters (Alberta Arts)
Misty B gets all teary-eyed for the "vegan, meaty, and gluten-free offerings" at this salad cart. Her fave? "The steak caesar salad (Caesar the Great). It's dressed perfectly, the croutons are crunchy and well seasoned, the bacon is crisp and smoky, and the steak bites are juicy and full of flavor!" Rawr!
Pok Pok (3226 SE Division St)
Creative Thai street food like Ike's fish-sauce wings & unique beverages served at a small, modern spot.
Burgatroyd Burgers
Mississippi Marketplace
N Mississippi & Skidmore
- more comin', lots of surveying to do...
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Iconic:
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Nong's Khao Man Gai
Grilled Cheese Grill
Retrolicious
PBJs Grilled
The Egg Carton
Yolk
Fried Egg I'm In Love
Moberi
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