Celebrate Food Cart Month at These Delicious Eateries

Portland Mercado. Photo by Travel Portland

Portland’s food carts have become a symbol of our City’s unique identity and a testament to the dedication and creativity of our local restauranteurs. CNN even declared Portland as one of the cities with the ‘World’s Best Street Food.’ That is why City Council has proclaimed April as Food Cart Month! We encourage you to explore Portland’s many food cart pods and their offerings, located in business districts city-wide. The fun culminates April 24-30 with Food Cart Week. If you need help getting started, here are a few of our favorites.

  • 82nd Avenue: The massive Cartlandia food cart pod features more than 30 food carts and is conveniently located along the Springwater Corridor for easy bike access.
  • Foster: The Portland Mercado not only hosts eight food carts featuring eight distinct cuisines of Latin America, but also serves as a business incubator through Hacienda CDC for prospective entrepreneurs. 
  • Historic Parkrose: If you are in the mood for Mexican food from the Yucatan region, try El Yucateco for panuchos, tacos, burritos, tortas, plus burgers and fries.
  • Lents: Golden Triangle was voted one of Portland’s top food carts by Portland Monthly magazine. Owner Sarah Singharaj steals the show with her scratch-made dishes that blend Lao, Thai, and Cambodian flavors into something fresh and delectable. Sabor Tindureno is owned by two sisters from Oaxaca, Mexico, who bring the flavor of their small village to a food truck at Flipside Bar and Carts. 
  • Lloyd: Office workers, apartment dwellers, and visitors to the Lloyd Center all flock to E-San Food Truck for authentic Thai dishes for lunch and dinner.
  • Midway: La Osita is famous for their hearty brunch menu, from cheesy bacon and egg tacos to the “Bear Hug,” a warm and cozy breakfast quinoa bowl. Their PNW-Mexican fusion blends the best of north and south for an incredible start to your morning.
  • Mississippi Ave: The menu at Kabba’s Kitchen is loaded with many different types of African cuisine that will keep you wanting to come back and try something new. And their homemade hibiscus and ginger drinks are a must!
  • Montavilla: For deftly spiced Somali stews and sauces, try Mira’s East African and Mediterranean Cuisine. Use the flaky sabaayad as a shovel for bariis maraq or saucy suqaar, paired well with crunchy sambusas.
  • Multnomah Village: Bamboo Sushi veteran Yoshi Ikeda opened Yoshi’s Sushi in 2019 and has been serving high-caliber fish ever since. Enjoy fun, innovative rolls like the lime green roll with sesame-crusted spinach, cucumber, roasted pepper, avocado, and microgreens.
  • St. Johns: The St Johns Beer Porch is the hub of the St. Johns Food Cart Pod at NE Lombard and NE Burr Aves and offers a large selection of draft beer and cider, trivia nights, and live music.

This list is non-exhaustive. For more great food cart recommendations, check out Travel Portland’s Food Cart Guide and show us what you are eating on Instagram and Facebook. Bon appetit!