I didn’t come to Portland for street food.
But I stayed for it.
I still remember the first bite — a smoky, sweet pork shoulder taco I grabbed off a truck parked on a rainy corner of SE Hawthorne. Steam rising in the cold air, the hum of chatter from people huddled under a tarp, the bite of pickled onions cutting through rich, savory meat. That taco didn’t just satisfy my hunger — it pulled me straight into the heart of Portland’s food culture.
Portland isn’t just a place where people eat; it’s a place where food tells stories. The city’s food cart scene is more than legendary — it’s woven into the city’s identity. Every cart, every plate, every flavor is a thread in that tapestry.
Over years of eating my way through the neighborhoods — from Downtown and the Pearl to Lents and Alberta — I’ve discovered hidden gems and return-worthy legends. These are not just meals. They’re experiences. They’re the kind of moments that stop you mid-bite and make you rethink what street food can be.
Here are ten unforgettable food carts in Portland that I’ve tried, loved, and would stand in line for again — rain or shine.
1. Birrieria La Plaza – For the Best Birria Tacos in Town
📍 Location: 600 SE 146th Ave, Portland, OR 97233 (next to a Shell gas station)
If you hear a crunch echo across the block, it’s probably someone biting into one of La Plaza’s legendary quesabirria tacos. The tortillas are fried to a golden crisp, packed with stewed beef soaked in rich consommé, and laced with gooey cheese. And that dipping broth? Bold, fatty, spicy, perfection.
The first time I went, I was skeptical. It’s literally in a gas station parking lot. But that only adds to its charm. The owners are warm, the wait is worth it, and the tacos… absolutely unforgettable.
Must Try: Quesabirria tacos with consomé on the side
Pro Tip: Go early or expect to wait. They often sell out before closing. They don’t take reservations, so get there at least 30 minutes before peak hours (11:30am–1:30pm).
2. Nong’s Khao Man Gai – A Masterclass in Simplicity
📍 Location: 417 SW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
I didn’t know chicken and rice could change my life. But Nong Poonsukwattana’s signature Thai dish — tender poached chicken over jasmine rice with a garlicky, gingery, spicy sauce — is a study in balance and texture. No frills, just precision and care.
I watched Nong prep from behind the counter, working with the calm focus of someone who’s made this meal a thousand times — and still respects every single plate.
Must Try: Khao Man Gai (get extra sauce — trust me)
Pro Tip: Order ahead through their website or Caviar during peak hours. Weekday lunch rushes can get busy. If you’re staying in Downtown, it’s worth walking here to eat fresh on a bench outside.
3. Matt’s BBQ – Smoky Texas Brisket, Portland Soul
📍 Location: 4233 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217
Texas barbecue in the rainy Northwest? Yes, and it’s phenomenal. Matt’s is parked at Prost Marketplace and feels like a backyard party that never ends. The brisket is what dreams are made of — thick cut, deeply smoked, and glistening with rendered fat. The jalapeño cheddar sausage snaps with every bite.
There’s something about eating barbecue with your fingers while leaning against a beer hall picnic table that feels both primal and perfect.
Must Try: Two-meat plate (brisket and sausage) + pickled onions
Pro Tip: Pair it with a German lager from Prost next door. They don’t take pre-orders — arrive early for lunch, or prepare to wait in line 20–30 minutes.
4. Stretch the Noodle – Hand-Pulled Perfection
📍 Location: 223 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97204
You’ll hear the sound of dough slapping against the steel counter before you see the cart. Watching the chef pull fresh noodles by hand — stretching them, twisting, folding — is half the fun. The other half? Slurping up those spicy beef noodle bowls with rich broth and wide, chewy noodles that hold every drop of flavor.
It’s loud, fast, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.
Must Try: Spicy beef noodle soup or dan dan noodles
Pro Tip: They’re only open weekdays for lunch, and the line starts forming at 11:15am. Bring cash. There’s no online ordering.
5. Viking Soul Food – Nordic Comfort in a Lefse Wrap
📍 Location: 4255 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97215 (at Belmont Station)
Yes, Portland has Norwegian street food. And it’s incredible. Viking Soul Food serves everything in soft, warm lefse (a Norwegian flatbread), wrapping together flavors like smoked salmon, dill crème fraîche, meatballs, and lingonberry jam.
The first bite transported me straight to Scandinavia — comforting, hearty, and unique.
Must Try: Smoked salmon lefse wrap with dill mustard sauce
Pro Tip: Order online via Clover to skip the wait, especially on weekends when Belmont Station gets busy with beer lovers.
6. Jojo – Fried Chicken That Redefines Fried Chicken
📍 Location: 3582 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97202
I wasn’t prepared for how good this was. Jojo doesn’t just fry chicken — they craft it. The crust is impossibly crisp, the meat juicy beyond belief, and the flavors punch you in the face in the best way. They also have loaded fries and vegan options that are equally satisfying.
The cart has an edgy, funky vibe — graffiti signage, loud music, and a ton of personality.
Must Try: Jojo fried chicken sandwich with spicy slaw
Pro Tip: Order ahead via their website. If you’re driving, plan extra time — parking on Powell is tricky.
7. Güero – Torta Heaven in a Parking Lot
📍 Location: 200 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97232
Their tortas are massive, messy, and magnificent. Served on soft telera rolls, layered with everything from adobo chicken to oaxaca cheese to avocado crema. Every bite is balanced — crispy, creamy, spicy, sweet.
Eating at Güero feels like being at a family cookout in Mexico City, only with Portland’s greenery in the background.
Must Try: Torta Ahogada (get extra napkins!)
Pro Tip: Dine-in is available now, but their patio is prime in warmer months. Check Resy if you want a table during weekend brunch hours.
8. DesiPDX – Indian Fusion with Pacific Northwest Flair
📍 Location: 4233 N Mississippi Ave (in the Prost Marketplace)
Portland’s Indian street food scene often flies under the radar, but DesiPDX is leading the way. Their dishes blend classic Indian spices with seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients, and the results are magic. The cardamom chai chicken over rice and greens is a go-to, and their chutneys are out of this world.
It’s street food that feels soulful, healing, and unforgettable.
Must Try: Cardamom chai chicken plate + tamarind date chutney
Pro Tip: They update the menu regularly based on local produce. Check Instagram before visiting. Order ahead via ToastTab for pickup.
9. Hawker Station – Southeast Asia in Every Bite
📍 Location: 3510 N Vancouver Ave, Portland, OR 97227
Craving satay, laksa, or nasi goreng? Hawker Station brings the flavors of Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia to Portland with fire. The chicken satay is tender and charred just right, served with thick, peanut sauce and warm jasmine rice.
One bite and I was instantly back at a hawker center in Kuala Lumpur — loud, vibrant, full of life.
Must Try: Nasi goreng or chicken satay
Pro Tip: They don’t open until late afternoon. Great for early dinner or late lunch. No reservations needed — just show up hungry.
10. Sammich – Smoked Meat Sandwiches with Attitude
📍 Location: 2137 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214
Their motto is “We’re not a deli. We’re a damn Sammich shop.” And they live up to it. This spot does smoked meats and pastrami with serious swagger. The O.G. Reuben is stacked and dripping with flavor — salty, smoky, tangy perfection.
There’s nothing subtle here, and that’s the point.
Must Try: O.G. Reuben with house pickles
Pro Tip: Order online during peak lunch hours. They sometimes sell out by mid-afternoon. Bring an appetite — portions are big.
Finding and Booking Great Eats in the U.S.
Traveling through food is one of the best ways to connect with a city. If you’re planning a Portland food crawl (or hopping between cities), here are the platforms I rely on to book, plan, and save:
- OpenTable: Great for reserving dine-in spots (especially useful for carts with indoor dining)
- Resy: Ideal for Portland restaurants and carts with shared kitchens or limited seating
- Tock: Best for tasting menus, pop-ups, and special food events
- Google Maps: Use the “save” and “want to go” features to keep track of carts across the city
- Yelp: Still useful for hours, reviews, and updates — but double-check info for carts
- Uber Eats / DoorDash: Many carts now partner with delivery platforms
- Skyscanner and Google Flights: For budget flights into PDX (Portland International Airport)
- Booking.com, Expedia, and Airbnb: For places to stay near your favorite food pods
As I wiped the last bit of birria broth from my fingers and watched the clouds roll low over Mount Tabor, I felt it again—that quiet awe that comes from eating something real, made with heart, in a place that doesn’t pretend to be anything but itself.
That’s what Portland’s street food scene is all about. It’s not glamorous or overproduced. It’s stories told through spice and smoke, heritage folded into tortillas, broth, bread, and sauces passed down from memory. It’s the kind of food you eat standing up, leaning over a paper tray, nodding silently at strangers nearby because they know too—this bite is something special.
If you find yourself in Portland, don’t just follow the guidebooks. Wander. Trust the smell of grilled onions or the sound of bubbling oil. Get lost in a pod or sidestreet. Eat with your hands. Ask questions. And let yourself be surprised by the city’s generosity—because here, the food trucks feed more than your stomach. They feed your sense of wonder.
And isn’t that why we travel in the first place?
See you at the next cart. I’ll be the one holding a sandwich with one hand, a napkin in the other, and a ridiculous grin on my face.
