Food truck friday reno
For a taste of Portland’s legendary food-cart scene,
Food trucks flourish in Portland’s culinary scene, though in Portland they are called food carts. With hundreds throughout the city, Portland’s food-cart scene is legendary. The flavorful proliferation has drawn raves from Bon Appétit magazine and CNN (which declared Portland home to the world’s best street food)
Unlike other cities’ mobile food truck friday reno, most Portland carts stay put in groups dubbed “pods,” making it a snap to sample several at a time. Explore international flavors and unique new food concepts — without the wait of a sit-down restaurant — at Portland’s many food cart pods. Many smaller groups and individual carts are scattered around the city, but here are some big pods to check out.
Downtown Food Cart Pods
Fifth Avenue
Set on the MAX line, the Fifth Avenue pod sates downtowners’ daytime appetites with offerings like Korean tacos or Asian-fusion rice bowls at Korean Twist and myriad other cuisines, including Mexican, Thai and Egyptian.
Pioneer Courthouse Square
Sitting right in the heart of downtown Portland, the Pioneer Courthouse Square food cart pod is home to several lunchtime favorites. Here, you’ll find Fried Egg I’m in Love, known for its namesake sandos, and Amelia’s Mexican Food serving crowd-pleasing Mexican specialties. Grab a delicious meal at any of the carts and take your seat on the bricks in Portland’s living room.
Portland State University
Located in the south end of downtown, the PSU Pod is handy to the university campus and the shady South Park Blocks. Carts here include Thai, Mexican and Indian options, along with bento, sandwiches, kababs and more.
Third Avenue
The Third Avenue pod includes the popular Stretch The Noodle, known for its chewy hand-pulled noodles made fresh every day, as well as carts offering cuisine from Mexico, Egypt, Thailand and Vietnam. Once you’ve got your meal, stroll to Waterfront Park and pull up a bench (or spot of grass) — instant picnic.
The Cart Blocks
Opened in 2021, the Cart Blocks comprise a group of food carts that were previously located at the (now-closed) Alder Street food cart pod, including Anna Thai Basil and Kafta House. Grab a bite and enjoy a stroll through the adjacent North Park Blocks.
