Portland, Oregon is known as the City of Roses, but for foodies visiting PDX another moniker may come to mind: food truck city. Roughly 500 Portland food trucks park around town, most stationary in groups called Portland food cart “pods” and serve up fare ranging from Japanese, Korean and Thai, to vegetarian, Mexican, Mediterranean and more. When in Portland, beat the wait at the sit-down restaurants by dining at a food truck.
This popular truck, with a sister brick-and-mortar restaurant, Bing Mi Dumpling & Noodle Bar on Vaughn Street, serves Chinese-style crepes or Jianbings stuffed with egg, green onions, cilantro, zha cai, wonton crackers and a special “bing”’ sauce. Vegetarians have many choices here in the classic Jianbing and a tofu-loaded option, for example, but roasted duck, bacon, barbecue and Spam, are options for the meat-eaters. 1845 NW 23rd Pl., bingmipdx.com
Kim Jong Grillin blends the specialties of Korean-style street food with Southern barbecue smoking techniques. Steamed buns, bibimbap and galbi (beef short-ribs with kimchi, sesame sprouts, daikon and rice) make up the menu’s popular items. For the more adventurous foodie, the truck offers a “hot dog” option, an Olympia Provisions dog on a banh mi baguette with sesame sprouts, spicy daikon, kimchi, mayo and pickled mango. 4606 SE Division St., kjgpdx.com
Tip: Most trucks today accept credit or debit cards, though if you’re hankering for a bite from a cash-only cart, you can usually find an ATM close by. To be safe (and to dodge fees), bring some cash.
Located in the Bantu Island pod in north Portland, Umami Sushi PDX offers all of the usual rolls, like California, spicy tuna and rainbow, plus poke bowls, bento boxes and wontons. Takoyaki, a popular dumpling dish with soft octopus inside a crunchy exterior, is also available. Start with an order of crispy gyoza, edamame or spring rolls. Vegetarian options are available. 1533 NE Alberta St.
Popular go-to choices at Tehuana include burritos, tacos and tortas (a Mexican sandwich stuffed with meat, mayo, shredded cabbage, tomatoes, onions, avocado, Oaxacan cheese and jalapenos). 7339 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., tehuanaoaxacancuisine.com
A cash-only truck, Tacos Pa’ella specializes in street tacos and burritos, but also serves flautas, tortas and quesadillas. Opt for a “California”-style burrito and you’ll get the goodies of the classic, minus the beans and rice, instead packed with French fries. 1521 NE Alberta St.
Tip: Not sure what to try first? Go for what’s close: Travel Portland has put together this helpful tool to help you find which trucks or pods are closest to your current location.
Located in east Portland, and as its name suggests, this truck specializes in birria, a flavorful Mexican stew served in a braising liquid, from the state of Jalisco. Try something special and order the QuesaPizza: flour tortillas layered with melted cheese, birria, cilantro and onion, served in a pizza box. Bowls, plates, tostadas, quesadillas and more are also options. 600 SE 146th Ave., tacoslaplaza.com
A north Portland go-to, Bella’s Cravings is part of the Piedmont Station pod and calls on fresh, local ingredients for its classic Persian/Armenian dishes. Options include kebabs, skewers and curry. Vegetarians can opt for the gourmet sabzi, sauteed mixed vegetables and kidney beans served over basmati rice with a side salad and hummus.
625 NE Killingsworth St., bellascravings.com
Garbonzos, in southwest Portland, serves tasty dishes like pitas, falafel platters, soups and salads. Pizzas, bagels and sides—fries, fried eggplant salad and dips like tahini, hummus and baba ghanoush—are also available, along with vegan, halal, gluten-free, and certified kosher options. 6651 SW Capitol Hwy.
Part of the Park the Carts pod, Amico Chef, founded by Domingo Molina, offers scratch-made, authentic Italian dishes ranging from sandwiches and salads to, of course, pastas and pies. Appetizers include sauteed mussels and clams. 7339 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.
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