Quick answer
Portland's legendary food cart scene offers a diverse range of options, from budget-friendly $5 tacos to premium $18 burgers, with Matt's BBQ Tacos being the most consistently recommended pick across Reddit. With over 500 carts operating across dozens of pods, the city has transformed mobile dining into an art form, making it a year-round culinary destination regardless of the weather.
- Best overall
- Matt’s BBQ Tacos
- Top pick
- Matt’s BBQ Tacos
Top verdicts
- Matt’s BBQ Tacos: Limited hours; sells out frequently.
- Tokyo Sando: Lunch-only operation; arrive at midday for full menu.
- Picone’s Quality Deli: North Lombard isn't on most tourist routes; check the Saturday hours.
Portland's food cart culture is unlike anything else in America. With over 500 carts operating across dozens of pods, the city has turned mobile dining into an art form. These aren't ordinary food trucks — they're semi-permanent kitchen labs where chefs push boundaries without the overhead of a brick-and-mortar restaurant.
Prices range from $5 tacos at Birrieria La Plaza to $18 smash burgers at Farmer And The Beast. Most carts accept cards, but cash is still king at a few holdouts. Portland calls them “carts,” not “trucks” — and the distinction matters.
Area map
All 11 spots at a glance
| # | Name | Style | Price | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matt’s BBQ Tacos | bbq-/-tex-mex | mid | 2216 SE 50th Ave, Portland, OR 97214 |
| 2 | Tokyo Sando | japanese-sandwiches | mid | 431 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97204 |
| 3 | Picone’s Quality Deli | deli-/-sandwiches | mid | 5215 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203 |
| 4 | Bake On The Run | guyanese | mid | 4727 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97206 |
| 5 | Birrieria La Plaza | mexican-/-birria | budget | 5205 SE Foster Rd, Portland, OR 97206 |
| 6 | Kim Jong Grillin | korean-bbq | mid | 770 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209 |
| 7 | Stretch The Noodle | chinese-hand-pulled-noodles | mid | 431 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97204 |
| 8 | Thai Champa | thai | mid | 938 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214 |
| 9 | Cartopia Food Carts | food-cart-pod | mid | 1207 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214 |
| 10 | Jojo | american-/-jojos | mid | 3582 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97202 |
| 11 | Farmer And The Beast | farm-to-cart-/-burgers | mid | 1845 NW 23rd Pl, Portland, OR 97210 |
1Matt’s BBQ Tacos
BBQ / Tex-MexQuick comparison
- Best for
- Portland's most-cited BBQ taco
- Strengths
- Known for BBQ / Tex-Mex · 2216 SE 50th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
- Limitations
- Sells out frequently.
- Price / value
- $10–$18
- Why it made the list
- Matt's BBQ Tacos is the spinoff cart from Matt Vicedomini's celebrated BBQ operation -- Texas-style brisket on a tortilla, in a classic Portland cart format.
- What to order
- Brisket taco and a side of pickled onion.
🕐 Opening hours
2Tokyo Sando
Japanese SandwichesQuick comparison
- Best for
- Japanese katsu sando in downtown Portland
- Strengths
- Known for Japanese Sandwiches · 431 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97204
- Limitations
- Lunch-only.
- Price / value
- $10–$16
- Why it made the list
- Tokyo Sando is downtown Portland's Japanese sandwich specialist -- katsu sandos served from a cart in the Midtown pod.
- What to order
- Tonkatsu sando or the seasonal special.
3Picone’s Quality Deli
Deli / SandwichesQuick comparison
- Best for
- A serious North Portland deli cart
- Strengths
- Known for Deli / Sandwiches · 5215 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203
- Price / value
- $10–$16
- Why it made the list
- Picone's is a North Portland deli cart with serious sandwich credentials -- house roast beef, careful breads, real attention to the format.
- What to order
- The house Italian or a roast beef.
🕐 Opening hours
4Bake On The Run
GuyaneseQuick comparison
- Best for
- Guyanese bake sandwiches in SE Portland
- Strengths
- Known for Guyanese · 4727 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97206
- Price / value
- $8–$14
- Why it made the list
- Bake On The Run is a Guyanese cart specializing in 'bake' -- fried bread sandwiches with stew chicken or fish.
- What to order
- Bake with stew chicken or fish.
5Birrieria La Plaza
Mexican / BirriaQuick comparison
- Best for
- Quesabirria with consomé on SE Foster
- Strengths
- Known for Mexican / Birria · 5205 SE Foster Rd, Portland, OR 97206
- Price / value
- $5–$15
- Why it made the list
- Birrieria La Plaza on SE Foster is one of Portland's most-cited birria carts -- consomé-dipped tacos and quesabirria.
- What to order
- Quesabirria with consomé and a side of cilantro-onion.
🕐 Opening hours
6Kim Jong Grillin
Korean BBQQuick comparison
- Best for
- Long-running Portland Korean cart
- Strengths
- Known for Korean BBQ · 770 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
- Price / value
- $10–$16
- Why it made the list
- Kim Jong Grillin is one of Portland's longest-running and most-cited Korean carts -- bibimbap, rice bowls, and Korean BBQ on a budget.
- What to order
- Bibimbap with kimchi or the Korean BBQ rice bowl.
🕐 Opening hours
7Stretch The Noodle
Chinese Hand-Pulled NoodlesQuick comparison
- Best for
- Hand-pulled Chinese noodles to order
- Strengths
- Known for Chinese Hand-Pulled Noodles · 431 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97204
- Limitations
- Slower than other carts due to hand-pulling.
- Price / value
- $12–$18
- Why it made the list
- Stretch the Noodle hand-pulls Chinese noodles to order in the Midtown pod -- one of the most-watched cart performances in town.
- What to order
- Hand-pulled noodles in the spicy chili-oil broth.
8Thai Champa
ThaiQuick comparison
- Best for
- Traditional Thai from a Portland cart
- Strengths
- Known for Thai · 938 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214
- Price / value
- $10–$16
- Why it made the list
- Thai Champa on East Burnside is a long-running Thai cart whose dishes lean traditional rather than American-Thai.
- What to order
- Khao soi or pad see ew with the spice level dialed up.
9Cartopia Food Carts
Food Cart PodQuick comparison
- Best for
- The canonical Portland cart-pod experience
- Strengths
- Known for Food Cart Pod · 1207 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214
- Price / value
- $8–$15
- Why it made the list
- Cartopia is one of Portland's longest-running cart pods at SE 12th and Hawthorne -- multiple carts, late hours, the canonical Portland cart-pod experience.
- What to order
- Order from two or three carts and share.
🕐 Opening hours
10Jojo
American / JojosQuick comparison
- Best for
- Chef-driven jojos and sandwiches
- Strengths
- Known for American / Jojos · 3582 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97202
- Price / value
- $8–$14
- Why it made the list
- Jojo serves elevated Pacific Northwest jojos (potato wedges) and burger-style plates from a cart -- a chef-driven cart by ex-fine-dining cooks.
- What to order
- Jojos with the day's dipping sauce and a sandwich.
11Farmer And The Beast
Farm-to-Cart / BurgersQuick comparison
- Best for
- Farm-to-cart burgers in NW Portland
- Strengths
- Known for Farm-to-Cart / Burgers · 1845 NW 23rd Pl, Portland, OR 97210
- Price / value
- $12–$18
- Why it made the list
- Farmer And The Beast is a NW 23rd cart serving farm-to-cart burgers -- a polished, ingredient-driven take on the format.
- What to order
- House burger with a daily seasonal side.
Frequently asked questions
What are food cart pods in Portland?
Food cart pods are clusters of food carts gathered in one location, often with shared seating, beer gardens, and covered areas. Portland has dozens of pods across the city, from downtown's Midtown Beer Garden to neighborhood spots like Cartopia on Hawthorne.
What is the best food cart in Portland?
Matt's BBQ Tacos is the most consistently recommended across Reddit, with 4.7 stars and 738 reviews. Tokyo Sando (4.9 stars) and Picone's Quality Deli (5.0 stars) are also top picks.
Are Portland food carts open in the rain?
Yes! Most food carts operate year-round regardless of weather. Many pods have covered seating. Thai Champa is even open until midnight. Dress in layers and embrace the drizzle.
How much do food carts cost in Portland?
Most meals range from $8-$18. Budget picks like Birrieria La Plaza start at $5. Premium options like Farmer And The Beast top out around $18.
Where are the best food cart pods in Portland?
The Midtown Beer Garden downtown (Tokyo Sando, Stretch The Noodle), Cartopia on Hawthorne (late-night favorite), and Hinterland Bar and Carts near Mt. Tabor (Matt's BBQ Tacos) are among the most popular.
Do Portland food carts accept credit cards?
Most modern Portland food carts accept credit and debit cards, though a few cash-only holdouts remain. Bring cash as backup.
What makes Portland food carts different from other cities?
Portland calls them carts not trucks because many are semi-permanent structures in dedicated pods. The scene is uniquely diverse with chef-driven quality that rivals sit-down restaurants.
What are the absolute must-try food carts in Portland for a first-timer?
For a quintessential Portland food cart experience, you absolutely can't miss the rich birria from <a href="#birrieria-la-plaza"><strong>Birrieria La Plaza</strong></a>, the innovative BBQ tacos from <a href="#matts-bbq-tacos"><strong>Matt’s BBQ Tacos</strong></a>, and the meticulously crafted sandos from <a href="#tokyo-sando"><strong>Tokyo Sando</strong></a>. These carts represent the diverse culinary excellence and creativity that defines Portland's street food scene.
Are Portland food carts generally expensive, or are there budget-friendly options?
Portland's food carts offer a fantastic range of prices, from very budget-friendly to more gourmet options. You can easily find delicious and filling meals under $15 at places like <a href="#bake-on-the-run"><strong>Bake On The Run</strong></a> or <a href="#jojo"><strong>Jojo</strong></a>, while carts like <a href="#farmer-and-the-beast"><strong>Farmer And The Beast</strong></a> offer a more premium, farm-to-cart experience for a slight splurge.
Do food carts in Portland typically have indoor seating or are they mostly outdoor?
The vast majority of Portland food carts primarily offer outdoor seating, often communal picnic tables within a food cart pod like <a href="#cartopia-food-carts"><strong>Cartopia Food Carts</strong></a>. While some individual carts might have a few stools or limited covered areas, prepare for an al fresco dining experience, especially during good weather.
What kind of diverse cuisines can I expect to find at Portland's best food carts?
Portland's food cart scene is celebrated for its incredible diversity, allowing you to explore global flavors on a single street. From the authentic Guyanese dishes at <a href="#bake-on-the-run"><strong>Bake On The Run</strong></a> to fresh Japanese sandwiches at <a href="#tokyo-sando"><strong>Tokyo Sando</strong></a>, hand-pulled Chinese noodles at <a href="#stretch-the-noodle"><strong>Stretch The Noodle</strong></a>, and unique Filipino burgers at <a href="#makulit"><strong>Makulit</strong></a>, you're guaranteed an adventurous culinary journey.
Are Portland's food carts open year-round, or are they seasonal?
Most of Portland's popular food carts, including those on this list like <a href="#kim-jong-grillin"><strong>Kim Jong Grillin</strong></a> and <a href="#thai-champa"><strong>Thai Champa</strong></a>, operate year-round, offering delicious meals regardless of the season. While some may adjust their hours in colder months, you can generally count on finding your favorites serving up hot, tasty food even in the rain, often with covered seating options in larger pods.
Which Portland food carts offer good options for vegetarians or those with dietary restrictions?
While meat is a highlight at many carts, several offer excellent vegetarian and vegan choices. <a href="#thai-champa"><strong>Thai Champa</strong></a> often has flavorful curries that can be made vegetarian, and <a href="#stretch-the-noodle"><strong>Stretch The Noodle</strong></a> can often accommodate with noodle dishes. It's always best to check individual cart menus online or ask at the window for their specific vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options.