Top 19 Best Food Cart Pods in Portland

Portland has a diverse food scene featuring a variety of options to tantalize your taste buds, ranging from high-end eateries to budget food carts.

One of the best things about Portland’s legendary food scene is that there is no shortage of food carts no matter the time of the day for breakfast, lunch, brunch, or dinner.

 The city boasts a plethora of both mobile and unmoving food carts with the latter arranged in groups dubbed ‘pods’. Portland’s food cart pods are an easy way to sample the widest range of dishes at a time. Whether you are craving local American food or want to treat your taste buds with exotic specialities, Portland’s iconic food cart scene never fails to regale you.

Here are the best food cart pods in Portland, Oregon (in no particular order)…

1. Piknik Park Food Cart Pod – an awesome Food cart pod and beer garden delivering a safe, clean, fun and delicious food destination

Piknik Park is a food court featuring eight different food carts, namely El Carajo, Mad Mellos, Nam Pa, Sauc’d, Taste of Casablanca, Red Dragon Teahouse, Uncle Tsang’s Vegetarian Kitchen, Jin Dak, and The Dive Bar. Located on Tacoma Street in Southeast Portland, Piknik Park is the ultimate destination for clean, safe, and delicious street food. 

From Asian classics to Korean specialities to ethnic dishes from Peru, Piknik Park offers a great selection of both local and exotic food. You can also savor a broad range of beer, wine, and cider at this iconic food venue. 

Piknik Park features a stand-up bar, bathrooms, and a covered heated seating area. The food court is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Address: 1122 SE Tacoma St, Portland, OR 97202, United States

2. Hawthorne Asylum Food Carts – a large and cool outdoor food court featuring food trucks, communal, wooden tables and a fire pit

Hawthorne Asylum is a dazzling outdoor food court featuring multiple food trucks, communal tables, and a fire pit. Located on Madison Street in Southeast Portland, Hawthorne Asylum serves the best Burmese food in the city. 

As you sit by the fire pit at Hawthorne Asylum, you can sample a large variety of traditional Cajun meals including gumbo, jambalaya, and boiled crawfish. Burmese Delight is where you’ll find delicious curries and salads from Myanmar. You can also grab a beer from Black Dagger, an on-site bar offering a wide array of beer and cider.

You can enjoy tasty treats at Hawthorne Asylum Food Carts Sundays through Thursdays between 11:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, the place stays open till 10 p.m. 

Address: 1080 SE Madison St, Portland, OR 97214, United States

3. Fifth Avenue Food Cart Pod – an eclectic combination of eateries in the heart of downtown Portland

Fifth Avenue Food Cart Pod is an unassuming food court featuring Koran, Asian, Mexican, Egyptian, Hawaiian, and Thai food stands. Located on the MAX Line in downtown Portland, Fifth Avenue Food Cart Pod serves the best Korean tacos in the neighborhood. 

From Mexican soft drinks to budget-friendly tacos to Hawaiian plates, you can enjoy a massive variety of international chow at this laid-back food venue. Fifth Avenue Food Cart Pod is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Address: 324 SW 5th Ave, Portland, OR 97204, United States

4. Collective Oregon Eateries – a laid back destination with indoor and outdoor seats and global street eats

Collective Oregon Eateries is the best venue to enjoy global street foods in Southeast Portland. The venue features a food call and food cart pod dishing out street grub in a laid-back setting. 

Whether you want to try Thai burgers or sample Russian street eats, Collective Oregon Eateries have it all. It is one of the only places in the city where you will find such an eclectic selection of street food. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating. The food cart pod is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Address: 3612 SE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266, United States

5. Portland Mercado – a vibrant open venue offering Latin American grub from multiple vendors

Portland Mercado is a food court offering Latin American food in a colorful setting. The open venue features ten unique food carts and eight shops in an indoor market hall. 

Located on Foster Road in Southeast Portland, Portland Mercado is a great place to discover the lesser-known areas of Latin America and enjoy their food staples. The place allows you to explore Latin American culture through food, art, and entertainment. From Brazilian feijoada to Colombian bandeja paisa to gallo pinto from Costa Rica, you can enjoy an impressive selection of Latin American dishes here. 

Portland Mercado is open daily between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. They also offer delivery and takeout services. 

Address: 7238 SE Foster Rd, Portland, OR 97206, United States

6. Eastport Food Center – 25 food carts and with a wide variety of food and beverage options to choose from

Eastport Food Center is a food court featuring 25 good carts with an extensive range of food and beverage options to choose from. From Mexican classics to Indian nibbles to unique Afghan specialties, the food court caters to foodies of all stripes. 

While seafood lovers can quench their hunger at FreshFish Poke, Turkish gourmets can stop by Turkish Agha to enjoy freshly cooked baklavas. Lei’d Back serves the most delicious Hawaiian plate in Portland. Cocina Los Girasoles is where you can treat your taste buds with tacos, pambazos, alambres, tamales, quesadillas, and huaraches.

Eastport Food Center is open daily for dine-in, delivery, and takeaway from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Address: 3905 SE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266, United States

7. Piedmont Station Food Carts – features cuisines from all around the world in Northeast Portland

Piedmont Station is a food court offering eclectic international fare in an easygoing setting. The food venue features a cluster of food carts, each specializing in a specific cuisine. 

Piedmont Station is particularly famous as a breakfast spot with a large selection of locally roasted organic coffees and breakfast grub, such as croissants, bagel sandwiches, pastries, and pancakes. The food court is open daily between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. They offer both indoor and outdoor dining. 

Address: 625 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211, United States

8. Cartlandia – one of the best food cart pods in the city

 

Cartlandia is a vibrant space featuring 30 specialty food courts that serve international fare. You will not find a food cart pod as happening as Cartlandia. Standouts include Rock House Grill, CheeseSteakNirvana, Loaded BallZ, Brother Express, Mis Abuelos, Los Jefes, Tohano’s Tamales, and CookieMcCakeface among others.

Teppanyaki Hut and Happy Sushi are there to tantalize your taste buds with tempuras, sashimi, and other staples from Tokyo. Puddletown Bagels is where you will find the best American breakfast. Al Mustafah is the ultimate spot for a Middle Eastern meal. 

Cartlandia is open Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, the food court opens at 7 a.m. They also have happy hours Mondays through Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. 

Address: 8145 SE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97266, United States

9. St. Johns Food Cart Pod – a cool Food cart lot with 17 carts and a craft beer bar and a fire pit

St. Johns Food Cart Pod is one of the largest food courts in Portland. Located on Lombard Street in North Portland, St. John dishes up a plethora of local eats in a vibrant setting. 

At St. Johns, you have over 12 food carts to choose from, including Flourish, Pizza Creature, Dehomis, Kazumi Sushi, Arlo’s Fish & Chips, and Calypso Southwest, El Burrito Mojado, No Po Boys, The Beer Porch, and Sissy’s Beverages among a few others. St. Johns is open for dine-in and takeaway Mondays through Thursdays between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, they stay open till 9 p.m. 

Address: 7316 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203, United States

10. The Yard at Montavilla – a sociable space hosting 16 food carts and 1 beer and wine cart

The Yard at Montavilla is a community space featuring 13 food carts with a heated seating area. Located on Davis Street in the Montavilla neighborhood, the food cart offers delicious eats, drinks, and nibbles from all around the world. 

You can sample eats from a wide range of international cuisines at The Yard. It is a great place to mingle with locals over a local craft beer. The Yard at Montavilla is open daily from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. 

Address: 8220 NE Davis St, Portland, OR 97220, United States

11. Cartside Food Carts – a brand-new food cart pod located in the historic Williams District

Cartside Food Carts is a relatively new food court just a few blocks from the Rose Quarter in the Eliot neighborhood of Portland. The food court specializes in global cuisine and features seven food carts, each specializing in a specific international cuisine. 

Standouts include Midcity Smashburger, Poblano Pepper Mexican Food, Shawarma Express, Let’s Roll Sushi PDX, Ko Sisters Korean Soul Food, and PP Thai Food Cart among others. Cartside is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Address: 1825 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR 97227, United States

12. Happy Valley Station – a diverse range of food trucks with an industrial-chic pavilion with a beer bar and picnic tables

Located about 16 miles from Portland, Happy Valley Station is a food court featuring 18 different food carts parked around an industrial-chic pavilion. The venue features a heated seating area, plumbed bathrooms, and a kids’ play area. 

You can enjoy a broad range of margaritas, cocktails, Moscow mules, and G&Ts on taps at this family-friendly venue. Happy Valley Station is open Mondays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. On weekends, they close at 9 p.m. 

Address: 13551 SE 145th Ave, Happy Valley, OR 97015, United States

13. Killingsworth Station Food Cart Pod – a cool little neighborhood pod

Killingsworth Station Food Cart Pod is a small food court on Killingsworth Street in North Portland. The food court features covered wooden tables and food carts dishing out international grub. 

Killingsworth Station is the ultimate destination for epicures of soul food. La Puerta serves some of the tastiest stuffed tortillas in the neighborhood. You can also sample Oaxacan specialties from Tehuana Oaxacan carts at Killingsworth Station. The venue is open daily between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. On Sundays, the food court closes at 5:30 p.m. 

Address: 1331 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97217, United States

14. Nob Hill Food Carts – a popular new neighborhood spot

Nob Hill Food Carts is a colorful food court featuring a covered seating area and food carts offering Asian cuisine. Whether you are looking for Chinese crepes or authentic Korean ramen, you can have it all at Nob Hill Food Carts. 

Bing Mi is where you will find mouth-watering Chinese burgers. Ramen Ippo is a great spot to enjoy Korean specialties, such as bulgogi, japchae, and hoeddeok. The Pour House is where you can quench your thirst with an extensive selection of craft beer and cider. Nob Hill Food Carts are open daily at different timings, mostly between 11:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. 

Address: 1845 NW 23rd Pl, Portland, OR 97210, United States

15. Portland State University Food Carts – a lively destination for food lovers

Portland State University Food Carts line the south end of downtown. The laid-back food court features a variety of Thai, Mexican, and Indian carts. 

From Cheesesteaks to falafel to gyros, you can savor a great variety of international grub at the PSU Pod. Standouts include Ray’s Kitchen, Rosemary Food Cart, and Black Star Grill among others. The Local Grind PSU Food Cart is open Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

Address: 1717 SW Montgomery St, Portland, OR 97201, United States

16. Carts on Foster – a community-focused diverse food cart pod in the heart of SE Portland

Located on Foster Road in Southeast Portland, Carts on Foster is an all-weather pod featuring a dozen food carts. Whether you are looking for Italian street grub or want to sample seafood classics, Carts on Foster offers a great variety of both local and international food. 

The venue boasts an impressive tap list and a sizable selection of craft cocktails and cider. Carts on Foster is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Address: 5205 SE Foster Rd, Portland, OR 97206, United States

17. Park The Carts – the destination stop for a variety of food trucks and delicious menu choices

Park The Carts is an ornate food venue located at the crossroads of North and Northeast Portland. The food court features several Black-owned carts dishing out Hawaiian classics in an artful setting. 

With both indoor and outdoor seating available, Park The Carts is one of the best budget food venues in Northeast Portland. Grind Wit Tryz serves the best fried catfish in the neighborhood. You may also want to try sweet potato pie from Ja’ Das Soulful Eatz. Burger lovers must stop by Union Burger. Park The Carts is open daily between 8:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. 

Address: 7339 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97211, United States

18. Pioneer Courthouse Square – food served up in ‘Portland’s living room’

Pioneer Courthouse Square features a food cart pod offering a variety of lunchtime favorites. Standouts include Amelia’s Mexican Food, Fried Egg I’m In Love, The Block, and The Whole Bowl among others. 

Amelia’s Mexican Food serves crowd-pleasing Mexican specialties. Fried Egg I’m In Love is famous for its namesake sandos. The Whole Bowl offers a wide variety of vegan and gluten-free bowls. 

Address: 701 SW 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97204, United States

19. 3rd Avenue Food Cart Pod – a picture menu with Mediterranean fare in a food cart park with an array of global offerings

3rd Avenue Food Cart Pod is the ultimate destination for Mediterranean cuisine lovers. The venue features several food carts offering staples from Vietnam, Thailand, Mexico, and Egypt. 

From hand-pulled Korean noodles to kung pao chicken to cheesy tacos, you have tons of food options to choose from at this beautiful food court. You can savor international grub at 3rd Avenue Food Cart Pod Mondays through Fridays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

Address: SW 3rd Ave &, SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97204, United States

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