Why Food Carts Should Be on Your Portland Dining Schedule

Food carts have become an increasingly popular dining trend in recent decades for locals and family travelers, letting diners enjoy everything from comfort foods like macaroni and cheese and lobster rolls to fusion delights like Korean tacos. Modern chefs take classic fare and add their own creative touches, hitting the road in a dining style that has become its own scene in cities across America.

While some food carts create their own craze with a social media following that will find them wherever they pull over to open up shop, some cities have dedicated, semi-permanent space to this exciting dining experience. Portland, Oregon, for example, boasts a food truck scene that will have you and your family understanding exactly why the city is known for having some of the best street food in the country.

Food trucks in Portland, known locally as food carts, are often found in something called pods, clusters of food trucks that let diners sample from a variety of cuisines at one time. This dining style is ideal for families that have different cravings or who want to experience a variety of flavors in one sitting. With pods located around the city, either in large or small groupings, they make grabbing a bite to eat convenient, whether spending the day exploring, shopping or attending a local sporting event.

Popular food cart pods can be found just about everywhere; however, a few that should be on your must-visit list include Cartlandia, in Southeast Portland, with carts offering cuisine from 15 different countries, and Park the Carts in Northwest Portland.

Portland’s incredibly diverse selection of food carts includes offerings covering every meal, including breakfast and dessert, along with some of the best craft beer offerings around. Most of the city’s food trucks accept credit cards and offer covered, pet-friendly outdoor seating where you can relax and enjoy the vibe of the city.