Best Food Truck/Carts in VanPort
Back in the day food trucks and carts used to have low reputations with names like roach coach and other derogatory terms. Now some of the best food can be found in these small take-a-way joints. Some are just OK. Some are epic. These are the ones you want.
1. Matt’s BBQ
Portland – North
One of the best food carts in PDX. Epic BBQ coming out of a funky trailer. Loads of character and flavor. The joint is uber popular. Expect a line. If you like spicy ask for Jalapenos. They’re wonderfully cooked whole which has a different flavor and texture.
2. Le Bistro Montage Ala Cart
Vancouver – East
Le Bistro Montage Ala Cart. They serve Cajun dishes like jambalaya and pro boy sandwiches but mac & cheese is their specialty. Those have a choice of “Additions”: CHICKEN, BACON, GATOR, SHRIMP, ANDOUILLE, SPAM. For those with dietary restrictions they have, GLUTEN FREE PENNE , BROCCOLI and JALAPEÑO. It really is great. It is far richer, bolder and more flavorful than anything than comes in a DIY box. You can sit in the in-closed seating area which serves drinks including beer and cider. The parking can be very challenging.
3. The Block
Portland – Downtown
Ranked #1 Philly cheesesteak by VanPort Insider. The Block is a food truck in Pioneer Square that has only two things to eat on their menu and they’re both sandwiches: A Reuben and Philly Cheesesteak. The topping options are onions, peppers, mushrooms and cheese. With a menu like that you’d better be great or you won’t last long. This truck has been around since 1997 so they’ve got it right. INSIDER TIP: While you’re there, experience the Echo Chamber. It’s a specific point in the square on the Northwest corner that looks like a small amphitheater where the architecture creates a natural reverb or echo effect, making sounds like voices or claps resonate in an interesting way. It never fails to blow people’s minds.
4. Mole Mole
Portland – Central
Mole Mole is a food cart but once you’re sitting at one of the picnic tables under the gazebo with your food on beautiful ceramic plates with metal cutlery…you might forget you’re at a cart. Mole Mole’s food is exceptional. I’ll go so far as to say it’s some of the best Mexican food in VanPort. Everything we had was very flavorful and delicious. We tried a few tacos and enchiladas. One of which was a mole, of course. This is a fab lunch spot when the weather is fair. If not, it’s top notch take out.
5. Scratch Breakfast
Vancouver- Downtown
Scratch is a food cart next to Tap Union House. I’m not interested in vegan food. When I see a place is vegan, my M.O. is to keep scrolling. I have a few good friends who are vegan who’ve dragged me to places they rave about, saying they’re “as good as the real thing.” Every time, I’ve been disappointed. But so many people recommended Scratch’s breakfast sandwich that I decided to take one for the team and review it. I was amazed that this vegan sandwich was not only okay—it was excellent. The flavor was fantastic, and the combination of ingredients worked beautifully together. The hash brown helped in a big way, and the pepper cheese sauce had a zesty kick that served as the perfect punctuation point for the ensemble.
6. Winston’s British Fish N Chips
Vancouver – Battleground
Ask people where to get great fish & chips you’ll be recommended to try Winston’s. But they also serve wings, Cod Chowder and a few desserts.
7. Krisey’s Kitchen
Vancouver – Central
Krisey’s Kitchen serves Southern style food and has a solid fan base. They’re known for huge portions.
8. Shawarma Station
Vancouver – East
A very popular cart at Oak Tree Station that serves shawarma gyros and wraps.
9. La Oie Cajun Cuisine
Vancouver – Hazel dell
Fantastic Cajun cart known for their jambalaya, Monte Cristo and po boy sandwiches. You can be adventurous and try the alligator.
10. Thai Sunflowers
Vancouver – East
The Pad See Ew is good but lacks any spice. My wife can’t handle hardly anything spicy. So for her so say it needed more is telling. The eggrolls are excellent. I love that they are lightly fried. So many places are way over done. But Thai Sunflower’s were some of the best I’ve had.
11. Tammys Bichin Kitchen
Vancouver – Central
Tammy’s is a cart that serves savory food at good prices. Their breakfast burrito has gravy on it. It’s different but pretty good. They serve a fantastic breakfast sandwich called the Goober. It has bacon, sausage a hashbrown and two fried eggs on a croissant. A lot of reviews talk big game about Tammy’s burgers which make me want to try one.
12. Farmer and the Beast
Portland – Knob Hill
Some say Farmer and the Beast has the best burger in Portland. I won’t go that far but their burger is really great. The patties are fab and it’s served on a very good bun. I like it with jalapenos, bacon steak and grilled onions. Their bacon tastes like ham. The basic burger is $12. With the additions it comes to $17. Parking is challenging.
13. Jojo Food Truck
Portland – Central
Notable fried chicken food cart. Portions are large. Chicken is quality. The spicy chicken isn’t very spicy. For an extra two bucks they’ll make it “Nashville spicy”, but it’s already $14. The bacon is very good. One of us ordered the chicken melt on toasted bread that is the best presentation and form factor. The jojos were fab. I liked the mango soda in a glass bottle for $2. Our final verdict was mixed. High quality but is it worth 4x the price of Chick-fil-A?
14. Pelmeni Pelmeni
Vancouver – East
Ukrainian cart at Oak Tree Station known for dumplings.
15. Banh Reade Smoke & Sand
Vancouver – East
A good BBQ truck that serves various meats in a few different forms. Brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken, BBQ chicken and barrel pork are served on sandwiches, tacos or just in the box. The prices seem sky high because the way menu is layed out. It’s easy to miss that all entrees come with a side of either Mac & cheese, beans or cabbage slaw. Taking that into consideration the prices are ok. They give you a pager when you order to let you know when yours is ready. I ordered the Urban Cowboy sandwich which has brisket, sauteed sweet onions, peppadews, provolone, horseradish aioli and sweet Carolina gold sauce. I chose the Mac for my side. The sandwich was good but I wish it didn’t have the bit of sweet sauce. My son ordered brisket with Mac. My sandwich was $18. His was $12 yet had more brisket and Mac. His was a better value and didn’t have that sweet sauce. His was the winner.
16. Lil’La Oie
Vancouve6r – Downtown
Lil’La Oie is a wonderful Cajun food cart. It’s a very rare thing when I can find great jambalaya. Many of them are like oatmeal. But that’s not the case here. This one has a delicious sauce and Andouille sausage and chicken. Now they just need a website.
17. The Cravory
Vancouver – East
The Cravory is a cart at Oak Tree Station. They make an excellent smash burger. It comes with two 2.5 oz (.15 lb) patties and American cheese. I add lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, jalapenos, bacon and awesome sauce. FINE POINTS: The patties are pretty small. Together they equal point .30 lb. That’s slightly larger than a quarter pound patty but smaller than a 1/3 lb. But you can add an extra patty for $1.75. The bacon cost a dollar. The gilled onions cost .50¢ but the jalapenos were free! Total $13.50. I can go to Killer and have my burger brought to me with a better vibe for only $12.50.
18. Moore Food & Co.
Portland – Central
Great Philly cheese steaks served on Amoroso’s rolls with American, Provolone, Swiss, or Kraft Cheese Whiz. I love it with grilled onions and hot peppers. Cool vibe in the covered seating area. Street parking is limited.
19. Monster Smash Burgers
Portland – Central
Monster Smash Burgers is on some of the notable lists of best burgers in the Van/Port area, including Oregon Live and EATER. I grew up loving the Universal Monster movies, so the decor is fun for me. This cart might be playful in its theme but they’re dead serious about their burgers. Not much to choose from for toppings though. Only cheese, pickles and sauce. It’s all about the smash patties and the bun. Both are exceptional. The cart is behind Belmont Station, so there’s beer and seating available. If you’re a smash burger purest, this is the joint for you.
20. Birrieria PDX
Vancouver – East
Birrieria PDX is a cart in Oak Tree Station. They have some of the best tacos in VanPort. They’re meats are seasoned well and I like their sauces. Their habanero is spicy and flavorful. Combined together they make some of the most delicious tacos in town.
More Lists
Best Philly Cheesesteak in VanPort
Top 20 Burgers in Van/Port
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