3 Food Carts You Must Eat in Portland
If it wasn’t for the Portland, OR food cart scene, we wouldn’t be where we are today. The interesting people sharing a piece of themselves through their food in tiny metal enclosures is what inspired us to tell their stories on this blog and what eventually led us to write a book about food trucks across the country. I firmly believe there still is no more authentic way to eat than at a food truck where there’s nothing but you, the chef, and the food. No white tablecloths, no waving down servers, just pure taste.
As tourists keep flocking to Portland, I always get asked what are the can’t miss places to eat. Naturally we always try and steer people towards the food cart scene. As we keep reading about more and more food cart pods closing down, there’s no better time than now to show your support for one of the most unique eating experiences in the world.
Speaking of Oregon, the classic kettle-cooked chips of Kettle Brand were founded in the back of a van in this beautiful state back in 1982. In celebration of its 35th Birthday, Kettle Brand is thanking fans by giving away $35K worth of prizes in 35 days. Enter now for a chance to win an awesome Portland food exploration trip, including roundtrip airfare, tickets to Feast Portland, accommodations at the Jupiter Hotel, Le Creuset products and more by visiting KettleBrand.com/Birthday. Sweepstakes ends on Nov. 5th. If you’re that lucky winner, here are the 3 Food Carts You Must Eat in Portland:
1. Nong's Khao Man Gai
What is there that hasn’t already been said about Nong Poonsukwattana and her famous cart. Over the years, Nong’s Khao Man Gai has become synonymous with Portland’s food cart scene. If anything, it’s become a prototype for what you can do from a food cart. A second location, a brick and mortar, a bottled sauce in stores... Nong’s success is well documented and well deserved. It’s truly amazing that all of this stemmed from one simple Thai chicken and rice dish, Khao Man Gai.
What to get: The Khao Man Gai of course! I have an obsession with chicken and rice so much so that I traveled all the way to Singapore to eat it. This is one of the best that I’ve had around the world. I highly HIGHLY recommend you add the liver and fried chicken skin as well.
Hit them up at their original food cart in Downtown’s famous 10th and Alder pod (that sadly one day soon will be no more).
SW 10th & Alder St.
2. Caspian Kabob
While you’re at Nong’s, save some room and stop next door to Victor Darchini’s Caspian Kabob. His food cart epitomizes one of the aspects that I love about the food truck scene in America. When someone is ultra passionate about their culture’s food and notices that a city doesn’t represent it well, food carts give that person an opportunity to share that love. That’s what Caspian Kabob is to Portland with its Persian food. I was lucky to grow up in Los Angeles in Little Persia where kubideh was as common as tacos. Now Portlanders can get that same taste that I remember so vividly as a kid.
What to get: The Kubideh. Ground lamb and beef grilled to juicy perfection. This is the dish that will get you coming back again and again.
SW 10th & Alder St.
3. Fried Egg I'm in Love
You can’t really leave PDX without partaking in their infamous brunch culture. Why not get that experience plus the food cart experience all rolled up into one. Fried Egg I’m in Love is a classic representation of a Portland food cart filled with passion and quirk. Jace Krause and Ryan Lynch serve up homemade sauces, handmade sausage patties, and a whole lotta yolk in mouthwatering breakfast sandwiches with names like “Egg Zeppelin” and “Smells Like Protein Spirit.” It’s a can’t miss stop on your next trip!
What to get: Our consistent go-to is the Yolko Ono. I can never say no to egg, sausage, and cheese!
3207 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
This post was sponsored by Kettle Brand. We've loved their chips for quite some time now. Our favorite flavors are Jalapeño and Honey Dijon. Let us know your favorites in the comments below!












