12 Portland, Oregon Food Trucks You Have To Try
Portland, Oregon has earned its reputation as a food lover’s playground, and the city’s food trucks are a big reason why.
From downtown streets to tucked-away corners, these mobile kitchens serve dishes that range from inventive fusion to perfectly executed classics.
Each truck carries its own personality, flavors that surprise, and the kind of passion that makes every bite memorable.
Locals and visitors chase them for tacos, ramen, or sweet treats that feel impossible to resist.
In Portland, food trucks are more than quick meals; they are experiences, a taste of creativity on wheels, and a delicious reason to explore the city’s streets one stop at a time.
1. Picone’s Quality Deli
Authentic Italian sandwiches are the specialty here, and every bite tastes like it was made by someone’s Italian grandmother.
The truck’s exterior features classic red, white, and green stripes that make it impossible to miss in any pod.
Located at 5215 N Lombard St, Portland, OR 97203, this mobile deli has become a Portland staple.
Their famous meatball sub comes loaded with house-made marinara and melted provolone that drips down your fingers in the best possible way.
The bread gets baked fresh daily and delivered each morning, giving every sandwich that perfect crispy-outside, fluffy-inside texture.
Owner Tony Picone actually learned his recipes from his nonna in Brooklyn before moving west.
Pro tip: order the Italian combo if you can’t decide, because it packs five different meats onto one incredible sandwich.
The portions are massive, so come hungry or plan to save half for later.
2. DesiPDX
Vibrant Indian street food comes alive at this truck, where the aroma of spices hits you before you even see the menu.
The truck itself sports bold orange and yellow paint with intricate mandala designs that celebrate Indian culture.
You’ll find them at 4233 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217, usually with a crowd of regulars who know exactly what to order.
Their chicken tikka masala has won multiple local awards and features tender meat swimming in a creamy tomato sauce that’s perfectly balanced.
The samosas get fried to order, so they arrive at your hands piping hot with that satisfying crunch.
Fun fact: the owner’s mother flies in from Mumbai twice a year to update the spice blends they use.
Don’t skip the mango lassi, which cools down even the spiciest dishes with its sweet, creamy goodness.
Vegetarians will find plenty of options here, including dal that simmers all day for maximum flavor.
3. Farmer and the Beast
Locally sourced ingredients meet creative cooking at this farm-to-table truck that changes its menu with the seasons.
The truck features reclaimed barn wood siding and hand-painted farm animal murals that give it serious rustic charm.
Parked at 1845 NW 23rd Pl, Portland, OR 97210, they’ve built a loyal following among Portland’s foodie crowd.
Their signature beast burger combines grass-fed beef with bacon jam, aged cheddar, and arugula on a brioche bun that somehow doesn’t fall apart.
Everything from the pickles to the ketchup gets made in-house, which you can definitely taste in every component.
The chef previously worked at a Michelin-starred restaurant in San Francisco before deciding food trucks were more fun.
Seasonal specials might include wild mushroom risotto in fall or heirloom tomato salads in summer, depending on what local farmers bring.
Prices run slightly higher than typical food truck fare, but the quality justifies every dollar spent here.
4. Tierra del Sol
Authentic Oaxacan recipes passed down through three generations make this truck stand out in Portland’s crowded taco scene.
The bright yellow truck features a giant painted sun that practically glows, even on Portland’s grayest days.
They set up shop at 6935 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97213, bringing southern Mexican flavors to Northeast Portland.
Their mole negro takes two days to prepare and includes over twenty ingredients, creating a complex sauce that tastes different with every bite.
The handmade tortillas get pressed to order from heirloom corn imported directly from Oaxaca, giving them an earthy flavor you won’t find elsewhere.
The owner’s abuela still calls from Mexico to make sure the recipes stay authentic.
Try the tlayuda, which is basically a giant crispy tortilla topped with beans, meat, and vegetables that works as a complete meal.
Weekend specials often feature barbacoa that’s been slow-cooked overnight in banana leaves.
5. Kim Jong Grillin’
Name aside, this Korean BBQ truck serves some of the most flavorful fusion food in the city.
The truck’s design features bold red and black graphics that definitely get people talking.
Located at 4727 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland, OR 97206, they’ve mastered the art of combining Korean flavors with American comfort food.
Their kim-cheese fries top crispy fries with bulgogi beef, melted cheese, kimchi, and sriracha mayo in a combination that shouldn’t work but absolutely does.
The Korean fried chicken arrives extra crispy with a sweet and spicy glaze that’ll have you licking your fingers.
Interestingly, the owner has never actually been to Korea but learned all his recipes from YouTube videos and Korean cookbooks.
Portions are generous enough to share, though you probably won’t want to give up a single bite.
The bibimbap bowl offers a healthier option while still packing tons of flavor and colorful vegetables.
6. Thai Champa
Spicy, sweet, sour, and savory flavors all come together perfectly at this authentic Thai truck.
The exterior showcases traditional Thai patterns in gold and red, with lotus flower designs that make it look like a mobile temple.
You’ll spot them at 938 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214, where they’ve become a Burnside-area favorite.
Their pad thai strikes that ideal balance between tangy tamarind sauce and perfectly cooked rice noodles topped with crushed peanuts.
The papaya salad arrives so spicy that they make you sign a waiver for the extra-hot version, and the regular heat level satisfies most people.
The chef trained in Bangkok for five years before opening this truck with her American husband.
Green curry here uses fresh Thai basil and coconut milk that creates a soup so aromatic you can smell it from a block away.
Everything gets cooked to order in a tiny kitchen that somehow produces restaurant-quality dishes in minutes.
7. Stretch the Noodle
Hand-pulled noodles get made right before your eyes at this mesmerizing Chinese truck.
The truck’s side panel features a window where you can watch the chef stretch and pull dough into impossibly long noodles.
They operate at 431 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97204, and the noodle-making demonstration alone draws curious crowds.
Their signature beef noodle soup contains tender braised beef in a rich broth that’s been simmered for hours with star anise and ginger.
The noodles themselves have that perfect chewy texture that only comes from hand-pulling, something machines can never quite replicate.
The owner learned this traditional technique from a master noodle maker in Lanzhou, China, during a two-year apprenticeship.
Cold sesame noodles make an excellent choice for warmer days, tossed with cucumber, peanut sauce, and chili oil.
Lines can get long during lunch rush, but watching the noodle-making process makes the wait entertaining rather than annoying.
8. Tokyo Sando
Japanese comfort food takes sandwich form at this minimalist truck that focuses on quality over quantity.
The truck features clean white panels with simple black Japanese characters and a small cherry blossom accent.
Stationed at 431 SW Harvey Milk St, Portland, OR 97204, they’ve introduced Portland to the art of Japanese sandwiches.
Their katsu sando contains a perfectly fried pork cutlet on impossibly soft milk bread with tangy tonkatsu sauce and shredded cabbage.
The egg salad sandwich might sound boring, but the Japanese version uses creamy Kewpie mayo and gets cut into perfect rectangles.
Each sandwich gets wrapped in paper and cut diagonally, because presentation matters even from a food truck.
Fruit sandos appear on the menu seasonally, featuring fresh strawberries and whipped cream between fluffy bread slices that taste like dessert.
The owner imports the special milk bread from a Japanese bakery in California because Portland bakeries couldn’t get the texture right.
9. Dosirak
Korean lunch boxes get reimagined at this truck that serves complete meals in convenient portable containers.
The truck’s bright design features illustrations of traditional Korean dosirak boxes with various compartments.
Find them at 1901 SW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97201, serving balanced meals that include protein, rice, and several side dishes.
Their bulgogi box comes with marinated beef, steamed rice, kimchi, pickled radishes, and seasoned spinach all arranged in separate sections.
Each component maintains its own flavor while working together as a complete meal that hits every taste note.
The concept comes from Korean school lunches, which the owner missed desperately after moving to America fifteen years ago.
Spicy pork and fried chicken options provide alternatives to beef, all served with the same thoughtful side dish selection.
The metal containers they use are reusable, and you get a discount if you return them for your next meal, making this an eco-friendly choice too.
10. Birrieria La Plaza
Slow-cooked goat meat and rich consomé have made this truck a weekend destination for taco lovers across Portland.
The truck displays vibrant Mexican flag colors with hand-painted agave plants and traditional pottery designs.
Located at 5205 SE Foster Rd, Portland, OR 97206, they specialize in the Jalisco-style birria that’s taken social media by storm.
Their quesabirria tacos get dipped in consomé before hitting the griddle, creating crispy, cheesy, meaty perfection that you dip back into the broth.
The meat cooks overnight in a blend of dried chiles and spices until it falls apart at the slightest touch.
Weekends see lines stretching around the block, because word has spread about how good these tacos really are.
Traditional birria by the pound is available if you want to take some home for your own meal prep.
The family recipe comes from Guadalajara and hasn’t changed in over fifty years, according to the owner’s grandmother who still supervises the cooking process.
11. Potato Champion
Belgian-style fries reign supreme at this late-night favorite that’s saved countless hungry late-night crowds on long days.
The truck features a cartoon potato wearing a championship belt and cape, perfectly capturing the playful vibe.
They park at 1207 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214, staying open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays when many food carts have closed.
Their poutine tops twice-fried Belgian fries with cheese curds and rich gravy, creating the ultimate comfort food experience.
The fries themselves get cut thick and fried in small batches to ensure maximum crispiness outside and fluffy potato inside.
Fun fact: the owner is actually from Belgium and moved to Portland specifically because of its food truck culture.
Over twenty different sauce options let you customize your fries, from classic ketchup to exotic choices like rosemary truffle aioli.
The vegan options are surprisingly good, with cashew-based sauces that rival their dairy counterparts in flavor and creaminess.
12. Bing Mi
Chinese street food comes to Portland through these savory crepes that make breakfast exciting again.
The truck sports modern graphics showing the crepe-making process with Chinese street scenes in the background.
Parked at 3552 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202, they’ve introduced Portlanders to jianbing, a popular Chinese breakfast item.
Their classic bing features a crispy crepe filled with egg, scallions, cilantro, crispy wonton, and your choice of protein with sweet and spicy sauces.
Watching them make each order is entertainment itself, as the cook spreads batter on a round griddle before adding toppings in quick succession.
The owner ate these every morning growing up in Beijing and wanted to share that experience with Portland.
Customization options let you add extras like cheese, bacon, or kimchi for fusion versions that honor the original while embracing Portland’s creative food culture.
They’re open for breakfast and lunch, making them perfect for early risers or late brunchers alike.