My Portlandia Foodie Bucket List
Who knew Portland has such the bustling food scene? I’ve been to Portland four times in the last two and a half years, but only recently discovered the food scene. Why just recently, you wonder? Well, it’s kind of a long story, and would rather talk about the food instead 🙂 Portland reminds me of a cross between San Francisco and Seattle, with a cool hipster scene. Of which the latter is something that I wish I could be, but I’m too preppy to be one. But I digress. Heck, PDX is so cool that it even has a show dedicated to the city called, “Portlandia,”created, written by and starring Fred Armisen (SNL) and Carrie Brownstein (vocalist/guitarist, WILD FLAG, Sleater-Kinney) on IFC.
PDX has that organic, go green, earthy vibe. Kind of granola-ish, but not so in-yo’-face. And like San Francisco and Seattle, Portland, too, has a variety of funky neighborhoods throughout the city, which are exploding with restaurants, food shops, food stands, and markets utilizing locally grown ingredients.
What really makes PDX a haven for foodies of all kinds is the massive numbers of food stands/carts/trucks located throughout the entire city. And by massive numbers, I mean over 600+ food stands, according to Food Carts Portland. The food truck scene to simply put it is a freakin’ phenomenon. Most of the food trucks are clustered in “pods” in parking lots around the city. You don’t need twitter, facebook, or any other technological means to hunt them down like you do in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. No. It’s much simpler than that. You simply just find their cross street locations and head towards that general direction to find their food cart. How wonderful is that?! Especially when you are on a timed mission to eat.
The food cart industry is a lucrative business. Low overhead, free will, independence, carefree creativity, and much more. It’s, well, just absolutely ingenious. I aspire to own my own food truck one day, and to start the trend of the food cart scene like Portland. I would love to introduce what good food tastes like to this chain-stricken food town.
Definition of food cart /fo͞od/ /kärt/ : a mobile kitchen that is set up on the street to facilitate the sale and marketing of street food to people from the local pedestrian traffic.
Note: this foodie bucket list of mine includes both restaurants, cafes, and food stands. I’m on quest to eat (or have eaten) these places on this list. And of course, like my other lists, I’m sure I’ll be adding and changing to this list often. So check back from time-to-time to see additions/deletions and reviews/photos.
Happy Eating!
Bamboo Sushi (sushi; sashimi; specialty items)
310 SE 28th Ave
Portland, OR 97214
Neighborhoods: Buckman, Southeast Portland
(503) 232-5255
Hours:
Mon-Sun 4:30 pm – 10 pm
Biwa (izakaya, aka japanese pub; yakimono; ramen; yakionigiri; kara-age)
215 SE 9th St
Portland, OR 97214
Neighborhoods: Buckman, Southeast Portland, Central Eastside
(503) 239-8830
Hours:
Mon-Sun 5 pm – 12 am
Big-Ass Sandwiches (food stand; the name says it all)
SW 3rd & Ash St
Portland, OR 97204
Neighborhoods: Southwest Portland, Old Town – Chinatown
(503) 803-0619
Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am – 5 pm
Fri-Sat 11 pm – 3 am
Sat-Sun 12 pm – 4 pm
bigasssandwiches.com
Bro-Dog (not just any kind of hot dog)
SW 5th Ave & SW Stark St
Portland, OR 97204
Neighborhoods: Southwest Portland, Downtown
(503) 277-0870
Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am – 3 pm
Brunchbox (food stand; burger meat between TWO texas toast cheese melts… enough said)
SW 5th Ave & SW Stark St
(between SW 5th Ave & SW Stark St)
Portland, OR 97204
Neighborhoods: Southwest Portland, Downtown
(503) 477-3286
Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am – 6 pm
Sat 11 am – 3 pm
Built To Grill (food stand; Italian; penne alla vodka)
SW 3rd Ave and SW Washington St
Portland, OR 97204
Neighborhoods: Southwest Portland, Downtown
(503) 789-3767
Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am – 5 pm
Bunk Sandwiches (pork belly cubano)
621 SE Morrison St
Portland, OR 97214
Neighborhoods: Industrial District, Buckman, Southeast Portland, Central Eastside
(503) 477-9515
Hours:
Mon-Sat 8 am – 3 pm
http://www.bunksandwiches.com/
Etta (sandwich truck; white truffle fries; corn dogs; burgers)
4290 SE Belmont
Good Food Here Pod
Portland, OR 97215
Neighborhoods: Sunnyside, Southeast Portland, Belmont
Hours:
Tue-Sat 11:30 am – 9 pm
http://www.violettapdx.com/etta.aspx
Heart Coffee Roasters (best coffee in Portland)
2211 E Burnside
Portland, OR 97214
Neighborhoods: Kerns, Northeast Portland
(503) 206-6602
Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am – 7 pm
Ken’s Artisan Bakery (macaroons; chocolate-filled croissants; morning buns)
338 NW 21st Ave
off Flanders
Portland, OR 97209
Neighborhoods: Alphabet District, Northwest
(503) 248-2202
Hours:
Mon – Sat: 7 am – 6 pm
Kenny and Zuke’s Delicatessen (Jewish style deli; pastrami cheese fries; reuben sandwiches)
1038 SW Stark St
Portland, OR 97205
Neighborhood: Downtown
(503) 222-3354
Hours:
Mon-Thu 7 am – 8 pm
Fri-Sat 7 am – 10 pm
Sun 8 am – 8 pm
Kim Jong Grillin’ (Korean BBQ food cart; bibim box; combo box)
48th Ave & Division St
Portland, OR 97206
Neighborhoods: Richmond, Clinton, Southeast Portland
(503) 926-2868
Hours:
Tue-Sat 12 pm – 9 pm
http://www.facebook.com/kimjonggrillin
Korean Twist (food stand; Korean burritos; bulgogi tacos)
SW 10th & Alder
Portland, OR 97205
Neighborhoods: Southwest Portland, Downtown
Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am – 5 pm
Sat 12 pm – 5 pm
Lardo (sandwich truck; porchetta sandwich; pork belly sandwich; lamb sliders)
4262 SE Belmont St
Portland, OR 97215
Neighborhoods: Sunnyside, Southeast Portland, Belmont
Hours:
Tue-Sat 12 pm – 3 pm
Tue-Thu 5:30 pm – 8 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm – 9 pm
Le Pigeon (foie gras caramel profiteroles; beef-cheek bourguignon)
738 E Burnside St
Portland, OR 97214
Neighborhoods: Buckman, Lower Burnside, Northeast Portland, Central Eastside
(503) 546-8796
Hours:
Mon-Sat 5 pm – 10 pm
Sun 5 pm – 9 pm
Little T American Bakery (chocolate-filled croissants; ciabatta; fresh baked breads)
2600 SE Division St
Portland, OR 97202
Neighborhoods: Hosford-Abernathy, Clinton, Southeast Portland
(503) 238-3458
Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am – 5 pm
Mother’s Bistro (comfort foods; breakfast)
212 SW Stark St
Portland, OR 97204
Neighborhoods: Southwest Portland, Downtown
(503) 464-1122
Hours:
Tue-Fri 7 am – 2:30 pm
Tue-Thu 5:30 pm – 9 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm – 10 pm
Sat-Sun 9 am – 2:30 pm
Moxie Rx (food stand; juice bar and smoothies; cheddar biscuit with smoked salmon)
N Mississippi Ave at N Shaver St
Portland, OR 97253
Neighborhoods: Boise, North Portland, Mississippi
Hours:
Mon, Fri-Sun 9 am – 4 pm
Nong’s Khao Man Gai (food stand; poached chicken with rice)
SW 10th and Alder
Portland, OR 97205
Neighborhoods: Southwest Portland, Downtown
(971) 255-3480
Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am – 4 pm
Sat 11 am – 3 pm
Pambiche (Cuban)
2811 NE Glisan St
Portland, OR 97232
Neighborhoods: Kerns, Northeast Portland
(503) 233-0511
Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am – 10 pm
Fri 11 am – 12 am
Sat 8 am – 12 am
Sun 8 am – 10 pm
PBJs (food stand; gourmet pb and j’s)
919 NW 23rd St
Portland, OR 97210
Neighborhoods: Alphabet District, Northwest
(702) 743-0435
Hours:
Wed-Sun 11 am – 5 pm
Pine State Biscuits (breakfast; biscuit sandwiches; biscuits & gravy)
3640 SE Belmont St
Portland, OR 97214
Neighborhoods: Sunnyside, Southeast Portland, Belmont
(503) 236-3346
Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am – 2 pm
http://www.pinestatebiscuits.com
Pix Patesserie (pastries)
3402 SE Division St
Portland, OR 97202
Neighborhoods: Richmond, Clinton, Southeast Portland
(503) 232-4407
Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 10 am – 12 am
Fri-Sat 10 am – 2 am
Pok Pok (Thai)
3226 SE Division St
Portland, OR 97202
Neighborhoods: Richmond, Clinton, Southeast Portland
(503) 232-1387
Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:30 am – 10 pm
Potato Champion (food stand; fries cones; poutine; chili cheese fries; PB&J fries)
SE 12th Ave & Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97255
Neighborhoods: Hosford-Abernathy, Southeast Portland, Central Eastside
(503) 593-9933
Hours:
Tue-Sun 12 pm – 3 am
http://www.potatochampion.com/
Savor Soup House (food stand; soups galore)
SW 10th Ave & SW Alder St
Portland, OR 97205
Neighborhoods: Southwest Portland, Downtown
(503) 548-7652
Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am – 4 pm
Screen Door (southern comfort foods… fried chicken & waffles; praline bacon)
2337 E Burnside St
Portland, OR 97214
Neighborhoods: Kerns, Northeast Portland
(503) 542-0880
Hours:
Mon-Sat 5:30 pm – 10 pm
Sat-Sun 9 am – 2:30 pm
Sun 5:30 pm – 9 pm
http://www.screendoorrestaurant.com
Slappy Cakes (diy pancakes built-in table griddles)
4246 SE Belmont St
Portland, OR 97215
Neighborhoods: Sunnyside, Southeast Portland, Belmont
(503) 477-4805
Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am – 2 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am – 3 pm
Stumptown Coffee Roasters (get a cup of coffee and head to VooDoo’s for some breakfast, midafternoon snack, and/or dinner)
128 SW 3rd Ave
Portland, OR 97204
Neighborhoods: Southwest Portland, Downtown
(503) 295-6144
Hours:
Mon-Sat 7 am – 9 pm
Sun 7 am – 8 pm
buystumptowncoffee.com
Tabor (food stand; Schnitzelwich; Halusky)
SW 5th Ave & SW Stark St
Portland, OR 97204
Neighborhoods: Southwest Portland, Downtown
(503) 997-5467
Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am – 3 pm
Tasty n Sons (breakfast; brunch)
Hub Bldg
3808 N Williams
Ste C
Portland, OR 97212
Neighborhoods: Boise, Mississippi
(503) 621-1400
Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 9 am – 10 pm
Fri-Sat 9 am – 11 pm
The Big Egg (food stand; sandwiches; The Portlander; Mississippi Monte Cristo)
N Mississippi Ave & N Skidmore St
Portland, OR 97217
Neighborhood: North Portland
Hours:
Wed-Fri 8 am – 1 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am – 2 pm
thebigeggfoodcart.blogspot.com
The Grilled Cheese Grill (food bus; burgers between two grilled cheese “buns”)
1027 NE Alberta
Portland, OR 97211
Neighborhoods: Northeast Portland, King
(503) 206-8959
Hours:
Tue-Thu 11:30 am – 9 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 am – 2:30 am
Sun 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
http://www.grilledcheesegrill.com
The Portland Soup Company (food stand; soups, sandwiches, salads food stand; slow smoked pork butt sandwich; applewood smoked trout chowder)
SW 4th and SW Hall
Portland, OR 97201
Neighborhoods: Southwest Portland, Downtown
(541) 968-1230
Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am – 3 pm
The Sugar Cube (dessert truck; coffee panna cotta with salted caramel sauce)
4262 SE Belmont St
Portland, OR 97217
Neighborhoods: Sunnyside, Southeast Portland, Belmont
(503) 890-2825
Hours:
Wed-Sun 12:30 pm – 8 pm
http://www.thesugarcubepdx.com
The Waffle Window (food stand; savory or sweet waffles)
SE 36th Ave and Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214
Neighborhoods: Richmond, Hawthorne, Southeast Portland
(503) 239-4756
Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 8 am – 6 pm
Fri-Sat 8 am – 9 pm
wafflewindow.com
Tin Shed Garden Cafe (some serious breakfast)
1438 NE Alberta St
Portland, OR 97211
Neighborhoods: Northeast Portland, King
(503) 288-6966
Hours:
Mon-Sun 7 am – 10 pm
http://www.tinshedgardencafe.com
Toro Bravo (spanish tapas)
120 NE Russell St
Portland, OR 97212
Neighborhoods: Eliot, Northeast Portland
(503) 281-4464
Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 5 pm – 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm – 11 pm
VooDoo Doughnuts (donuts galore)
22 SW 3rd Ave
Portland, OR 97204
Neighborhoods: Old Town – Chinatown, Downtown
(503) 241-4704
Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am – 9 am
Whiffies (hand pies, aka glorified hot pockets; savory or sweet)
SE 12th and SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214
Neighborhoods: Hosford-Abernathy, Southeast Portland, Central Eastside
(503) 946-6544
Hours:
Tue-Sun 11 am – 3 am
Whiskey Soda Lounge (bar food; cocktails; a must-do while waiting for a table at Pok Pok’s)
3131 SE Division St
Portland, OR 97202
Neighborhoods: Richmond, Clinton, Southeast Portland
(503) 232-0102
Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 5 pm – 12 am
Fri-Sat 5 pm – 1 am
whiskeysodalounge.com
Wolf and Bear’s (“best falafel in town”)
1934 SE Morrison St
Portland, OR 97214
Neighborhoods: Buckman, Southeast Portland, Belmont
Hours:
Tue-Thu 12 pm – 8 pm
Fri-Sat 12 pm – 10 pm
Sun 12 pm – 4 pm
myspace.com/wolfandbearskitchen
Hungry Foodies Pharmacy 
Great list!