Oregon Food Truck Pods to Visit This Spring

Keep On Truckin'

Saviors during Covid, food truck pods are surging in creativity around the state

written by Jean Chen Smith

IF YOU LIVE in Oregon, chances are you are not a stranger to the food truck phenomenon. After all, there are more than 500 food trucks in Portland alone, although because of the challenges they face, this number is not an exact accounting. Food pods are a group of individual food trucks that are in one area and have become even more popular during the pandemic. Here we have compiled a list of some of the best pods in Oregon.

Central Oregon

Crosscut Warming Hut No. 5 is in Bend and is popular with beer drinkers as it offers locally crafted beer as well as those specific to the Pacific Northwest. Wine is available on-site as well. There are three different food cart offerings that are sure to satisfy. Abe Capanna’s Detroit Pan Pizza serves deep dish, thick-crusted pizza like you have never tasted before! Here you’ll encounter perfect proportions of dough and cheese with a large selection of toppings.

Crosscut Warming Hut No. 5 in Bend is a great indoor/outdoor venue for foodies and local beer aficionados.

Steve Heinrichs Photography

Bluma’s Chicken & Waffles is great for sandwiches, but go for what they are known for—chicken and waffles, boneless deep-fried chicken with Belgian waffles. Did you want maple syrup and hot honey with that?

Sure, why not! Gyro Power is an ode to Mediterranean street food, serving up plump falafel, hummus, and of course tzatziki. Ample seating—both indoor and outside—is available. Check the website for a list of concerts and events. (www.crosscutbeer.com)

Another great spot in Bend is The Lot, which was established in 2013 and offers four food carts and its taproom serving beer, cider, hard seltzer and wine. Choose from Fricken Fraco, which has fried chicken and fish taco offerings, Burgz N Dogz, Maki Maki Sushi, and Á La Carte, which serves up fries, salads and delicious tacos. The seating area opens up in the warmer months and can be enclosed in winter months, along with ample heat and heated benches to keep hungry visitors cozy. (www.facebook. com/ eLotBend)

The Barn in Sisters is thirty minutes from Bend. Set in a spacious barn, it does not disappoint in ambience. The Taphouse serves local brews, and there are currently four food trucks on-site: Rootbound for vegan eats, Boone Dog Pizza, Chulita Tacos and Pop’s Southern BBQ. Rootbound has amazing salad options such as winter rooted salad and ingredients change with the seasons. Pop’s has a sumptuous brisket and a delicious smoked chicken. You will want to box that up and take some home. (www.thebarninsisters.com)

In the small unincorporated town of Tumalo sits The Bite, well-known for its superb carts such as Rico’s Tacos, NorthFresh Sushi, Pine Marten Pizza and the meaty sandwich cart The Rogue Chef. Popular with locals and tourists, it does get crowded, especially if the weather is nice. But with lots of seating options, it is a great way to enjoy a day in Central Oregon. The Rogue Chef is Stefan Pena, who has been in the food industry for more than twenty years and was formerly the head chef at Peerless Restaurant & Bar in Ashland. His cart serves cheesesteak, grilled cheese, garlic fries and reuben sandwiches.

In the small unincorporated town of Tumalo sits The Bite, well-known for its superb carts such as Rico’s Tacos, NorthFresh Sushi, Pine Marten Pizza and the meaty sandwich cart The Rogue Chef.

NorthFresh Sushi serves creative Japanese food such as kimchi ghost pepper poké and tempura jalapeño poppers. All of those in a sushi eatery!

The cart brings in fresh fish delivered daily and works with reliable and sustainable suppliers throughout Oregon. (www. thebitetumalo.com)

The Bite in Tumalo is popular with locals and tourists.

The Bite

Portland Area

Portland’s food scene is explosive and creative, with a lot to explore. It’s hard to pick a favorite. Travel Portland has developed a user-friendly Food Cart Finder (www.bit.ly/PortlandFoodCartFinder) where hungry diners can search and find a list of pods in the area. What’s even better is the website’s filter option, which can help find the type of cuisine you might want to try or filter for any dietary restrictions or preferences.

Hinterland at SE 50th between Hawthorne and Division opened January 2022 with heated and covered outdoor seating.

The pod offers five thoughtfully curated food carts ranging from BBQ tacos and burgers to vegan-friendly options such as Mexican hotspot La Taquiza Vegana. One of the food carts is Third Culture Kitchen, a collaboration between owners Billy Faqua and Jon Free who grew up in Peru and Japan respectively.

Newly opened Hinterland food cart pod on SE 50th in Portland.

Katie Acheff/Acheff Images

Third Culture Kitchen integrates both culinary upbringings and experiences. Try their Nashville fried chicken sandwich, a filling and savory delight. Check out the offerings at Burger Stevens, where chef Don Salamone draws from his experience in fine dining and uses the highest quality beef and local ingredients. An added benefit of Hinterland is its website which also publishes the food cart menu offerings. There are also cocktails, beer and wine available for purchase on site. (www.hinterlandpdx.com)

For a bigger selection, wander down to Hawthorne Asylum near SE Hawthorne in the Central Eastside, where there are twenty-one food carts to choose from, ranging from savory tacos, burgers and grilled cheese to waffles and baked goods. The Asylum is more like a hang out place rather than a grab-and-go pod. There is an enclosed space for warming up as well as a fire pit outdoors. Foodies can choose from Southern mac and cheese from Montage Ala Cart, Korean burritos and rice bowls from Korean Twist, or waffle sandwiches from Smaaken, among many others such as Texicano, Tall Boy, La Naranja and Dr. Philly Cheesesteak. The hard part is deciding where to eat and picking a favorite. (www.instagram. com/hawthorne_asylum)

Hawthorne Asylum food carts in Portland.

Celeste Noche/Travel Portland

Just a twenty-minute drive from Portland, Oregon City is home to Corner 14, a full-service bar that hosts more than twelve food carts. Open seven days a week, you will find groups of people enjoying food and drinks along with a favorite Oregonian past-time—axe throwing. Check Corner 14’s website for live concerts and other events.

Maw Maw’s serves authentic Cajun cuisine that doesn’t disappoint. Try Shawarma Express if you have a hankering for Middle Eastern shawarma and kebab or check out e Freckled Peach, which has sweet and savory waffles. Want Thai food? Krua Bangkok has the best red curry and pad thai. There is something for every taste bud here. Locally owned by the Fowler family, who have lived in Oregon City since the 1950s, Corner 14 is a gathering place both for locals as well as visitors from all over. Next time, you are in the area, stop by and check out the welcoming space. (www. corner14oc.com)

The Freckled Peach at Oregon City’s Corner 14.

Aubrie LeGault

Sandlandia World Cuisine sits between Portland and Mt. Hood in the town of Sandy. World Cuisine is located at 38400 Pioneer Boulevard across from the Sandy Shell Station, where travelers can find carts such as Taqueria El Jaliscience, Cast Iron Skillet, Breakfast in the Hood, Pinto Thai and Gyro Time to name a few. There is outdoor seating under a tent. Hours vary by food cart, so please check their website for updated hours and information. (www.facebook. com/sandlandia)

Southern Oregon

Food trucks are popular throughout Klamath Falls. Rather than large clusters, usually the eateries number between two and three. Because of their small clusters, the pods do not have names. The two most well-known spots are located on South Sixth Street, relatively close to each other. Located at 3540 S. 6th St. are Fuong’s Kitchen, SomTum Thai, Hangry House and Die Hard Coffee. Fuong’s serves delicious curry chicken and vegetarian spring rolls. Sum Tom Thai has absolutely delicious noodle offerings. Do not miss its pad see ew, another name for stir-fried soy sauce noodles. All are open Monday through Saturday at various times, and Die Hard Coffee is open seven days a week. Please check each cart’s website for hours.

The second location at 3131 S. 6th St. plays host to Tacos la Fogata, Triple J Deli and Sweet and Savory. Tacos la Fogata is known for its Mexican street food such as carne asada, adobada and al pastor tacos. They make guacamole, which is fresh and tasty. Triple J Deli serves up diverse offerings with sandwiches, wraps and smoothies. Sweet and Savory fills with burgers, fries, waffles and sweet treats, which rotate over time. (www. discoverklamath.com/eat-drink)

Triple J Deli in Klamath Falls.

Triple J Deli

Also located in Klamath Falls, The Falls Taphouse has indoor seating with a rooftop area along with plenty of seating outside. The taphouse is located on the hillside and has two food cart options, Maria’s Taqueria and Wubba’s BBQ. Open seven days a week, the tap menu offers a variety of beers and ciders. Maria’s serves tacos, burritos and gringa, which is similar to a quesadilla. Wubba’s BBQ has some of the best pulled pork in the area. Staff are friendly and upbeat. (www.facebook.com/ thefallstaphouse)

The Falls Taphouse in Klamath Falls has a great outdoor vibe.

The Falls Taphouse

Visit The Great Eats of the Street in Medford for chicken and waffles, BBQ and tasty hot dogs. Bartlett Bites, at the corner of 4th and Bartlett, is another food pod option. There the Prickly Pear serves Cuban food such as the Havana Bowl with either chicken or pork. (www.bit.ly/GreatEatsMedford; www.facebook.com/ BartlettBitesMedford)

The Lot Roseburg is conveniently located half a mile off of I-5 Exit 124. Taco Da Town and Dragon Wagon are hits at The Lot. Taco Da Town serves up vegetarian-friendly tacos and bites while Dragon Wagon has affordable and yummy Thai food. (www.bit.ly/TheLotRoseburg)

Taco Da Town at The Lot in Roseburg.

Jonathan Cummings/Experience Roseburg

Taco Da Town and Dragon Wagon are hits at The Lot Roseburg. Taco Da Town serves up vegetarian-friendly tacos and bites while Dragon Wagon has affordable and yummy Thai food.

Northwest Oregon

Along the coast in Astoria, this pod is unnamed, but it has many options and some of the area’s best sandwiches and Thai food. Head to the Corner of 11th and Duane to find a collection of food offerings such as Coffee or Waffle, CS Fishery, Hong Kong Taco and Roll and Bowl to name a few. All food can be ordered ahead of time through Slurpalicious. (www. astoriaeatsout.com/carts)

Coffee or Waffle food cart in Astoria.

Candy Yiu

Western Oregon

In the college town of Corvallis, home to Oregon State University, is Common Fields, a small collective of food pods where college students and locals hang out to grab a bite to eat and something to drink. Seating is separated by stalls with tables and chairs for privacy. All dining stalls are covered to offer shelter from rain and the elements. There is also an indoor space with more tables to gather along with retail items for sale. Though the pod often rotates dining offerings, currently food carts include healthy Mediterranean food from Kalamata Bistro, hearty German and Bavarian dishes from Black Forest Kitchen, authentic food from Nai Nai’s Burmese Snack Shack and Salvadoran cuisine from Pupuseria Del Valle. The salads are fresh and delicious from Kalamata’s kitchen and the dumplings as are the savory noodles from Nai Nai’s, which means grandmother in Chinese. (www.commonfields corvallis.com)

In downtown Eugene, known only by its cross streets of 8th and Olive, this international assortment of food truck pods is hugely popular. All Thai’d Up serves tasty stir fry, curry dishes and made-to-order noodles, while Bing King has traditional Chinese crepes, a must if you have never tried them. Limited outdoor seating available. (www.eugenecascades coast.org/blog/post/guide-toeugene-food-truck-pods)

All Thai’d Up in Eugene’s 8th and Olive pod.

Melanie Griffin/EugeneCascadesCoast.org