State of the Food Cart

July 30, 2014 (Updated July 11, 2016)

Food carts: They’re not just for Portland anymore. While Oregon’s capital of carts certainly has cornered the market on quantity (with an average of 500 to 600 diverse culinary cubes up and running on a given day), the trend is catching on around Oregon like grill fire. Here are a few not-to-miss miniature restaurants on wheels around the state.

Central  Oregon
Located two blocks west of Mirror Pond at the corner of Columbia and Hartford streets in Bend, “The Lot” cart pod houses Rico’s Tacos (tasty Mexican options), The Brown Owl (breakfast, sandwiches, burgers, burritos and a kids’ menu), Mauna Kea Grill (Asian-fusion and Hawaiian-style barbeque), Real Food Street Bistro (fresh, local, “New American” fare) and Thailandia (with Thai, Chinese and vegan/vegetarian options). Late night sweet lovers should check out Glazed and Amused Donuts at Greenwood Avenue and Northwest Hill Street, open until midnight.

Advertisements

Willamette Valley
In Eugene, Delacata (725 Olive Street) serves up delicious Southern soul food from pulled pork and hush puppies to unique concepts like the armadillo egg — a jalapeño stuffed with mozzarella and wrapped in home-made country sausage. Salem’s Fire ’n Slice (1923 Kenard Street N.W.), with gourmet burgers and sandwiches, was voted Best Food Truck in 2014 by the Statesman Journal’s annual “Best of the Mid Valley” poll.

Hood/Gorge
In Hood River, Four & Twenty Blackbirds promises “wholesome gourmet goodness” sourced from local farmers: breakfast, a changing lunch box and daily specials. (Check the website for locations.) Skyline Grill, a restored 1975 school bus in The Dalles, offers grilled and smoked meats that are natural, locally sourced and organic when possible (2705 Skyline Road). Bethy’s Waffle Wagon (39345 Pioneer Boulevard) in Sandy is a local favorite with sweet waffles (Georgia Peach for one), savory waffles (like the Ole’ McDonald) and the ice cream sundae waffle (Wow!).

Eastern Oregon
Ontario’s Tacos Mi Ranchito (252 S. Oregon Street) turns out a variety of freshly made Mexican specialties — shrimp tacos, chimichangas and burrito bowls. Michael’s Tacos (101 S.E. Front Street) in Boardman serves up spicy traditional Mexican dishes like tamales, tacos, burritos, tortas and enchiladas, as well as burgers and shakes.

Southern Oregon
In Medford, Victory Dogs (located at 8th and Central streets) elevates the humble hotdog with savory additions like the Grilled Bacon Dog, Pizza Dog and the Meatapocolypse. Guaranteed to change your view of hotdogs forever. It’s all about wings at Your Wingman in Grants Pass (128 S.E. K Street), with sauces ranging from safely spicy (Honey Lime) to seriously scorching (Snowblower). Try the sliders, too. Rosie’s Inferno Mobile Wood Fired Pizza — Southern Oregon’s first mobile wood fired pizzeria — turns out fresh, thin crust pies (and more) in Cave Junction three days a week and at festivals, street fairs and markets around the region. Try the Pesto Bacon Tomato Pizza and don’t miss Meatball Monday. (Located in the Chevron parking lot in Cave Junction.)

About The
Author

Eileen Garvin
Eileen Garvin lives and writes in Hood River. When she’s not hunched over her keyboard or digging in the garden, you can find her mountain biking, kiteboarding, hiking, skiing or camping somewhere in Oregon.