Food carts in Portland, Oregon

Food carts in 2017

The city of Portland, Oregon, United States, has experienced a boom in the number of food carts due to relatively low regulation compared to other North American cities.[1]

## History

[edit]

Alder Street food cart pod (2013)

In 1965, the first food cart in Portland, which sold kosher hot dogs, was set up across from Portland City Hall.[1] In 1976, Portland opened up all of its downtown parks to competitive bidding.[2]

A 2001 report in The Oregonian stated Portland was home to 175 carts, with fierce competition for the four cart spaces available since 1987 in the South Park Blocks.[3][4] A bidding war in February 2001 led to a combined price of $192,000 for the spaces.[3] There was also a large cluster, often referred to as a food cart pod, at Fifth and Stark street, and one food cart had been operating since 1980.[4]

In 2010 it was estimated that there are between 450 and 671 carts citywide.[5][6]

## Regulation

[edit]

Most North American cities sought to make the street for cars in the mid twentieth century, and thus imposed strict regulations on food carts, which led to few food carts remaining. In comparison, Portland has low regulation, such as having nearly no requirement for a food cart to have a particular structure, which makes the cost of entry low, and thus leading to a proliferation of carts. Many regulations are also not enforced as long as health and safety are not impacted.[1]

## Notable pods and foods carts

[edit]

Notable food cart pods currently operating in Portland include the Cart Blocks, Cartopia, Collective Oregon Eateries, Hawthorne Asylum, Hinterland Bar and Food Carts, Lil' America, Midtown Beer Garden, Nob Hill Food Carts, Portland Mercado, Prost Marketplace, and Springwater Cart Park (formerly known as Cartlandia).

Businesses that have operated as food carts in the city include:

* Bark City BBQ
* Bing Mi
* Birrieria La Plaza
* Birrieria PDX
* Chicken and Guns
* El Cubo de Cuba
* Deadstock Coffee
* Desi PDX
* Dirty Lettuce
* E-san Thai Cuisine
* Erica's Soul Food
* Fifty Licks
* Flying Fish Company
* Fried Egg I'm in Love
* Gracie's Apizza
* The Grilled Cheese Grill
* Jojo
* Kee's Loaded Kitchen
* Kim Jong Grillin'
* Le Bistro Montage
* Los Gorditos
* Matt's BBQ
* Matta
* MidCity SmashBurger
* Mole Mole
* Nacheaux
* Nong's Khao Man Gai
* Off the Griddle
* Paladin Pie
* PDX Sliders
* Ruthie's
* Shanghai's Best
* Smaaken Waffle Sandwiches
* Stretch the Noodle
* Sure Shot Burger
* Tamale Boy
* Tierra del Sol
* Tight Tacos
* Tokyo Sando
* Viking Soul Food
* Yoshi's Sushi

### Defunct

[edit]

Defunct pods include the Alder Street food cart pod (1990s–2019) and Carts on Foster, which closed in 2023.

Defunct food carts include Baby Blue Pizza, El Gallo Taqueria, Holy Trinity Barbecue, PDX671, and Sweet Lorraine's.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Newman, Lenore Lauri; Burnett, Katherine (February 2013). "Street food and vibrant urban spaces: lessons from Portland, Oregon". Local Environment. 18 (2): 233–248. doi:10.1080/13549839.2012.729572.
2. ^ "In their own words: The story of Portland's food cart phenomenon". Portland Business Journal. July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on 2022-03-25. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
3. ^ a b Thompson, Courtenay (March 23, 2001). "PSU Food Cart Bidding Battle Mystifies, Stings". The Oregonian. p. C02.
4. ^ a b Heinz, Spencer (April 9, 2001). "Taste the World, One Cart at a Time". The Oregonian. p. B01.
5. ^ "21 top time-saving cities". CNN. March 15, 2010. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
6. ^ "Small Fries Unite!". The Portland Mercury. January 19, 2012. Archived from the original on June 15, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

* Food portal
* Oregon portal

* Media related to Food carts in Portland, Oregon at Wikimedia Commons

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Restaurants in Portland, Oregon

* Abigail Hall
* Abyssinian Kitchen
* Akadi
* Alberta Street Pub
* Alibi
* Amalfi's
* Ambassador
* An Xuyên Bakery
* Andina
* Angel Face
* Anna Bannanas
* Annam VL
* Annie's Donuts
* Apex
* Apizza Scholls
* Assembly Brewing
* Astral
* Ate-Oh-Ate
* Atlas Pizza
* Ava Gene's
* Baby Doll Pizza
* Back 2 Earth
* Back Stage Bar
* Badlands
* Baes Fried Chicken
* Bakeshop
* Bar Cala
* Barista
* Bark City BBQ
* Bear Paw Inn
* Beastro
* Bella's Italian Bakery
* Bellwether Bar
* Belmont Station
* Behind the Museum
* Ben & Esther's Vegan Jewish Deli
* Berlu
* Bernstein's Bagels
* Besaw's
* Bhuna
* Bible Club
* Bing Mi
* Bipartisan
* Birrieria La Plaza
* Birrieria PDX
* Blossoming Lotus
* Bluefin Tuna and Sushi
* Bluto's
* Bollywood Theater
* Botanical Bakeshop
* Bowery Bagels
* Bread and Ink
* Bridge City Pizza
* Brix Tavern
* Broder
* Bullard Tavern
* Bye and Bye
* Cadillac Cafe
* Cafe Nell
* Cafe Olli
* Caffè Umbria
* Campana
* Canard
* Carlita's
* Caro Amico
* Case Study
* Cassidy's
* CC Slaughters
* Cha Cha Cha
* Cheerful Bullpen
* Cheryl's on 12th
* Chicken and Guns
* Chin's Kitchen
* Cibo
* Clarklewis
* Cloud City Ice Cream
* Clyde's Prime Rib
* Coco Donuts
* Coffee Time
* Coffin Club
* Coopers Hall
* Coquine
* The Country Cat
* Cricket Cafe
* Crush Bar
* Dan and Louis Oyster Bar
* Darcelle XV Showplace
* Davenport
* Deadshot
* Deadstock Coffee
* Delicious Donuts
* Delta Cafe
* Departure
* Desi PDX
* Devils Point
* Dick's Primal Burger
* Dimo's Apizza
* Dirty Lettuce
* Dixie Tavern
* Doc Marie's
* Dockside
* Doe Donuts
* Dolly Olive
* Donnie Vegas
* Dos Hermanos Bakery
* Double Dragon
* Doug Fir Lounge
* Dough Zone
* Dove Vivi
* Driftwood Room
* Du's Grill
* Duck House
* East Glisan Pizza Lounge
* East India Co.
* EastBurn
* Eat: An Oyster Bar
* Edelweiss
* Eem
* Either/Or
* El Cubo de Cuba
* Erica's Soul Food
* Escape from New York Pizza
* Excellent Cuisine
* Expatriate
* Farina Bakery
* Favela Brazilian Cafe
* The Fields
* Fifty Licks
* Fish Sauce
* Flying Fish
* Frank's Noodle House
* Franks-A-Lot
* Fried Egg I'm in Love
* Fuller's
* G-Love
* Gabbiano's
* Gado Gado
* Genie's Cafe
* Gilda's
* Gladstone Street Pizza
* Goose Hollow Inn
* Gracie's Apizza
* Grana Pizza Napoletana
* Grassa
* The Grilled Cheese Grill
* Güero
* Ha VL
* Habibi
* Hale Pele
* Han Oak
* Hanoi Kitchen
* Hapa PDX
* Happy Dragon
* Harlow
* Hat Yai
* Heavenly Creatures
* Heart Coffee
* Helen Bernhard Bakery
* Henry Higgins Boiled Bagels
* Hey Love
* HeyDay
* Higgins
* HK Cafe
* Hoda's
* Holman's
* Hopworks
* Horse Brass Pub
* Huber's
* HunnyMilk
* Imperial Bottle Shop & Taproom
* Jacqueline
* Jake's Famous Crawfish
* Jake's Grill
* Jam on Hawthorne
* Jeju
* JinJu Patisserie
* Joe Brown's Carmel Corn
* Joe's Cellar
* Jojo
* Kachka
* Kann
* Kate's Ice Cream
* Kay's Bar
* Kee's Loaded Kitchen
* Kells Irish Pub
* Ken's Artisan Bakery
* Ken's Artisan Pizza
* Kennedy School
* Kenny's Noodle House
* Khao Moo Dang
* Ki'ikibáa
* Kim Jong Grillin'
* Kinboshi Ramen
* Kulfi
* L'Orange
* La Bonita
* La Calaca Comelona
* Langbaan
* Lardo
* Laurelhurst Market
* Laurelwood
* Lauretta Jean's
* Le Happy
* Le Pigeon
* Lechon
* Lilia Comedor
* Little Griddle
* Little T American Baker
* Los Gorditos
* Love Shack
* Lovejoy Bakers
* Lovely's Fifty Fifty
* Low Brow Lounge
* Loyal Legion
* Lúc Lắc
* Luce
* Lucky Labrador
* Lutz Tavern
* Mad Greek Deli
* Magna Kusina
* Mama Bird
* Mama Mia Trattoria
* Maruti
* Masala Lab
* Master Kong
* The Matador
* Matt's BBQ
* Matta
* Maurice
* Meals 4 Heels
* Mediterranean Exploration Company
* Mei Sum Bakery
* Mémoire Cà Phê
* Mendelssohns
* MidCity SmashedBurger
* Mikiko Mochi Donuts
* Mis Tacones
* Miss Delta
* Mole Mole
* Morchella
* Mother's Bistro
* Mucca Osteria
* Multnomah Whiskey Library
* Murata
* My Father's Place
* Nacheaux
* Navarre
* New Cascadia Traditional
* Nicholas
* Nick's Famous Coney Island
* Nimblefish
* Nite Hawk
* No Saint
* Noble Rot
* Nodoguro
* Nong's Khao Man Gai
* Nossa Familia
* Nostrana
* Nudi Noodle Place
* Nuestra Cocina
* Nuvrei
* Oaks Bottom Public House
* Off the Griddle
* OK Omens
* Old Town Pizza
* Olive or Twist
* Olympia Provisions
* Oma's Hideaway
* The Original Dinerant
* Original Hotcake House
* Otto's
* Oven and Shaker
* Ox
* PaaDee
* Pal's Shanty Tavern
* Paladin Pie
* Paley's Place
* Palomar
* Pambiche
* Papa Haydn
* Papi Chulo's
* Pasar
* Pastificio d'Oro
* Pasture
* PDX Sliders
* Philadelphia's
* Phở Hùng
* Pho Oregon
* Phở Kim
* Pho Van
* Phuket Cafe
* Piattino
* Piazza Italia
* The Picnic House
* Pip's Original
* Pix Pâtisserie
* Pizza Jerk
* Pizza Thief
* Pizzeria Otto
* Podnah's Pit Barbecue
* Por Que No
* Portland Cà Phê
* Portland City Grill
* Portland Fish Market
* Prince Coffee
* Produce Row
* Prost
* Public Domain Coffee
* Quaintrelle
* Queen of Sheba
* Radio Room
* Ramen Ryoma
* Rangoon Bistro
* Raven's Manor
* Red Sauce Pizza
* Reel M Inn
* Reo's Ribs
* Republic Cafe and Ming Lounge
* República
* Reverend's BBQ
* Rialto
* The Richmond Bar
* Rimsky-Korsakoffee House
* RingSide Steakhouse
* River Pig Saloon
* Rontoms
* Rose City Book Pub
* Rose VL Deli
* Rukdiew Cafe
* Rum Club
* Ruthie's
* Saburo's
* Salvador Molly's
* Sammich
* Santé Bar
* Sayler's
* Scotch Lodge
* Scottie's Pizza Parlor
* Screen Door
* Seasons and Regions
* Sebastiano's
* Shalom Y'all
* Shandong
* Shanghai Tunnel Bar
* Shanghai's Best
* Ship Ahoy Tavern
* Silver Dollar Pizza
* Skyline
* Smaaken Waffle Sandwiches
* Smart Donkey
* Someday
* Sousòl
* Southpark Seafood
* Space Room Lounge and Genie's Too
* Spare Room
* Spella Caffè
* Spielman Bagels & Coffee
* Spirit of 77
* The Sports Bra
* St. Jack
* Stammtisch
* Steeplejack
* StormBreaker
* Street Disco
* Stretch the Noodle
* Sure Shot Burger
* Sushi Ichiban
* Swank and Swine
* Sweedeedee
* Swiss Hibiscus
* Tabor Bread
* Takibi
* Tamale Boy
* Tanaka
* Taqueria Los Puñales
* TarBoush
* Taste Tickler
* Teardrop Lounge
* Teote
* Thai Peacock
* The Uncanny
* Thơm Portland
* Tierra del Sol
* Tight Tacos
* Tin Shed
* Toast
* Tokyo Sando
* Tom's
* Top Burmese
* Tulip Shop Tavern
* Tusk
* Twisted Croissant
* Two Wrongs
* Urban Farmer
* Urdaneta
* Victoria Bar
* Viking Soul Food
* Virginia Cafe
* Virtuous Pie
* Von Ebert Brewing
* Water Avenue Coffee
* Wayfinder Beer
* Wei Wei
* White Owl Social Club
* Wonderwood Springs
* Xiao Ye
* XLB
* Ya Hala
* Yamhill Pub
* Yaowarat
* Yoko's
* Yoshi's Sushi
* Zach's Shack
* Zilla Sake
* Zoiglhaus
* Zuckercreme

Chains

* Afuri
* Bamboo Sushi
* Blue Star Donuts
* Bunk Sandwiches
* E-san Thai Cuisine
* Elephants Delicatessen
* Grand Central Bakery
* Henry's Tavern
* Hot Lips Pizza
* Laughing Planet
* Little Big Burger
* McCormick & Schmick's
* Migration Brewing
* Mio Sushi
* Mike's Drive-In
* The Original Pancake House
* Pastini
* Pine State Biscuits
* Salt & Straw
* Sizzle Pie
* Slappy Cakes
* Straight from New York Pizza
* SuperDeluxe

Related

* Dame Collective
* James Beard Public Market
* List of defunct restaurants in Portland, Oregon
* Pizza in Portland, Oregon
* Pine Street Market

| Food carts|

* Cart Blocks
* Cartopia
* Collective Oregon Eateries
* Hawthorne Asylum
* Hinterland Bar and Food Carts
* Lil' America
* Midtown Beer Garden
* Nob Hill Food Carts
* Portland Mercado
* Prost Marketplace
* Springwater Cart Park

|

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