Callejon 29 Callejón 29, a food cart on Northeast Alberta Street, was voted one of the best carts in Portland in The Oregonian/OregonLive’s Readers Choice Awards. (Sean Sterling | The Oregonian/Sean Sterling | The Oregonian)
There are more than 500 food carts in Portland, according to Travel Portland, but the five you’ll find below are the best ones according to our readers.
A perennial favorite category since we relaunched The Oregonian/OregonLive’s Readers Choice Awards in 2024, we have a mostly new slate of winners for the best food carts in the Portland area this year. And it was a tight race for the top spot with less than 2 percentage points separating Nos. 1 and 2.
Whether you are in the mood for Cajun or Mayan cuisine, our readers have a food cart to recommend.
No. 5: Nolia
This Cajun and Creole cart on Southeast 82nd Avenue is only about 6 months old. One reader told us, “I frequent New Orleans often and Nolia is beyond the real deal.” Another said, the owners “fly back to New Orleans to get ‘secret’ ingredients; I might have to hire a private investigator to follow them to figure out their secret!” Several people raved about the gumbo and the smothered chicken special was described as “out of this world.”
3612 S.E. 82nd Ave.; @noliapdx on Instagram
No. 4: Paladin Pie
Readers love Paladin Pie’s wood-fired pizza for the sourdough crust, the inventive topping combinations and the housemade ranch for dipping. One reader called it the “best pizza I’ve had since I left New York City 20 years ago.”
1027 N.E. Alberta St.; paladinpie.com
No. 3: Golden Triangle Asian Fusion
This cart serving up Cambodian, Laos and Thai fusion food is a favorite of local social media influencer Michael Banh as well as our readers. It is the only cart on this list that was one of last year’s winners as well. One person said, “Everything Golden Triangle serves is FANTASTIC!! It’s family owned and operated by the nicest people, too.” Dozens of readers raved about the soft-shelled crab with multiple people calling it the “best ever,” and the pasta also received many shout outs.
4727 S.E. Woodstock Blvd.; @goldentrianglepdx on Instagram
No. 2: Ta Bueno Ne
This cart specializing in Mayan cuisine “has the juiciest cochinita and the best panuchos ever,” one reader said. “I love that their food is authentic and everything is made by hand and the taste is exquisite,” said another reader whose family is from Yucatan. Several people also recommended the burritos.
1223 N. Hayden Meadows Dr.; tabuenonepdx.com
No. 1: Callejón 29
“You step in Callejon and you are taken back to your last vacation in Mexico,” one reader told us. The margaritas are not to be missed, according to several people. And judging from the comments, you can’t go wrong no matter what you order. Everything from the carnitas taco and steak bowl to the vegan bowl and fried plantains had someone raving about it. One reader said, “Finally a veggie taco that doesn’t taste like an apology to a meatless taco!! Best I’ve ever had!” Readers also loved the vibe and the service.
The back patio of 2916 N.E. Alberta St.; @callejon29pdx on Instagram
About The Oregonian’s Readers’ Choice Awards
The Oregonian Readers’ Choice Awards recognize outstanding local businesses, services, restaurants, destinations and more selected by the people who know them best — local customers.
Was your business a winner or finalist?
You earned the trust of local readers — now make the most of it. Official logo licensing and commemorative products help you turn that recognition into a visible trust signal across your website, social media, email marketing, advertising, storefront, office, lobby, menus, signage, and customer communications.
Dining and Cooking