The 5 Best Food Carts on NE Mississippi Ave.
Portland is a hub for outdoor food courts, also referred to as "pods". On the north end of Mississippi Avenue, already one of the most vibrant dining and shopping neighborhoods in the city, you can find Prost! Marketplace—one of the originals. Now owned by Dan Hart who completely rejuvenated the space in 2019, it’s the pod that started the new wave trend of transforming pods into community spaces way back in 2009. Originally called Mississippi Marketplace, it was one of the first to add lighting, communal tables, and a patio for diners to sit at and enjoy their meals. We call it the first intentionally planned food cart pod in the city. After Mississippi Marketplace opened, we saw a huge wave of growth in food cart pods in the city!
Boasting at least 10 top-end popular Portland food carts, Prost! The marketplace attracts locals and tourists alike—all year round. We've spent more time here than most, running our daily Mississippi Ave. Tour. Each tour features at least one of these fantastic food carts every day. But don't run off just yet—you can get a taste right here! We're breaking down which of Prost! Marketplace carts we think are the best, AND what we'd recommend you try if you've only got one chance!
Find Prost!Marketplace at:
1. Matt’s BBQ
*Photo courtesy by Portland Mercury
Owner and cook, Matt Vicedomini, has been serving Portland Texas-style barbecue since 2015 when he opened his first food cart on NE Martine Luther King Jr Blvd. In 2018, he relocated to Prost! Marketplace and was named “Cart of the Year” by the Oregonian within a year. Among Matt’s mouthwatering dishes, there are a few that have earned local and national accolades such as his white-oak smoked ribs, brisket, and jalapeño cheddar sausage. It’s thanks to him that Oregon is beginning to develop its' own barbecue tradition. Vicedomini is also one of three partners at Eem on North Williams and has a second food cart on 3207 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd, dedicated to Tex-Mex breakfast tacos, that was opened on March 8th of this year.
Make sure to try:
Whole Shabamwich – a hefty sandwich that’s stacked with pulled pork, sausages, brisket, AND a rib, with a side of coleslaw and pickles.
Photo courtesy of OregonLive.com
After the popularity of their taco shop in downtown Vancouver, owners Mychal Dynes and Mark Wooten, decided to also open a taco cart at Prost! Marketplace in 2018. They serve a variety of delicious creative tacos such as suadero and choriqueso, as well as cocktails and margaritas made with pressed citrus and handmade syrups.
What makes this taqueria so special is that Dynes and Wooten make their own handmade tortillas by grinding their own organic Mexican corn daily. By partnering up with a local farm, Phantom Rabbit, they use only the freshest ingredients in their dishes and beverages.
Make sure to try:
Whatever you decide to order, make sure to try the tortillas. One of their most popular dishes, as mentioned above, is tacos with suadero (caramelized beef) and choriqueso (chorizo and cheese). All tacos are served with onion, cilantro, and salsa.
3. Bloodbuzz
*photo courtesy of Bloodbuzz
Bloodbuzz, named after a song by The National, is a cocktail and craft beer cart. Opened in 2018, it is that is owned by Post! Marketplace’s Dan Hart. Bloodbuzz focuses on drinks – enjoy coffee, cold brew cocktails, Bloody Mary and other morning drinks starting at 8 a.m. Followed by "crushable backyard barbecue cocktails” at lunch, which includes boozy slushies, an Aperol spritz, and its' Paloma version, made with Stiegl Grapefruit Radler instead of soda. They also serve unique domestic craft beers.
Make sure to try:
Their menu is full of fun cocktails to choose from - give A Shot in the Arm a try if you are in the mood for coffee, which has amer, Campari and cold brew. Or if you’d like something fruity, Instant Crush—a mix of frozen Paloma with tequila, lime Steigl Grapefruit Radler.
4. Koi Fusion
*Photo courtesy of Koifusionpdx.com
Located within Prost! Marketplace is another gem - Koi Fusion. Owned by Bo Kwon, this truck is serving grilled Korean-marinated meats such as bulgogi beef - sweet and tangy Korean style barbecue beef, grilled with onions - with fresh Mexican flavors. What you get are one-of-a-kind combinations that amaze the palate, such as kimchi (pickled fermented cabbage with garlic, onion, and ginger) quesadillas, spiced fries, slider rice bowls, cheesesteaks, tacos, bibimbap burritos, and many others. Using fresh local ingredients and family recipe Korean marinades, Koi’s emphasis on quality is of outmost importance.
The truck was first opened in 2009 on SW 20th and Burnside, where it is still running to this day. Since then, the company has grown extensively, with multiple locations across Portland and an extensive catering and mobile truck department. They plan to continue to expand throughout Oregon and Pacific Northwest.
Make sure to try:
We often opt for the Kimchi Tacos, with bulgogi or kalbi beef but you'll have your choice of meat or tofu — made with pico de gallo, cabbage slaw, bean sprouts, cucumber, cilantro in a soft corn tortilla.
5. Desi PDX
*Photo courtesy by PRP.
Desi PDX is THE cart for the best Indian fusion in Portland. Owner, Desi Deepak, serves classical Indian recipes with a modern twist - he blends Indian spices and flavors with Western cooking styles.
In Hindu, the name "Desi" has several meanings. One refers to a person of Indian descent, and the other to something being authentic. Deepak is from India and his cooking is organic and non-GMO and uses only locally & regionally sourced organic ingredients. Deepak tries to source most of the vegetables within 20 miles of the cart. This is the only place you're going to find these carefully crafted fusions and when we say it's worth the visit, we mean it.
Make sure you try:
The Cardamom Chai Chicken. It is made by bringing drumsticks in tea for 24 hours, after which they are steamed with tea. Once steamed, they are deep-fried in organic sunflower oil, and then tossed in coconut sugar. Served with toasted Cardamom salt on top of the caramelized glaze. These are a Forktown Mississippi Ave. Tour STAPLE.
Another favorite dish is Pakora Waffle, traditionally an Indian fritter made with garbanzo bean flour. To add his own unique spin on it, Deepak turned the fritter into a waffle batter. The waffle is topped with a classic green chutney made with cilantro, chili peppers, and a hazelnut tamarind chutney.
Scrolled Straight to the Bottom?
We've got you! Here's a quick recap of our top picks of food carts on Mississippi Ave.:
1. Matt’s BBQ (Texan BBQ)
2. Little Conejo (Mexican: Tacos)
3. Bloodbuzz (Libations)
4. Koi Fusion (Korean Fusion)
5. Desi PDX (Indian Fusion)
Find them at:
Address: 4237 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97217
If you've already put Mississippi Ave. at the top of your to-see list, make the most of your visit with a Forktown Food Tour. *NOTE (COVID-19): TOURS WILL REOPEN WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. IN THE MEANTIME, YOU CAN PURCHASE A GIFT CERTIFICATE, REDEEMABLE AT ANY FUTURE DATE. We visit so many great spots on Mississippi Ave. that you shouldn't miss! We've got both public and private tours available featuring a mix of restaurants, food carts, dessert spots and local food artisans that we think make this neighborhood extra special. Mississippi Avenue is a historic and artsy neighborhood on Portland’s east side. It’s brimming with local shops, bars, and music venues. Cut the lines! Check out our tours here and purchase a gift certificate here!