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A man in a white suit feeds his new wife a mini doughnut from Pip’s Original in Portland.
A couple poses with Pip’s Original doughnuts at their wedding.
Melissa Marshall

13 Portland Food Trucks That Will Cater Your Wedding

Make it a reception to remember with a Portland food cart

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A couple poses with Pip’s Original doughnuts at their wedding.
| Melissa Marshall

There was a period of time where a massive number of Portland weddings involved a food cart — either as the main caterer, or as a fun mid-reception treat for late-night tacos or mini doughnut desserts. It seemed like the optimal way to give a wedding (or other big to-do) a truly Portland vibe, forgoing the china and crystal in favor of arepas and pizza. And, for many, it also made sense from a financial perspective: food carts are often much cheaper than full-service catering, and, in many cases, much more relaxed.

These days, many of Portland's food carts can provide platters for pick up and delivery, but not as many will prepare and serve onsite; if you’re just looking for catering, there are hundreds of food carts in the area that offer some version of larger-scale meals. Something else to note: Food carts that don’t have a permanent location, like the Pidgin Hole, are great candidates for weddings, even if they don’t appear on this map. For those looking for the full food cart experience, check out these 13 standouts that will bring their meals on wheels to your party site. For more wedding options, check out our wedding restaurant map.

Note: Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Tamale Boy

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With cart locations now in Northeast Dekum, North Russell, and in Happy Valley, Tamale Boy's busy catering team offers flexible menus, from party trays to be picked up or delivered to the full-on tamale van, complete with catering staff to help set up and clean up. Tamales are of course the main attraction, but Tamale Boy can put together menus including burritos, quesadillas, tacos, and plenty of sides. Learn more about the full slate of options online.

Sloshy Pops

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Planning a Portland wedding during July or August? Skip the cake and please your crowd with popsicles. Yes, the sloshy in Sloshy Pops signals booze, with pops featuring strawberry and mezcal, cherry and bourbon, or raspberry and pinot noir. Worry not, non-drinkers and minors: Sloshy Pops puts equal care into the non-alcoholic offerings, like Oregon berry swirl and orange dreamsicle. Just be sure to keep the pops from melting on the newlyweds clean duds. Learn more about catering options online.

Kee's #Loaded Kitchen

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#Loaded’s decadent comfort food is so memorable, wedding guests might be talking about Kee’s fried catfish or sausage-packed spaghetti long after they’ve forgotten about the best man’s meandering speech. Soul food is the foundation at Kee’s, but chef-owner Kiauna Nelson isn’t restricted by tradition, following her own taste buds to one-of-a-kind seasonings and inspired combinations. The secret has long been out locally, but now that Kee’s has starred on Netflix’s Street Food USA book your event as far ahead as possible to ensure a #Loaded reception. Send Nelson a direct message on Instagram for more information.

Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai

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This Fremont mini-doughnut and chai shop is also classic Portland wedding staple, rolling in mid-reception to sling Nutella-filled fried rings and cups of steamy spiced tea. Pip’s will hang out onsite in two-hour, four-hour, and all-day installments, with various flavor options, chai options, and coffee service. Get a quote by checking out Pip’s mobile cart site.

La Arepa

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For outdoor on-your-feet receptions, mobile food like arepas and empanadas are hard to beat. La Arepa’s Venezuelan carts delight Portlanders at locations on Southeast Foster and in Rose City Park, with special care going into its extensive vegan menu featuring impossible ground beef, plantains, and plenty of beans and vegan cheddar. Catering options include buffets, arepa bars, and plantain baskets.

A carnivorous outdoor reception is just the spot for Vietnamese-American fusion cart, Matta. From braised pork belly to both Vietnamese and American spins on fried catfish, Matta concocts creative but comforting dishes often featuring the delightful marriage of fish sauce and American cheese. Get a quote by filling out a form on Matta’s website.

Aybla Grill

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If you want to bring Mediterranean flavors to your party, Aybla Grill, with carts in Beaverton and on Northeast Alberta, has a mobile van that can bring you its signature dolmades, falafel, and gyros. Looking for a show-stopper? Opt for the whole rotisserie lamb, grilled right on the spot. Check out sample menus online, or email catering@ayblagrill.com to make an inquiry.

808 Grinds

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Some are lucky enough to splurge on a wedding in Hawai’i, but a wedding with delicious Hawaiian food is more realistic for the rest of us. The 808 Grinds truck can bring its lineup of plate lunch favorites like kalua pig, shoyu chicken, and both ahi and tofu poke. Sides include slaw, rice, and of course mac salad. Check out menus and send in a catering request on the carts’ website.

Los 3 Jarritos Mexican Food

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Portland is rich with taco trucks, so don’t hesitate to check if your neighborhood favorite caters; that being said, pound for pound one of the best is Los 3 Jarritos, formerly on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and recently relocated to Southeast Grand Avenue. 3 Jarritos prepares food to order onsite and can offer fajita plates, quesadillas, huaraches, tacos, or other menu specialties. Call the cart or message the team on Instagram for more information.

Poppyseed

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New American has been a Northwest staple genre for decades now, but few carts manage to pull off the broad, often-pricy category successfully. Poppyseed — located in the Hinterland carts between Southeast Hawthorne and Division — is a notable exception, offering seasonal treats like oysters on the half-shell, cider-brined pork chops, and a Mediterranean poke to the food cart crowd. Consult with Poppyseed’s team via the website to craft a menu best-suited for your event.

Koi Fusion

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Chef Bo Kwan launched his first Koi Fusion cart in 2009, combining Korean flavors with fresh local ingredients into wildly popular fusion tacos, cheesesteaks, and burritos. Today, Koi’s fleet of Korean taco trucks have attended many large and small weddings, birthday parties and events over the years, and can recommend a crowd-pleasing party menu best suited to your picky wedding party and cranky in-laws alike. Send in an inquiry via the website.

Mumbo Gumbo

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Bored of overbaked chicken and Caesar salad wedding receptions? Few choices will be as memorable to guests as Mumbo Gumbo’s Louisiana-inspired offerings: thick gumbos, red beans and rice, and spicy andouille sausage. Add buckets of sweet tea and lemon bundt cake for dessert and out-of-town guests might wonder if they accidentally hopped on a flight to Baton Rouge instead. Those interested can call the cart, or book online.

Tastebud

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Mark Doxtader’s popular cart has spawned a wood-fired restaurant in Multnomah Village, but the original cart is still making the rounds bringing Oregon-produced-topped pizzas to farmers markets, weddings, and other events. However, the team doesn’t limit itself to pies: Tastebud will bring the rolling wood-fired oven and serve roasted meats, salads, and desserts alongside its pizzas topped with Anderson Ranches lamb sausage or Groundwork Organics persimmons. Request to book the cart online.

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Tamale Boy

With cart locations now in Northeast Dekum, North Russell, and in Happy Valley, Tamale Boy's busy catering team offers flexible menus, from party trays to be picked up or delivered to the full-on tamale van, complete with catering staff to help set up and clean up. Tamales are of course the main attraction, but Tamale Boy can put together menus including burritos, quesadillas, tacos, and plenty of sides. Learn more about the full slate of options online.

Sloshy Pops

Planning a Portland wedding during July or August? Skip the cake and please your crowd with popsicles. Yes, the sloshy in Sloshy Pops signals booze, with pops featuring strawberry and mezcal, cherry and bourbon, or raspberry and pinot noir. Worry not, non-drinkers and minors: Sloshy Pops puts equal care into the non-alcoholic offerings, like Oregon berry swirl and orange dreamsicle. Just be sure to keep the pops from melting on the newlyweds clean duds. Learn more about catering options online.

Kee's #Loaded Kitchen

#Loaded’s decadent comfort food is so memorable, wedding guests might be talking about Kee’s fried catfish or sausage-packed spaghetti long after they’ve forgotten about the best man’s meandering speech. Soul food is the foundation at Kee’s, but chef-owner Kiauna Nelson isn’t restricted by tradition, following her own taste buds to one-of-a-kind seasonings and inspired combinations. The secret has long been out locally, but now that Kee’s has starred on Netflix’s Street Food USA book your event as far ahead as possible to ensure a #Loaded reception. Send Nelson a direct message on Instagram for more information.

Pip's Original Doughnuts & Chai

This Fremont mini-doughnut and chai shop is also classic Portland wedding staple, rolling in mid-reception to sling Nutella-filled fried rings and cups of steamy spiced tea. Pip’s will hang out onsite in two-hour, four-hour, and all-day installments, with various flavor options, chai options, and coffee service. Get a quote by checking out Pip’s mobile cart site.

La Arepa

For outdoor on-your-feet receptions, mobile food like arepas and empanadas are hard to beat. La Arepa’s Venezuelan carts delight Portlanders at locations on Southeast Foster and in Rose City Park, with special care going into its extensive vegan menu featuring impossible ground beef, plantains, and plenty of beans and vegan cheddar. Catering options include buffets, arepa bars, and plantain baskets.

Matta

A carnivorous outdoor reception is just the spot for Vietnamese-American fusion cart, Matta. From braised pork belly to both Vietnamese and American spins on fried catfish, Matta concocts creative but comforting dishes often featuring the delightful marriage of fish sauce and American cheese. Get a quote by filling out a form on Matta’s website.

Aybla Grill

If you want to bring Mediterranean flavors to your party, Aybla Grill, with carts in Beaverton and on Northeast Alberta, has a mobile van that can bring you its signature dolmades, falafel, and gyros. Looking for a show-stopper? Opt for the whole rotisserie lamb, grilled right on the spot. Check out sample menus online, or email catering@ayblagrill.com to make an inquiry.

808 Grinds

Some are lucky enough to splurge on a wedding in Hawai’i, but a wedding with delicious Hawaiian food is more realistic for the rest of us. The 808 Grinds truck can bring its lineup of plate lunch favorites like kalua pig, shoyu chicken, and both ahi and tofu poke. Sides include slaw, rice, and of course mac salad. Check out menus and send in a catering request on the carts’ website.

Los 3 Jarritos Mexican Food

Portland is rich with taco trucks, so don’t hesitate to check if your neighborhood favorite caters; that being said, pound for pound one of the best is Los 3 Jarritos, formerly on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and recently relocated to Southeast Grand Avenue. 3 Jarritos prepares food to order onsite and can offer fajita plates, quesadillas, huaraches, tacos, or other menu specialties. Call the cart or message the team on Instagram for more information.

Poppyseed

New American has been a Northwest staple genre for decades now, but few carts manage to pull off the broad, often-pricy category successfully. Poppyseed — located in the Hinterland carts between Southeast Hawthorne and Division — is a notable exception, offering seasonal treats like oysters on the half-shell, cider-brined pork chops, and a Mediterranean poke to the food cart crowd. Consult with Poppyseed’s team via the website to craft a menu best-suited for your event.

Koi Fusion

Chef Bo Kwan launched his first Koi Fusion cart in 2009, combining Korean flavors with fresh local ingredients into wildly popular fusion tacos, cheesesteaks, and burritos. Today, Koi’s fleet of Korean taco trucks have attended many large and small weddings, birthday parties and events over the years, and can recommend a crowd-pleasing party menu best suited to your picky wedding party and cranky in-laws alike. Send in an inquiry via the website.

Mumbo Gumbo

Bored of overbaked chicken and Caesar salad wedding receptions? Few choices will be as memorable to guests as Mumbo Gumbo’s Louisiana-inspired offerings: thick gumbos, red beans and rice, and spicy andouille sausage. Add buckets of sweet tea and lemon bundt cake for dessert and out-of-town guests might wonder if they accidentally hopped on a flight to Baton Rouge instead. Those interested can call the cart, or book online.

Tastebud

Mark Doxtader’s popular cart has spawned a wood-fired restaurant in Multnomah Village, but the original cart is still making the rounds bringing Oregon-produced-topped pizzas to farmers markets, weddings, and other events. However, the team doesn’t limit itself to pies: Tastebud will bring the rolling wood-fired oven and serve roasted meats, salads, and desserts alongside its pizzas topped with Anderson Ranches lamb sausage or Groundwork Organics persimmons. Request to book the cart online.

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