Carting into the night

Portlanders love their nightlife. Rock shows, house parties and excessive amounts of caffeine keep many of us up into the wee hours. Unfortunately, this lifestyle often requires seeking out some form of nocturnal sustenance, which can be a real pain after your sixth tallboy of Hamm’s.

All-night diners provide some respite, but they’re surprisingly scarce and offer little in the way of variety. Fortunately, Portland’s rising culinary heroes are taking to the streets to save us all from mediocre midnight cuisine. Food carts aren’t just for lunch anymore. 

Potato Champion
$ Southeast 12th Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard
Tuesday through Sunday, 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. 

Nestled among Hawthorne’s gypsy village of food carts, Potato Champion is a glowing beacon of goodness for hungry late-night wanderers. The folks at Potato Champion cook their tubers to golden perfection and offer up a unique variety of dipping sauces to accompany the fries. Rosemary truffle ketchup and tarragon anchovy mayo are but a few outstanding options. The real star of the show, however, is the poutine. Originating in Quebec, the dish consists of french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. It’s a surprisingly satisfying meal for a reasonable price, and is the perfect fuel for stumbling around southeast Portland after dark. 

Perierra Creperie
$ Southeast 12th Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 a.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. to midnight 

Right next door to Potato Champion, Perierra Creperie provides a wonderful alternative to the standard array of night owl fare. Cheese, grease and gravy are typical with this kind of food, but ingredients such as smoked salmon, walnut and coriander are anything but expected. The crêperie uses ingredients like these to full effect in their selection of sweet and savory crêpes. Breakfast connoisseurs will be particularly taken with their baked egg, Gruyère, mushroom and spinach crêpes. The flavors are subtle but divine. It’s something like an omelet wrapped up in a delicate, flaky crust.  

Whiffies Fried Pies
$ Southeast 12th Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard Tuesday through Saturday, 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. 

The moment you bite into one of Whiffies awesome confections, all those bad memories of McDonald’s apple pies will be washed away. These delicious, empanada-like treats come in sweet and savory varieties. The pumpkin creme pie encapsulates everything right about Thanksgiving, all fried up in one convenient package.   

Ninja Plate
$ Southwest Third Avenue and Ash Street Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Friday through Saturday, 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. 

Hawthorne may be a Mecca for late-night cartgoers, but downtown has its own distinctive offerings, as Ninja Plate can clearly attest. Specializing in Hawaiian dishes, the cart provides generous portions at the right price: Everything is $5 or under. Though their meats tend to be a bit on the salty side, the Kahlua Pork is moist, tender and nears perfection. Those with an adventurous spirit will definitely want to try the Spam Masubi. Imagine an average piece of sushi with everyone’s favorite potted meat filling in for the raw fish. 

Taqueria El Canario
$ Southwest Fourth Avenue and Ankeny Street
Thursday through Saturday, 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. 

This bright yellow taqueria is easy to spot and even easier to love. Its proximity to venues like Dante’s and Berbati’s Pan make it the ideal place to refuel after catching some live music. The food is standard Mexican fare done right. At only $1.50 apiece, the tacos are a tasty and economical way to go. This is far better than “fourth meal.” 

Beez Neez Gourmet Sausages
$ Southwest Third Avenue and Oak Street
Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.; Saturday 8 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. 

Beer and hot dogs are natural complements, so Beez Neez makes a great deal of sense after a long night of drinking. Their Alaskan reindeer sausage is spicy, flavorful and not the least bit gamy, so there’s no need to shy away from trying something different. There’s also a good selection of free condiments, including a tasty avocado aioli sauce.