There’s nothing better than scoring a heaping plateful of food for $5, which means that there’s nothing better for lunch near campus than food carts. Whether your food preferences lean toward Thai, Mexican, Indian or something completely different (pizza, even!), the Vanguard has you covered with the best cart food the campus has to offer.
Quick carts
There’s nothing better than scoring a heaping plateful of food for $5, which means that there’s nothing better for lunch near campus than food carts.
Whether your food preferences lean toward Thai, Mexican, Indian or something completely different (pizza, even!), the Vanguard has you covered with the best cart food the campus has to offer.
There’s a surprising number of them, and our list is hardly comprehensive. Do yourself a favor and skip Chipotle today and check out some of these local favorites.
Note: These carts are open Monday through Friday from lunchtime to late afternoon. Many carts will simply close when they run out of food, meaning the ideal time to hit them up is between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Al forna Ferruzza (B) / $Fourth Ave. and College St. Hipsters making Italian food? You betcha, and it’s good, too. This distinctive purple cart features pizza, calzones and pasta, all with homemade sauce. Expect to spend $6 or $7, but it can be well worth it.
Asian Noodle (C) / $In between Neuberger Hall and Shattuck HallThis cart has relatively tasty food, and even better, you’ll spend $5 or less. But beware-the last two times I’ve eaten there have resulted in enormous gastrointestinal difficulties.
Basha’s Mediterranean Cuisine (A) / $South Park Blocks, across from Neuberger HallA Portland State staple, Basha’s is renowned for its tasty falafel-some of the best you can get at a cart. If you want a combo plate, know that you will end up shelling out a bit more than other carts, up to $7.
Boonrod (D) / $S.W. Hall St. and Fourth Ave.Greasy and bland, Boonrod is to be avoided, especially with all the other cart options nearby. Also, to make matters worse, the portions are rather small.
New Taste of India (B) / $S.W. Hall St. and Fourth Ave.This is really tasty, sometimes challenging, Indian food. The Naan bread is awesome, and more than makes up for the slightly high prices. Expect to pay in the range of $6 to $8.
Saigon Kitchen (B) / $S.W. Montgomery St. and 10th Ave., S.W. Hall St. and Fourth Ave.Not unlike many of the other Asian noodle carts around campus, Saigon Kitchen distinguishes itself with great salad rolls. Sometimes the noodle dishes leave you wishing for a bit more meat (or tofu).
Taqueria Villanueva (A) / $S.W. Hall St. and Fourth Ave.Don’t bother with any other Mexican food cart around campus. There’s nothing to say about Taqueria Villanueva other than it features inexpensive Mexican food that is without peer.
Thai Pasta (A) / $S.W. Hall St. and Fourth Ave.A much better option than Boonrod for those looking for a spicy curry or well-executed Pad Thai. This cart does a good job of avoiding being too greasy while not sacrificing flavor.
Ziba’s Pitas (A) / $S.W. Alder Street and Ninth Ave.This cart is kind of a walk to get to from campus, but it’s well worth the trek. The pitas themselves are light and flakey, and a combo plate is only $6. To score a meat pita, try to make it there earlier in the day, as they tend to sell quickly. Definitely a Vanguard favorite.
