I enjoy planning “dates” and I wanted to share my favorites with you —so I started a section called Portland date ideas.

Preparations necessary? Bring cash.

In the last few years, global news sources have made Portland cuisine synonymous with food carts. Portland is pushing almost 500 food carts at any given time. Below is a list of some of the popular “pods” (e.g. collection of multiple food carts) that I like to visit.

• A la carts (SE 50th and Division Street) This pod is open 7:30am until 10pm and has everything from solar powered veggie burgers to handmade ice cream.
• Cartopia (SE 12th and Hawthorne Blvd) Sometimes I have trouble deciding between Potato Champion poutine, Pyro Pizza, and Perierra Creperie crepes, so I just have all three. At least the burrito place is usually open until 3am. Sometimes I go across the street to the gas station to buy a beer to go.
• SW Alder between 9th and 11th - Try Nong’s Khao Man Gai for world famous Bangkok street food, Pho Sam or Savor Soup House. Hours are typically Monday-Friday 10am-4pm and Saturday 11am-3pm.
• SW 5th between Stark and Oak - There are so many good food carts here. You can’t go wrong with fried pork at Tábor, fusion tacos at Best Bulkogi, a dog on a fantastic bun at Bro-Dog, a burger at Brunch Box, or breakfast burrito at La Jarochita. Peak hours are Monday to Friday, 11am-3pm.
• SW 3rd Avenue between Washington and Stark - Another fun food cart location. Three quick recommendations: Egyptian food at Elmasry, sandwiches at Built to Grill, and baked potatoes at Spud Locker. Seems like these close around 4pm.