Top 10 Portland food carts

Make it yourself:  4 great Portland food cart recipes

Downtown near fifth and oak

1. La Jarochita Veracruz-style tamales in banana leaves and made-to-order Mexican flatbreads (sopes and huaraches) with various toppings. 310 S.W. Fifth Ave.; 503/421-9838.

2. Tábor From a truck that looks like a gypsy cart, Czech specialties like fried eggplant on ciabatta, slathered with paprika spread and horse-radish. Stark St. near S.W. Fifth Ave.; schnitzelwich.com or 503/997-5467.

Downtown near the library

3. The Sugar Cube Glorious cupcakes and cookies. Contact to place orders. 503/890-2825.

4. Spella Caffe roasts coffee beans off-site, then hand-pulls sublime espresso drinks here. Dreamy, chocolate-flaked stracciatella gelato too (served seasonally beginning Mar 21). W. Ninth Ave. at Alder St.; 503/421-9723.

5. Samurai Bento The Japanese-born owner and his sons cook homey fare like yakisoba ― pan-fried noodles with pork or tofu, vegetables, a fried egg, and pickled ginger. 950 S.W. Alder St.; 503/757-8802.

6. Asian Station Cafe Pan-Asian specialties like delicately flavored shrimp har gow, flaky roti flatbread with curry sauce, and chicken-coconut curry. 599 S.W. 10th Ave.; 503/227-5727.

Next: nosh in North Portland