Who doesn’t get hungry just thinking about meat, tortillas, and a little kick from chili peppers? Those classic staples are the heart of Mexican cuisine, and they’re exactly what led our growling stomachs to the bright red truck of Birrieria La Plaza.

We love their menu variety from quesadilla and burritos to combo plates if you want a bit of everything. We really got the sense that they’re all about the authentic flavor and generous portions. 

Most of the customers we talked to couldn’t stop raving about the tacos—so of course, we had to try them. The beef was juicy and tender, and the squeeze of lime was just *chef’s kiss*. 

Another highlight was the consommé, the flavorful broth we dunked our tacos into. It could easily stand alone as a meal, especially with some noodles or rice on the side. 

The indoor seating area right next to the truck was really nice. It gave us a spot to hang out and enjoy our food while it was still hot and fresh. 

On a practical note, they’re very popular, so they tend to sell out fast. Try to swing by early in the evening. If you’re going on a weekend for lunch, be ready for a bit of a wait. 

Good flavor is the keyword here!

“This place hits every time, good flavor is the key words here! My dad finished before I could even snap a photo.”

Aspyn Erickson, Google Review 

Everything here is excellent. 

“We’ve eaten here many times. Everything is excellent! Tacos, burritos, etc are all really flavorful. I decided to try the ramen this time. If you like birria, consome (the broth the meat is cooked in), and ramen noodles, you’ll like it. It was great on a cold day. If you haven’t been to this place, you’re missing out!”

Leah R, Google Review

Devouring barbeque always paints a picture of relaxed times with family and friends, and that’s how we were happy to come across Matt’s BBQ. This Texas-style barbeque spot is especially popular for its juicy and flavorful brisket, and we get the hype. 

We tried the Brisket Burnt Ends, which was so good. It’s crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside. The killer sauces, including Cherry Chipotle and Spicy Mustard that’s unlike anything we’ve tried, made the brisket taste even better.

We love that the menu goes beyond just brisket. There’s turkey, pulled pork, and sausage. For sides, the most noted was the Queso Mac & Cheese. The portion was generous, and the jalapeño kick made every bite really good. 

However, not every experience leaves the same impression. One customer mentioned ordering brisket that turned out to be more fat than meat, with barely any flavor. They understood brisket should have fat, but felt the portion they got lacked value. 

We hope moments like this remind them that consistency matters since every hearty plate could mean happy moments waiting for diners. 

Brisket was absolutely spot on, great bark, tender and full of flavor. 

“This bbq food truck inside of a food truck square had the best bbq I’ve ever had. Brisket was absolutely spot on, great bark, tender and full of flavor. The ribs were perfectly cooked and the bite was spot on. The house made beef tallow bbq sauce was out of this world. Plus, $32 for a 1/2lb of brisket and a 1/2 of ribs in much cheaper than any sit down bbq place. I wish I lived in Portland to go everyday.”

DaMarcus Zeroth, Google Review 

Incredible brisket and amazing sauces!

“The food is so unbelievable! The sides were yummy, but the brisket just fell apart! Fast service, even during an event going on in the food truck pod 🙂 It is so soo worth it. (And definitely try all of those amazing sauces!)”

Grayson Brown, Google Review 

Still in Portland, Tokyo Sando is a cozy little spot serving fresh, made-to-order Japanese sandwiches (sandō) packed with exciting flavors. 

The menu alone already has us eager to come back and try more. Many have praised inventive fusions like the Tokyo Gyoza Scotch Egg, which combines a crispy gyoza shell with the creamy richness of a scratch egg. Hands down to that. 

To get a taste of more flavors, we split our sandwiches and went for two customer favorites: the Miso Pork Katsu Sando and the Naka Sando. Both were juicy and crisp, with soft, buttery milk bread that brought everything together. 

The black garlic especially stood out. It added a sweet-savory kick we’d happily get again. No wonder others add it as an extra. 

One thing to keep in mind: they tend to sell out fast. More than a few food lovers advised us to come early to avoid missing out, and now we’re passing that tip along. 

There’s usually a line, but it moves quickly, and food typically comes within 10 minutes. We also recommended ordering online for pickup if you don’t really want to wait.

Loved the Chicken Katsu Sandwich!

“I ordered a Chicken Katsu Sandwich with extra love 🥰 and they delivered! I walked into the food cart area with friends from work and saw this first thing on the left and made up my mind instantly that I would order from Tokyo Sando. Very friendly service and good vibes abound!”

Rick Belliveau, Google Review 

I enjoyed my sandwich, super fast service too. 

“This was one of the most enjoyable experiences I have ever had going out to eat with friends. The chicken katsu Sandso was so fresh with the most satisfying crunch of cabbage! Definitely most top tier sandwich I have ever had. And service was super fast too and super nice. Can’t wait to come back again!”

Nora Davis, Google Review 

When was the last time you had Guyanese cuisine? Exactly. You don’t usually come across it in Portland, and Bake on the Run truly feels like one in a million.

A quick rundown of what Guyanese cuisine is: it’s a mix of flavors influenced by African, Indian, European, Chinese, and other cultures. That alone sounds exciting enough, and we were happy to dive right in. 

The most talked-about dish is their creamy Dahl stew, which pairs perfectly with their fragrant Basmati rice. We definitely didn’t miss out on that. 

Their Bake is another standout, with solid filling choices like Salfish (Portuguese salted cod) and the vegan-friendly Chana Aloo (chickpea and potato curry). It was delicious: perfectly salty and stuffed inside semi-sweet bread. It’s definitely our new comfort food. 

We also really appreciated the dessert options, including Bake with Nutella or jam, and their chocolate truffle bakes, which rounded out the email perfectly. 

Everyone we spoke with enjoyed their overall experience, not just with the food but with the top-notch service as well. Before you commit, you can even try samples, and the customers love the historical lessons that come with it. 

The spot offers nice outdoor seating plus a covered area, and there’s a neighboring bar nearby if you want to unwind with a drink after your meal. 

A friendly reminder is that their hours can be unpredictable. They sometimes close early or don’t follow the posted schedule, so it’s best to plan carefully. 

Unique food that I’ve never seen elsewhere. 

“The bake was a unique food that I’ve never seen elsewhere. Unfortunately they were sold out of the salfish so I’ll have to come back to try it. The chana was very much like a samosa in flavor, but the bake dough is sweeter and pillowy.”

Justin McCarley, Google Review

The service is fast and friendly, and the entire menu is tasty. 

“The food is amazing and unique! It’s impossible to find anything like it and a must while passing through the Woodstock neighborhood. The service is fast and friendly and the entire menu is tasty. The samples make it easy to decide on what you’d like, and the hot sauce is crazy flavorful.”

Cecilia, Google Review 

We’ve all had pizza—some great, some unforgettable—but nothing quite beats the real-deal, wood-fired kind. At Reeva Cafe y Cocina a la Leña, they’re doing Latin American-style pizza right in Portland, and it’s seriously impressive. 

We appreciate the heart and skill behind it. Wood-fired cooking takes more time and effort, and it shows. 

We were excited to try it out and naturally started with a fan favorite: the Margherita. It was outstanding—airy dough and a sauce that didn’t overpower. 

Their selection runs from the classics to fun, unexpected combos like the Veggie Pesto or the Pizzaleada (Honduran flavors with beans and chorizo). People really loved both. For early birds, the chilaquiles from the breakfast menu are a must-try. 

The experience doesn’t stop at these halo-like edibles. As a cafe, they serve standout drinks, with the G.O.A.T. smoothie being phenomenal. It’s packed with ginger, lime, mint, and fermented coconut yogurt. 

We did hear—and noticed ourselves—that the pizzas are on the smaller side and a bit pricey for that.  A few folks mentioned that waiting can be a little long for pizzas. 

But here’s the thing: the flavors and toppings are what keep people coming back, and we couldn’t agree more. The place is truly a gem, a food truck with a nice patio, and it makes it easy to hang out and enjoy every bite. 

The pepperoni was done perfectly. Highly recommend these folks!

“Wow, I was so excited to give them a try! Beautiful fermented crust, excellent bake and char. Sauce was bright but not too acidic, and the pepperoni was done perfectly. Highly recommend these folks!”

Lydia Kaye, Google Review 

One of the best pizzas in Portland. 

“Fire 🔥  pizza, wood fire, actually. Everything here is amazing. The dough, the creative toppings, the coffee, the people watching 😆 but seriously, this is one of the best pizzas in Portland.”

Travis Jonquil, Google Review