What’s rollin' on Bend’s food cart scene

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What’s rollin' on Bend’s food cart scene

Food carts in Bend make a great way to sample a little of everything. Outdoor and indoor dining? Yep! Taplists boasting local craft beer, wine, cider and kombucha? You’ll find that, too! A wide variety of food trucks featuring barbecue, pizza, burgers, vegan or vegetarian meals, global cuisine, and family-friendly dining? You betcha!

While the mobile nature of food carts means this post will likely be outdated the instant we hit “post,” and we’ve opted to focus on pods of three or more trucks, rather than individual carts, here’s our very best shot at rounding up Bend’s food truck scene.

Spread of food from the carts at the Dogwood At the Pineshed location in Bend, Oregon.

Dogwood at The Pine Shed (821 NE 2nd Street in Bend)

Once upon a time, Dogwood was a hip and stylish spot in Downtown Bend. Fast forward to 2025 and this happenin’ bar has moved to the historic Pine Shed (which also moved, but that’s a whole ‘nother story!) You’ll find it now in Bend’s trendy Makers District, and it’s more than just a bar. It’s a community hub centered around some of the hippest food carts in Bend.

Inside the Dogwood space, you’ll find lots of the same incredible craft cocktails you enjoyed in their old space, plus live DJs and community events. Outside, it’s a food cart bonanza in a spacious courtyard with plenty of outdoor seating. If you’re not in the mood for outdoor dining, or you’d prefer to be close to the cocktails (I feel ya), take a culinary trek through the food cart lot, then bring your meal inside.

Try Dinky Dau for scrumptious Vietnamese cuisine including Banh Mi and rice bowls, along with other Asian-inspired snacks. 

Continue your global adventure at The Dominican, which brings the vibrant flavors of the Dominican Republic to Bend. Try mouthwatering empanadas, crispy chicharrón, and their famous La Bandera (marinated beef, rice, beans, and tostones with their Dominican house salad). Yum! 

Next, take a journey to Mexico where Sopa is slinging authentic Mexican cuisine, including the best birria in Central Oregon according to readers of The Source Weekly.

Then head over to Red Beard Barbecue for all-American fare like brisket, tri-tip, and pulled pork (not to mention their coleslaw, which is one of my favorites in Bend!) 

Feeling sandwichy? (That’s totally a word). Head for ‘Wich Doctor Sandwich Co. and peruse their menu of unique sandwiches made with house-cured, smoked meats, housemade sauces, and peak-season veggies. I like The Linda, which is made with green chili braised chicken thighs, smoked chicken breast, pickled peppers, lime aioli, swiss, and pressed sourdough with habanero coconut hot sauce.

Finish off your dining journey with baked goods from Kook’i, which uses mostly Oregon-sourced ingredients in their sweet rolls, lolaches, cookies, cakes, and sundaes.

Crosscut Warming Hut (566 SW Mill View Way in Bend)

The folks behind Crosscut Warming Hut No. 5 set out to create the vibe of a classic mountain taphouse. They nailed it. The indoor space even boasts the classic, woodsy, scent of a blazing fire, where lots of folks congregate on chilly afternoons.

You’ll find a taplist centered around local breweries and unique beers from around the world. There’s also plenty of outdoor seating on the patio, complete with fire pits. In addition to beer, they have cider, wine, and cocktails, but let’s get to the food carts, shall we?

Abe Capanna’s Detroit Pan Pizza and Italian will dazzle you with their homemade red sauce and dough with authentic blue steel pans. You’ll also find a variety of tasty sandwiches, salads, and treats like their giant Bavarian pretzel. 

Next, get your mind blown (not to mention your tastebuds) at Bluma’s Chicken and Waffles, where their signature dish includes boneless chicken breast fingers and a Belgian waffle served with maple syrup and hot honey. 

After that, head for Eight Hands Sandos and Salads for a belly-warming variety of scrumptious soups, sandwiches, and salads. I’m especially fond of their chicken salad sandwich, which includes savory pulled chicken, pagans, grapes, red onion, mayonnaise, and a hearty sprinkling of tarragon served on multigrain toast with lettuce and tomato. 

Ponch’s Place (62889 NE Oxford Ct. in Bend)

My two favorite things about Ponch’s Place in northeast Bend: I just named the first thing right off the bat, which is the fact that its location in northeast Bend means it’s less crowded than westside pods tend to be. My second favorite thing is that it’s located on the campus of an animal hospital, so you’ll see plenty of pets coming and going, and the overall vibe here is uber-dog friendly. Look for leash hooks on all the tables and dog treats at the bar when you grab a drink.

Critters aside, Ponch’s takes pride in being a community gathering space, so it’s home to an array of trivia nights, bingo events, and pet-focused charity events. Rotating taps include kombucha, wine, beer, cider, seltzer, and n/a beverages.

Their food cart selection is impressive as well. On a Wing and a Crepe sounds like a quirky combination (wings and crepes?!) but I swear they execute both with equal awesomeness. I’m particularly fond of their brie and blackberry crepes and their honey chipotle wings. 

Craving bagels? Try the 5th Street Bagels cart and enjoy handmade artisan bagels with inspired flavors. Each one is made from a sourdough starter that was lovingly named Alfanzo when it became part of their family years ago. This cart makes an excellent breakfast stop.

If you’ve got a craving for authentic Southern food, try the Tin Pig where tasty fare includes hush puppies and fried pickles as well as a variety of burgers, chicken strip baskets, and fried chicken baskets.

Pop’s Southern BBQ has also joined the lineup at Ponch’s Place, bringing their signature slow-smoked meats and Southern comfort classics straight from Sisters. From tender brisket and saucy ribs to pulled pork and scratch-made sides, it’s all about bold flavor and barbecue done right. 

Loaded fries from the Southern Accent Food Truck at The Office food truck lot in Bend, Oregon.

The Office at Silver Moon (24 NW Greenwood Avenue in Bend)

Tucked behind Silver Moon Brewing, The Office is a cluster of food carts offering a little something for everyone. There’s a stage in the outdoor area where live music gets people hoppin’ in warmer months, and I’ve attended tons of special events in their tucked-away outdoor space. 

As you might expect, their taplist boasts tons of great Silver Moon beers, but you’ll also see ciders and even their housemade root beer. 

On the food cart front, Tablas Mobile Cuisine brings you the authentic taste of Mexico with their tacos, burritos, flautas, and more. 

At Southern Accent Fried Chicken and Po’ Boys, enjoy a taste of the Gulf Coast straight from Mobile, Alabama. In addition to po’ boy sandwiches, you’ll find unique treats like gator tail, gumbo, and other daily specials. 

Got a craving for tasty Mediterranean cuisine? Mundrelli’s slings up a mouthwatering array of sandwiches, salads, and goodies like fried raviolis and meatballs so good I’d consider crawling on my lips through busted glass to get to them.

GoGo’s Bistro strives to elevate food cart cuisine beyond the norm, with a gourmet array of sandwiches, salads, fish and chips, and even breakfast sandwiches. 

If you agree with me that charcuterie is one of the best ways to satisfy a craving for variety, hit the Wild and Free charcuterie truck. From custom charcuterie boards to a variety of salads and sandos, they’ve got plenty of goodies to fill your belly.

Blogger Tawna enjoys a meal at The Bite, a food cart lot in Tumalo.

The Bite (19860 7th St. in Tumalo)

If you’re tackling the Far North Territory of the Bend Ale Trail, here’s a bonus treat: The Bite food cart sits a stone’s throw from two of the territory’s Drinkable Diversions stops, Tumalo Cider Co. and Bend Cider Co. 

Even if you’re not imbibing, it’s worth a jaunt to the edge of Tumalo to try this cozy array of carts tucked just off the highway. Toasty fire pits, cheerful music, and a kid-friendly vibe make this a good stop for families or folks seeking a festive hangout. Their rotating tap list offers a wide variety of local brews, with some indoor space for sipping if the weather turns chilly.

On the food cart front, hit Haole’s for Hawaiian-inspired dishes like authentic mac salad, pig nachos, and their ever-popular sampler plate that offers a little of everything. It’s a taste of Hawaii right in Tumalo! 

For creative and delicious tacos prepared by a Le Cordon Bleu-trained chef, try Westside Tacos. Their creative creations range from blueberry brisket to rootbeer carnitas to baja style fish tacos. 

Got a craving for pizza? Try Pine Marten Pizza for 10” Neapolitan style pies made with soft dough and a crispy, blistered crust. Best of all, they cook up in less than 90 seconds in their wood-fired oven. 

One of the most buzzed-about carts here is NorthWest Fresh Sushi, and before you get weird about eating sushi from a food truck, you should know these guys sling some of the freshest, tastiest fish in Central Oregon. Their poke bowl is particularly good with luscious, tender bites of poke and plenty of veggies. 

And if you’re in the mood for a meal you can pick up and stuff in your face, hit Sandos + Smash for a tasty lineup of burgers and sandwiches.

The Podski food cart park in downtown Bend, Oregon.

Podski Food Cart (536 NW Arizona Ave in Bend)

If your food cart quest calls for tons of variety, Podski is the place to be. From vegan choices to Thai curry to tacos, you’ll find a little bit of everything at this homey cart lot near the Box Factory. Bonus: A toasty fire pit to enjoy on cool days, and proximity to excellent shopping and noshing. 

This is also an excellent spot to pre-funk concerts at the Hayden Homes Amphitheater or to grab beers and a snack when you’re not quite ready for an evening to wind down.

Many of the food carts here are longtime favorites that have carved out a niche in local foodies’ hearts. I will neither confirm nor deny eating my body weight in mouthwatering pierogies from Big Ski’s Pierogies one night after an evening of plentiful drinking. The owner grew up in a big Polish family that gifted him a great love of Polish cuisine (along with some darn tasty recipes). 

At Juno Japanese Sushi Garden, you’ll find amazing rolls and traditional Japanese offerings with artistic flair. 

When you’re craving the taste of Thailand, try Thailandia for delicious Thai fare from a charming chef who hails from the village of Sahatsakhan, Kalasin in northeastern Thailand and honed her talent for Thai street food by running a food booth in Bangkok. 

Nearly every “best burger in Bend” roundup features the Americana food truck, and I promise you’ll be delighted by their masterful assembly of fresh ground beef, American cheese, caramelized onions, secret sauce, shredded lettuce, and fresh tomato on a toasted brioche bun. 

You don’t have to be vegan to love the Toasty food truck. In fact, my non-veggie spouse and I frequent the place without our vegetarian kid, which is a testament to the quality of their 100% plant-based cuisine. I’m not joking when I say that I sometimes dream about their delicious Nacho Crunchwrap. 

And if seafood is calling your name, head for Mother Shuckers to grab freshly-shucked oysters and other craveworthy seafood, including steelhead pasta, oyster shooters, shishito peppers, and a Dungeness crab caesar salad that sometimes calls my name when I sleep.

A group picks up their food order from one of the food carts at River's Place in Bend, Oregon.

River’s Place (787 NE Purcell Blvd. in Bend)

Bend’s Eastside isn’t frequented by visitors quite like the busy Westside and its hotspots around Downtown Bend and the Old Mill District.

But River’s Place Food Truck Lot offers ample reason to make the journey across Highway 97 to this tucked-away food cart lot not far from the Forum Shopping Center. They boast a large selection of beers, wine, and cider, plus plenty of parking and six big-screen TVs––two outside, and four inside their spacious indoor taphouse where you’ll frequently find live music. Their indoor space is homey and spacious, and one of my favorite spots to meet pals for a lunch date or scarf down a meal after hiking the Oregon Badlands Wilderness

On the food cart front, Cuban Kitchen offers a tasty variety of Cuban cuisine, including sandwiches, empanadas, bowls, and treats like fried plantains. Their peach habanero hot sauce is the stuff of legends. 

Fresh, homemade calzone is the specialty at The Zone, and you won’t want to miss ordering one or twelve. But also consider their other offerings from lasagna to meatball subs.

You know how I mentioned Sopa at Dogwood has the best birria in Bend? They’ve also got a food cart here with the same quality menu items and scrumptious food. 

At Nik’s Snacks, you’ll find a wide array of bite-sized items like sliders and fries, as well as hot dogs, burgers, and some of the best brussel sprouts in town made with chili flake, balsamic glaze, and your choice of add-ons like bacon, smoked pork, and more. 

If you’re a fan of Noi Thai Food in Downtown Bend, you’ll enjoy Bai Tong, since it’s run by the same folks. Their green curry with chicken is my go-to here, with the perfect combo of veggies and succulent chicken in a light curry sauce over white rice.

The Patio at Bevel Brewing (911 SE Armour Rd. in Bend)

When travel writers ask me for don’t-miss stops on the Bend Ale Trail, Bevel Brewing and its accompanying collection of food carts at The Patio (aka 9th Street Village) tops my list. It’s the perfect blend of great beer, amazing food, and a mellow, off-the-beaten-path vibe. Owned by professional disc golfers, Bevel has a fun disc golf theme and a casual, locals’ fave vibe that makes it one of my top hangouts in town.

The 9th Street Village food cart lot behind the brewery makes a great place to park yourself for sampling Bevel’s outstanding beers and a side of Bend you won’t see if you stick to well-trafficked corridors.

The Nosh food cart offers an eclectic menu that features local ingredients in delicious snacks, sandwiches, and salads. I’m especially fond of their housemade pickles and fermented goodies. 

Tacos al Nava boasts one of my favorite plates of nachos in town, generously piled with your choice of veggies, steak, carnitas, chorizo, al pastor, or chicken. If that’s not your jam, their tacos and burritos are another top pick.

Indodaddy is a fun twist on Indonesian fusion, and the chef’s recipes are a riff on what he learned from a grandmother who was born in Jakarta, relocated to Holland, then eventually moved to the US. Here, you’ll find tasty picks like nasi goreng, lumpia, corn fritters, and scrumptious pork wontons. 

At the Little Red Kitchen, you’ll get southern cuisine with a twist. From mac and cheese to beer-marinated grilled chicken to Carolina BBQ made with the chef’s own scratch-made sauce, everything here is fresh and tasty. Pro tip: Try the platter that gets you a little bit of everything so you can sample most of what’s on the menu and pick your favorites.

On Tap (1424 NE Cushing Dr. in Bend)

Like River’s Place, On Tap resides on the east side of Bend where visitors venture less often. A shame for the visitors, since the cozy vibe, creative food carts, and jaw-dropping tap list make this food cart pod a must-see.

As the name suggests, On Tap boasts more than 30 taps pouring a variety of craft beer, cider, wine, and kombucha. The tap handles occupy part of On Tap’s indoor space, while abundant food carts and a plethora of tables and fire pits sprawl across the open outdoor area. This pod feels particularly family friendly, with lots of wide open spaces for kids to roam.

Craving pizza? Hit Rush’s Squares for delectable 8×8 squares of Sicilian-style square pizza. Combos include fun options like the Bend-ite (red sauce, cheese blend, salami, goat cheese, mama lil’s peppers, fresh basil) and the Herbie (red sauce, cheese plend, spinach, grape tomato, roasted mushroom, roasted red pepper). 

If you’re more in a Mexican mood, hit El Taquero for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas, and more. Their Vampiros are especially good, made with fresh, handmade corn tortillas topped with a crispy layer of cheese and your choice of savory meat.

At CurbBQ, savor the flavors of west coast barbecue, complete with meat platters, pulled pork sandwiches and nachos, and all the best sides from cornbread to coleslaw.

Want something a little different but oh-so-delicious? Himalayan Bites features the flavors of Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan, which admittedly means you might not recognize some of the items on the menu. But trust me when I say you can’t go wrong with the Himalayan platter, which offers tastes of many different dishes. 

At the Bleu Rooster, choose from belly-warming faves like sandwiches, gyros, po’ boys, fries, and more. Watch for their famous shrimp and grits and order it anytime you spot it on the menu.

And if you’re hungry for a taste of Hawaii, hit Aina Kauai Style Hawaiian Grill for dishes like katsu and kalua pork. Their poke bowls in particular leave me swoony, and they’re always happy to honor my request to go a little heavier on the veggies and lighter on the rice.

The Lot (745 NW Columbia St. in Bend)

Located on Bend’s popular Westside, The Lot boasts heated, open-air seating, built-in tables with bench warmers, and a communal vibe that’s always hoppin’. It’s a handy spot to hit on your way down from Mt. Bachelor or after floating the river and finishing up at Drake Park. Their bar space features 16 tap handles pouring beer, cider, wine, and kombucha. 

Fricken Faco is best known for its fish tacos, or FACO. They use fresh Northwest cod that’s hand breaded and fried to order, then laid on a warm flour tortilla with housemade tomatillo-avocado salsa and cilantro-lime aioli, plus plenty of fresh cabbage, onion, cilantro, and feta. So good!

A’La Carte is famous for its scrumptious fries, topped with anything from truffle salt to carne asada to gorgonzola and bacon. To balance it out, order the beet and goat cheese salad, which is huge and flavorful and one of the best food cart salads on the list. 

Maki Maki Sushi is the brainchild of Adam Pan, a sushi chef with 20 years of experience, much of it in New York. Try their tempura fried Volcano Roll, which comes with king salmon, fresh tuna, yellowtail, cream cheese, and avocado, topped with tobiko, spicy kani, green onions, and unagi sauce. 

And if it’s an All-American kinda day, you’ll dig the tasty simplicity of Burgz N Dogz, with options ranging from a simple hamburger to a Baller Burger with a double patty, double bacon, double cheese (cheddar and swiss!) and all your favorite toppings. 

Pizza from a food cart at Midtown Yacht Club in Bend, Oregon.

Midtown Yacht Club (1661 NE 4th St. in Bend)

Even if Midtown Yacht Club wasn’t amazing (it is!) it gets bonus points for the clever name in the center of a landlocked city. 

Located at the corner of 4th and Quimby in Midtown Bend, Midtown Yacht Club has a plethora of food carts, 20 rotating taps, and a cool vibe spread between its open-air taproom and the courtyard filled with umbrella tables and fire pits.

You know how I mentioned NorthFresh sushi at The Bite in Tumalo? This scrumptious sushi cart was so popular there that they opened another location at MidTown. Don’t miss your chance to score unbelievably fresh sushi rolls, sashimi, nigiri, and more. 

Head for Barrio if you’re craving tasty tacos and bowls. My go-to here is a taco trio where you pick from tasty fillings like chicken, beef, or veggie, topped with fresh onion, cilantro, cotija cheese, and salsa. I love that the tortillas are grilled and not fried, and that the bowls have the option of brown rice.

If vegan and vegetarian chow are your jam, head for Lively Up Yourself. Everything’s made from plant-based ingredients, from the St. Louis Style Ribz (made from seitan and jackfruit) to the classic mac-and-cheeze made with their own housemade dairy-free cheese sauce.

In the mood for pizza? Head for P!zza (cute punctuation intentional) and pick between standard fare like pepperoni or margarita pizza, or peek at their “not so secret secret menu” for fun options like Cacio E Pepe E Pepe (homemade white sauce, cup n char pepperoni, mozzarella, provolone, asiago, fontina, garlic parmesan whipped ricotta, and cracked pepper).

At Bread and Bunny, you’ll find a hearty variety of sandwiches, salads, and desserts made with creative flair and the very best ingredients. I’m smitten with the Goshi Grains salad made with farro, persimmon wedges, roasted butternut squash, basil, parmesan, pecans, and arugula served with housemade honey dijon vinaigrette on the side. 

At TOTS!, you won’t get ordinary, run-of-the-mill tater tots, no sir. We’re talking plump, potatoey fried goodness topped with fun stuff like truffle oil, beer cheese, shrimp, pulled pork, hot honey…I mean, you name it, they’ve probably created a tot-based dish around it. 

And don’t miss Alley Dogz, a quirky hot dog cart specializing in unconventional toppings and unique dogs, including a vegan one that is wildly fantastic. Fans of skinny shoestring fries won’t want to miss getting a double order.