Guide to Eugene Food Truck Pods

From hand-stretched noodles to an Indian fusion crunch wrap, Eugene's food trucks and food carts offer casual culinary excellence. These small, mobile vendors are often homegrown start-ups that develop popular followings. Food cart owners tend to source local, fresh ingredients daily. Ordering from a food cart is a great way to enjoy Eugene's local food scene. Here is a list of a few of our favorite food truck pods.

Finding a Food Truck

Many of the carts are clustered in pods adjacent to local breweries or in community plazas. Food carts are also found at many special events, some wineries in the summer and festivals. Because food trucks are mobile, we recommend checking their websites or calling ahead to confirm their location and hours. There is also a Street Food App that tracks the location of popular trucks around Eugene.

The Garden on Friendly

Eugene

The Garden on Friendly (2760 Friendly St) might truly be the best place to grab some food cart grub and see some friends. This five-truck pod sits in a quiet neighborhood on the southwest side of College Hill in Eugene. Bring the dog and the kids and relax with the rest of the Friendly Street community while you enjoy some incredible bites (from stromboli to rice bowls) and an excellent cider selection from a local cider truck. Check the The Garden on Friendly's events calendar for live music. 

Best Bet: Louka's Bistro - favorite European dishes from fish and chips to gyros, and plenty of fresh veggie options too!

What's nearby: J-Tea tasting room, Wayne Morse Ranch, Moss Crossing Dispensary

Kesey Square Food Truck Pod

Downtown Eugene

Right in the middle of the city action is this four-truck food pod. One great thing about food truck pods is the sense of community that is inherent. This vibe is alive and well in Kesey Square. In the warmer months enjoy public art, live music and occasional vendors. Kesey Square is perfect for a quick lunch. Grab a sweet treat after at Voodoo Doughnuts right next door. 

Best Bet: Bheavenly is a reliable spot for vegan and vegetarian fare. Try their Goddess salad or their Maui veggie burger.

What's nearby: Voodoo Doughnuts, Actor's Cabaret of Eugene and McDonald Theatre.

Saturday Market Food Court

Downtown Eugene

The quantity of favorite food trucks can exceed ten on Saturdays in the downtown Eugene Park Blocks - and the lines can be long but worth it. Some of the food trucks here have been serving the Saturday Market for many years, like Lulu's Smoothies. Sit with your food and enjoy live entertainment on the market stage or wander through the many booths with a refreshing beverage. The rest of the week, a smaller selection of food carts and trucks may pop up in the Park Blocks for work-day lunches.

Best Bet: La Familia Mexican Food - great burritos, tacos and salads!

What's nearby: Lane County Farmers Market, Mural Tour and The Shedd 

8th & Olive Food Truck Pod

Downtown Eugene

Conveniently located in downtown Eugene, this parking lot food truck pod attracts those living and working nearby. Rain or shine, residents flock here for the international offerings. Selecting a food truck from this five to six truck collection is tough, but luckily there is no wrong answer. The offerings here include Oaxacan comfort food, Chinese bing, Thai noodles, and a hearty culinary tour of Ethiopia. Each small business is owned by passionate chefs excited to share their creations. 

Best Bet: Cafe Agora - probably the friendliest food truck in town serving incredible Greek dishes.  

What's nearby: Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Whirled Pies and The Jazz Station

Monkey Paw Food Cart Pod

Springfield

Retro vibes and boat drinks makes this fun, fanciful bar a destination. After you've ordered something in a cool glass, topped with florals or pineapple, or perhaps tasted the rum flight, step out of the dim interior onto the airy patio to order food. Behind the Monkey Paw Tiki Bar is a collection of food trucks that share Monkey Paw's tented outside dining space. 

Best Bet:  SOI  44 - Traditional and fusion Thai dishes. Try their curry puffs, which are vegan, or the Thai ice cream sandwich!

What's nearby:  Main Street, Official Simpsons Mural and Springfield History Museum 

PublicHouse Food Court

Springfield

A church building has been converted into a beer hall with a large courtyard and back lawn area, home to several food trucks. What is great about PublicHouse is that they are home to start-up ventures that share a kitchen. Order off the digital menu in the hall for your food delivered, along with drinks from the bar, or wander around to check out the trucks and adjacent Whiskey Lab. Occasional live music makes hanging out here even more fun.

Best Bet: Shalosh - Binge on delicious hummus and pita bread or order a falafel wrap.

What's nearby: Main Street, Springfield City Hall (which has a signed Simpsons plaque) and Springfield Public Library

Coldfire Brewing Co. 

Eugene

Coldfire Brewing sits just beyond the Market District near the riverfront and serves European-style beers brewed with Northwest ingredients. Although this brewery offers its own limited food menu, it also hosts a number of truly stellar food trucks. Grab a flight of beer and a seat on the patio or play a game from their collection inside. Just don't miss their Soleil Melange sour blonde ale on a sunny day. Also for winter they offered a tented patio for seating.

Best Bet: Yabai Nikkei Japanese-American fare all locally sourced!

What's nearby: Ruth Bascom Bike Path, Skinner Butte and the 5th Street Public Market

Oakshire Brewing

Eugene's Whiteaker Neighborhood

One of Eugene's favorite breweries also has some of the best food trucks. Grab a beer (or glass of wine next door at Eugene Wine Cellars) and take your pick of food trucks offering amazing eats in the Whiteaker Neighborhood. Oakshire is the perfect place to refuel after a day of casual riding on the Ruth Bascom bike path or kick-pushing at the WJ skatepark. Outdoor seating makes this a great summer spot.

Best Bet: Arekie Indian Fusion Cuisine - chicken tikka crunch wraps, naan tacos with chorizo or butter chicken and masala fries and so many other delightful combinations. 

What's nearby: Eugene Wine Cellars, Wandering Goat Coffee, WJ Skatepark and Owen Rose Garden

beergarden. 

Downtown Eugene

beergarden is one of the best places to enjoy a cluster of food trucks in Eugene. There is more to love here than just the beer (42 rotating taps and hundreds of bottles of craft beer to choose from). In the summer, this outdoor space is cool, pet-friendly and often hosts live entertainment on the small stage. Even during the winter, this is a popular hang spot thanks to covered seating and heaters to keep it toasty. The food trucks here are varied and delicious making it possible for everyone to find something they will love. 

Best Bet: Lani Moku Grill: Authentic Hawaiian kine grinds. 

What's nearby: Sweet Life Patisserie, Gray's Garden Center, Glass House Coffee Bar and Skinner Butte.

Food Courts & Cafeterias

• 5th Street Public Market - upstairs in the market there is a collection of restaurants featuring counter ordering and shared indoor seating. On the lower level of the center is Provisions which offers sandwiches, soups, pizza and coffee items. Across the street is Market Alley with a variety of eateries sharing the common courtyard for dining.
• Oakway Center - explore their various restaurants that share access to a central courtyard.
• Valley River Center - a traditional indoor mall setting with many quick food offerings.