The Best Cheap Eats In Portland, Oregon

With food costs going up, the cheap eats in Portland, Oregon that used to be $6-10 have gone up to about $12-18, but since the price of everything has gone up there is still great food to be had for decent prices. I’m here to help you discover the most affordable restaurants and food carts in Portland.

1. House of Banh Mi

While Portland has a lot of great Banh Mi, my personal favorite is House of Banh Mi (also known as the HOB). My favorite, the grilled pork is just $8. All sandwiches are made with pickled carrots and daikon, cilantro, cucumbers, jalapenos, egg butter and soy sauce. The sandwiches are big with generous meat portions, fresh veggies, and bread that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside just like it’s supposed to be. They also have some of the best Pate Chaud (Pork Pastry) for just $2.50. And, I love their Vietnamese coffee, so strong, which is $5.50. The Pork/Shrimp Salad Rolls are also great, and you can get two for $6.50.

2.Quesabrosa

I’m a big fan of crispy tacos (just made some at home tonight with venison), and I really love the ones at Quesabrosa. Of course, you can get tacos in Portland for cheaply just about anywhere, but I really love these. The shells are freshly fried and fully stuffed. Of course, you can get more traditional ones like al pastor and carne asada on handmade tortillas as well. They also have other offerings like flautas, sopes, and tortas. Quesabrosa is a food cart with covered seating. 3 crispy tacos are $13.50. They are closed on Sundays.

3. Sure Shot Burger

Sure Shot Burger makes the best smash burgers and fries around. The smash burger is the real deal with those sought after crispy edges. A single burger is only $6, while a double is $10. They always have a special as well (my favorite so far had hatch chiles and ranch on it). The special is usually about $12. The fries are $5 and you get enough that two polite people could share them. If you’re not polite, you’d better get your own. This food cart is open from 12-7 Tuesday-Saturday. They have a covered patio with heated lamps, or you can take your burger into Oaksire Brewing and get a beer with your burger. Then go save money at the thrift store, Take It Or Leave It, across the way, let your food digest a little, and head next door for a $2.50 scoop of gelato at Pronto gelato.

4. Pronto Gelato

Ok, I already did an ice cream in Portland article, so this article won’t have many dessert shops listed, but did you know you can get one scoop of gelato for just $2.50 at Pronto Gelato? You will only see the double listed on the menu for $5, but if you ask for just one scoop, it’s just $2.50. Seriously a great deal for such incredible gelato in Portland.

5. PDX Dönerländ

If you like German food, you must go to PDX Dönerländ. They make the best and most authentic doner that I’ve ever had. What’s a doner, you ask? Imagine slices of crispy seasoned lamb and beef off of the spit, tomato, garlic-yogurt sauce, cabbage and onion all sandwiched between crispy toasted flatbread. Their flatbread is homemade with Bob’s Red Mill bread flour, and they also make great Mediterranean salads and falafel. The falafel is crispy and flavorful. You can also get the incredible doner meat on a salad, if you don’t eat bread. The people who own the truck, Franziska and Ron, are so kind, and I enjoy talking with them as much as I enjoy eating their amazing food. Sandwiches are $13. This is one of my favorite food trucks to go to for cheap eats in Portland.

6. Ba Me Thai Noodle House

Ba Mee Thai Noodle House is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Portland. They make their own noodles, and the soups are perfect for warming up on a cold day. I really love the tom yum wonton soup. This place serves Thai street food at its finest, and you will find stuff on the menu you won’t find at other Thai restaurants. The Ba Mee House noodle soup is also phenomenal. (I prefer the duck!) If you’re not looking for soup, the fried khao man gai is quite amazing. Dishes are an average of $16.

7. Mèmoire Cà Phê

Mèmoire Cà Phê offers a fantastic Vietnamese brunch experience at a price that won’t break the bank. I had The Bowl, made up of fish sauce bacon, fish sauce gravy, hash browns, fried egg, Jasmine rice, fried garlic, and scallion. It was incredible. I still want to go back to try the pandan waffles and that black sesame cinnamon roll that everyone raves about. Each entree costs around $15. The Vietnamese coffee is really good as well, and they have different variations that you can order.

Cheap eats in Portland

8. Paadee

Paadee

Paa dee means to bring good things in Thai. And Paadee does just that. Earl Ninsom, the owner has a true gift with all of the food that he has created. Paadee is my favorite Thai restaurant in Portland, and the prices are quite reasonable as well. Most entrees are about $17, but the $16 set lunch is a great value. Available between 11:30-3, it comes with papaya salad, sticky rice, soft boiled egg, and a nourishing broth. Pictured here is the Gai Grop Som Tum set, or crispy chicken that is slightly sweet. I enjoyed every bite! The service is always excellent at Paadee, and there is a lovely ambiance. Go next door afterwards for dessert at Cheese & Crack!

9. Cheese & Crack

Cheese & Crack

Of all the ice cream in Portland, the one that’s hard to beat is the $4 soft serve at Cheese & Crack. There’s chocolate ganache in the cone and it’s free to add matcha, espresso, strawberry, or beet dust! People also love their seasonal sundaes, which are $8-10, but big enough for two.

10. Master Kong

Master Kong

The beef brisket noodle soup at Master Kong might just be the best $11 you can spend in life. Nourishing, comforting, delicious, hand pulled noodles, meat that’s soft and tender, what more could you want? They also have handmade dumplings, congee, and Jianbing for just $9. Your meal comes with free hot tea, and make sure to try some of their chili oil as well. It’s so good. If you’re looking for cheap eats in Portland that will wow you, this is the place to be.

11. Khao Moo Dang

Khao Moo Dang-cheap eats in portland

Love this place! Khao Moo Dang is the real deal and offers authentic Thai food that most other spots don’t have including cha manao (lime tea)!! I love the Ba-Mhee which is just $13, and I add extra dumplings for $3 more. Thai iced tea or cha manao is just $3 a glass, which is a lot cheaper than the $5-6 others sell theirs for. Go support your neighborhood Thai style pork, crispy pork belly, rice, and noodle joint.

Your neighborhood Thai style pork, crispy pork belly, rice, and noodle joint.

12.Mekha

While the Turmeric Rice with Grilled Chicken in a Clay Pot, or Cơm Thố Gà Nướng, at Mekha might set you back $20, the bowl is much bigger than it looks, and I always get two meals from it. With great soups and Pho as well, this place is perfect for a cold, rainy day in Portland. The staff is friendly, and the food arrives quickly. Get the pandan custard for dessert if you love pandan.

pandan custard

13. Nong’s Khao Man Gai

Nong’s Khao Man Gai

People say the chicken and rice at Nong’s is actually life-changing, and it’s true. What started out as a food cart in 2009 has now become two cart locations, a restaurant which bottles their incredible sauce and even sells clothing with their brand on it. They are adamant about quality and buy only the best ingredients to make this dish such as Mary’s Free Range chickens and rice that is perfectly cooked. They even hand peel their garlic because it’s more flavorful. It’s worth every bit of the $15 that it costs. And, make sure to save room for the marvelous coconut soft serve ice cream ($4), though I preferred it when it included pandan and lemongrass flavors. This place is a must visit for cheap eats in Portland.

coconut ice cream

14. Pig Patas

Pig Pata's /Cheap eats in Portland

Pig Patas has amazing tacos including, my favorite, al pastor on the trompo. You can get either the traditional pork pastor or beef pastor as well. Tacos are just $3.50 each and everything else on the menu ranges from $10-15 average. My only complaint is the bones were still in the short ribs for the tacos which made them hard to eat. They’ve got some really authentic dishes here such as sopa de Azteca, and the burritos are so big, you can definitely share one.

15. Kesone

Kesone Asian Fusion

Cheap eats in Portland

Kesone Asian Fusion is one of my favorite food cart meals and cheap eats in Portland!! They serve Thai and Laos food which is excellent. My favorite dish is the Nam Kao Vientianne which is made with crispy rice, coconut shavings and either chicken, pork or tofu and Laos herbs and seasonings. You eat it with lettuce leaves, and it’s the perfect summer meal. It’s a huge portion, and I usually have enough for two meals. The cost is $18. Their Laos sausage is also really good.

Kesone menu

16. La Osita Tacos

La Osita Tacos

La Osita is a sweet food cart that serves espresso and healthy Mexican brunch/lunch. The homemade tortillas are amazing. My personal favorite is the carne asada taco for $4.25. Everything about it is just perfect. A lot of people adore their burritos. They get extra points in my book because all of their containers and utensils are made of compostable material.

Cheap eats in Portland

17. Du’s Grill

Du's Grill/ Cheap Eats in Portland

One of the quotes about Du’s Grill is that they have the best Korean teriyaki in the known Universe, and it’s absolutely true. This meal may be the one I missed most when I moved away from Portland for four years. There’s nothing else like it. They’ve often made the list for Portland’s best most inexpensive restaurants, and with just one bite, you’ll see why. I always go for the pork (which has a perfect char) for $15.50, but you can also get beef, chicken, or a mix. It comes with salad with incredible creamy garlic dressing and rice. Get extra sauce if you’re taking it to go. It’s so good! This is a great hole in the wall staffed by friendly people.

18. Javier’s Taco Shop

The best thing about Javier’s? They are open 24 hours! I’m a sucker for crispy tacos, and they fill theirs to the brim. They have lots of other Mexican specialties and a large salsa bar. It’s not the cleanest place, but it will solve that hankering for tacos at midnight that few places will.

19. Hat Yai

Hat Yai

Hat Yai has long been one of my favorite Thai restaurants in Portland. They are known for their Southern Thai food, but especially for their fried chicken with roti and a rich Malayu style curry. They use Mary’s free range chicken, so you are getting not only a mouthwatering meal, but great quality as well. The chicken is perfectly crispy, and that creamy curry is rich and to die for! The brisket curry is also outstanding, as are the roti desserts. The fried chicken set with two pieces, curry, and roti is $16, or you can upgrade for just $4 more and add a chicken wing and sticky rice.

20. Matt’s BBQ Tacos

Matt's BBQ Tacos

Anyone who follows me, knows I love Matt’s BBQ. But, I just as much adore Matt’s BBQ tacos. These tacos are a beautiful marriage of Matt’s BBQ meats inside homemade lard flour tortillas or vegan corn tortillas. (Get the brisket!) They also serve breakfast tacos all day. The tacos are $6-7 (one is enough if you’re getting queso), and I love the queso, which is almost $8.