Third Avenue Pod, Portland

In recent years, food carts have become an essential part of the Portland "brand", merging the city's distinctive, do-it-yourself character with its local passion for good food at a good price. These no-frills, mobile food purveyors park in clusters (or "pods") in different neighborhoods all over the city. One of the more established spots on 3rd Avenue has been affectionately dubbed Gyro District owing to the multitude of Middle-Eastern carts serving gyros, shawarma, and hummus platters. Sprinkled among them are, more recently, a few carts that offer a welcome sense of variety: try the steamy 'bao buns' (pockets of dough with fillings like chicken curry and pork in gravy) or the dumplings and wonton soup for some truly authentic Chinese food.

Notably also, the 3rd Avenue Pod includes the popular DC Vegetarian, known for its vegan and vegetarian burgers and sandwiches, as well as carts offering cuisine from Thailand, Vietnam, Egypt and Mexico. Once you've got your meal, stroll to Waterfront Park and pull up a bench (or spot of grass) — instant picnic!