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Located inside the Midtown Beer Garden, this is a good spot for empanadas. Got two for $8, the Colombianita and the Cheesy Guava, and both were freshly fried, served piping hot, and perfectly crispy with a great crunch. Good flavors on both, and they make for a hearty snack while grabbing drinks in the garden.
Stopped here for a snack/mini meal and had a good time! The guy working was friendly and helped give me recommendations. There's lots of seating with shade near the food carts, and it was a nice break from walking around. I got four empanadas, but if I went back I'd really only do two. The green cilantro sauce pictured was delicious. I really don't recall which I ate but they were tasty. A little greasy/hot but nothing a napkin didn't fix.
Best empanadas. Incredibly everything is gluten-free (except some chocolate drink?) at this food truck. There are some tables around for people to eat at in the shared space outside. The wait does usually take at least 15-20 minutes even if you order just 1 or 2 items. I tried the cheese empanada and veggie empanadas. They both tasted incredibly fresh, and the outer layer was even slightly different in texture between the two of them. It was super crispy, but broke apart well, with a great amount of filling in each one. Yuca fries were also pretty decent being thick and crispy but somehow some pieces were better than others. The pandebonos were also yummy, though slightly sweet and a bit well-toasted. There are also several sauce options you can request. Overall, great food and would return here again.
I had my first empanadas from El Pilon's food truck that's tucked inside of Midtown Beer Garden located in downtown Portland! I got 2 to try, a Colombianita and chicken. I prefer the chicken one more because it was more flavorful and had way more meat. The beef and potato one was still good, but it was mainly just potato. Both empanadas were piping hot, but sitting outside and eating it fresh in the cold weather helped cool it down quickly. I was expecting them to be bigger, but it was actually pretty small and I could have ate it in 2 bites. The menu is very modern and easy to read/comprehend. I like the helpful descriptions for some items and I am interested in trying their yuca fries. The ladies who helped with the order were very nice! The person in the back was definitely on top of it because I am pretty sure they started preparing the food right when they heard my order, before I was even able to complete my payment.
Went on a Saturday around 2 PM and there was no line. I thought my food would have been done quickly, but I was disappointed. In total it took me 20 minutes to get two empanadas and a cheese arepa. The empanadas were good and crunchy. The ají was okay. The salsa rosada was good.
Walking up to El Pilón Food Cart, I have to admit it looks really nice. All colorful, inviting, and giving off those "I'm about to eat something amazing" vibes. But then... the empanadas arrived. And honey, I shrunk them. At $3.50 a pop, you basically get what feels like a miniature potsticker. I only managed one bite, and honestly, it barely left a mark on my taste buds. I wanted to feel the hype, the Colombian street-food magic but it just wasn't there. I'm giving two stars mostly because the plate was adorable but absurdly small. Presentation points, sure but flavor and satisfaction? Not so much. Maybe I hit a bad batch, but these empanadas need to bulk up if they want to live up to the looks.
Ordered a fresh soursop juice. It reminded me of the juice back in Central America. It was slightly sweet (I was able to ask for less sugar) with a tangy fruit flavor (kind of a mix of pineapple, coconut and banana). Would recommend trying if you haven't had it before! The kind server made my juice faster than expected since I only ordered the one item. It's located within the food cart pod with plenty of seating.
Love el Pilon! There are many gluten free options. They are happy to customize orders, which is great for dietary restrictions. The people who work there are friendly.
I really wanted to like this because it is a small business and has great reviews. We ordered the Arepa and beef empanadas. The empanadas were good and crispy, however the arepa was toasted on the outside but the filling was ice cold. It tasted like chicken salad scooped inside an arepa. Since I'm not completely sure if that's just how they are supposed to taste or if it was poorly made, I'll chalk it up to me not liking it. The lady at the register was nice and the food truck is in a mini food plaza with many other trucks, however it is the only Colombian food option.
I had such a genuinely beautiful experience at El Pilón Colombian Food. You can feel the care the moment you're there. The people are incredibly kind, personable, and welcoming, with such positive energy. There's a real human connection here--you can tell they truly care about what they do, and you leave feeling fed in more ways than just food. And the food absolutely deserves the praise, too. The chicken empanada was perfectly crispy and full of flavor, and the chicken arepa was warm, cheesy, and so comforting, with tender shredded chicken that just hit. Everything tasted intentional and made with love. Even the sauce on the side brought everything together so well. I would honestly pay double for this experience--not because it's expensive (it's very reasonable), but because the food, the people, and the overall vibe are just that good. Beautiful food, beautiful people, beautiful company. They deserve the world. Highly recommend. --------------------- Tuve una experiencia realmente hermosa en El Pilón Colombian Food. Desde el primer momento se siente el cariño y la dedicación. Las personas son increíblemente amables, cercanas y acogedoras, con una energía muy positiva. Hay una conexión humana muy real -- se nota que de verdad aman lo que hacen, y uno se va sintiéndose lleno de muchas más formas que solo con la comida. Y la comida también merece todo el reconocimiento. La empanada de pollo estaba perfectamente crujiente y llena de sabor, y la arepa de pollo estaba calientita, con queso derretido y muy reconfortante, con pollo desmenuzado suave y delicioso. Todo sabía intencional, hecho con amor. Incluso la salsa que viene al lado unía todo de una manera increíble. Honestamente, pagaría el doble por esta experiencia -- no porque sea caro (el precio es muy razonable), sino porque la comida, las personas y la vibra en general son así de buenas. Comida hermosa, personas hermosas, una empresa hermosa. Se merecen el mundo. Súper recomendado.
All Gf and GOOD! Went here for lunch when my family came into town for an appt. So glad we have options like this! I needed more but thats because i was just being greedy.
Visited at the midtown beer garden food trucks. Need Empanadas were amazing, so tasty and crunchy. Also really loved the patacon, plantains are my favorite so it was perfect. Dipping sauce was yummy too! Would love to try the chicken next time. Chill atmosphere at the beer garden!
1 month ago
2 months ago
2 months ago
Located inside the Midtown Beer Garden, this is a good spot for empanadas. Got two for $8, the Colombianita and the Cheesy Guava, and both were freshly fried, served piping hot, and perfectly crispy with a great crunch. Good flavors on both, and they make for a hearty snack while grabbing drinks in the garden. read more
Stopped here for a snack/mini meal and had a good time! The guy working was friendly and helped give me recommendations. There's lots of seating with shade near the food carts, and it was a nice break from walking around. I got four empanadas, but if I went back I'd really only do two. The green cilantro sauce pictured was delicious. I really don't recall which I ate but they were tasty. A little greasy/hot but nothing a napkin didn't fix. read more
8 days ago
3 months ago
Best empanadas. Incredibly everything is gluten-free (except some chocolate drink?) at this food truck. There are some tables around for people to eat at in the shared space outside. The wait does usually take at least 15-20 minutes even if you order just 1 or 2 items. I tried the cheese empanada and veggie empanadas. They both tasted incredibly fresh, and the outer layer was even slightly different in texture between the two of them. It was super crispy, but broke apart well, with a great amount of filling in each one. Yuca fries were also pretty decent being thick and crispy but somehow some pieces were better than others. The pandebonos were also yummy, though slightly sweet and a bit well-toasted. There are also several sauce options you can request. Overall, great food and would return here again. read more
I had my first empanadas from El Pilon's food truck that's tucked inside of Midtown Beer Garden located in downtown Portland! I got 2 to try, a Colombianita and chicken. I prefer the chicken one more because it was more flavorful and had way more meat. The beef and potato one was still good, but it was mainly just potato. Both empanadas were piping hot, but sitting outside and eating it fresh in the cold weather helped cool it down quickly. I was expecting them to be bigger, but it was actually pretty small and I could have ate it in 2 bites. The menu is very modern and easy to read/comprehend. I like the helpful descriptions for some items and I am interested in trying their yuca fries. The ladies who helped with the order were very nice! The person in the back was definitely on top of it because I am pretty sure they started preparing the food right when they heard my order, before I was even able to complete my payment. read more
Went on a Saturday around 2 PM and there was no line. I thought my food would have been done quickly, but I was disappointed. In total it took me 20 minutes to get two empanadas and a cheese arepa. The empanadas were good and crunchy. The ají was okay. The salsa rosada was good. read more
Walking up to El Pilón Food Cart, I have to admit it looks really nice. All colorful, inviting, and giving off those "I'm about to eat something amazing" vibes. But then... the empanadas arrived. And honey, I shrunk them. At $3.50 a pop, you basically get what feels like a miniature potsticker. I only managed one bite, and honestly, it barely left a mark on my taste buds. I wanted to feel the hype, the Colombian street-food magic but it just wasn't there. I'm giving two stars mostly because the plate was adorable but absurdly small. Presentation points, sure but flavor and satisfaction? Not so much. Maybe I hit a bad batch, but these empanadas need to bulk up if they want to live up to the looks. read more
Ordered a fresh soursop juice. It reminded me of the juice back in Central America. It was slightly sweet (I was able to ask for less sugar) with a tangy fruit flavor (kind of a mix of pineapple, coconut and banana). Would recommend trying if you haven't had it before! The kind server made my juice faster than expected since I only ordered the one item. It's located within the food cart pod with plenty of seating. read more
I really wanted to like this because it is a small business and has great reviews. We ordered the Arepa and beef empanadas. The empanadas were good and crispy, however the arepa was toasted on the outside but the filling was ice cold. It tasted like chicken salad scooped inside an arepa. Since I'm not completely sure if that's just how they are supposed to taste or if it was poorly made, I'll chalk it up to me not liking it. The lady at the register was nice and the food truck is in a mini food plaza with many other trucks, however it is the only Colombian food option. read more
8 months ago
I had such a genuinely beautiful experience at El Pilón Colombian Food. You can feel the care the moment you're there. The people are incredibly kind, personable, and welcoming, with such positive energy. There's a real human connection here--you can tell they truly care about what they do, and you leave feeling fed in more ways than just food. And the food absolutely deserves the praise, too. The chicken empanada was perfectly crispy and full of flavor, and the chicken arepa was warm, cheesy, and so comforting, with tender shredded chicken that just hit. Everything tasted intentional and made with love. Even the sauce on the side brought everything together so well. I would honestly pay double for this experience--not because it's expensive (it's very reasonable), but because the food, the people, and the overall vibe are just that good. Beautiful food, beautiful people, beautiful company. They deserve the world. Highly recommend. --------------------- Tuve una experiencia realmente hermosa en El Pilón Colombian Food. Desde el primer momento se siente el cariño y la dedicación. Las personas son increíblemente amables, cercanas y acogedoras, con una energía muy positiva. Hay una conexión humana muy real -- se nota que de verdad aman lo que hacen, y uno se va sintiéndose lleno de muchas más formas que solo con la comida. Y la comida también merece todo el reconocimiento. La empanada de pollo estaba perfectamente crujiente y llena de sabor, y la arepa de pollo estaba calientita, con queso derretido y muy reconfortante, con pollo desmenuzado suave y delicioso. Todo sabía intencional, hecho con amor. Incluso la salsa que viene al lado unía todo de una manera increíble. Honestamente, pagaría el doble por esta experiencia -- no porque sea caro (el precio es muy razonable), sino porque la comida, las personas y la vibra en general son así de buenas. Comida hermosa, personas hermosas, una empresa hermosa. Se merecen el mundo. Súper recomendado. read more
5 months ago
Business owner information
Fernando M.
Hello Liliana, im so sorry about the issue that has happened and…
28 days ago
2 years ago
All Gf and GOOD! Went here for lunch when my family came into town for an appt. So glad we have options like this! I needed more but thats because i was just being greedy. read more
5 months ago
Visited at the midtown beer garden food trucks. Need Empanadas were amazing, so tasty and crunchy. Also really loved the patacon, plantains are my favorite so it was perfect. Dipping sauce was yummy too! Would love to try the chicken next time. Chill atmosphere at the beer garden! read more
11 months ago
Delicious! I got one beef and one chicken with the garlic sauce. Not super salty, flavorful and a nice crunchy shell. I could have eaten four of those easily. I washed it down with a yummy passionfruit juice. 10/10 would return. Two empanadas for $7. Great service - super friendly Super cute location inside the beef garden. Great place to hangout after work or a family outing. read more
6 months ago
11 months ago
Amazing food truck! My girlfriend is half Colombian and once she found out about el pilon we had to go. That was 2 years ago now and we consistently find ourselves going back. My go to order is the patacon el pilon chicken, but I find everything on their menu to be great. The ladies in the food truck are always so sweet when ordering. Plus, the midtown beer garden provides a great spot to sit down and enjoy with friends and family. read more
2 years ago
Visited the pod at the Midtown Beer Garden and I'm so glad I did! The Midtown Beer Garden, as a whole, is a great spot - plenty of seats, constant security, and tons of options. Service was nice and gave us recommendations as to what was popular - a great help when everything sounded delicious! We ended up ordering an arepa with half beef and half chicken, yucca fries, and passionfruit juice with a water base. The wait was a bit long despite how empty the pod area was. The passionfruit juice hit the spot - refreshing and not too sweet. The arepa was delicious! I particularly enjoyed the arugula, which I've never seen in an arepa before. The star of our meal was definitely the yucca fries, crispy and crunchy on the outside, but soft and warm on the inside. They were perfect with the creamy garlic sauce. Such a solid choice for a mid-afternoon snack for two. I definitely recommend if you ever come across this place at any food pod area! read more
1 year ago
Cute little trailer food truck located in the midtown beer garden. Delicious food with friendly service. read more
I just returned from a month in Colombia and the empanadas at this cart are better than any that I had in the whole country. Mind you I tried everything on their menu basically, the yucca fries, the plantain they have empanadas with beef and potato and the patacone with cheese, along with a couple of juices. Their patacone was delicious and the perfect line between crispy and soft. These were always a gamble in Colombia. Sometimes they would be so crunchy. Your teeth were hurt and other times they would be undercooked. This cart gets it perfect. I love it with just the cheese. It's simple and super delicious. I would definitely order that again, but the real stand out to me was the empanadas. They were perfectly lightly crisp, not greasy at all, and the filling was very well seasoned and flavored. It's also hard to find gluten-free empanadas anywhere else besides Colombian food so I love that. The ladies that were working, the cart were great and very helpful. The Arepas were pretty good with well seasoned meat, but I'm definitely more of a fan of Venezuelan Arepas with a lot of stuffing. Only change or feedback I request is to get rid of the lettuce on the items, and one day add Arepas de Chocolo with cheese to the menu because they haunt my dreams since I left--one week ago. Very authentic, try it you haven't visited Colombia or if you have! read more
Business owner information
Fernando M.
Hey Jamie thank you for the review! We do have plans on making arepas…
I simply cannot turn down an empanada, so I was delighted to see the El Pilón truck at the Portland Beer Garden. I ordered two empanadas for a light lunch - the chicken and the beef. I waited about 20 minutes for my empanadas - this felt long compared to the waiting time for the other vendors in the beer garden, but the empanadas were extremely fresh when I received them. The empanadas came with a small container of dipping sauce, which added an extra zing to the already scrumptious empanadas. The exterior was perfectly crispy, and the meat fillings were juicy and flavorful. I'm glad I gave El Pilón a try and would certainly order their empanadas again! read more
1 year ago
El Pilón offers a solid taste of Colombian street food. We tried the arepa, which was okay -- the flavor was decent, but it didn't stand out. It was a good, simple bite if you're craving arepas, but not necessarily something I'd go out of my way for. read more
3 years ago
This is one of my favorite food carts in all of Portland, and their empanadas are to die for. They fry it right on the spot just as you order so everything comes out piping hot and fresh. Sometimes it does take a bit of time but they are definitely worth the wait. As these are Colombian style empanadas, the crust is corn-based and therefore gluten-free. The beef and surprisingly, the Hawaiian are my favorite. While the beef is more traditional, I love the gooey-ness of the cheese in the Hawaiian empanada and don't forget to ask for a side of their salsa as the acidity brings so much flavor and juice into these delicious empanadas. Their new location is in the new food cart pod and there is a lot of seating available and there is a pretty cozy atmosphere. Would highly recommend people checking this spot out! read more
2 years ago
Meh. Not enough flavor here for me. The menu is very simple - choice of beef or chicken arepas or beef/chicken empanadas. I got an arepa for $10 w/ the house "el pilón chicken" and while it wasn't bad, it essentially was a chicken salad melt, which I like but I wouldn't pay for. Couldn't taste any other flavor besides chicken & cheese. Even the salsa they provided tasted like mild storebought pico de gallo. However i will say that the corn patty it was stuffed into was excellent - the perfect balance of crisp while renaming soft. Located in the crowded midtown beer garden pod w/ about 15 other carts. read more
All gluten free!!! First time to these food carts. Came with a friend and was surprised to find gluten free options. Took a while to get the food but worth the wait! Nice seating area. Will be back again to try other things. Food was hot and delicious. read more
1 year ago
First and foremost, the two women inside the cart were extremely unfriendly and uninviting attitude. Barely acknowledging and seemed bothered I wanted to place an order. I attempted to order an arepa and yucca fries along with the empanadas. They told me only empanadas were available, it was not exceptionally busy. It seems like they just did not want to prepare anything as the empanadas were frozen. It was a pretty sad experience, as I am certain based on the history and story of the cart's existence, this is not the intended experience. On a brighter note the chickpea empanada was very flavorful, however I will not return. read more
1 year ago
My cousin and I visited El Pilón on a whim. She can't have gluten and their entire menu was gluten-free, so it seemed like a no brainer. I'm just going to get right to it... THE FOOD WAS AMAZING. I repeat... AMAZING! This food truck is a definite must try if you're in Portland. Please don't miss out on the deliciousness of the arepas, the yuka fries, and the lulo juice! We ordered one chicken arepa and one beef arepa and both of us could not stop raving about how amazing they were. We also ordered the yuka fries, which I had never had before and again... DELICIOUS! If you're feeling extra adventurous then give the lulo juice with water a try. I had no clue what it was, but luckily found it to be a very refreshing orangey/tangerine like juice. The service is great and the food even better! Make sure you give this place a try. Seriously, no matter how far or near it is from you, give it a chance. You will not regret it. read more
Super tasty! I love arepas and have been excited to try them out. I got the arepa with shredded chicken which was beautifully flavored with delightfully stretchy cheese. The aji sauce had a nice acidity and spicy which balanced out the cheese and chicken. Will definitely be coming back to try other ones! read more
I was feeling overwhelmed by all the options at the SW 2nd @ Oak food cart pod but while I was deliberating I overheard another customer say, "La comida era tan rica que regresamos!" I was happy to have my Spanish major pay off and even happier to hear that someone loved the food enough to come back the following day! Decision made: my lunch would be ordered from El Pilon as well. The whole menu sounded great but I do love me an arepa so I focused my attention on that part of the menu. I was excited to try a Colombian style arepa (apparently made thinner?) but instead ordered their version of a Venezuelan arepa, the Arepa El Pilon, because I was curious about the "white sauce" it came with with. I can usually figure out ingredients but I honestly am not sure what I was eating. A thin and delicate arepa grilled to order, crisped, split, and stuffed with a light chicken salad, gently chewy queso blanco, and that mysterious white sauce. A small serving of vinegary green onions and tomatoes, looked like salsa but not spicy and totally different. It's ok to not know what exactly you're eating as long as it tastes good! This was a delicious meal that I 100% recommend. read more
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More info about El Pilón
431 SW Harvey Milk St
Portland, OR 97204
Downtown, Southwest Portland
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(971) 716-5055
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http://www.elpilonpdx.com
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