There's a certain kind of mistake that turns into a pilgrimage and like most good food stories,…read moremine started with bad directions and blind confidence. Somewhere between a Yelp recommendation and my own stubborn sense of direction, I managed to drive a full hour the wrong way chasing a Korean barbecue hot honey glaze that sounded like it had been whispered to me by the food gods themselves. What I found instead was disappointment on a paper plate bad signage, worse service, and a meal that tasted like it had given up long before I showed up. But here's the thing about chasing flavor: sometimes you've gotta get lost to earn it. Eventually, I made my way back correctly this time and landed at what can only be described as a modern-day food cart coliseum just off Powell and 82nd. Easy access, right off the road, no nonsense. You swing in, and boom you're there. No treasure map required. And what hits you first isn't just the smell of grilled meat and spices it's the design. This place is two stories of organized chaos done right. Clean lines, thoughtful layout, indoor seating for when Oregon decides to be Oregon, and outdoor space for when you want to sit in the sun with a cold drink and question your life choices over something deep-fried and glorious. This isn't Hillbilly Junction. Not even close. That place has its charm, sure but this? This is polished. Intentional. It's like someone took the soul of a street market and gave it a well-earned promotion. Now let's talk about the food the reason we're all here pretending we didn't just say we were "eating clean this week." That Korean barbecue chicken with the hot honey glaze? Worth every wrong turn, every mile, every ounce of regret from the first stop. Sweet, heat, smoke it hits like a good joke you didn't see coming. You take a bite, and suddenly you're not in a rush anymore. You're leaning on the table, nodding to yourself like, yeah... this is why we do this. And the variety? It's borderline dangerous. You walk through thinking you'll make a responsible decision, maybe something light, maybe something green and then five steps later you're holding something wrapped, fried, glazed, or all three. It's a mecca of bad decisions that somehow feel exactly right. And to be fair, if you're trying to behave, there are healthier options tucked in there too but let's not kid ourselves. Nobody comes here for restraint. There's something else, though. Something personal. Just a block or two away, my grandpa ran Tom's Auto Body on Powell Boulevard for decades. Built a name, built a reputation. So being back in this area it's more than just food. It's familiar ground, just dressed up a little nicer now. And I can't help but think he'd get a kick out of this place. Or at least appreciate the hustle. So here it is, plain and simple: Location? Five stars. You'd have to try to miss it. Value? Five stars. You get more than just a meal you get options, atmosphere, and a reason to come back. This place isn't just a stop it's a destination. And if you get lost on the way, well... you might just end up with a better story.

The best food cart set up on the east side. Tons of options, indoor and outdoor seating, they have…read moreevents on scheduled nights, there is a bar available inside. There is also a parking lot which makes a huge difference. Great for large groups or big family who can't decide what to eat!

Authentic, generously portioned, and at lower prices than you would expect. All around 5 out of 5…read more They are always polite, smiling, and happy to see you come in. A truly fantastic place. There are a few benches outside you can enjoy your meal at, but I typically will take it home where I can be comfortable.

Food cart next to a convenient store, it's cold so we order for take out. Highly recommend eat the…read morenaan right away cause it's soft inside and crunchy outside when it's fresh. Butter chicken come with rice, pretty flavorful with a lot of chicken. The lady is super nice, but not much parking is the downside

I visited Hayai Sushi for the first time today, located in the main North/South row in CORE…read more(Collective Oregon Eateries) on 82nd. I was pretty impressed with this mother and son-owned food cart, it was 100 degrees and they whipped up my "salmon-lover's roll" really quickly. The roll was fresh and delicious, and was beautifully displayed even though I carried it out in a to-go container. I also ordered a $6 miso, and while I initially balked at the idea of paying that much for a miso, it ended up being one of the most delicious bowls I've ever ordered. It was a robust serving of soup with hearty chunks of tofu, tasty strips of seaweed, and served at the surface temperature of the sun. Maybe not the best idea for a 100-degree day, but I do love a good bowl of miso soup. I'm continuously impressed with the number of delicious sushi options in Portland, but I can safely say Hayai Sushi is one of my current faves. I'll definitely be returning to sample more from their menu in the future. And a quick note on CORE: There was a moment last year when things weren't looking so good at CORE. The picnic tables were falling apart, the interior food hall space was deserted, and the hours of the individual food trucks weren't dependable. But those days are gone! Something changed and CORE has really stepped up their game. The interior space is clean and vibrant with live plants, comfortable seating, regularly sheduled events, and best of all... strong air conditioning. If you haven't visited CORE in a while, I highly suggest you make a return visit!

Love this spot. Come here on lunches during work sometimes, and it's always a good vibe. Gamja Boy…read moreis my favorite cart, and the owners Hai and Logan are so friendly and personable. Come check it out!

it's a bar that has rented out half of the parking lot to food trucks. Very cool because you can…read moreget many different kinds of food. The music was a bit funky, but it's a great situation. Each person in my family got different food for lunch. We had Korean, Greek and Vietnamese.

Best fried chicken in town! The chicken and fries were fresh, hot, and delicious. The service was…read more10/10 (fast, friendly, and professional). It's rare to find a place where the food and the hospitality are both this good. Highly recommend!

Food truck outside the flip side bar. We ordered the sweet potato noodles with tofu. It was a nice…read moreportion and tasty.

Great service, wonderful food!! Would highly recommend for a group of ppl…read more They also do catering, which only involves you and your catering needs! Salud!!!

Really enjoyed my meal so much at La Arepa yesterday that I came back today for round 2. Outside…read moreof Asian food there isn't much I'm interested in, in this area of SE PDX so I'm grateful to have found La Arepa and this awesome food hall that it is in, The Zed. There are several La Arepa locations in town that serve good Venezuelan food like their namesake dish, the Arepa, which is a cornmeal cake split and stuffed meats or veggies. Really great space overall with a decent sized parking lot and lots of seating with several big screen TVs and a pinball arcade to keep you occupied.

Dude can bbq and makes it a refreshing change from American bbq. Theres plenty of portion and the…read moresauces bring some heat. Plenty of veggies too. We need to make sure this cart stays around. Healthy food with a warm welcome.

We came shortly before closing and the owner was very friendly and patient to have explained what…read moreeach dish is and we appreciated the service with a smile. We ordered the Waakye with chicken, special Ghanaian rice with beef, spring rolls, and vivisa. The food was so good we didn't get a chance to photograph it before it was gone. The spice level was perfect for us. This is a 5 star for me and we will be coming back.

This place ROCKS!! Super friendly gentleman who can make a great and filling meal with a…read morequickness!! The most reasonable prices, & generous portions of deliciousness!! We frequent this place, and have never had less than stellar food or service!!! It's off 82nd there is parking in and out of the carts area, typically not difficult to find somewhere to park.

Some of the best Mac and cheese I've had! The blackened chicken was good, but you didn't need that…read morein my opinion. The Mac and cheese was great on its own!