Over recent years, Bend, Oregon has become a foodie paradise. Aside from the nationally renowned chefs and the blossoming restaurant scene that offers tons of dining options, foodies now flock to Bend for a more indie dining experience. The food truck trend has proven to be much more than a trend, as more and more pods of deliciousness pop up around town.
Food Truck Lots in Bend, Oregon
These pods typically include a variety of food trucks situated around a central location that more often than not acts as a tap house. Many of them offer indoor and outdoor seating, a variety of beer, wine, and cider along with firepits, stages for musical performances, and more. With so many spots each offering different food trucks to try, it might be tough to figure out where to start. Read on for a list of some highly recommended spots to try out, and start your own foodie adventure.
The Office at Silver Moon, Bend
Located conveniently near Bend’s downtown, The Office at Silver Moon Brewing offers four dining options including fish and chips, Southern fried chicken, and Mexican street food. Stop inside Silver Moon Brewing’s tap room for a selection of locally made brews to compliment any meal. As a downtown pod, The Office is a popular spot for lunch and drinks before exploring the many shops and attractions downtown has to offer.
The Podski, Bend
With nine food trucks to choose from, as well as a central taphouse serving a rotating list of local beers (and $4 Rainiers), guests can spend days at The Podski and not even scratch the surface. Located across the street from the Box Factory and less than a mile south of downtown, The Podski offers Thai classics, Japanese sushi, Americana burgers and fries, a vegan truck, a cheesecake truck, a taco truck, and more.
This pod has mostly outdoor seating, with a few tables inside and a family-friendly atmosphere during the day. This pod has some of the most popular trucks in Bend; the pierogies from Big Ski are some of the best you’ll ever have, while Toasty offers completely vegan and absolutely delicious entrees like burrito bowls and more.
Photo courtesy of Eat Drink Bend
On Tap, Bend
On Tap is located just off 27th Street and Cushing Drive. As the name might imply, On Tap is all about the tap options; they offer 35 beer, cider and wine options. On Tap has a stage to accommodate live music, as well as six food trucks serving up Himalayan food, barbecue, Sicilian pizza, Philly cheesesteaks, classic Hawaiian fare, and more.
River’s Place, Bend
River’s Place is located on Bend’s eastside near the Forum Shopping Center. River’s Place includes an indoor taphouse, indoor and outdoor TVs, a large selection of beer and wine, and five food trucks to try out while guests relax near the outdoor fire pits. This pod has the space to accommodate live musical performances, which are scheduled for Thursdays and Sundays. The food trucks offer everything from Thai and Mexican to casual sandwiches and snacks.
Midtown Yacht Club, Bend
Located near Revere Avenue and Highway 20, the Midtown Yacht Club brings the food truck/taphouse scene to Bend’s central district. This pod offers seven food trucks with options such as hand-rolled sushi, a sandwiches and salads truck, a hot dog truck, a tater-tots truck, a vegan truck, and a Mexican truck featuring Spanish influences.
With a rotating list of around 20 beers and ciders, this pod is a great stop for drinks and casual snacking. Some popular trucks include Barrio, as well as Alley Dogz, which serves up some unique hot dog creations.
The Patio at 9th Street Village, Bend
The Patio at 9th Street Village was built around the popular Bevel Brewing. Located near 9th Street and Wilson, The Patio food trucks offer bites such as fermented foods from Nosh, Indonesian fusion, Southern barbecue, and even a drive/walk through coffee shop in the parking lot.
For drinks, stop inside Bevel Brewing to see what new hoppy creation they have come up with. These are family-friendly carts during the day with more of a brewery scene as the sun goes down. Check out Taqueria Nava, a popular spot for authentic Mexican tacos.
Ponch’s Place at VRCCO, Bend
The newest addition to the Bend food cart scene, Ponch’s Place, is located at the Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon It’s the perfect place for grabbing some grub, for people and pets! Named after a beloved dog, Ponch, this lot features a rotating tap list, three food trucks, and ample space for pets and owners. Try an authentic Mexican food cart or get Korean sparkling tea and dumplings from Sweet Herb, and be sure to check out their community events such as live music and trivia nights.
The Lot Food Trucks and Taproom, Bend
A tried and true classic, The Lot Food Trucks and Taproom has the honor of declaring themselves Bend’s first food truck pod. As the original innovators who created a central taproom with room for food trucks to park, The Lot has had plenty of time to up its game since opening in 2013.
This is a very fun and communal spot that hosts nights like Bingo Mondays, Trivia Tuesdays, Open-Mic Wednesdays and Live Music Thursdays. As the colder weather sets in, The Lot is prepped with standing heaters and even heated benches. For lunch and dinner options, there is a fried chicken truck, a french fry and salad-focused truck, a classic cheeseburger stand and an option for sushi.
Options Outside Bend
Aside from getting some grub in Bend, there are some great local options in nearby towns.
Wild Ride Brewing, Redmond
Grab a craft beer from the Wild Ride Brewing taproom in downtown Redmond and then head outside to enjoy a foursome of delicious food truck options. Enjoy English-style fish and chips, shrimp baskets and wings from the Wild Catch truck or fish tacos and burgers from Food Fellas.
Also on site is Shred Town, with tacos, burritos and yakisoba bowls and Red Road Pizza Co., serving pizza. The food is best enjoyed around one of Wild Ride’s cozy fire features outside.
The Barn, Sisters
Located about a block off the main drag in Sisters, The Barn recently opened its doors in 2021. Built to resemble a barn, the space provides the community a rustic yet refined opinion to come together year-round to eat, drink and be merry. It offers four different food trucks – wood-fired pizza, Mexican food + juice bar, Southern barbecue, and a vegan cart, as well as a taphouse serving local taps and cocktails.
The Bite, Tumalo
Located just north of Bend in Tumalo, The Bite brings the classic Bend food truck scene to a smaller community. Fit with lawn games, live music and fire pits, The Bite is a family-friendly location for everyone. A variety of beers are available on tap, as well as five food trucks that serve Thai, sushi, burgers, pizza and tacos; something for everyone!
General Duffy’s Waterhole, Redmond
General Duffy’s Waterhole in downtown Redmond offers six food trucks alongside a taphouse, event space and indoor/outdoor music venue. Try out delicious Creole and Cajun seafood dishes from ROUX, or enjoy vegetarian Asian fusion at Sally’s Woks. With live music events all summer long and great indoor and outdoor seating, General Duffy’s is a local favorite.
Corral Taproom, Prineville
In Prineville, the Corral Taproom was the first food truck pod in town, established in 2021 on the west end of the city. The food trucks here include those offering brick oven pizza and Asian wok dishes. Gather inside the taproom for drinks or spend the afternoon outside, by the firepit in the cooler months or in the sunshine when the weather’s nice.
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