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Home » Recent posts » The 5 Best Mobile Caterers in Portland that Serve Food that Wows

The 5 Best Mobile Caterers in Portland that Serve Food that Wows

mobile-caterers-in-portland
We extensively test and research all services we review. Here's why you can trust us.
  • Reliability: We talked to their actual clients to find out which catering services are punctual, set up efficiently, and serve food promptly.
  • Food: We wanted caterers whose menus offer tasty options for a wide variety of diets. This included those that are vegan or gluten-free. We gave them extra credit if they used fresh, regional ingredients.
  • Cost: Since surprise charges are unpleasant, we gave preference to companies with transparent pricing, whether displayed online or through clear quotations. 
  • Helpfulness: A pleasant, competent crew is quite important. We looked for caterers who keep lines flowing, replenish trays promptly, and handle unique requests happily.

Nothing derails a good party faster than hangry guests or, worse, a mobile catering disaster. Think soggy food, lukewarm pasta, and a taco truck that shows up an hour late and parks three blocks away. 

Bad mobile catering isn’t just a letdown for the people eating; it’s a nightmare for anyone trying to host. The food is the main event, and if it flops, so does your party. 

That’s exactly why we decided to hunt down the best mobile catering options in Portland. We wanted to find the mobile caterers who actually serve food that keeps everyone happy and well-fed. 

Check who made the cut and why here!

1. The Swig Rig

the-swig-rig

Services: Drinks

Contact: +1 760-707-8384

Business hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM

Website

Google reviews score5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency 5/5

Reliability 5/5
Food5/5
Cost5/5
Helpfulness5/5

We love Swig Rig’s charming vintage-style trailer that doubles as a custom bar. They pour everything from craft cocktails to crisp beers and elegant wines. 

They handle many events, whether it’s a wedding or a bustling corporate bash. They work with groups of 10 to 300 and provide a full-service team to handle everything. 

We appreciate their full-service add-ons, including staff who bus tables and set up decor.  Many clients also rave about the team helping manage dessert bars. 

If you want to save some bucks without skimping on flair, we recommend opting for their BYO alcohol package. They’ll still provide garnishes like fresh mint and citrus, but you need to supply the spirits. 

Several people told us Swig Rig’s team turned their local brews into tap perfection, delivering smooth pours with just the right amount of foam. 

Mocktail lovers, on the other hand, swoon over their non-alcoholic drinks. We like that they get creative with their drinks, crafting drinks like a spiced apple cider mule that’s just as impressive as their cocktails.

The only caveat? Their 16-foot trailer needs a standard outlet and isn’t suited for super-tight or steep spots. 

Pros

  • Charming vintage-style trailer 
  • Handles events from 10 to 300 guests
  • Full service alcoholic bar
  • Full-service team with setu and table bussing
  • Helps with dessert bars 
  • BYO alcohol package
  • Creative mocktails

Cons

  • Requires a standard outlet 
  • Not for super-tight or steep spots

They truly were so amazing

“Honestly can not say enough swig rig was by far my favorite vendor to work with, from start to finish. I had a destination wedding and they went above and beyond with wonderful suggestions to other local vendors, to sharing insightful info on the venue and area. They truly were so amazing. The drinks were wonderful, and the little trailer they bring out it’s so cute. Thank you again to your team.”

Their menu of options for beer/wine/cider/etc. is extensive

“The Swig Rig was definitely one of the highlights of our wedding day. We went with the all-inclusive option, and they really took care of every last thing. Our guests loved the cocktails (we chose the summer berry smash and the cucumber basil gimlet), their menu of options for beer/wine/cider/etc. is extensive, and the trailer is even more beautiful up close! Jordan was extremely professional, patient, and responsive to us throughout the whole process; and especially when we had to make some last-minute changes. She also went above and beyond – from finding us a specific wine varietal we wanted that was off their menu to making sure we got our vision of having flower petals in our drinks.

Highly recommend!”

2. Gotta Have Coffee 

gotta-have-coffee

Services: Coffee and pastries 

Contact: +1 971-442-1655

Business hours: Open 24 hours

Website

Google reviews score4.9/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency 5/5

Reliability 5/5
Food4.9/5
Cost5/5
Helpfulness5/5

Gotta Have Coffee’s quirky 1970s vintage truck is fully self-sustainable. Their catering takes care of events from festivals to staff picnics, bringing coffee wherever it’s needed. 

They brew some of the finest Italian roasted Caffe Umbria beans we’ve ever had. Every drink we had delivered had that perfect balance of richness and smoothness we expect when we crave a caffeine fix. 

People rave about their Gusto Crema Blend espresso’s creamy wave of milk chocolate and its subtle dried fig sweetness. 

Their Bizarri Blend pour-over is another standout. It hits with molasses depth, pecan nuttiness, and a hint of banana that offers complex flavors in every sip. 

We also love that they have decaf options. Their Mezzanotte Blend is impressive, with the perfect mix of milk chocolate and nutty flavor. Their baristas keep decaf drinks smooth and satisfying without the jitters, making them inclusive for all. 

Another thing we love is that they allow customers to customize with milk alternatives, teas, and add-ons like flaky pastries. 

The only minor downside? Their truck needs a solid parking spot, so super tight urban venues might require some creative maneuvering to set up smoothly. 

Pros

  • Vintage coffee truck
  • Uses Caffe Umbria beans
  • Highly praised espresso and pour-over blends
  • Customisable drinks
  • Includes decaf options
  • Flaky pastries

Cons

  • Needs a solid parking spot

Best cups of cappuccino I have ever had

“One of the best cups of cappuccino I have ever had. Thank you for being at Fried Melon Art Studio’s and providing delicious sips to our customers”

Friendly service and delicious drinks

“Mmmmm. The Vanilla Steamer all day long, please! Friendly service and delicious drinks!”

3. The Mobile Scoop Shop

the-mobile-scoop-shop

Services: Ice Cream 

Contact: +1 503-489-7005

Business hours: Monday to Saturday – 9 AM to 5 PM

Website

Google reviews score4.9/5
Yelp reviews score 5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency 5/5

Reliability 5/5
Food5/5
Cost5/5
Helpfulness5/5

The Mobile Scoop Shop serves up premium, hand-scooped ice cream and Italian ices from their funky, cool vans. They are perfect for turning any wedding or corporate shindig into a sweet fest without all the fake stuff.

We love that their ice cream is allergen-friendly. They have dairy-free and vegan options available. Honestly, every flavor we tried had that freshness and creaminess we look for in a good scoop. 

Their Marionberry Pie Tillamook flavor is one of their most popular option, and for a good reason. It combines velvety vanilla, tangy marionberry, and flaky pie crust bits. 

We also love their Bourbon Peach Italian Ice. It’s sorbet-style with subtle bourbon notes, brown sugar sweetness, and ripe peach bits. 

Vegans will love the Caribbean Queen. It blends mango’s tropical zing, coconut creaminess, and pineapple punch for a smooth yet invigorating treat.

Their add-ons, like affogatos and root beer floats, are a lot of fun and add a nice finishing touch to the menu.

Just one thing to note: their flavours do change seasonally. We recommend locking in custom requests early to avoid any last-minute swaps and to make sure your faves are on hand. 

Pros

  • Funky cool vans
  • Dairy-free and vegan options 
  • Tangy Marionberry Pie ice cream
  • Sorbet-style Bourbon Peach Italian ice 
  • Creamy tropical Caribbean Queen
  • Add-ons like affogatos and root beer floats

Cons

  • Flavours change seasonally

They were easy to work with

“We had Mobile Scoop Shop at our wedding last month at they were a total hit! We aren’t cake people so this service was perfect for dessert. It was so fun to pick our flavors for the sundae bar and sandwiches. We used the cart service which fit perfectly right outside the venue doors and created a fun gathering space for folks to eat their ice cream treats. They were easy to work with, a great price and added a unique touch to our wedding. We highly recommend Mobile Scoop Shop!! Thank you so much!!”

Was a big hit with our employees

“We hired the Mobile Scoop Shop card for our corporate event, and it was a big hit with our employees! The Mobile Scoop Shop team showed up on time and handled everything beautifully. Our employees really enjoyed the options and the novelty of having a mini ice cream shop right in our office. I would definitely hire them for future events!”

4. Home Plate Sliders

home-plate-sliders

Services: American sliders 

Contact:  +1 503-967-5433

Website

Google reviews score4.6/5
Yelp reviews score 4.2/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency 5/5

Reliability 5/5
Food5/5
Cost5/5
Helpfulness5/5

Home Plate Sliders turns every event into an affordable ballpark bash with their inventive, baseball-themed mini sliders. Their catering packages start at $9 per person, making it accessible for various budgets. 

We tried a few of their sliders and swear they pack massive flavor into every bite, unlike the usual bland food truck fare. Their Ranger, one of their popular sliders, comes with a juicy patty slathered in tangy BBQ sauce and sharp cheddar that melts just right. 

We love how their Volcano sliders don’t skimp on the sweet teriyaki glaze and have juicy pineapple for a taste reminiscent of Hawaii. Others raved about The Brain Berger’s earthy mushrooms and nutty Swiss cheese.

Even vegetarians told us they got hooked on the Giant, where baby portobellos mingle with creamy provolone and sweet red peppers. 

We also like their crispy Slugger spiraled potatoes and the Dodger hot dog that’s as authentic as the ones at Dodger Stadium. 

The only downside is that they charge extra fees for events that don’t meet their minimum requirement of 50 people, so it’s worth checking your guest count in advance. 

Pros

  • $9 catering per person
  • Juicy Ranger slider
  • Sweet teriyaki Volcano slider
  • Vegetarian sliders available
  • Authentic Dodger Stadium hot dogs 

Cons

  • 50 people minimum

The food was also delicious 

“We hired Home Plate Sliders to cater our employee appreciation event, and they did a fantastic job! We asked them to work three shifts throughout the day, one being in the middle of the night, and they handled themselves professionally and charismatically despite the long hours. The food was also delicious and a huge hit with our employees. We will definitely be hiring them again for future events. Thank you HPS!”

Really good and friendly service 

“Tried this food truck for the first time at an open house event. Their food is delicious! I got the volcano and the BBQ burger(can’t remember the name) with the spiral potato on a stick! Really good and friendly service as well (:”

5. Hearth & Soul Pizza Food Truck

hearth-soul-pizza-food-truck

Services: Pizza 

Website

Google reviews score5/5
Yelp reviews score 5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency 5/5

Reliability 5/5
Food5/5
Cost5/5
Helpfulness5/5

Hearth & Soul Pizza Bus brings wood-oven pizzas to your event from a beautifully converted bus. Whether it’s a wedding or a fundraiser, their bookings make it easy to get soulful, flame-kissed pizza wherever you are. 

We tried a few of their pies and were hooked by the smoky crust. The Spicy Love is one of our faves. We love the jalapeños, sausages, and ricotta mix. 

The slices have kick but are not so overwhelming that you’ll be drowning in glasses of water. 

Vegetarians love the Garlic Garden. It’s loaded with mushrooms and red onions on a savoury Parmesan sauce. People go on and on about the garlicky, garden-fresh bite. 

For meat lovers, the Heart Breaker lives up to its name. We liked how they don’t skimp out on piling up the pepperoni, sausage, bacon, and ham. 

However, their bus is 28 feet long, so it needs lots of space and a clear path to set up. If your venue is rural or has tight access, you’ll want to plan ahead to avoid any setup hiccups. 

Pros

  • Beautifully converted bus
  • Wood-oven pizzas
  • Smokey crusts
  • Pizzas have delicious toppings
  • Generous with the toppings

Cons

  • Needs a lot of space to set up

The best pizza in Portland

“Hearth and soul has the best pizza in Portland. Period. I challenge anybody to dispute this. Their prices are a pleasant surprise and very reasonable.”

Highly recommend

“It may sound over dramatic, but there is no other pizza that tastes this good. Ive tried most of the flavors and each one is killer. Highly recommend and couldnt say enough good things about the food and the hands that make it”