BSidesPDX feeds speakers and volunteers, but does not provide lunch for general attendees. We don’t have a scheduled lunch break because that would dump hundreds of hungry people on restaurants all at the same time; pick a time and place, eat when you’re hungry, and come back for more!

Below is a nonexhaustive list of recommendations from a PSU CS PhD

Important:

Many of the carts and restaurants are either not open on Saturday or have limited hours. This includes the ones inside SMSU as well. There is a Farmer’s market on Saturday, which might complicate parking or add to local lines for the places that are open on Saturday. Plan accordingly!

Changes from last year:

The food cart pod by Miller Library is gone due to construction. There is a new pod, Sip and Forage, that is open on Saturday and has a beer cart. So new that there is no student consensus yet but the Cuban and Venezuelan carts look good

Boba Tea

• Boba Cat (924 SW Broadway) is the winner in the cs dept
• Ding Tea (536 SW College St) is deemed acceptable

Coffee

• Ovation coffee is very popular with cs faculty & students
• Case study in FMH lobby, next door to SMSU where BSidesPDX is held
• Wild Rose Coffee
• Coco donuts has mochi donuts, flavored seasonal coffees. Mostly I hear about the donuts

Fourth Ave food carts (Between College St & Hall on 4th ave, in front of Engineering Building & FAB)

• Persian kabab cart
  • $8 the single chicken koobideh kabab on half rice half salad is a personal favorite
  • the skewer combo is also excellent
• Indian Delhi Food
  • lunch specials on board
  • the chai is popular with indian students
• Pom Pui Thai
  • noodle dishes
  • thai iced tea, iced coffee
• Mum’s Thai
  • specials board
  • there are several other carts as well

Mini Pod By The Pool (SW 5th & Harrison)

• La Casita Mexican Grill
  • regarded by several faculty as the best mexican cart on campus
  • always smells amazing
• Sumo Sushi
  • poke bowls, sushi burritos, fried chicken
• ole coffee cart

University Station (new pod, SW 6th & College)

Students have mentioned going, but not any specific carts or dishes

Restaurants

• duck house
  • lunch specials, XLB popular
  • regular menu is family style
  • reservations a good idea for dinner
• Tasty Corner
  • lunch menu (friday only)
  • popular for large portions, in house noodles
• phat cart
  • Not actually a cart anymore
  • also has cocktails and upper left coffee
• Hawaiian Express
  • attached to EB, frequented by faculty
  • Kalua pork is popular. Musubi also available
• McMenamins Market Street Pub
  • decent cider & beer and a popular dinner choice for attendees

Farmer’s Market (Saturday)

• food vendors are at the far north and south ends of the farmers market
• the pierogi tent is usually popular with BsidesPDX attendees