The Best Catering in Portland is Serving Comfort Food for Everyone
- Jacqueline Raposo
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- 3 Min Read
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Out of all the awesome food cities in the country, Portland, Oregon tops the Washington Post food critic’s list of America’s Best Food Cities. Of course, this is no surprise for those who live in PDX. The city is known for its stellar coffee, wait-worthy breakfast menus, top-notch local ingredients, and friendly service. And, Portland’s catering makes that combo readily available every day of the week. So, check out the best catering in Portland from these 10 leading the pack.
1. Charlie’s Deli (NW 4th Ave, Portland)
Get out of your rainy sandwich rut with “real food, from scratch, every day, with love.” Charlie’s Deli is a mom-and-pop deli of creative food folk, which is why it’s among the best catering in Portland. Sandwiches have names like The Rachel and The Italian Job. And you’ll have no problem feeding both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. Top-notch smoked and roasted meats, vegan lentil patties, a slew of cheeses, mustards, and veggies get layered on Pearl Bakery bread. For an extra kick, add a fried egg, bacon, or avocado. So stack up a platter, toss on some of their beloved house cannoli, and you’ve got a happy crowd.
2. Sunee Thai & Lao Kitchen (SE Stark St, Portland)
Sunee Thai & Lau Kitchen brings the warmth and spice of Laotian and Thai street food straight to you, even on cloudiest of Portland days. Owner Sunee Deewicharn recommends their popular Pad Thai, which customers call “the best in town.” Their sauces are gluten free, and they don’t use fish or oyster sauce, which is helpful when planning events for those with dietary restrictions and food preferences, too. Try one their spicy curries. The Yellow, Red, or Green Curry comes with veggies, tofu, chicken, pork, or beef. Add on Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango for dessert, and you’ve got a tasty meal from the East.
3. Big Kahuna’s BBQ & Catering (N Lombard St, Portland)
When you’re looking to cater melt-in-your-mouth Hawaiian barbecue, Big Kahuna’s BBQ & Catering is the name of the game. Match juicy pulled pork, Huli Huli grilled chicken, sliced beef tips, spare ribs, brisket, or smoked sausage with peppers and onions. Add on heaping portions of sides like tropical fruit salad, island slaw, and Asian-style vegetables. It’s the best of Hawaiian barbecue in Portland catering, in a snap.
4. Pizza Guys (NE 122nd Ave, Portland)
For some of the best pizza catering in Portland, try Pizza Guys. They have a pizza for everyone. Do you want Texas barbecue or artichokes on a pie? This Portland caterer does that. Or do you crave creamy pesto chicken, spinach and garlic, or taco toppings? Yep, they do those, too. They’ve even got an entire gluten-free menu, stacked salads, and the cheesiest sides of bacon bread, jalapeno bread, and garlic bread sticks. It’s pizza for when you really need pizza.
5. Corner Bakery Cafe (SW Bridgeport Rd, Portland)
Corner Bakery Cafe has such an assortment of bakery sweets, fruit, cheese trays, specialty sandwiches, mini sandwiches, soup bars, salad bars, and cookie baskets that it can be hard to decide. But that’s not a bad problem to have. Their ample variety of flavorful sweet and savory breakfast and lunch packages will get you through the toughest Monday, or through the most celebratory brunch. Try the Turkey Swiss Sandwich or the Mom’s Grilled Chicken. The Tomato Mozzarella Sandwich is the perfect lunch for veggie-lovers. Or sop up the Pesto Cavatappi with their focaccia bread. Just don’t forget to top it off with cookies, brownies, and mini-cakes to your heart’s delight.
6. Villa Italian Kitchen (Lloyd Center, Portland)
Whether it’s value platters of pasta and salad for a crowd or individual boxes you need, Villa Italian Kitchen has you covered. Their classic lasagna, chicken Parmigiana, pasta with meatballs, and pasta with chicken are just that — classic. Or lay juicy toppings on thick pan or thin Neapolitan pizzas. Founder Michele Scotto brought recipes straight from Naples, which explains why this is among the best catering in Portland.
7. The Local Grind (SE Powell Blvd, Portland)
The Local Grind serves up some of the best catering in Portland with traditional Hawaiian food in comforting, generous portions. They make it super easy to order for a crowd with a simple buffet menu with grilled teriyaki chicken, shredded chicken, Kalua pork, or vegetarian tofu. Add on sides of rice, Asian-style veggies, and “secret ingredient” mac salad that locals can’t get enough of. The flavor combinations on this menu bring the luau to Portland catering in a real way.
8. Cheryl’s on 12th (SW Washington St, Portland)
As one of the best catering spots in Portland, Cheryl’s on 12th invites you to “taste the world!” An unforgettable start to the day is the Portuguese Fried Rice for breakfast. For a satisfying lunch, head straight to the Build-A-Bowl Bar. Chicken and slow-roasted pork sit ready with cilantro-Iime rice, seasonal roasted vegetables, and lots of toppings and sides. A trip around the globe is not complete without the Alaskan Line-Caught Salmon and Pot Stickers with a ginger-cilantro dipping sauce. And for dessert, try the pretzels — either chocolate- or yogurt-covered — for a sweet and salty end of the meal.
9. Einstein Bros. Bagels (SW College St, Portland)
The Einstein Bros. Bagel team starts rolling bagels at 2 am and bakes them off every four hours. So you know your morning nosh is as fresh as they come. Nail an early morning meeting menu with a Bagel & Shmear Baker’s Dozen or a Sweet’s Nosh Box of muffins, coffee cakes, and pastries. For lunch, the Tasty Turkey, Hummus Veg Out, and Green Chili Club are perfect to mix and match with the Seasonal Almond Salad or (okay, and) kettle chips. And when you’re looking for a sweet treat, their Cinnamon Sugar Bagel Poppers are some of Portland’s best.
10. Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine (NE Broadway St, Portland)
Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine brings elegant Thai dishes to the Portland catering scene. Think fragrant fresh ginger, spicy garlic, and (of course) sweet basil mixed into their popular hot stir-fry entrees. Try the warming Panang Curry, which should please vegetarians with tofu and tempeh options. The Pad Thai is, naturally, a local favorite. And the Spicy Fried Rice brings the heat in the best possible way. It comes with a protein or vegetables, egg, chilies, garlic, onions, bell peppers, green onions, black pepper, and basil. It’s comfort food with an extra hug of yum.
Ready to order from your favorite Portland caterer?