Portland, OR
For Soul Food in Portland, the local food press points to Trap Kitchen PDX - The EAST, Kee's #Loaded Kitchen, and Screen Door Eastside. Picks from Willamette Week and Portland Mercury, updated July 2026.
Editor’s picks
Press picks, until locals rank their own Top 5s. Sourced from the local food press. As seen in Willamette Week and Portland Mercury. Updated July 2026.
Trap Kitchen PDX - The EAST · Central Eastside
Founders Malachi Jenkins and Roberto Smith built Trap Kitchen into a soul food name before opening in Portland. The new SE 3rd Ave room adds an upscale chef's counter with Caribbean and Creole influences, while the pineapple bowl remains the dish that made the name.
Kee's #Loaded Kitchen · King
A soul food cart serving fried catfish, chicken wings, pork chops, and mac and cheese in generous, stacked portions. The loaded plates, piled with a mix of proteins and sides, are built for sharing more than for a single sitting, a heavyweight showing on a citywide cart list.
Screen Door Eastside · Kerns
Portland's most recognized Southern and soul food kitchen, built around crispy buttermilk fried chicken served with a sweet potato waffle. Fried green tomatoes, grits, and a weekend Bananas Foster French toast round out a menu that draws lines at both locations.
Po' Shines Cafe De La Soul · University Park
A church based nonprofit restaurant in University Park that trains underserved youth in culinary and work readiness skills while serving Cajun inflected soul food, including a catfish po'boy. It has grown from a community program into a full catering operation over the years.
BAES Fried Chicken · Downtown
A fried chicken concept from restaurateur Micah Camden and NFL lineman Ndamukong Suh, built for takeout speed. Fried and grilled tenders, bone in pieces, and sandwiches come with Southern sides like mac and cheese, kale, and waffle fries at the downtown location.
What’s your #1 Soul Food in Portland, OR?
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