Che Café | Portland, OR

Among the things that we have grown fond of since beginning our food blog has been getting the chance to meet the people who make it all happen, whether its in their kitchens, on their farms, or behind the scenes when putting together an annual food festival

Included in this eclectic mix of highly motivated and hard-working individuals are Terri and Ryan, the folks who own and operate Che Café, a food truck that has been serving the North Williams neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, since August 2009. In fact, on the day we stopped by, we learned that Terri and Ryan were celebrating their business’ actual one-year anniversary (8/22/2009).


Ryan is a professionally trained chef who learned his craft at the Scottsdale Culinary Institute. After graduating, he would go on to hone his skills in select restaurants for more than a decade. Terri is the yin to Ryan’s yang. She is the creative dynamo who’s always on the look out for ways to push the envelope in hopes of further marketing their location and Ryan’s food. For example, she’s responsible for the ideas behind their weekly specials, and she challenges Ryan to come up with exciting new menu items that will cater to a wide audience, including vegetarians.

Named after one of their five fun-loving dogs, Che Café is known for “fresh, delicious, and homemade comfort food.” There are no less than four signature sandwiches on their menu, such as pulled pork, chicken, beef brisket, and a mean grilled cheese that is served up with a creamy tomato basil soup. Hearty burgers more your style? Check out the Sadie Black Bean Burger, which comes with a side of Cajun-styled fries and choice of dipping sauce.

Now, if holding your food in the palm of your hands is just not happening for you, they have a home made mac-n-cheese dish that’ll leave you weak in the knees. It’s made with a 3-cheese sake sauce, baked perfectly, and topped with crispy fried onions.


And don’t forget to save room for dessert: A homemade bread pudding that’s covered with a bourbon crème anglaise sauce. This one quickly won us over, and we’re not even big fans of bread puddings.

Oh … By the way, are you a dog owner? Terri and Ryan have what’s called Bub Rub Jerky Treats on the menu, and they’re a big hit with their furry four-legged friends. Or so I’m told.

Anyway, if you find yourself traveling through the North Williams area, stop by Che Café and order up a plate. Just look for the brown-colored food truck with the hand-painted mural that says it all about Terri and Ryan in pictures, including the white picket fence with the words “livin’ the dream.” They certainly are!

Che Cafe
3954 N. Williams Ave
Portland, OR 97227