Fifth Avenue Pod, Portland

Set on the MAX line, the Fifth Avenue pod sates downtowners' daytime appetites with simple, economical, and tasty menus of myriad cuisines, including Mexican, Korean, Indian, Thai and Middle-Eastern. A good example of the latter, the Iraqi-owned ALIBABA cart serves great falafel sandwich and lamb gyros.

You might want to drop by KOREAN TWIST for some amazing Korean bulgogi tacos filled with really tender beef and sweet chili sauce – a great combination on a soft corn taco shell. Alternatively, grab the burrito – a huge tortilla wrapped with seaweed on the inside and stuffed with rice, fresh veggies and herbs, and spicy tofu. Part burrito, part sushi, part salad, so quite outstanding for a snack! The flavors are based on traditional recipes and the service is polite and efficient.

Five stars also go to LA JAROCHITA's habanero sauce (similar to habanero wasabi), which hits hard and fast, then goes away. They make a burrito with chicken, beef and pork that rocks for fatty flavor, or you can opt for the traditional chicken enchiladas. Just be aware to go early if you're hoping to skip the perennial lunchtime line.