WonderLove — Restaurant in Portland

Last week I went to see USB. I had never been to the venue and had heard good things. I got to the show early and enjoyed exploring the grounds. The bartenders were friendly and I enjoyed talking with them. I have seen USB a few times. I love their energy and have always had a great time at their shows. It's about positivity and that is what I was there for. I was there early. Ordering drinks. Talking and laughing with people here and there. Minding my business. I was there to dance and chill out from the world. The DJs were of course amazing. It was great. At some point I was exiting the crowd and a couple, looking disheveled, pointed fingers and screamed at me. They were clearly belligerent. I don't even know if they could see straight. "What, are you here just dancing by yourself?" Hm. Indeed, what nerve did I have to be out by myself after sunset?.. The woman was claiming I touched her butt. Her male companion took a step toward me and I pressed him back and said don't do that. They were hysterical. I thought of telling security but I figured they were leaving and thought they were ridiculous. Soon a security guard asked to speak to me. I laughed and asked if it was about those people. I went with him. I told him what happened. He asked me to wait elsewhere while he talked to them. I did. He came back and told me to dance but stay away from them. No problem. I returned to dancefloor, made sure they were noooowhere in sight. Dancing. Momentarily approached again. This time walked outside the venue. I was told the manager said I need to leave. I calmly responded with the above information. The security guard was nice and doing his job. No beef with him. I was escorted out. As though I had done something wrong. It was degrading. There isn't enough space here to explain why I would never do anything like that. I am an overly respectful person. This had me shaking all week. As a POC I am used to being messed with. There are toxic people everywhere and clubs can't control that. But I expect establishments to have my back when I am assaulted be two people that EVERYONE acknowledged was belligerent. They could barely walk. And I was asked to leave. And asked to come back. Why would I do that? After getting along all night with everyone except for these two unfortunate people. Any white people can have me kicked out at anytime. Perhaps some people like that and perhaps that is why it happened. I don't know these people or the owner. What I do know is I was degraded and through actions told I wasn't good enough to be there. I will certainly recommend you don't go here.

(wanted to leave this in a separate post as Wonderlove doesn't deserve to be addressed directly but oh well. Received this unbelievable response way after the fact....

WOW. So many things in that. The response time is crazy. But even crazier is them not saying they have a zero discrimination policy. They didn't even bother to say they have a zero harassment policy. They in fact came up with a whole NEW lie; drug use! Ah the next on the go to list for bigots. They didn't even express concern over the actual situation that I detailed with clarity. They didn't even acknowledge it because they don't care if I come back and they want to move on. I have recording of the entire night. I am not confused about the events. It's official. WONDERLOVE is WHITES ONLY. Wonder what lie they'll come up with next or how many people they have...

My visit to Wonderlove in Central Eastside, Portland, was an absolute delight, and I can’t rave enough about this vibrant, one-of-a-kind food cart pod and entertainment hub at 262 SE Main St! Opened in summer 2024, Wonderlove transforms a former industrial lot into a colorful, community-driven destination that’s perfect for foodies, music lovers, and anyone craving a fun, immersive experience.

The food carts are a standout, offering a diverse lineup that caters to every palate. I savored a carnitas quesadilla from a Mexican cart that was bursting with fresh flavors and tried the fluffy, deep-fried bakes stuffed with chickpea potato curry from Bake on the Run: pure comfort food with a Guyanese twist!

Honeycuspe’s Belgian waffles, topped with jammy fruit compote, were a sweet highlight, unlike any waffle I’ve had before. With options ranging from Thai to halal gyros, the quality and variety are top-notch. The carts orbit a central area of tented picnic tables, strung with starry lights, creating a cozy yet lively vibe.

The three-level shipping container bar is Wonderlove’s crown jewel. The ground-floor bar serves craft cocktails like the Lovers, a refreshing mix of gin, St-Germain, and blackberry agave seltzer, while friendly bartenders keep the energy high.

The second floor is a sports lounge with TVs, perfect for game days, and the rooftop deck offers jaw-dropping views of downtown Portland’s skyline, ideal for sipping a Rainier and watching the sunset. The entire setup, designed by Scott Edwards Architecture, blends industrial grit with playful, artistic flair, featuring vibrant murals by local artists like the Pander Bros. and Munta Eric Mpwo.

Entertainment is where Wonderlove truly shines. I caught a live DJ set from their Thursday weekly series, and the main stage’s acoustics carried the beats perfectly across the half-block lot. With events like Dollapalooza for Pride and charity drives like Bass Cozy’s winter coat collection, there’s always something exciting happening. Games like ping pong, cornhole, and giant Connect Four add a playful touch, making it family-friendly by day and a 21+ hotspot by night.

The atmosphere is warm and inclusive, with heated outdoor seating, indoor restrooms, and a dog-friendly setup. I saw several happy pups lounging with their owners. Accessibility is thoughtful, with street parking and nearby transit options.

My only wish is for more covered seating for rainy days, but they’re so new I’m sure they’ll nail it soon. Wonderlove is a gem that captures Portland’s creative spirit, and I’m already planning my next visit to this Central...

I went to the Indian grill food cart and the Greek food cart and boy was it lackluster. Let’s start with the food carts themselves though. I’ll make it simple- the atmosphere is boring, stale, hipster Portland cliché. It’s exactly like South Park’s “sodo sopa” parody. Boring, inoffensive music playing, white pastel minimalist atmosphere, nothing unique whatsoever. Lamest food carts I’ve seen yet.

Let’s move onto the food. I ordered Greek a few weeks ago and it was pretty good, 7/10. Nothing really remarkable.

Today I ordered Indian food, and boy, it was just awful. First off, it was $20 for tikka masala and garlic naan, which is semi-standard for Indian carts. As soon as I ordered, they asked if I’d like a lemonade. The way the question was posed it was sort of like: “Do you want to try it?” IE; free. But no, they asked what flavor I’d like: can’t recall but I think they’re five dollars each. I declined and asked for a water instead, which was $1.50. The man flipped the iPad, still in his view (rude) while I left a tip. I received the food about 15 minutes later and it was the worst Indian food I have ever had. The masala was anemic, a thousand island dressing color which looked like watered down store-bought mix, and tasted like it. The chicken had no flavor or texture, not grilled, not spicy, no substance. The garlic naan was small, and for $5 it was just pitiful. The plate they gave me to go with the masala was plain white jasmine rice and a couple of sad pickled onions with a quarter slice of regular naan. All of it was so bland, I only finished it because it was the only thing I had to eat today, and I didn’t want to waste money. Worst naan and masala ever. I have literally had better Indian food made by midwestern moms, not kidding. Just avoid these food carts altogether, there are plenty of other, far better Indian food carts in Portland. 2/10, Waste of...