Portland’s food scene is something to celebrate every day, but it’s not every day you get to celebrate it with your pals at the Mercury! Our new food issue hits stands July 8, and on that day, we’re celebrating with an all-ages, free-to-attend shindig at one of Portland’s very best food cart pods, The Heist (4727 SE Woodstock), from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. 

The theme of this year’s food issue is Get Out and Eat. It’s summertime, AKA peak food cart season—and this issue features our brand-new guide to Portland’s very best food carts. It’s also jam-packed with other ways to get outside and eat good food this summer, from soft serve ice cream to local food-focused day trips.

So what’s in it for you at this launch party, other than getting to hang out and bask in the sun with some of your favorite local journalists? Well, to mark the occasion, several of the best carts at the Heist are offering Portland Mercury specials for purchase that day: 

Kim Jong Grillin’ and Frybaby collab: fried chicken and tteokbokki

Golden Triangle: Golden rolls (turmeric crepe stuffed with ground pork and veggies)

Bark City BBQ: BLTs with house-smoked bacon, chili corn queso sausage

Cookie McCake Face: Strawberry Thicccake cookie

The Heist’s bar is also getting in on the action. As you hopefully know, July is the Mercury’s month-long Summer of Slushies celebration with $10 slushies at dozens of bars around town, and the Heist is serving their special Passionate Smash slushie—Jim Beam, passion fruit, lemon, and mint—for you to stay cool and slurp in style.

We’ll have plenty of copies of our food issue up for grabs, as well as some special food-themed Mercury swag. No RSVP is necessary—just bring your beautiful selves and your appetite.

July 8, The Heist, 4727 SE Woodstock, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm, free, all ages

Psst! Can’t make the party, or want more Mercury food events? Join us for the Mercury’s Get Out and Eat bike ride on July 18, led by Mercury managing/food editor Katherine Chew Hamilton and news reporter Taylor Griggs, starting at noon at Sewallcrest Park (SE 31st and Market).