"In a reverse commute, this Vancouver, Washington restaurant brings traditional Texas-style beef brisket smoked low and slow over 100% white oak to the Cartside Food Carts near the Moda Center. Brisket is available by the pound, and you want a mix of sliced lean and fatty beef that’s just jiggly enough to cut with a fork. The cart also serves smoked chicken, pork ribs, and our pick: pulled pork with carnitas-like charred ends, paired with white bread and pickles. Mac and cheese can seem too heavy as a BBQ side, but Smokin’ Oak’s version is so luscious it’s worth risking precious stomach space. On a rare sunny day, order a refreshing Old Town Brewing pilsner (or a bottle of Big Red soda) from the indoor sports bar and head up to the rooftop seating for a view of the Willamette River." - krista garcia