Meet Larry Abell, owner and operator of The Local Grind, island BBQ restaurant and catering in Portland, OR. Serves his delicious bento style lunch paired with his infectious smile and playful demeanor will keep you coming back to "get it in your body." Originally from Nevada, Larry has found Portland home for nearly 18 years.
Holding many positions in the Portland food industry Larry was inspired to create his own Island Style BBQ Food Cart. He takes great ownership and pride in his cuisine - generous portions, perfected homemade sauces and the secret ingredient to his Macaroni Salad known as "crackaroni".
Holding many positions in the Portland food industry Larry was inspired to create his own Island Style BBQ Food Cart. He takes great ownership and pride in his cuisine - generous portions, perfected homemade sauces and the secret ingredient to his Macaroni Salad known as "crackaroni".
Reviews (28)
Chelain D.
Dec 15, 2021
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Wonderful experience. We had the team at Local Grind cater our holiday party this year. It was such an easy processes and the food was a huge hit. The chicken teriyaki and pork was very popular. The arrived right on time and brought everything including all the sauces. We will definitely order again. Thank you!
Lindsay Cushman
Jun 18, 2021
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Ted B.
Jun 01, 2021
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This is some seriously tasty food. My experience has been limited to the chicken bentos... have tried teriyaki, bbq, garlic ginger, popcorn chicken. I prefer pulled chicken. Some of the best meat I've ever had, great seasonings and sauces (bomb sauce is great - kind of like a spicy Mayo but better). Give Local Grind your business!
David Klein
Apr 26, 2021
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Charlie Valdez
Oct 01, 2020
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Don Manuszewski
Aug 07, 2020
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Chris Gore
Aug 06, 2020
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The customer service is amazing and I didnt even order through them I ordered from Grub Hub. The person working there tonight November 21st 2020. Called me personally and told me that a Grubhub driver should of been there a long time since the food was ready. An hour goes by and I finally get a driver to pick up my food and deliver it. I am starving at this point, an no lie almost shed a tear seeing that they packed me an extra beverage and an extra side of mac salad.
I work customer service, and I also never write reviews, the fact that I was WOW'd this much to write this review speaks volumes
I work customer service, and I also never write reviews, the fact that I was WOW'd this much to write this review speaks volumes
Matt C.
Jun 25, 2020
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Was hankering for some Hawaiian food so I gave them a shot via GrubHub. Soon after ordering, the owner called me to apologize for being out of beef (due to COVID supply issues). He made it up by providing an extra order of chicken and a couple macaroni salads. Great service, despite me not requiring him to do so.
The food is amazing to boot. The medley of Hawaiian flavors was really great. I ordered it spicy and it came as such. Topped it off with their signature bomb sauce, which I'll order a bottle of next time!
The value was excellent, only topped by superior customer service. These guys
The food is amazing to boot. The medley of Hawaiian flavors was really great. I ordered it spicy and it came as such. Topped it off with their signature bomb sauce, which I'll order a bottle of next time!
The value was excellent, only topped by superior customer service. These guys
Amelia Ley
Jun 14, 2020
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T.
May 26, 2020
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R. G.
May 12, 2020
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Rick S.
Mar 13, 2020
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Warning this food is highly addictive it's no joke. Ive been a regular customer (addict) for over 10 year's and it's by far the best bento in Portland. I go to their food carts and have Doordash and GrubHub delivere it to my palace (I live in a palace) I've also used thier catering service to feed an entire football team event I had. No one leaves hungry. "Get in your body", Love love love
Evil D.
Mar 11, 2020
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OMG the best Hawaiian BBQ I have ever had larry the Hawaiian gods have bestowed upon you a gift this food is heavenly teriyaki and shoyu chicken is amazing and Mac salad like my grandma used to make the portions are perfect for a romantic volcano lit dinner it is is good food made my good people and larry your catering my next event Mahalo
Sarah C.
Feb 11, 2020
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Brittany B.
Sep 15, 2019
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DO NOT hire this company for catering. I'm extremely upset and I am SOL with this decision.
I got married Saturday September 7th. I contacted the local grind 7+ months before the date for catering and I was in contact with them numerous times to make sure everything was perfect for the ONE day we had to get it right.
My venue was 1.5 hours from Portland..we made that VERY clear with them and they assured us they would account for that. They were scheduled to arrive for set up at 3:15pm before the ceremony started at 4:00.
The big day:
3:55...no catering showed up. I'm standing
I got married Saturday September 7th. I contacted the local grind 7+ months before the date for catering and I was in contact with them numerous times to make sure everything was perfect for the ONE day we had to get it right.
My venue was 1.5 hours from Portland..we made that VERY clear with them and they assured us they would account for that. They were scheduled to arrive for set up at 3:15pm before the ceremony started at 4:00.
The big day:
3:55...no catering showed up. I'm standing
Kay K.
Sep 05, 2019
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Diandra D.
Jul 22, 2019
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In my three years of being at PSU I have eaten at this cart probably on average of once a week.
The food is amazing, but that being said, I have noticed an upward trend in price with a SHARP decline in the amount of food per portion.
In my time eating here, both the amount of rice and amount of chicken in a small have been cut in half. Today I had a total of four chunks of chicken total in my bowl. I used to recommend this cart to EVERYBODY and the line would be ~10 people long during lunch time, but I've noticed that as the portions decrease people just aren't coming here as often
The food is amazing, but that being said, I have noticed an upward trend in price with a SHARP decline in the amount of food per portion.
In my time eating here, both the amount of rice and amount of chicken in a small have been cut in half. Today I had a total of four chunks of chicken total in my bowl. I used to recommend this cart to EVERYBODY and the line would be ~10 people long during lunch time, but I've noticed that as the portions decrease people just aren't coming here as often
Angie B.
Jul 19, 2019
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Kassandra B.
May 12, 2019
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This place is mouth watering writing this review I'm just dreaming of their yummy food they are definitely tied in first place for my favorite Hawaiian food places. I'm kind of a snob when it come to Hawaiian food. My best friends family used to make food all the time that was old family recipes from the island since they moved back this is as close as I can get now.
Amy S.
Feb 06, 2019
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TLG catered my friend's baby shower, and I cannot RAVE about this place any more! The food was amazing. We had a tray of yakisoba veggies, Kalua pork and rice with a giant catering size of Mac salad. I've tried many Hawaiian spots around town, and this is the best Mac salad in town. Thank you for your professionalism and amazing food! You really made the event!
Alex
Dec 15, 2017
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Not ready for prime time.
This place is not really open yet. They don't have a permit to let people eat in the building so it's to-go only. I had the garlic honey chicken bento bowl, could not taste one drop of garlic or honey. Tasted just like very average grilled chicken. The Mac salad was very good. Maybe they will get better but I will not be back any time soon.
This place is not really open yet. They don't have a permit to let people eat in the building so it's to-go only. I had the garlic honey chicken bento bowl, could not taste one drop of garlic or honey. Tasted just like very average grilled chicken. The Mac salad was very good. Maybe they will get better but I will not be back any time soon.
Tanofa T.
Nov 16, 2017
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Shawn E.
Oct 21, 2017
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My son introduced me to this place found on east end of the Ross Island bridge. We got three orders of 1/2 teriyaki chicken 1/2 kahlua pork with brown rice and vegetables. And we got three orders of their macaroni salad. I'm going to be back soon. My favorite was the teriyaki chicken and the macaroni salad was heavenly. They have added indoor seating, previously they were takeout only. You're going to be happy you came here. The freshest and best Hawaiian style bento l have found.
Matthew W.
Aug 23, 2017
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I have been to the Local grind many times throughout the years. I always look forward to them relocating from PSU to the Ira Keller fountain during the summer. The food is always fantastic. This year there are two people working there. One is a guy with longer hair and he is the nicest guy gives out a good portion and I am never hungry after he serves me. The other is younger. He always skimps on the rice portion. You ask for a large and basically get a small. When he is working I am generally still hungry. The guy with the longer hair gets a 5 for service and the younger guy a 3 so it averages
Jason C.
Apr 15, 2017
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I was taking the 19 bus and looked out the window to see this beautiful Hawaiian BBQ oasis. I wasn't sure it was actually there and ended up walking back from the stop to discover the tasty goodness of The Local Grind. I had the yakisoba with chicken teriyaki. The flavors were on point. The yakisoba had a nice chew and wasn't overlooked. The chicken was tender and flavorful. I had so much food that I definitely had enough for leftovers. Everything was super tasty, so I know where to go in the future for my Hawaiian BBQ hankerings.
Justin G.
Apr 10, 2017
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So happy this place opened in my neighborhood! After a big day of hauling river rocks for yard work we walked over to get some grub. I got the Kahlua pork sando and it hit the spot! It's really nicely done up inside but we ordered to go and ate at Ross Island Brewing next door. They give you a buzzer so you can relax at the brewery and wait for your order. It is perfect! Their Mac salad is a knockout too.
Keoki B.
Mar 11, 2017
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Laura C.
Jul 27, 2015
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Our company attorney's brought in lunch today and had the Local Grind cater.
Oh my word!! That mac salad is probably the best I've ever had i! Even better than what I've had at luau's in Hawaii. I live near a Hawaiian restaurant and love it, so I will never knock it, but the Local Grind's is better. Mostly because it's got carrots to make it crunchy and give it texture.
The teriyaki chicken breasts were moist and tasty. As was the traditional Kalua pork.
I am a sauce fan so I piled my sticky rice, mac and meats onto a plate and smothered them with the sweet chili
Oh my word!! That mac salad is probably the best I've ever had i! Even better than what I've had at luau's in Hawaii. I live near a Hawaiian restaurant and love it, so I will never knock it, but the Local Grind's is better. Mostly because it's got carrots to make it crunchy and give it texture.
The teriyaki chicken breasts were moist and tasty. As was the traditional Kalua pork.
I am a sauce fan so I piled my sticky rice, mac and meats onto a plate and smothered them with the sweet chili
