Reception
Michael Russell of The Oregonian deemed Holy Trinity one of Portland's best new food carts.[29] In 2019, the business was included in Portland Mercury list of the city's five "most essential" barbecue carts,[6] as well as Portland Monthly overview of the best new restaurants and "standout" carts. Writers for the magazine said, "Five minutes after Holy Trinity opens, a line already snakes outside of Rensmeyer’s royal blue cart, which opened in May, sparking debate over which PDX food cart serves the best Texas barbecue ... Whatever the alchemy behind Rensmeyer's seemingly simple meat-craft, it's a winning formula: for our money it's one of the best spots, if not the best, to get Texas barbecue in the city."[15]
Comparing the restaurant to Matt's BBQ in 2019, Thrillist's Pete Cottell said Holy Trinity "is giving Matt's a run for its money as the resident siren for authentic 'cue-deprived Texans".[5] Holy Trinity was a finalist in the Food Cart of the Year category of Eater Portland 2019 Eater Awards. Brooke Jackson-Glidden said, "Portland is already spoiled on the barbecue front; it didn't need another hardcore talent with a smoker. But the Texas barbecue at Jojo's neighbor, Holy Trinity, is far better than it needs to be, with gorgeous brisket, well-seasoned sausages, and knockout green-chile-cheese grits."[30] She also named Rensmeyer a "rising star" in the city's food and drink scene.[10]
In 2021, Jackson-Glidden and Nick Woo included Holy Trinity in Eater Portland list of 15 outstanding Portland food carts.[12] She also included the business in a 2021 list of the city's 38 "essential" eateries.[31] Covering Holy Trinity's pending closure, Christopher Bjorke of Portland Business Journal said the business "had won local recognition for its food as well as being named as one of the best Texas-style barbecues outside the state by Texas Monthly".[32] Portland Mercury food columnist Janey Wong called the closure "a gut-wrenching loss". Bill Oakley also considered the closure a loss, and Jackson-Glidden wrote: "it's hard for me to ignore the way my heart broke when Holy Trinity announced its closure. Considering its brief tenure in Portland, I have so many fond memories of eating Holy Trinity beef ribs, those green chile grits, that banana pudding. I'll admit, I'm still holding out hope it returns eventually, in one form or another."[33]
