After more than 25 years in business, Shelly's Garden Honkin' Huge Burritos will close at the end of August.

The cart, which has rolled burritos for legions of Portlanders and visitors from its Pioneer Courthouse Square cart since the early 1990s, is most likely the city's oldest continuously owned food cart. It's been such a big part of Portland history that in 2012, Mayor Sam Adams declared July 18 -- then the 20th anniversary of the cart's opening -- "Honkin' Huge Burritos Day."

Owner Shelly Sorenson announced on Facebook at the beginning of the month that she would close the cart on Aug. 31.

"This was a very difficult decision for me as I am quite fond of you cute people and it is making it so very hard to go," Sorenson wrote. "I celebrate this most personally satisfying and wonderful journey of community, care and rolling tasty, healthy, Honkin' Huge burritos. For over 25 years, it has been my honor and privilege to be in service to you. Thank you for the love and support. It always moves me. I have been thankful everyday."

When Sorenson, who was inspired by the character of New Orleans to open a food cart in Portland, opened Shelly's Garden, there was only one other cart in town: El Sol, serving burritos. Her initial cart sold fresh salads, then veggie stir fry. But it wasn't until she made burritos that the concept stuck and Honkin' Huge Burritos was born, Michael Russell reported in 2012.

At the height of her burrito career, Sorenson watched over a fleet of 10 carts before downsizing back to just one, the original in Pioneer Square.

In April, Pioneer Courthouse Square announced it will add a semi-permanent food cart pod with five carts, shared seating and rain cover on the upper terrace of the square. At the time, the current carts that call the square home -- Honkin' Huge Burritos and Philly's on the Phly -- said they would remain.

Pioneer Courthouse Square, 503-895-5365, Facebook: Honkin' Huge Burritos

-- Samantha Bakall

sbakall@oregonian.com

Follow @sambakall