Piedmont Station, the New King Food Cart Pod, Is Now Open

An Phan grew up in Portland's King neighborhood where his family made a living in filling stations, although one of them has lay dormant for two decades. But as of today, Phan and a handful of lessors are breathing new life into the dormant lot by softly opening the Piedmont Station food cart pod, which will give the neighborhood's residents the opportunity to try a diverse lineup of cuisines from all over the world. Until now, "you had to go a little ways to get good food," explains Phan. "And I'd like the pod to be a neighborhood attraction offering a little bit of this and a little bit of that."

The pod sports a brand new big seating area flanked by planter boxes sprouting huckleberry, blueberry and honeyberry bushes, as well as Asian pear and plum trees. So far, Phan has signed on cart owners who will offer vegan fare, barbecue, ice cream and cuisines from Mexico, Thailand, Jamaica and Germany.

If all goes according to plan, Piedmont Station could also soon be home to a tap beer cart called Le Tap run by Prospect Bottleshop's Laurent Albouze. It'll offer as many as 15 tap wines, ciders and beers, the latter two of which will come in 22-ounce pours for $5 a pop. And keep your eyes peeled for more Piedmont Station carts. Phan says he's almost at capacity, but he still has a few lots ready to lease.

Piedmont Station, 625 NE Killingsworth St.