A New Vegan Food Cart Pod Will Open Next Year in Cully

It’s Friday, which means it’s time for the weekly EaterWire round up of all those news items we didn’t quite cover. This week’s food news cycle was dominated by the impending arrival of Seattle staple Ezell’s Famous Chicken, Mikkeller committing to a Portland brewery, and the unionization of Grand Central Bakery’s production facility. But a few stories did fall through the cracks:

VEGANUARY — A new fully vegan food cart pod is coming to Cully. Shady Pines Food Court will come from the team behind the Fatsquatch cart, with six carts and indoor seating. The pod will feature ramen, soft serve, and other snacks, hoping to open this January at 5230 NE 42nd Avenue; follow along with the opening process via Instagram. [Willamette Week]

SALT & ROCK — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has purchased a stake in the popular Portland-based ice cream brand Salt & Straw. He’s already become a public face for the ice cream brand; the company will offer two holiday flavors related to the Rock’s character “Dwanta Claus.” [The Oregonian]

SMOKING HOT — “Portland has the best Texas barbecue scene outside of Texas,” says Texas Monthly barbecue editor Daniel Vaughn. Vaughn visited carts like Holy Trinity and Matt’s BBQ, also praising restaurants like Eem. The claim, however, has already inspired debate in the Eater Portland Facebook group. [TM]