The Eliot Neighborhood Will Soon House a Brand-New Food Cart Pod

Earlier this year, the loss of one of Portland’s most notable food cart pods struck fear into the hearts of many local diners: The closure of the Alder Street food carts was seen as the potential death rattle of the city’s larger street food scene. But the number of Portland food cart pods opening seems to contradict this theory. Incoming pods in Northwest Portland, Northeast Portland, and even downtown have started finding tenants, and they’re not the only ones: A new food cart pod will open in Portland’s Eliot neighborhood, that sliver of North and Northeast above the Rose Quarter and the Oregon Convention Center.

Willamette Week first reported that Cartside, set to open this winter, will house around eight carts next to its impressive two-story hub, home to a dispensary and a beer and wine bar. When it opens, the pod will offer 25 beer taps, tvs, and heated seating areas. In the spring, a second-story patio will offer views of downtown.

When it comes to the actual carts, the pod has yet to make a formal announcement of its lineup; marketing coordinator Nicole Mormann says the team is specifically looking for a diverse set of cuisines and business owners. “The food carts we’re looking at are very different from what we see in that area,” Mormann says. “We want to go beyond the basic American and fast food chains... Mediterranean, Mexican, Thai.” Cartside is located at 1825 N Williams Avenue. Carts will begin to move in this January, so diners should keep an eye out for more details.

• Cartside [Official]
• A New Food Cart Pod is Opening Near Moda Center [WWeek]
• Portland Reflects on the Impending Closure of the Alder Street Food Cart Pod [EPDX]
• A New Food Cart Pod Is Coming to Northwest Portland [EPDX]
• A New Taproom and Food Cart Pod Is Headed to NE Glisan [EPDX]
• The Alder Street Food Cart Pod Has Nabbed Its New Home by the North Park Blocks [EPDX]