Food carts are thriving during COVID closures

Posted Oct. 26, 2021

By Elizabeth Philbrick

Staff Editor

Food cart pods have become the hot topic, especially after the closure of many brick-and-mortar restaurants during quarantine.

A project to bring 16 carts with diverse cuisine options started July 22, which should be a nice place to gather in Fairview towards late Dececmer or early January. This project is creating a place for locals to gather for good food and a fun time.

"I want to bring a variety of cuisine to Fairview," stated Fairview Food Plaza restaurateur Justin Hwang to The Gresham Outlook. "This community needs a place like this to come together."

Along with the 16 carts, the Fairview pod is planning to have an enclosed eating hall with a bar and restrooms, a play area and central plaza, free Wi-Fi, and onsite parking. There will also be entrances along both roadways and plans for a large ceremonial fork statue. Hwang’s ultimate goal is to not just offer more amazing food from the carts; he also envisions a summer farmers market, community events, live music, and more.

This project is under the "Main Streets on Halsey" effort, working to pave the way for more places to eat, shop, and gather with the whole family. It is creating a walkable main drag through Fairview, Wood Village, and Troutdale.

Many brick-and-mortar restaurants have struggled to stay open during the pandemic, but food carts have been hanging in there and even thriving. Throughout the city, many food carts are succeeding. With lax regulations and an abundance of carts for sale, they have been made a good-looking option for new and emerging chefs.

According to The Oregonian, some of the city’s best new food carts this year include Baon Kainan, known for their Filipino food; Calabash Authentic, who sell both Traditional Sierra dishes and Southern American food; Da Pine Grinds, a pop-up Hawaiian food cart; and Erica’s Soul Food, known for their chicken wings.

On top of the other previously stated carts, there’s also MidCity SmashBurger, serving the best smash burger in Portland; Papi Sal’s, Philadelphia native-owned cheesesteak cart; Poppyseed, selling fine-dining flourishes; Principe Maya, selling Yucatecan food; Ruthie’s, known for their ¨Mormon¨ cooking; and Sorbu Paninoteca, known for its sandwiches.