Some tidbits from CartLand
If you’re a long time Portlander like myself, you are very much aware of Peacock Lane, the Christmas light extravaganza in SE Portland. Such a great experience to wander down a fully lighted street with a cup of cocoa in your hand on a cool December night. This year, you can pair cart food with your evening with a stop at Good Food Here on SE 43rd and Belmont. The carts plan on staying open until 7:30pm in the evenings with heated and covered seating. Caroling will also occur starting tonight through Christmas.
Good Food Here
Peacock Lane – SE Peacock Ln and Belmont, east of 39th.
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Big-Ass Sandwiches is celebrating 1 year open with a party at Ash Street Saloon across from the cart on Saturday night. There will be live music, food and some special guests along with a screening of their upcoming commercial. Congrats Big-Ass on your success. More information at their Facebook page.
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Some more carts have decided to close for the winter- Siete Suerte and Portland Smoothie Company. Joclyn’s Ciao Chow announced that they are closed permanently. That odd military vehicle cart just can’t catch a break.
Many carts have announced that they will be closed next week or the week after as they take winter breaks. It is tough to keep up with all the schedules. Watch our Facebook page for them when we learn them more.
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We’ve mentioned earlier that Captured by Porches is the first beer truck to serve at a cart lot – D Street Noshery. This topic of serving beer or wine or liquor at the carts has been a topic of discussion at the carts all year. Some owners have approached the OLCC for permitting only to be turned away without even getting a “good morning.” Yet, it seems some tenacious entrepreneurs have made a crack in the OLCC wall and the Oregonian reports this week that The Deadliest Catch may be the first cart to offer it. There are still many details to work out, but this could be a huge change to the scene. DaveKnows.org has some ideas on some great cart names when and if this change occurs. My personal favorite – New Taste of India Pale Ale.
Happy Cartin’
Looks like Portland’s Food Cart economy is becoming too competitive and saturated. How about just moving down south at Tucson, AZ. You don’t have to worry about the excess rain and extreme cold winters – it’s always sunny in Tucson. There’s barely any food cart industry in Tucson , thus more $$$ for you!! Portlanders … Welcome to Tucson!! Note: it’s also cheaper to live in Tucson
… I forgot, Metro Tucson has about 1 million people and the average rent is $500 per month. We are painfully undergoing a downtown renovation. Want some info about some licensing stuff for food carts in Tucson – acatalanb@gmail.com
I soooooo want to open a food cart when I move back to Portland. I think this is a VERY cool trend, and I’d love to be involved. If anyone in PDX needs help with their cart after the first of the year, don’t hesitate to get in contact. I have ZERO formal experience in working in an actual restaurant but I am a very good cook with experience in a wide variety of cuisines….
Cheers, all you great food cart peeps!
Cartlandia food cart pod @8145 SE 82nd Ave. is hosting a Christmas tree lot to benefit N. Marion High School Equestrian team. Trees are freshly cut Nobles and Grand Firs from a family owned tree farm in Scotts Mills Oregon. Grab a bite while you find a great tree – We have 18 food carts, outdoor seating by a firepit and indoor heated seating