Portland’s vibrant street food scene is always evolving, and exciting developments are on the horizon for NE Fremont Street. A new food cart pod is in development in the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood, promising to become a fantastic destination for Fremont Street Food enthusiasts. While initially anticipated to open in the summer of 2024, some unforeseen city-related complications have pushed the launch to Spring 2025. Despite the delay, anticipation is building for this project, which aims to bring a diverse array of culinary options to this corner of Portland.
Empty lot on NE Fremont Street in Portland, future site of a highly anticipated Fremont Street food cart pod.
The development, spearheaded by DBS Group, is transforming the former Barrett Automotive site on NE Fremont Street into a dynamic space for local food carts. Daniel Silvey from DBS Group shared updates on the project, explaining the reasons behind the revised timeline and offering insights into the pod’s layout and vision. The slight delay is attributed to navigating city processes, but the team remains enthusiastic about the project and its potential to enrich the Fremont Street food landscape.
Layout and Culinary Vision for Fremont Street Food
The future Fremont Street food pod is taking shape on an 8,000 square foot lot. Before construction can fully commence, a small 350 square foot building located at the front of the property needs to be removed. Once this demolition is complete, the focus will shift to the existing 3,000 square foot building at the back of the lot. This building is slated to become a central hub for the pod, housing a cafe and bar, along with restroom facilities. The plan is to create a space that transitions seamlessly from a morning coffee lounge to an afternoon and evening bar, offering a versatile and welcoming environment for visitors exploring Fremont Street food.
Small building awaiting demolition on NE Fremont Street, making way for a vibrant Fremont Street food scene hub.
The removal of the smaller building will also create more space for food carts. The pod is designed to accommodate nine carts and offer approximately 50 to 60 seats. Additionally, plans include expanding the sidewalk area, part of which will be utilized for sidewalk cafe-style seating, further enhancing the pedestrian experience and the vibrancy of the Fremont Street food scene. The developers are committed to curating a diverse mix of food carts, aiming to avoid cuisine duplication and overlap with existing nearby restaurants, such as Momiji Sushi located next door. They have received significant interest from food cart operators and will be carefully selecting vendors in the coming months to create a well-rounded and appealing Fremont Street food destination.
Existing 3000 sq ft building to be repurposed as cafe and bar at the new Fremont Street food pod in Portland.
Why Fremont Street? A Neighborhood Hub for Food Lovers
The choice of NE Fremont Street for this food cart pod location is strategic. Beyond being situated in the desirable Beaumont Wilshire neighborhood, the opportunity arose through a direct connection with the previous property owners, the Barretts. Initial discussions considered multi-family housing development, aligning with the existing residential buildings along NE Fremont. However, recognizing the potential for a food cart pod, the developers pivoted to this exciting concept. Daniel Silvey noted that while many inner Portland neighborhoods already boast food cart pods, Beaumont-Wilshire was lacking such a community-focused food destination. This gap in the local Fremont Street food offerings presented a compelling opportunity. Silvey’s familiarity with the area extends beyond this project; he was also involved in developing the property at 5042 NE Fremont and has local roots, having grown up enjoying Stanich’s, now known as The Mule Bar.
Envisioning a Community Gathering Place
The overarching vision for this Fremont Street food pod is to create a welcoming gathering place for the neighborhood, a space that is active and inviting throughout the day and for all members of the community. The inherent appeal of food cart pods lies in their flexibility, catering to diverse tastes within groups of friends or families. As Daniel emphasized, food pods are ideal for families, allowing everyone to find something they enjoy, from simple kid-friendly options to more adventurous fare for adults. To further enhance the community atmosphere, plans include hosting live music, featuring solo or duo acts, creating a relaxed and enjoyable ambiance for diners exploring Fremont Street food. Operating hours are envisioned to start early, potentially 6 or 7 am, to cater to the morning coffee crowd, possibly with a Mexican cart offering breakfast burritos. Evening hours are expected to extend until around 10 pm, potentially adjusting to earlier closing times during the fall and winter months. The pod is tentatively named “Fremont Garage,” a nod to the site’s automotive history, though this name is still subject to change. The development team expresses immense excitement about this project, finding it particularly rewarding to create a community-focused space that has already garnered significant positive feedback and support from local residents eager to contribute to its success.
View of NE Fremont Street in Portland, Oregon, showcasing the neighborhood where the new Fremont Street food destination is being developed.
As the project progresses, further updates will be shared later in the year. This new food cart pod promises to be a significant addition to the Fremont Street food scene, bringing a vibrant and diverse culinary destination to the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood in Spring 2025.
Unnamed food cart pod [projected opening spring 2025]
4403 NE Fremont Street, Portland
