The Landscape Architect’s Guide to

Mississippi Avenue Food Truck Pod

Your Guide

Providing access to quick and healthy meals, Portland’s food carts have used vacant lots and empty parking lots during the economic downturn, bringing life (and food) to the streets of Portland. But as developers begin building again, food carts all over the city are slowly being ousted.

Even though they can move, people need to know how to find them. It’s a balancing act—the transitory, freewheeling aspect of the food carts versus the nitty-gritty reality of running a business. Wherever they land, local start-up vendors provide local, fresh food to adventurous eaters without the cost of opening a full-scale restaurant.

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Strength in Numbers

The Mississippi Food Cart Pod (a Pod is a group of three or more food carts) is the first place purposely built for food carts. The pod is just off a street populated with popular eateries, but demand keeps these food carts busy.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom MFC2

Would You Like a Drink with That?

While the relationship between many restaurants and food carts may be strained, Prost!, a local German bierhaus, works with the neighboring carts. One can bring cart food into their establishment if you buy a drink. This collaboration is great example of businesses helping to sustain one another.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom MFC3

Vote with Your Fork

With so many vendors already in the area, opening a food cart here is a “trial by fire” experience. The cast of 10 carts changes periodically. People expect the best local food at the carts and will staunchly support their favorite cart so that it remains.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom MFC4

Choose a Truck,Take a Seat

The shaded eating space following the line of the food carts allows eager eaters to enjoy their meal onsite. Open seating within sight of all carts makes it easy for everyone to see what's happening around the next corner, keeping it safe and social.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom MFC5

Managing Waste

Bins are centrally located for compost, recycling, and trash. They are for both customer and cart use.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom MFC6

Feeding the Broader Community

Realizing that food is precious for many people in Portland, the 10 vendors donate any leftover prepared food to local food bank programs. The program keeps good food from going into the compost at the end of the day.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom MFC7

From Parking Lot to Foodie Paradise

Both Prost! and the food carts work to transform a concrete lot into a place where people come to get great food and people watch.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom MFC8

A Cart Apart

Sometimes you just want to eat lunch alone. Even with all the great social space, a few carts provide space to enjoy a meal apart from the crowd. Cart owners carve their niche in a very competitive business by providing great service, fun décor, and excellent food.

Image: Rebecca Wahlstrom