Portland’s vibrant food scene is always evolving, and exciting developments are on the horizon for NE Fremont Street. Known for its charming neighborhood vibe and diverse culinary offerings, Fremont Street is set to welcome a brand new food cart pod that promises to become a community hub. While initially planned for a summer 2024 opening, some unforeseen city-related delays have shifted the launch to March 2025. However, the anticipation continues to build for this promising addition to the Fremont Street Food landscape.
Located on NE Fremont Street in the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood, at the former site of Barrett Automotive, the development is spearheaded by DBS Group. Daniel Silvey from DBS Group shared updates on the project, explaining the reasons behind the revised timeline and offering insights into the pod’s exciting features. “We were ambitious that things would happen quicker than they did,” Daniel noted, regarding the initial summer opening target. Despite the slight delay, the vision for a dynamic Fremont Street food destination remains firmly in place.
The layout of the new Fremont Street food pod is designed to maximize both space and community engagement. Currently, a small 350-square-foot building still stands on the property but is slated for demolition. Once removed, the site will feature a 3,000-square-foot building within the 8,000 square foot lot. This larger building will house a cafe and bar, complete with restroom facilities. The concept is to create a seamless transition from a morning coffee lounge to an afternoon and evening bar, separated by a partition, offering diverse options throughout the day. Removing the smaller building also frees up valuable space for more food carts, enhancing the overall Fremont Street food experience.
The Fremont Street food pod is planned to comfortably accommodate 50 to 60 guests. Additionally, city requirements to expand the sidewalk will create opportunities for sidewalk cafe-style seating, further extending the dining area and contributing to the lively Fremont Street atmosphere. Interest from food cart vendors has been significant, and the developers plan to curate a selection of nine carts, prioritizing variety and avoiding culinary overlaps, especially with existing Fremont Street restaurants like Momiji Sushi located next door. This careful selection process aims to ensure a unique and complementary Fremont Street food experience for visitors.
The choice of NE Fremont Street for this food cart pod was a natural fit. While the initial discussions with the Barretts property owners considered multi-family housing, the potential for a food cart pod quickly emerged as a more exciting prospect. Daniel Silvey explained, “Most neighborhoods in inner Portland already have a food cart pod, and this neighborhood didn’t.” This gap in the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood, combined with the inherent appeal of Fremont Street, made it an ideal location. Daniel’s prior experience developing property nearby at 5042 NE Fremont and his local roots, including childhood memories at Stanich’s (now The Mule Bar), further solidify his connection to and investment in the Fremont Street community.
The vision for this Fremont Street food pod goes beyond just dining; it’s about creating a true neighborhood gathering place. Daniel emphasizes his commitment to making it “an all-parts-of-the-day, an all-people kind of place.” Food pods naturally cater to diverse groups, offering flexibility for families and friends with varying tastes. “Pods in general are great for families,” Daniel mentioned, highlighting the appeal of options ranging from kid-friendly grilled cheese to more adventurous burritos, ensuring “Everybody’s happy.” Plans also include incorporating live music, featuring solo or duo acts, to further enhance the ambiance and community feel of this Fremont Street destination. Operating hours are envisioned to start early, potentially 6 or 7 am for morning coffee, responding to neighborhood requests for earlier coffee options, and possibly featuring a breakfast burrito cart. Evening hours are likely to extend until around 10 pm, with possible adjustments during the fall and winter months.
While still tentative, the name “Fremont Garage” is under consideration, a nod to the site’s history as an automotive repair business. Daniel expressed genuine enthusiasm for the project: “We are really excited about this project. We’ve built a lot of houses and apartments over the years, and that’s great, but this has excited us in a way building housing hasn’t.” The positive neighborhood response has also been a significant motivator. “The number of people who reached out to help has blown me away. They ask, ‘How can I help?’ We are stoked about the response we’ve gotten from the neighborhood.”
As the project progresses towards its anticipated spring 2025 opening, the Fremont Street food scene is poised for an exciting expansion. This new food cart pod promises to be a significant addition, offering a diverse range of culinary options and becoming a vibrant community hub in the heart of NE Portland. Stay tuned for further updates on the development of this eagerly awaited Fremont Street food destination.
Unnamed food cart pod [projected opening spring 2025]
4403 NE Fremont Street, Portland
