I heard about this food cart pod about six months ago but hadn’t tracked down much information readers would find interesting. Now I’m happy to say that I have a number of details to share with you on it. First, the pod will be located on the northeast corner of NE Halsey and 106th Avenue, extending north to NE Weidler.
The Location and Founder of the Pod on Halsey
Along with the pod, this intersection includes the Gateway Discovery Park and the Nick Fish building. The new pod also seems to be utilizing the parking lot by what was The Outer Rim bike shop. (NOT the shuttered King’s Omelets’ parking lot)
The Pod on Halsey is the work of Joe Kortbaoui. He had carts at the Good Food Here food cart pod at SE Belmont and 42nd Ave—Cornucopia Joe’s was one of them. He is partnering Steven Shomler for this current project. Joe, along with operating a successful food cart, was also known for his expertise in helping food cart owners keep going by assisting them with repairs and such.
Details about the pod:
- There will be space for 16 food carts. Right now they have room for 6 to 8 carts. There are a couple there already: Taqueria Habanero Todo El Dia and Bark-B-Que. In May they will add 8 to 10 additional carts after doing “significant improvements.”
- Along with the carts there will be an indoor seating areaand outdoor seating (6 to 8 tables) with gas fire pits. The indoor space will be heated in the winter and air conditioned in the summer.
- There will be a playground for the kids on site, as well as a pool table indoors.
- Coffee, crepes, and waffles will be indoors.
- There will be a tap room featuring 36 craft beers and craft ciders; Gateway Brewing will be the “home brewery” at the pod, with 4 to 5 brews of theirs on tap at all times.
- There will be a bar that will offer craft cocktails made with locally-made Oregon spirits.
- Joe will be available to cart owners in this pod and will share his wealth of knowledge about successful upkeep and infrastructure.
- Hours are estimated to be 11am to 9pm; the indoor space will be open until midnight or so. This could change over time.
- 20 off-street parking spaces.
Originally, there was to be a grand opening celebration for the Pod on Halsey in summer of 2024, but that did not pan out.
I’m very happy to see a food cart pod slated for this location. The Gateway neighborhood has so much potential but they have suffered a number of setbacks, mostly due to quality of life issues and property crimes. Here’s hoping the new pod will breathe some life into part of town.
The Pod on Halsey [in development now, grand opening June 2024]
10625 NE Halsey Street, Portland
Instagram | Facebook | Youtube
Updated March 12, 2025.
Meg Cotner
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As a neighborhood resident who has been by this a lot, it does not appear that they are doing anything in the former King’s Omelet building. The building they are working on was formerly The Outer Rim bike shop before that store moved across the street. And there is a small building on the property that is some kind of massage business. But I suspect that will move on with all the new carts there.
Thank you so much for clarifying this. I always thought that parking lot was part of King’s Omelets. I stand corrected and appreciate your comment. I’ve made an edit to hopefully make that clearer.
Hello. I have a food truck what’s a good phone number to call them and see if there’s any space for me 😁
Looks like (503) 840-5282 is the number on the pod’s Facebook page. Good luck!
Has anyone heard any updates on this pod? I drive by it all the time and don’t see many updates. It seems like Yabba Yabba is the only pod open now. The June grand opening date has come and gone. Taqueria Habanero Todo El Dia quietly relocated to Happy Valley a few months ago but said on their socials they would return when the construction was better?
You ask some good questions, and thanks for the nudge. I’ll look into it this week.