Visiting the Brooklyn Carreta Construction Site in Portland (Photos)

The OG signage for La Carreta restaurant in Portland, Oregon. — At this point in time they are planning on keeping the original sign.

Last month I got an invitation to visit the Brooklyn Carreta construction site, where a new food cart pod is being developed. Today I headed over, put on a hardhat, and saw the progress they’ve done. They are still on target to open in the first quarter of 2025. Read on for more details and lots of construction photos (click images to enlarge).

The space is divided into inside and outdoor spaces, but it’s more complex than that. Outdoors there will be the area that the food carts will be in (a total of 18 carts), places to park, and a courtyard with some covered seating. Inside will see a big bar, a variety of seating, bathrooms, and a few other things.

Brooklyn Carreta Outdoor Space

Here are some outdoor photos, starting with the courtyard.

The courtyard (currently dirt) and looking back toward the structure's entrance. — The courtyard (currently dirt) and looking back toward the structure’s entrance.

Closer to the main entrance from inside the courtyard. Bathrooms to the right.

More on the bathrooms—there will be two gendered bathrooms (men, women) outside and two inside. Both sets of bathrooms will be ADA compliant and also offer baby changing areas in both the men’s and women’s facilities.

Here’s a little video of the courtyard area. The area on the left at the start of the video is covered seating that is open on the courtyard-facing side.

Brooklyn Carreta Interior Space

Here are some indoor photos. The first is looking toward the indoor space from the courtyard.

Looking into Brooklyn Carreta's indoor space.

There’s going to be a big wraparound bar inside that will accommodate at least 30 persons sitting at the bar. They were able to reclaim some of the old growth wood from the La Carreta restaurant and you will see that used in the bar’s design.

Wraparound bar to the right. — Wraparound bar to the left.

Looking up toward overflow seating or a group seating area. On the right (where that paper is) will be an alcohol display area.

Space upstairs for overflow seating or even for larger groups (think Little League teams).

To the right of the bar is the space for a 100-inch TV.

In the distance on the left will be a kids space with pinball and other games.

Cart owners have a lot to look forward to, including this room that will give each of them private storage, a place to wash pots, and a prep table space (used by reservation). This is apparently a huge perk.

Workspace and storage space for food cart owners.

When it comes to the carts, there are to be no duplicates, and that is by design. So, for example, you’ll find only one Mexican cart, one Thai cart, one Himalayan cart, etc. Garner, and presumably Lloyd Development, know a lot of the cart owners in this city because this is not the first pod they’ve developed (they are also behind The Yard in Montavilla). So while it might seem that finding just one of a certain kind of cuisine x 18 might be a challenge, their familiarity with the food carts in Portland made that an easier task.

Looking through what will hold garage doors through to a covered but not fully enclosed seating area. — Looking through what will hold movable garage doors through to a covered but not fully enclosed seating area.

Here is a little video of some of the interior build.

Many thanks to Garner Moody at Lloyd Development for inviting me to the Brooklyn Carreta construction site and telling me about their plans. I am grateful for his time. It looks like it’s going to be a pretty nice spot to get a bite, have a drink, hang out, and enjoy life. I look forward to checking it out next year!

Brooklyn Carreta [projected opening February 2025]
4534 SE McLoughlin Blvd, Portland
Brooklyn Carreta website