Food carts are part of the culture of Portland and an important element of the eating and drinking that goes on in the city. They are found throughout the city both as individual carts and grouped together in pods.
Welcome to April 2026’s review of top 5 posts for the month. It was all about restaurant/eatery openings but spanned a range of places: fine dining, fast food, a food cart pod, a brasserie, and a single dessert cart on Sauvie Island.
After first spying the plans for this food cart pod almost two and a half years ago, Fremont Garage will open Memorial Day weekend. It was great to receive this news earlier this month, and I think this pod will be a really nice addition to the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood. I has the chance to chat with Daniel Silvey and Tyler Caffall last week to get updated on the project, and here is what I learned.
New Zealand-style ice cream, soon to be available at Columbia Farms on Sauvie Island. Photo credit: Columbia Farms U-Pick.
Last month I heard about some plans to bring New Zealand-style ice cream to Columbia Farms U-Pick on Sauvie Island starting this summer. We’ve known there’s an interest in this style of ice cream in Portland through Nico’s and Beaux Berry, and it’s great to see it poised to arrive on Sauvie Island. I spoke to Steven Hallstone—his wife’s family runs the farm where the berries are sourced and the ice cream will be sold—to learn more about this delicious project.
The Bandit from Burger Syndicate: Double Cajun-seared patties, bacon, cheese, fried onions, slaw, pickles, BBQ and garlic sauce. Photo credit: Burger Syndicate.
Burger Syndicate has opened. This is a new spot downtown from the Nacheaux folks. They opened on Thursday, April 9. They wrote on social media, “Burger Syndicate is everything we’ve learned, every sacrifice, every lesson poured into one space. Creative smashburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, loaded fries, weekly specials, house-made lemonades, merch, and the same fun and flavor Nacheaux is known for.”
They have some late night hours: midnight on Sunday (after opening at 6pm that day); 1am Thursday to Saturday; and 1:30am on Monday nights. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. 221 SW Ankeny Street, Portland
A few dishes from HIggins: risotto, chicory salad, and Vegan Kabocha croquettes. Photo credit: Higgins.
Greg Higgins will retire. He sent an email out with the announcement: “So, it is with a full and grateful heart that I share my own important milestone with you: I’m planning to retire.” He is looking to sell the restaurant, for “the right steward for Higgins, someone who understands what this place means to our guests and employees, and will carry it forward into its next chapter here in Portland.” He wants the restaurant to continue to thrive.