Siblings Shaymaa Alquriqchee and Ghaith Sahib are turning a vacant lot at 4980 NE 23rd Ave. into a six-cart food pod in the Alberta Arts District.
The pair, who also own DarSalam restaurant on NE Alberta Street, plan to open Discover PDX Food Carts in mid-to-late September, Bridgetown Bites reported Monday, Sept. 14. The lot sits next to the closed Cruzroom Annex, near NE Alberta and 23rd Avenue.
The project will roll out in two phases. The opening lineup of six carts will share a seating area under a temporary cover. About four months later, the owners plan to break ground on a permanent covered structure with an indoor bar.
"Our current plan includes a nice seating area with a temporary cover to start," Sahib said in an email to Bridgetown Bites. "For the second phase of the project, we are planning a permanent covered area with an indoor bar, and we hope to start construction on that in about four months."
An earlier permit application had anticipated eight carts. The pod will now have six.
Separately, the city approved a zoning adjustment for the site. The variance allows the pod's vehicle area to abut 100 percent of the north lot line along NE Alberta, a transit street. Standard zoning caps that figure at 30 percent.
The lot has previously served as parking, a plant lot and a food cart site. It is owned by a family trust, separate from the adjacent Cruzroom Annex property, which belongs to Alberta Street Holdings, LLC.
That entity is tied to Erzsebet Eppley, who is connected to the demolished Cowley Building at 2734–2738 NE Alberta St. The city has initiated foreclosure on that site over delinquent liens.
DarSalam operates two Portland locations: the Alberta Street spot at 2921 NE Alberta St., a former carriage house with 50 indoor seats and a covered back patio, and a downtown location at 320 SW Alder St.
Which vendors will fill the six spots has not been announced. Residents can follow updates at discoverfoodcarts.com.
Upcoming community events
- Tomato Fest — Saturday, Sept. 19, locations TBA across Portland
- Hollywood Theatre Sonic Silents festival — ongoing through September at the Hollywood Theatre
