Two of Portland's beloved food carts, Tokyo Sando and Bing Mi, are rolling back into the heart of the city, revving up tastes with their presence at the Midtown Beer Garden, according to an announcement that set the culinary scene a-buzz. Amidst a slew of recent openings that have pumped new life into the downtown food scene, the Midtown Beer Garden is now fully loaded, hitting its maximum capacity with these latest additions, said Faye Crosswhite, the community manager for the venue, according to BizJournals.
After parking its wheels in December, Tokyo Sando is making a comeback with owner Taiki Nakajima at the helm, giving locals a taste of Japan with their famed sandwiches. Nakajima expressed his drive for downtown revitalization, telling BizJournals, "Downtown is alive, and I want to help people see that." Drawing crowds with its popular Japanese-style sandwiches, Tokyo Sando promises to continue its legacy of satisfaction to each biting customer.
Joining Tokyo Sando is Bing Mi, returning after its stint at the Nob Hill Food Carts on Northwest 23rd Avenue. Before winning accolades across town, this food cart had its humble beginnings at the Alder Street Food Cart Pod. Bing Mi's owner, Jacky Ren, is set to offer their signature crispy jianbings along with a side of enthusiasm to be part of downtown's revival. "I want to be a part of making downtown better," Ren said to BizJournals, alluding to their loyal following of downtown dwellers and workers.
But it isn't just about large crowds and filling stomachs; it's a testament to the resilience and evolution of the city's food scene. The Midtown Beer Garden is a project forged through collaboration between tech giant Expensify and the culinary wizards at ChefStable, providing heated seats for 300 patrons among other amenities, as part of an effort to give the downtown's belly a much-needed boost. David Barrett, CEO of Expensify, has reportedly poured between $100,000 and $1 million into this gastronomic initiative. With reported plans for summer events including markets and concerts, the Midtown Beer Garden seems to be turning up the heat for Portland's food cart scene, Bridgetown Bites reports.
As the spring sunshine peeks through Portland skies, patrons can soon stroll between the aromatic stalls where Tokyo Sando and Bing Mi, nestled among a constellation of eateries at the Midtown Beer Garden, will be ready to serve up their mouth-watering fare. For those who voiced their disappointment at Tokyo Sando's closure, now is the time to rejoice; the return also signifies the continued dedication of local entrepreneurs in sustaining the city's vibrant culinary landscape. With the re-opening of these two food cart favorites, Portlanders can look forward to rediscovering the flavors that make their city unique, according to coverage by KGW.com.
