(Updated: Adds video and comments from food cart owner and pod owner)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Between food and beer, Central Oregonians love to come together for both. Food carts and taproom pods offer the perfect place for people to gather and enjoy the pleasures of both.
The Central Oregon region has seen a dramatic increase in the appearance of food carts and taproom pods, with 11 in Bend alone, according to Visit Bend.
“I think restaurants will always have a place in our community,” said Kenneth Bryant, co-owner of Alley Dogs. “But I'm seeing more of this happening and I like it.”
Bryant, co-owner of two Alley Dogs food trucks in Bend, said food carts are more cost-effective than owning a restaurant. For him, leasing a spot in a pod averages $1,500 a month.
“The cost of starting a food truck is generally much lower than a brick-and-mortar location. The barrier to entry is much lower than a regular restaurant,” said Aaron Fass, co-owner of P!zza Food Truck.
P!zza is located inside the Midtown Yacht Club, one of 13 food trucks in Bend, according to the city.The remaining three of his projects are in the approval process.
A recent entry into the food industry is Ponch's Place, a veterinary referral center with 18 faucets and four kitchen trucks.
“It's great for our customers, it's great for people who are waiting for their pet to be treated, it's great for our staff who need a lunch break or a place to hang out,” said Stephen, owner of the Veterinary Referral Center.・Mr. Stockdale said. Punch's place.
“Even in this area of town, there's a lot of industry and businesses and not a lot of options,” Stockdale said. “So just seeing local workers come in for lunch or grab a bite to eat after work is really great.”
Food cart pods are gaining attention beyond Bend. In an online search, NewsChannel 21 discovered his 30-odd pod areas with varying numbers of food carts in central Oregon.
That number will likely increase even more when Century Commons Taps & Tracks opens in Sunriver. The pod plan includes seven food cart options paired with a variety of beers, ciders and kombuchas in the taproom.
“Having multiple food carts with different menus gives people a reason to keep coming back,” Bryant said.
The increase in pod numbers doesn't seem to bother owners who welcome competition.
“For example, we have seven food trucks and a beer garden here, so we have eight different businesses operating here. And in one location, it's basically a food strip mall,” Fass said. he said.