America's Largest Food Cart Plaza Opens
America's largest food cart plaza just soft-opened on Vancouver's east side, promising a diverse array of global street food options. The plaza represents a major investment in food culture and urban dining experiences. Early reviews suggest it could become a premier destination for food tourists and locals alike.
The new Vancouver Station food plaza is the second such project from developer Tai Dang, who is also behind the successful Hillsboro Downtown Station. That location hosts 27 carts and has been operating for over two years, providing a model for the larger Vancouver venture. With space for 44 food carts, the Vancouver Station significantly surpasses other local food pods, including the 20-cart Oak Tree Station and the 31-cart BG Food Cartel in Beaverton. The project is located at 1817 S.E. 164th Ave., near landmarks like Big Al's and Gustav's. At the center of the plaza is an 8,000-square-foot, two-story building designed for year-round use. This indoor hub features a full bar with 34 drafts, a coffee bar, an ice cream shop, and additional seating on a mezzanine level. While more than 20 vendors have already signed up, the rollout of carts has been slowed by permitting and approval delays with the state's Department of Labor and Industries. This has led to a phased "soft opening" approach, with only a handful of carts like Esan Thai and Bobablastic operating initially. The plaza's general manager, Ryan Biornstad, has indicated that daily events are planned for the venue, including live music, DJs, trivia nights, and bingo. A grand opening is anticipated for spring 2026, once a majority of the food carts receive their permits and are on-site. The development is part of a larger vision for the area by Hillsboro Properties LLC, which is also planning a 138-unit apartment complex across the street from the food cart plaza.
