There is a new flock in town. You might even say it’s ritzy. I’m talking about The Flock located at 917 SW Alder St, in downtown Portland. The Flock is a vibrant food hall that opened on February 2 and the ground floor of the Ritz Hotel only a half mile from Lincoln.
People are already flocking there to try one of the seven food vendors offering a variety of international options. When I was there, a bunch of people came with their families and friends. From Mexican food to the Mediterranean, there is something here for everyone.
The food vendors pay tribute to Portland’s large food cart culture, including the popular Alder Street Food Carts that were previously located on the city block where the Ritz Carlton was built.
I went to see what the hype was about on a Saturday night and it was a lively scene with vibey music and lots of people. The garage doors along the side facing SW 9th Avenue could be so cool if they opened up during summertime.
Hawda (preferred not to share her last name) works at a Middle Eastern food cart known as Queen Mama’s Kitchen and shared her experience with how business has been so far in The Flock.
“It positively impacted us. We get customers at our first location [located at SW 5th and Oak] that’ll say ‘Oh we tried some of your menu items at the food hall and wanted to see what else you guys have.’ There’s been a lot of business so far,” said Hawda.
I also asked about what inspired their company to bring their food to The Flock.
“We serve Middle Eastern foods that specialize in Saudi Arabia, which is a first, and it’s a great opportunity and [we] thought it would be a great chance to showcase our food and our culture to the people [of Portland],” she said.
She also shared that she enjoys the variety of tastes at Flock.
“Some [people] will come in wanting one spot, they’ll be like ‘oh maybe I should check this place out [too]’ … we also have desserts, [and] there’s only one other dessert option so people come by after their meal and check out our cheesecakes,” Hawda said.
The food carts located at The Flock were the ‘Nest and Vine,’ ‘Prime Tap House,’ ‘Zab Pinto Thai Kitchen,’ ‘Pan Roast,’ ‘HK Bistro,’ ‘Queen Mama’s Kitchen,’ ‘Birrieria La Plaza’ and ‘BBQ Kitchen.’ The two times visited I tried different carts. I first went and experienced the food from the HK Bistro and the dumplings were pretty good. The second time I went, I got the hummus and pita bread from Queen Mama’s Kitchen which was delectable. All the food carts are slightly on the pricier side but are good quality. It’s cool how these characteristic food carts juxtapose the corporate feel of the Ritz.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Portland’s food carts or just looking for a new spot to grab a bite, The Flock Food Hall is a fresh take on a beloved tradition—one worth checking out.