The Multnomah Village French Quarter

OK, I hate to give this review because I had high hopes. I still do, and I hope the owner reads this and makes the right moves.
French Quarter started out strong. Parsons farm was a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I live right around the corner, so it was nice to have a place to buy produce right nearby. Then the food carts started popping up, and that was nice. They are pretty good. Finally French Quarter had a soft opening, promised a pizza place, and it looked as if all was going to go the right way. However, that’s where it stopped.
The first signs were these blue plastic barrels cut in half with galvanized pipes stuck into them to serve as fencing. The result is a look better suited to a junk yard or perhaps temporary riot control. OK weird, then a strange covered wagon showed up, plopped in the middle. It now sits moldering in the rain out front. Not sure what this is meant to be … the new End of the Oregon Trail? Pioneer woman’s grave? Custer’s last stand? Your guess. The whole place acquired a shabby DIY feel, chaotically organized amateur hour.
Then the owner, apparently unaware that you need permits to do things in cities ran into trouble as he tried to open 5 businesses in the parking lot, plus another 5 inside. The city naturally threw a flag, and said «Where’s the parking?» There is little to none. He could pave the street behind, add parking there, but nope, doesn’t want to do that. He also didn’t realize that you can’t just take an old auto mechanic’s shop and do whatever you want. The permit process is there to protect the neighborhood, and ultimately make sure everything is on the up-​and-​up.
Further, he then circulates a petition to get the city to change its permit requirements. Okay, but on his own facebook page another petition exits to stop a development in the Village. The complaint? — you guess it, not enough parking. Can’t have it both ways.
Even Parsons farm seems to be slipping as I have been disappointed in the produce quality this summer.
My advice to the owner: Do the right thing. Hire professionals — a designer, contractors, and an architect. Get the right permits. Clean it up and put in parking. Do this and people will come. Promise. It may cost now, but in the end you will reap the rewards.

French Quarter is not a destination.
If you live nearby, maybe walk by sometime to check it out or pick up some food. But there is nothing that truly stands out here.
The French Quarter is a good idea that may slowly come together??? Who knows.
I live around the block and have been to all of the businesses that are open. But it seems there are businesses that are missing… Like the «opening soon» pizza joint that is still not there after much anticipation all summer. Many shops have opened and closed in the larger building (that recently housed Lounge Lizard) in the past couple years.
I purchase flowers, veggies and fruit from the stand on the corner and food/​drink from Noy Viet Lao as well as the coffee cart. These are great!
The «French Quarter» is nonexistent. It’s a sad comparison and it perhaps not the best location for successful business endeavors.
Good luck to all who have businesses here!

I’m 5 staring this because the yellow truck has some super good Yellow Curry Chicken, the lady is really nice and there isn’t much else here in The Ville.
So they are winning this hood. But even with competition it would be hard to beat her.
I’d recommend phoning in your order to avoid a wait.
Go try the yellow truck.

The red curry with chicken at the Vietnamese food cart at this location is authentic, generous and deliciously wonderful! A very enthusiastic thumbs up!
After eating, take a stroll through the new gift shops there as well — it’s shaping up to be a delightful addition to the Village.

Okay, I’m writing a review because I walked there one day with my dog and stopped for an excellent espresso and a vegan pudding thing with nuts in a dish that was very yummy. It’s in the coffee cart in the French Quarter. I was so pooped after walking 4 miles that I didn’t even go in the store, but its on my list now. I did buy some steak and ground beef from the fish wagon (nice woman) and the meat was amazing. Grain fed, locally sourced. I’ll be back over and over again and with more cash. BTW, the fruit and veggies from the stand were so fresh. Yum, yum, yum, yum, and also YUM.

Great place to hang out. It is a repro of a French street inside a building. I found homemade soap (My favorite soap), silver jewels (Reverie) and handmade Turkish plates (Harmony trade). There is a Viet Laotian (Noy Viet Lao) food cart that is super yummy and could eat inside the building. Also, a nice coffee cart (Silva Café). I found my fresh produce with Parsons farms and Flying Fish Co. Great place tfor shopping and hang out in Multnomah.

One part food cart pod
One part community gathering spot
One part event space with a dash of shopping
It seems like the early stages were forming last summer when Parson’s Farms set up their farm stand on the corner. At that point, I believe the Lounge Lizard still occupied the indoor space with their eclectic mix of furnishings, but they’ve since closed up shop.
Recently, I noticed that more food carts have arrived and now the indoor space is a mix of indoor seating for the carts and open space for community events. In a couple weeks they will be holding a Winter Bazaar with vendors and artists.
At one time or another, I’ve shopped or purchased items from all of the carts. The Silva Café is the morning option with fresh baked goods and they close by 3:00p. In the evening, you can grab lunch or dinner at the Vietnamese/​Thai/​Laotian cart, Noy Viet Lao, or pick up some fish or related sauces and condiments to cook at home from The Flying Fish Co. cart. It is worth a visit here just to tour their cart (yes, you can walk inside). Just look for the Live Nude Fish sign.
What has struck me most about the French Quarter is the sense of community. Every time I visit, I think I am the only one who hasn’t walked here from their home in the close knit Multnomah Village community. So having indoor seating (not just a tarp covering picnic benches like other cart pods), but an actual building, makes this an ideal spot to visit with neighbors.
While one section is a dedicated dining area, the main building appears to be more of a work in progress and because of the open space, this is where families tend to hang out so their kids have a little space to roam. I’ve truly enjoyed the incredibly friendly vendors and patrons. And, John’s Marketplace, which has a great selection of drinks is just across the street. So you can probably swing by there and pick up something interesting to have with your meal.
I’m told the next evolution of this space will be the addition of wood-​fired pizza and beer spot inside the building. Some of the vendors also have permanent space on the outer portions of the building, but the middle section will be left open and then used for special events.
I love visiting this area and am happy to be able to stroll down the hill from the main village to have this adjoining area with interesting food options.