Options expanding for Bend’s Eastside foodies

It’s a first for Bend’s Eastside, and it’ll mean more options to eat, drink and hang out. A food truck lot and taproom called On Tap is on the way to Northeast Cushing Drive.

It’s a similar concept to places such as The Lot on Bend’s Westside and The Bite in Tumalo. There will be six food trucks, which is one more than both The Lot and The Bite. There will also be more than 30 rotating taps, featuring beer, wine, cider and kombucha.

Owner Eric Kramer lives on the east side of town and wants to give people there more options.

“We’re going to have a big lawn, plenty of lawn games. We’re going to have fire pits and outdoor seating, and we’re just creating a really fun atmosphere for everybody in the community to enjoy,” he said Wednesday.

The area of the new food truck lot and taproom is surrounded by businesses, including the area’s largest employer, St. Charles Bend. Kramer said he wants people working in the area to have a place they can easily walk to.

“A lot of people don’t want to give up their parking spots during the weekday, so this is a really good option for people to walk to both at lunch, and then after work,” he said

Project Manager Klint O’Neal said everything is going smoothly, and they may even be a little ahead of schedule.

“We’re currently in the framing stage right now,” he said. “Over the next few weeks, as we finish framing, we’ll start enclosing the structure, putting on the roof, siding, doors, that sort of thing. Then we’ll move in to mechanical, electrical, plumbing finishes.”

On Tap is set to open around April 1.