“Downtown is a park.”
“Big Idea 2” in the City of Orlando’s Downtown Action Plan Summary states: This section touts plans for a “dense network of active, memorable civic spaces with the best of downtown experiences.”
And Art²’s grand opening will have some delicious secret weapons in it, as the odds of a successful “best experience” increase exponentially when craft beer, noodles, and cookies are involved.
The long-planned “Urban Pocket Park,” which has been on the city’s to-do list since 2017 and has been on the city’s to-do list, will open to the public on Saturday after a mayoral ribbon cutting on Friday (October 10). A La Cart City will oversee its food and beverage program, among other arts, events and other activities that will set the tone for continued community building at the corner of Orange and Robinson Streets.
David Barilla, executive director of the Downtown Development Commission and Regional Development Authority, calls it a harmonious partnership.
In particular, plans for the city’s first privatized public park have evolved significantly in the years since its conception.
“At the time, we didn’t know what it would look like or how best to use Art² to make it an immersive, creative, destination-like experience,” Barilla says.
Downtown Orlando has changed a lot since 2017.
“And one of the biggest changes, especially in that location, is that we now have over 300 apartment complexes across the street,” Barilla points out.
“We had to ask ourselves if (the original plan) was still the right vision for this corner. That led to everything we have now, ala carts and rotating vendors and all these exciting things that we think are really well-suited to the direction that downtown is going.”
Chef Elliott Hillis says permanent parking guarantees an end to Red Panda Noodle’s most common complaint: “We can’t find you.”
The popular food truck, a multiple-time Orlando Sentinel Foodie Award winner and recent winner of the annual Orlando Ramen Rumble, will be home to Art² for the next two years.
It’s something Hillis and his partner Seth Parker have wanted for years.
Lesser Panda Noodle participates in Ramen Rumble 7
“But considering a brick-and-mortar store downtown is a big undertaking. The rent would be exorbitant,” he says. “We have the city’s support here and it’s a big step forward. It’s a great location and it’s really great to come together.”
Fans of A La Cart and its craft beer-driven food truck park will enjoy the same atmosphere and vibe, said co-owner April Williams, who opened ALC’s first location in Orlando’s Milk District with her husband Dustin Williams. 2018. The second time was in SoDo, in 2024.
But Williams said the city-owned space is lush and expansive, with towering Technicolor pieces like the 3D “Urban Mirage 1” mural by South Florida artist Sitski Dogan, and the two-story container structure is different.
“One of the things we’re most excited about exploring here is the art element,” she says.
Pure white walls make you want to get dressed.
“We will continue to raise funds by asking local artists to submit ideas for what they would like to have here and a fee to paint them. A portion of those funds and sales will go toward continuing to repaint the space every six months,” Williams said. “It will be a rotating art space that pays local artists and celebrates their work.”
Outside, a prominent 10×20 LED screen complements the mural, which features a regularly rotating loop of static and animated artwork.
“Digital art has come so far, especially in recent years,” Barilla said, pointing to the evolution of the project and the city’s interest in updating the vision for realization. Multiple calls for artists generated a lot of interest. Those selected will receive a scholarship and participate in the first wave of Art².
“[Screens]allow people to actively watch, and offer something unique to people enjoying food and drink on the spot, or even people who just happen to be walking by while walking down the street,” he says.
Williams said he wants Art² to align with the city’s vision, “making this a true art space for the community and having the a la cart aspect here will bring it all together.”
Hillis said Red Panda Noodle, which will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., will not only add a lighter lunch menu to its lineup, but also bring back breakfast favorites from the Orlando Meats era.
“Egg meat muffins, small breads for breakfast, and something sweet. Maybe donuts.”
Hunger Street Tacos’ Masa Mall, tortilla and masa wholesale production facility scheduled to open by year-end
But as the day progresses, Fat Ash Bakes, a city favorite that just opened its Milk District flagship, will take over dessert duties, tossing smaller versions of its best-selling cookies from the bar’s express counter.
This is a dream for co-owner Ashley D’Acunto and her husband, Israel Erazo, long-time fans of the À La Cart concept. They are excited about entering new markets and regions.
“Our store has a great following and loyal customers, but this is completely different,” Dakunto says.
“We’ve never been to a high-traffic area,” Eraso added. And, he points out, there are plenty of opportunities if you have a solid set of regular hours.
Fat Ash will sell its “Perfect Two-Bite Cookies” in single pieces as well as packs of four, six and eight, starting at $3.50 each. The more you get, the cheaper the price. Easy service allows guests to pre-order platters for meetings and events, or simply stop by.
A third supplier, operated in partnership with Culinary Collective, will have a permanent truck, but will also be able to move various concepts around the space.
Chef and owner Andres Maldonado Fuertes, who heads up this incubator, is no stranger to the mobile food game.
His À La Cart SoDo concept, Nona Street Pizza, Nona Street Bistro, and Brick & Butter, along with his simple 80s/20s handmade burgers at Great Southern Box Company, have given him small business lessons over the years.
“I know how difficult it is to get these kinds of concepts out into the world, so the idea behind Culinary Collective, through collaboration between myself, the City of A La Cart, and the City of Orlando, is to support them and give them a three-month head start.”
Florida artists will be featured this weekend at the Winter Park Autumn Arts Festival
A three-month stay allows guests to enjoy a diverse menu alongside heavyweights like Red Panda and Fat Ash, while new businesses can test their concepts with minimal investment. We have the space, POS system, and all the tools you need.
First up will be the 80s/20s burger, but in January there will be something completely new.
“The idea is to focus on community,” says Maldonado-Fuertes. “We believe that empowering local chefs and creators requires collaboration rather than competition, so we can all rise together.”
Barilla said unity was also part of the vision concept residents wanted.
“What we heard from the community was that they wanted a ‘Great Outdoors City’ with places to embrace the environment. Not just parks, but places to sit and eat and go outside and connect with friends and family. A little more ‘dwell time,’ so to speak.”
When it comes to food and beverage, he says À La Cart seemed like a natural fit.
“We couldn’t think of a better partner with the experience and capabilities[to help us achieve this]. They are operators who are truly committed to our city, and we have relied heavily on their expertise to make the park a success.”
Mr. Dakunto is also confident.
“There’s a lot of love and passion from everyone involved,” she says. “I can’t imagine it not working.”
Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram @amydroo or the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com, and for more foodie fun, join our Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
pocket park parking lot
Worried about where to park? The Park DTO program gives downtown visitors two hours of free parking in downtown metered and unmetered lots by using the ParkMoble app code: ParkDTO. Promo codes are valid 24/7 and can be used up to 12 times per account. Program ends at the earliest of reaching the cap or December 31, 2025.
Additionally, the city’s Ride DTO program functions like a free Uber service and runs daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“You get three free rides anywhere in the downtown area and then it’s $1 each,” Barilla said.
Users must request a ride through the Ride Circuit app.
First Published: October 9, 2025 3:00 PM EDT
