Pine-ing for good food ?
The Pines Dine combines delicious eats with local history in Lincoln City
By Sabine Wilson
For the TODAY
In February of 2020, Lincoln City Council unanimously approved two ordinances that would allow for food carts to operate within the city limits.
While many locals grew excited about the prospect of perhaps having one or two carts to spice up the town, local entrepreneurial couple Ross and Rachelle Rehberg were thinking big for the Taft area. They started a development from the ground up which would eventually transform into the beloved The Pines Dine food cart village.
In 2021 Rachelle said, “We always had a vision of 51st street being the ‘it’ spot for people to park, walk the area and go to different restaurants and attractions. They could visit the bay, the beach, the park, and soon the food truck village which we’re really excited about.”
Three years have passed since then and The Pines has grown into a place for people to fill up not only on delicious and diverse foods, but also build connections with people and the area.
As you pass through the space trying to pick out which food carts to buy from, there is something else in the air aside from the delicious steamed momos and freshly cut carne asada. People are coming together from all over to meet for meals, to laugh and break bread, to catch up, to play games and even to have business meetings.
The Pines has provided a plethora of good food options in a short amount of time, satisfying the foodies in town and making it easy for groups to go to one location with an abundance of delicious choices to satisfy every palate. But most importantly, The Pines is representative of where social interaction, culture and food intersect.
Taft has also since transformed into an up and coming spot for Lincoln City. Since the Rehbergs spearheaded the development of The Pines, another massive development was built right down the street. On top of that, the new community park has been introduced and committed to Taft right across the street.
While the area continues to grow and develop, it’s easy to forget about the rich history that stems from the area. Ross and Rachelle want to ensure The Pines pays homage to what came before them.
“This spot has always been known as ‘The Pines’ going back to the 1920s,” Rachelle said. “Fred Watson built the first Pines Hotel & Restaurant and it was the ‘it’ spot in the ’60s but unfortunately it burned down.”
Built in 1927, the Pines Hotel was a destination resort that included a complete ballroom, restaurant and a place for locals to play cards and gamble.
“A lot of our long-time third- and fourth-generation Lincoln City residents can relate to what The Pines was,” Ross said. “And while we have created something new, we also hope to continue to pass that heritage and culture on.”
This history was interlaced through the design, decor, and architecture of the new space.
“Many aspects of the time period are really inspiring to me,” Rachelle said, “and I felt that implementing some of the finished work and decor would be a nice nod to the Pines Hotel as well as the 1920s vibe,”
The Pines includes a beverage bar and event space known as Vin & Bräu with a beautiful black and emerald green interior, golden accents, crystal chandeliers, and other 1920s-inspired decor. As The Pines has continued to grow, it has established itself as a hub for the community. Of course, visitors enjoy its vast array of delicious food options but Lincoln City locals congregate there for more than just food. The Pines has a consistent carousel of events including Music Bingo at 6 pm on Wednesdays, Trivia Night at 6 pm on Thursdays, “Friday Night Flights,” which includes different types of alcohol each week, live music events, night markets, fundraisers and more.
“I think a lot of people look at Lincoln City as just a tourist town and I think that’s a mistake,” Ross said. “The community goes so much deeper than that. There is a great community of people that really cares for one another here and it’s nice to be able to be a part of that.”
The 12 operating food carts on site include: Bobablastic, Blue’s Beach Burgers, Gyropoulus, The Balkan Gypsy, Rook & Larder, Taqueria 101, Sushi 101, Smoked Out Sandwiches, Momo on the Wheels, Pattaya, Taki’s Souvlaki and Sha Sha’s Poke. The central building known as Vin & Bräu, is an indoor beverage bar and event space for guests to enjoy their meals, while finding the perfect drink to pair it with (full bar, 10 taps, plus an array of non-alcoholic drinks are available).
“We're just really grateful to even have the opportunity to do this,” Rachelle said.
The Pines Dine is located at 5040 SE Hwy. 101. For more information on The Pines Dine, Vin & Brau, and food cart hours or menus go to www.thepinesdine.com. Or, follow The Pines Dine and Vin & Brau on Facebook. Public parking is available in the lot behind the property on SE Inlet Avenue.