Food Trucks in Los Angeles (contractors, taxes, restaurants)

[greggd1]

First there were a few food trucks servicing contractors and late night trucks serving specialty south american dishes... Then more specialized trucks started doing the mexican/asian fusion and it took off from there.

Now there are food truck nights in parking lots, permanent trucks pulling up to bar parking lots pretty much every night.

For the past few months, I've seen a food truck each night at the carwash on santa monica and westwood blvd and all day on the weekends.

Well, yesterday I saw a food truck at a gas station on beverly and they set up tables and chairs, about 10 tables...

I'm thinking this is going too far and is really not fair to restaurant owners who pay much more taxes....some of these trucks are set up within 200 feet of restaurants/take outs that serve the same food.

Any restaurant owners/employees/food truck regulars? what are your thoughts.

[bigdumbgod]

Next up: Rolling Pub trucks, and medical marijuana trucks (or VW vans).

[ferretkona]

I don't see a problem.

[TimC2462]

Originally Posted by greggd1

First there were a few food trucks servicing contractors and late night trucks serving specialty south american dishes... Then more specialized trucks started doing the mexican/asian fusion and it took off from there.

Now there are food truck nights in parking lots, permanent trucks pulling up to bar parking lots pretty much every night.

For the past few months, I've seen a food truck each night at the carwash on santa monica and westwood blvd and all day on the weekends.

Well, yesterday I saw a food truck at a gas station on beverly and they set up tables and chairs, about 10 tables...

I'm thinking this is going too far and is really not fair to restaurant owners who pay much more taxes....some of these trucks are set up within 200 feet of restaurants/take outs that serve the same food.

Any restaurant owners/employees/food truck regulars? what are your thoughts.

It is not just taxes that are able to avoid, but also some of the regulation that comes with inspecting food facilities for full compliance. The state of California passed a law in 2007 requiring all facilities serving food that changes the temperature and flavor of food to undergo renovation for already existing facilities to be in full compliance of the California Retail Food Code.

In terms of ensuring that a facility is to be in full compliance, permanent facilities such buildings are under stricter requirements for plumbing, commercial flooring, public restrooms, commercial equipment for cooking and storing food, as well as food handling. On paper, mobile food services must comply with the same rules as permanent facilities do, but they do have certain exceptions which is often cheaper alternatives in comparison to the overhead and renovation costs that building operators face.

In terms of mobile food vehicles parking near restaurants -- I can see how this can be problematic since prospective restaurant owners are always concerned about the location of their new business. I would imagine that this would also make it less likely for customers to take the drive to the nearest brick and mortar facility to grab a meal. But to what extent, I don't know.

[drunk on kool aid]

Last October, KPCC's Airtalk program had a nice discussion about food trucks vs. brick & mortar. Here's the link to the podcast:

Airtalk - LA’s drive to curb food trucks

The discussion also covers the upcoming requirement for food trucks to be inspected and issued letter grades, just like stationary restaurants.

Like most things in life, there are plenty of gray areas. There's a big difference between a truck with an equivalent menu that parks in front of a restaurant during peak hours and a taco truck at 2AM where there's nothing open besides (maybe) a 24hr McDonald's.

I can't recall the TV show but there was a food truck owner who had opened a brick & mortar restaurant and laughingly said that he would chase away any food trucks.

[Visit a Library]

Originally Posted by greggd1

For the past few months, I've seen a food truck each night at the carwash on santa monica and westwood blvd and all day on the weekends.

I see that one too -- does it still have wheels or is the thing on blocks?

[greggd1]

Originally Posted by Visit a Library

I see that one too -- does it still have wheels or is the thing on blocks?

It is there 24/7 now... I dont think they should be allowed to pull up and park for more than 20 minutes anywhere. They are not clean and are an inconvenience...

I just stopped using that carwash. Tired of watching pigs chomp food at the tables while im waiting for my car to be washed. I pulled into the place about 2 weeks ago and cars going to the truck blocked the entrance right as I pulled in. So I had to back up onto SM blvd and go through the alleyway. Not right in my opinion.

[Chatteress]

Given the choice between a food truck and restaurant ... I'd opt for the restaurant as I'm always concerned about the food standards (or lack of) for food trucks. I used to work in a building that did not have any food places nearby so a food truck would provide regular service. They served the nastiest Mexican food and I once saw a fly on top of a tray of food inside the truck ... No thanks ... Don't wanna get my protein THAT way!

[jorge112597]

Originally Posted by Chatteress

Given the choice between a food truck and restaurant ... I'd opt for the restaurant as I'm always concerned about the food standards (or lack of) for food trucks. I used to work in a building that did not have any food places nearby so a food truck would provide regular service. They served the nastiest Mexican food and I once saw a fly on top of a tray of food inside the truck ... No thanks ... Don't wanna get my protein THAT way!

Don't act like you've never seen a fly before

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by jorge112597

Don't act like you've never seen a fly before

Seeing one is quite different from eating one or eating food contaminated by one.