The Food Truck Phenomenom (restaurant, bbq, health, tuna)

[missik999]

Food trucks have exploded in popularity in the city where I live. I know in some areas of the country they have been around for years but they are new in this area.

I work downtown, and the food trucks start pulling up and parking in any available parking spaces, or in off-street lots, around 11 am. They stay until 1:00 or until their food sells out. People stand in long lines to purchase food from the trucks. Gourmet tacos, pizza, vegetarian, BBQ, Italian, Chinese, speciality fries, baked potatoes, soups, sandwiches, baked goods, diner food, specialty popsicles, ice cream.......you name it and it is being sold out of a truck.

Some of the local restaurants have complained that the food trucks park in front of their restaurants during peak times of the day, lure customers away and leave trash behind. Food trucks don't have the same overhead as brick-and-mortar restaurants, as they don't pay rent, have lower staffing needs and at least in some states aren't regulated as strictly as restaurants or required to have health department inspections.

The management at some of the larger office buildings downtown have complained that their employees purchase food from the trucks and bring it back inside the employee cafeterias to eat, using the silverware, napkins, etc. provided by the cafeterias.

A friend of mine stood in line for almost an hour to purchase 3 appetizer-size tacos for $10, which she ate standing up, on the sidewalk. I guess I just don't get it, when several downtown Mexican restaurants offer a complete meal with drink included for far less than she paid for three little tacos. Not to mention a real table, real silverware and a place to dine in air conditioned comfort,

[Ohiogirl81]

I get it if you don't work downtown: I work in an old factory that's been converted to offices, and there's not much around us except highways and other old factories, and one gas station with donuts inside the convenience store. A food truck would be most welcome!

Not at 3 tacos for $10, though ... I'd rather have bratwurst for $3.50.

[missik999]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

I get it if you don't work downtown: I work in an old factory that's been converted to offices, and there's not much around us except highways and other old factories, and one gas station with donuts inside the convenience store. A food truck would be most welcome!

Not at 3 tacos for $10, though ... I'd rather have bratwurst for $3.50.

All the prices seem high to me, especially considering that people either sit down on the curb or stand up to eat, or carry the food back to eat at their office.

All the food trucks sell soda by the can and bottles of water, all are $4 each.

[Fontucky]

There is no way I'd:

A: Stand in line for an hour
B: Pay 10 bucks for three tacos, as I live in the land of cheap and delicious Mexican food.

[kaimuki]

Food trucks have been around a long time in Honolulu. They serve what we call plate lunches. Mostly Asian and Hawaiian food that's usually delicious and reasonably priced.

[fibonacci]

They're great. A good way to get higher quality food for cheaper since the owners don't have to pay for staff, insurance on a restaurant, overhead etc.

[DewDropInn]

Originally Posted by kaimuki

Food trucks have been around a long time in Honolulu. They serve what we call plate lunches. Mostly Asian and Hawaiian food that's usually delicious and reasonably priced.

I had a plate lunch for dinner tonight.

[smartygurl]

I love food trucks.

[kaimuki]

Originally Posted by DewDropInn

I had a plate lunch for dinner tonight.

Are you in Hawaii? What did you have?

[jlawrence01]

Unfortunately, my favorite food truck moved to a restaurant ...

Sobo’s Iconic Purple Catering Truck And The End Of An Era… : Scout Magazine

SOBO - Tofino BC