Food trucks vs. Restaurants (Houston, Austin: city hall, how much, buy)

[Oildog]

I heard the local food truck are gathering in response to perceived hassles by police and inspectors. Its rumored that the restaurants have complained to city hall that the trucks have negatively impacted their businesses.

I'm of the opinion the food trucks have taken the to-go concept a bit further. They come to you or your festival. Many small businesses can have a truck instead of paying for expensive catering.

Anyone else hear about this?

[testmo]

food truck owners are definitely complaining about the city of houston and inspectors. someone wants to kill the businesses but i dont think it's restaurant owners. you are perfectly able to open your own food truck as a side business from your restaurant

city of houston permits and licenses have always been crazy and difficult. probably can be said about most other cities as well. houston is just too big to have the organization yet

[David Dollar]

There was not a problem with food trucks when it was just Mexican food. It has to be restaurant owners pressuring the city. I think they are a great addition to a dull urban area. They are thriving in Austin.

[City Love]

I think it's a neat idea, which I haven't tried yet. I can completely see it taking away business from nearby restaurants, especially in the bar/club areas which have a high influx of customers once 1am comes around.

Anyone recommend any good ones to try?

[jilliannie]

I wonder how much clout these restaurants have considering so many are owned by big local or statewide companies. This kinda sounds like the same way walmart kills the little guy. That is too bad since many of these little trucks are great! support your local TRUE mom and pops businesses people!!!!!

[TimBomb]

you mean 'madres and padres'

[Liljo22]

Originally Posted by City Love

I think it's a neat idea, which I haven't tried yet. I can completely see it taking away business from nearby restaurants, especially in the bar/club areas which have a high influx of customers once 1am comes around.

Anyone recommend any good ones to try?

My personal favorites are Bernie's Burger Bus and Rolling Hunger(Korean/Mexican fusion). Both as well as a few others are around the Montrose area for lunch.

[Liljo22]

Originally Posted by TimBomb

you mean 'madres and padres'

Not really. The food truck movement across the country are not the taco trucks showing up to construction sites anymore. They are all types of foods right down to cupcakes and high end dessert trucks. You can take any restaurant idea, buy a food truck for $50k and cut most of your overhead.

Noel furniture had 6 or 7 trucks in their parking lot for lunch a month or two ago. It was packed when I got there.

[lame_excuse]

Sounds like Big Government to me. Or pissed-off restaurants.

Originally Posted by Liljo22

My personal favorites are Bernie's Burger Bus and Rolling Hunger(Korean/Mexican fusion). Both as well as a few others are around the Montrose area for lunch.

Korixan food? I must investigate this further.

[David Dollar]

Originally Posted by Liljo22

Not really. The food truck movement across the country are not the taco trucks showing up to construction sites anymore. They are all types of foods right down to cupcakes and high end dessert trucks. You can take any restaurant idea, buy a food truck for $50k and cut most of your overhead.

Noel furniture had 6 or 7 trucks in their parking lot for lunch a month or two ago. It was packed when I got there.

Construction sites??????? Do you realize this is the Houston forum? There are hundreds of Mexican food trucks in the predominatly Mexican city? They are everywhere.