Where do you all stand in the Food Truck debate!!Yea or Nay (Chicago: renting, how much)

[SoxCub Fan]

I would love to see an assortment of gourmet food trucks around the city...I think Chicago would have more to offer than the LA scene....hopefully we can get an ordinance passed making it easier for aspiring food truck owners to start their businesses. We only have one "true" food truck....I find that to be very ! Sometimes Chicago can really have a stick up its own ***

[chet everett]

Lord knows I love to eat, but the logistics of trying to ensure a fair and safe allocation of resources just seems like such a waste. How much more good would come from increasing the inspections at existing resturants and maybe reducing the restaurant tax to encourage more young / creative types to open places that will do more good in terms of jobs and neighborhoods than some smelly truck which cogsup traffic and competes with existing businesses who have much high costs...

[SoxCub Fan]

But even if they do reduce the taxes the low start-up costs associated with a food truck compared to owning a restaurant is like night and day. $5 to 10,000 vs. $50 to 150,000 its a no-brainer, much much lower overhead and a food truck can sell just as much or more food than a traditional. Food trucks are more profitable. And a traditional restaurants customers are confined to mainly neighborhood residence who may or may not want to support therefore making it a riskier venture. Where as a food truck can make money where ever the traffic is, and with the right spot at the right time they can clean up.

[long101]

If it brings good food to the loop I'm all for it. I'm sick of choosing between potbellys, mcdonalds, and panda.

[SoxCub Fan]

Originally Posted by chet everett

the logistics of trying to ensure a fair and safe allocation of resources just seems like such a waste.

Why would it be a waste??....it seem like Chicago is insistent on being
a "worker bee" culture. Your whole statement is senseless.

[chet everett]

The costs of hiring MORE inspectors to potentially allow lower overhead food trucks to drive DOWN businessin traditional restraints that pay more wrkers and help to stabilize communities by renting out the retailspace is a LOOSING proposition. The City would paying more inspectors and seeing DECLINING revenue . How they gonna make sure the food trucks rare paying taxes?

Just seems like a HUGE step BACKWARDS into a sort of cruddy "small town" kind of mnd set. I mean for crying out there are no shortage of creatives chef around. Try getting a ticket to Achatz place Next....

You can't tell me that with so many people willing to throw down dough like that there is no profit to be had from opening a REAL resturant that employs MANY MORE people, has certified safe food handling practices and is in EVERY WAY better for the City. What happens when the driver / chef has to take Pee? They gonna pull into a Citgo station and trust they won't com me out with nore germs on their hands than you average contagious disease researcher with a failed clean suit???

[Attrill]

Originally Posted by chet everett

Just seems like a HUGE step BACKWARDS into a sort of cruddy "small town" kind of mnd set. I mean for crying out there are no shortage of creatives chef around. Try getting a ticket to Achatz place Next....

What in the world are you talking about?!?! Passing the ordinance will put Chicago in line with "small towns" like New York and LA - where food trucks are doing great business, and frequently allow chefs to raise money to open a bricks and mortar restaurant. Chicago is way behind on this.

[dewthedru]

check out the Meatyballs Mobile. they go downtown and are supposed to be fantastic. they were featured on the Chicago's Best TV show. follow them on twitter to find out when/where they are

Twitter

[grapico]

if the restaurants in the loop can't compete with the food trucks, they don't deserve to be there. And even without food trucks, the restaurant scene in the loop is pretty dismal.
iI think putting more food trucks, street performers and generally more activity overall in the downtown and core, instead of making it all corporate which has been the trend over the last 5 years is a better way to go.
I generally bring my lunch downtown b/c frankly most of the food in the loop sucks or if it is good, is too expensive.

[andywire]

Originally Posted by grapico

if the restaurants in the loop can't compete with the food trucks, they don't deserve to be there. And even without food trucks, the restaurant scene in the loop is pretty dismal.
iI think putting more food trucks, street performers and generally more activity overall in the downtown and core, instead of making it all corporate which has been the trend over the last 5 years is a better way to go.
I generally bring my lunch downtown b/c frankly most of the food in the loop sucks or if it is good, is too expensive.

I agree 100%. Why try to prop up or support businesses that can't compete? Isn't it competition that drives achievement and innovation? There is a food truck that comes to my work everyday and offers tasty, reasonably priced food. Because of this, no one at my work goes to the nearby Denny's, 7/11 or the gas station. Guess we need to put a stop to this