Comments on What's She Eating Now?: The Food Truck Dilemma

I don't think there's any reason that food trucks ...

2009-09-23T19:00:19.694-04:00

I don't think there's any reason that food trucks and restaurants can't coexist. The food truck trend seems to be just a further segmentation of the market, and competition like this invariably benefits the consumer (you). Previously, you had restaurants/delis and street carts. Now there is an option in between, with the convenience of the street cart and better food.

I appreciate that ordinances are in place for a reason and should be respected. However, if restaurants have an issue with food trucks, it's probably because they're having problems covering their higher overhead. That either means (i) their food isn't good enough to justify the higher prices their business model requires or (ii) their rent is too high. So they should probably focus on improving their food or re-negotiate their lease, but complaining won't help.

Here's what I think. I'm all for food trucks. I li...

2009-09-23T18:47:33.285-04:00

Here's what I think. I'm all for food trucks. I like the variety and the convenience. That said, there is an ordinance on the books in NYC which says an outdoor food vendor must be 25 feet away from any store selling like items. Let's not forget that the food trucks and street-meat guys are not paying rent and their share of property taxes which are typically on the backs of stores (like Eisenberg's). I'm all for competition, but these laws are in place for a reason, even if they are rarely enforced. There's plenty of business out there for everyone, but let the food trucks show a little respect. There's no reason for them to set up shop right in front of an established food business, unless their intent is to antagonize.

As a free market consumer - of deliciousness! - i...

2009-09-23T13:03:58.071-04:00

As a free market consumer - of deliciousness! - it's your responsibility to prevent truck competition from driving - ! - oldtimers out of business: Eat two lunches.

The cream will rise to the top. If Eisenberg's mak...

2009-09-23T11:44:43.363-04:00

The cream will rise to the top. If Eisenberg's makes a superior lunch at a comperable price they will get the business. If not, the truck will win. The trucks are a new development in the past few years, to be honest I'm not sure how I feel. On the one hand they provide a huge upgrade in food quality over (most) street carts who sling dirty water dogs and overpriced sodas (nothing like watching a vendor hustle a tourist on a $2 can). What the carts lack in my opinion is the charm of a NYC street vendor- charming in the same way an old subway car is. It seems these days anyone can dress like the lead singer of weazer and open some food truck sporting some new food trend.

I don't know about "good and reasonably priced" It...

2009-09-23T11:33:57.776-04:00

I don't know about "good and reasonably priced" It's $9 for breaded meat (which wasn't bad) and two very skimpy sides. The sauerkraut that's really old cole slaw and austrian potato salad that's not much of a potato salad at all.

Aside from maybe policing sanitary features, I don...

2009-09-22T15:02:30.247-04:00

Aside from maybe policing sanitary features, I don't think there should be any restrictions on trucks in the long-run. It's true that there will be some short run disruptions while the market absorbs and responds to the supply (maybe it takes time and a little trial and error to improve your ancient recipe or lower your costs and bring your customers back), but otherwise the income/time savings freed up from increased competition with lead to other jobs being created and more mouths being fed....

Nice article!