Are We Ready for Food Carts?
The TNT reported yesterday on current efforts around our City to relax the requirements for food carts so that we actually have … food carts! At this point we are limited to hot dogs and espresso. While hot dogs and espresso may have their place, it’s not exactly the diverse food scene that many of you aspire to.
Over the last few weeks several people around our office have talked about food carts. They’ve mentioned their favorites in different towns. They’ve talked about their dream food cart for downtown Tacoma. We’ve heard about everything from tacos to phad thai to late night oysters.
Relaxing the rules is one thing. Actually getting the vendors will be another thing entirely. So, if your dream cart were to come to town, or you were to open it, what would it be and where would you put it?
Link to The News Tribune
Filed under: General
18 comments
M Mike May 4, 2010
As someone who’s got a cart idea percolating, the most challenging aspect of the current code falls under the “where would you put it?” question. I want my cart to be mobile… appearing freely where events are happening and people are gathering. The “pick a spot and stay there” approach is stifling to dynamic business ideas.
D dONOVAN May 4, 2010
What he said.
also pomme frites
C crenshaw sepulveda May 4, 2010
Any truth to the rumor that Eric Anderson will be posing for the hot dogs that all the vendors will be required to sell?
D DavidS May 4, 2010
I can’t wait to see the first cart with both hot dogs and espresso. A little hi-lo action in the food cart world.
But really, why is this so hard for regulators to get their heads around? There must be something about being 30miles south of Seattle that precludes us from having the same sets of rules. While Tacoma is unique, I’m not sure we need to discover fire again just for food carts.
(Good to see the ice cream cart at the chalk-off though. I expect those will still be allowed.)
E Erik B. May 4, 2010
The City of Tacoma has so many onerous regulations that have thwarted much of a street life.
This is one small step toward allowing life in downtown to flourish.
Let’s hope it goes through.
T tacoma1 May 4, 2010
I was in Portland recently. Their food carts have totally revitalized some of their neighborhoods. I was walking along Mississippi Ave (found some great places there) and of course, the river walk.
Having people outside walking around, talking, shopping, eating, that makes a city.
T tom waits May 4, 2010
i think everyone is missing the point: because the TPHD regulations make it nearly impossible to be a street food vendor, it is also impossible to get a food borne illness.
thus, public safety is assured once again by our local officials.
i am going to add this to my list of totally awesome public policies, right alongside free street parking and strip mall inducing parking requirements.
may tacoma continue to lead the region in cutting edge thinking.
thank you.
J Jesse May 4, 2010
The city needs to expand the borders out to under I-705 by Puyallup Ave on Saturdays only so Tacomans can put together a Saturday Market. The food carts, arts, crafts, and entertainment can camp there together on the weekends relatively dry and it’s along LINK. Vendors could move carts there on Saturdays.
J Jesse May 5, 2010
Hmmm… or Saturday Market in the graffiti garage and spilled onto Broadway? There needs to be a staircase on the side of the graff garage so the downstairs and the downstairs parking lot could be used too. Hmmm…. this could be interesting…
M Mofo from the Hood May 5, 2010
This is a hard city. I’ve been tryin’ since I was 4 years old to get a street permit to sell Chiclets.
S Squid May 5, 2010
I want lutefisk on a steek.
S Squid May 5, 2010
Mofo, man you don’t need no permit for Chick-lettes.
T Thorax O'Tool May 5, 2010
Halapeeenos.
On a steeeeeeeck.
B Bardworthey May 5, 2010
Food carts are needed around Tollefson Plaza and the museum district. When I lived in NYC I lived on the food carts which offered a wide variety of the greatest food in the world. IF only Tacoma would wake up and smell the food. It could be the new aroma of Tacoma.
B boearc May 6, 2010
Jessie @ 9, go check out the old plans for just such a market that are posted in one of the interior doorways at Sandord and Son – c. 1996 or 1997 (replete with stairway down the side I seem to remember).
S seadog92 May 8, 2010
There’s a new food cart…well trailer actually, on South Tacoma Way next to Premium Motors and across from the recycling place. It serves BBQ, hot dogs, sloppy joes and BBQ Beef sandwiches! I’ve had the pork, and it’s nice and smoky.
A Altered Chords May 8, 2010
Instead of food carts this town needs mobile “biggest loser” like personal trainers with bullhorns. We’ve got serious waistline issues in Tacoma.
J Jeff's Ice Cream May 9, 2010
I have to say hello to all of you and invite you to Frost Park this Friday from noon to 1. I’ll be there with premium made in WA ice cream bars, tubes, and fruit bars. I can make deliveries to most downtown locations on Fridays as well. The hills limit me a bit but, not much. I’d love to see a nice crepe vendor open up or maybe a fish and chips cart.