Map of Proposed Regulations
Click map to enlarge

From a press release:

Food trucks will become illegal in most of downtown if Mayor Vincent Gray’s proposed new regulations are passed, said the Food Truck Association of Metropolitan of Washington, who today released a map showing the impact of the proposed regulations.

“The proposed regulations have one outcome – less choice and competition for District resident’s dollars and less food trucks just where residents want them the most,” said Doug Povich, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Food Truck Association and Co-owner of Red Hook Lobster Pound-DC. “The proposed parking restrictions have little to do with protecting public health and safety, and everything to do with restricting competition and consumer choice.”

Mayor Gray has proposed severe restrictions on where food trucks can serve customers, including:

Restricting food trucks in the most popular locations – with the exception of a limited number of lottery-assigned designated spaces;
Banning food trucks from serving from within 500 feet of lottery-assigned spaces;
Banning food trucks from serving where there is less than 10 feet of unobstructed sidewalk.
A map by the Food Truck Association shows the proposed regulations would make most of the Central Business District off-limits to food trucks – highlighted in red on the map.

“Red means dead.” “Food trucks who do not win a lottery spot will have few places to go,” said Povich. “The bottom line is that, if enacted, the proposed regulations will severely limit consumer choice, force many food trucks out of business, and put many food-truck employees out of work.

“Simply put, these regulations will hurt the city, ” Povich said. “The District will lose hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue. And DC residents and workers will be left with fewer choices and less opportunities for their dollars.”



1830 14th Street, NW

A bit of interesting scuttlebutt this morning – a tipster sends word that an “evening food market and bar” is coming to the former art gallery (in the old Hunted House) space at 1830 14th St, NW. The proposed market will be filled by various food truck-type vendors (some who are apparently quite well known) as well as a beer/wine bar. They expect to open around May. Could be awesome. More info as it becomes available.


I’m always on the hunt for a good gyro – so I’m wondering what folks think of the DC Greek Food truck? How does it compare to gyros at brick and mortar spots like the Greek Spot or the Greek Deli?


From a Crêpes Parfait press release:

The Food Truck

The Crêpes Parfait mobile crêperie has been designed to resemble an old French countryside
structure, with its white cracked stucco, stained wooden shutters and metallic copper accents.
The large serving window offers a full view of the chef preparing the crêpes from scratch, and
the aromas spreading invitingly for a very memorable customer experience.

Soft Opening: Farragut Square, Saturday, 12/8/12, 12 PM

Crêpes Parfait will conduct a Soft Opening at 12:00 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012 to
friends, family and members of the media. Crêpes will be sold at a special sale price of $5.00
between 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM to the general public.

Grand Opening: State Dept. Virginia Ave, Monday, 12/10/12, 11 AM

On Monday, December 10, 2012, Crêpes Parfait will reveal the Grand Opening of their beautiful
new food truck to the general public at 11:00 AM!

The Crêpes

Crêpes Parfait brings traditional Old World flavors to Washington that are typically enjoyed in
northern France. The perfect 15-inch crêpes are cooked on old fashioned cast iron griddles
with sweet and savory fillings. After the grand opening, all crêpes will be competitively priced
between $7-$9 with up to a quarter pound of fillings that will satisfy any meal. Specials and
combination meals with soup and a beverage will target a very happy $10-15 price point. For
gluten-sensitive patrons, a gluten-free version of all crêpes are available.

You can see their menu here.



Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

As owners of three DC brick-and-mortar restaurants, we oppose Mayor Gray’s proposals to limit food trucks in the most popular locations in the city. These proposed regulations create vague rules where there is less than 10 feet of “unobstructed” sidewalk and give the Department of Transportation new powers to determine where food trucks can and cannot operate.

These proposals do little to satisfy the administration’s desire to manage public space and threaten to push out food trucks from large areas of downtown. Mayor Gray’s proposal would stifle entrepreneurship and put at risk the hundreds of jobs food trucks create.

As entrepreneurs, we oppose any policy that threatens the livelihood of small businesses — brick-and-mortar or mobile. But there’s an additional reason why Mayor Gray’s proposal troubles us. We are not only restaurant owners; we are also the owner-operators of three of DC’s first food trucks.

When we first set out to open our restaurants a few short years ago, it was the height of one of the worst recessions in history. Credit and investment money had dried up, and no banks were lending the +$500,000 needed to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant. We cobbled together — from family, friends and savings — enough to open the next best thing: a food truck.

It turned out to be a smart move. Our food trucks enabled us to master the ins and outs of the food service business. We were able to test whether or not we really were up for the 24-7 work life of a small business owner. And when we returned to the banks for restaurant financing lenders counted our food trucks as collateral, tallied our Twitter followers as ready customers and saw successful businesses worth investing in.

Our food trucks are what made our brick-and-mortar restaurants possible.

We shouldn’t be the last food truck owner-operators to open restaurants in DC. When we started our food trucks it was just us on board the trucks; as we grew we hired a handful of employees; now our restaurants employ dozens of District residents.

However, if Mayor Gray’s proposal was adopted there would certainly be far fewer food truck owner-operators opening restaurants in the District. Or we may find a growing number of us hanging our shingle in the more business friendly communities just outside the District’s borders.

Stephan Boillon, Owner, El Floridano food truck and Mothership restaurant

Roger Horotwitz and Brian Sykora, Owners, Pleasant Pops food truck and Pleasant Pops Farmhouse Market & Café

Trent Allen and Josh Saltzman, Owners, PORC food truck and Kangaroo Boxing Club restaurant

After the jump read more details from the Food Truck Association: (more…)


From their Facebook page:

“José Andrés’ food truck

Serving Spanish flauta sandwiches, soup, and virgin cocktails.”

I’ve been noticing the Pepe food truck in Columbia Heights – anyone try them out yet? How does the food compare to the food from his restaurants?



Photo courtesy of TaKorean

From a press release:

Just a little over two years after the TaKorean food truck took the DC lunch scene by storm, TaKorean will open a new, permanent outpost at the new Union Market. TaKorean started its operation out of a 1985 Ford Step-Van in August of 2010 and has remained one of the most popular DC food trucks through the explosion of mobile vending in the District. Union Market, located at 1309 5th St, NE, is a newly opened artisanal food market dedicated to offering the DC metro area a culinary experience that is unmatched. TaKorean Owner/Operator, Mike Lenard says, “TaKorean is thrilled to be involved in Union Market along with several other industry leaders and top artisanal vendors.“

TaKorean’s recipes continue to be made from scratch using the freshest ingredients available. In addition to delicious Korean style meats, TaKorean serves vegetarian and vegan options, along with occasional specials. TaKorean will be open from 11AM-8PM Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to start. In mid-November, the market is expected to expand hours to Tuesday through Sunday and will remain open year-round as a permanent establishment. The TaKorean food truck will continue to operate daily for lunch service downtown and additionally for events and catering requests.

Owner Mike Lenard has created a variety of Asian inspired taco combinations and menu items to “consistently provide customers with fresh, interesting, healthy, and delicious tasting food that gives them something to smile about.” A native of Washington D.C., Lenard is determined to provide healthy, well-balanced meals at a reasonable price ($3.50-$9 for food) to his fellow Washingtonians while also giving back to the community and local environmental causes. TaKorean is continuing to pledge 1% of gross sales from both locations to local environmental and youth based non-profit organizations.

At TaKorean in Union Market, one can enjoy a choice of Korean-style Bulgogi beef, tangy chicken, or caramelized tofu tacos topped with fresh spicy or mild slaw, cool lime crèma, Sriracha chili sauce, fresh cilantro and sesame seeds on top of warm corn tortillas.


Photo courtesy of TaKorean


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