First, bacon-wrapped hot dogs, now this. No more fun of any kind!

I wonder what “change location” actually means, though. Can they get away with the old L.A. parking trick and just roll the truck forward a few inches?

You know what we need? GoogleTaco.

I’d be happy if they’d drive faster than 8.3 mph and confine themselves to the right/slow lane. Well, that and outlawing stupid songs instead of a few short beeps of their horn.

Would be nice, though, to get rid of the ones that are salmonella on wheels.

This IS an outrage! The trucks are an LA institution! Let’s hope they don’t have to resort to drivng around like the ice cream trucks for pete’s sake.

Hit that lady up! It’s time to register outrage!

Her website: http://molina.lacounty.gov/

her email address: molina@bos.lacounty.gov

I WANT TACOZONE!

Mierda!! Does this apply to Glendale as well, because the al pastor on this one truck……….

You know that hot new trend of designating “lighting districts” and “sign districts?” What about a Taco District? Imagine being able to travel down Van Nuys Boulevard to dine at the truck of your own choosing!

if they take away my taco zone, yamo burn this place to the ground! isn’t there some amendment to the constitution concerning my drunken rights?

I love taco trucks at least as much as the next person (Surfer Taco, 6th and Columbia, http://tacohunt.blogspot.com/2007/02/surfer-taco.html – SO effin amazing), but I also love brick-n-mortar mom-n-pop businesses. And these are the taxpaying locals who say taco trucks are hurting their business. Now, WTF do I know beyond killer carne asada, but “ZOMG CITY HALL IS ELIMINATING TACO TRUCKS LETS POST PITHY STICKERS EVERYWHERE” seems like a less effective solution than, you know, figuring out a way for everyone to coexist. And am I missing something, or is asking the trucks to move every hour a relatively low-impact way to preserve the peace?

I’ve been thinking about this “issue” for a week now. It’s hard for me to feel too bad about the bricks and mortar shops because, 1) they’re everywhere, 2) they’re expensive comparatively speaking, and 3) the slow service at times.

Let’s take my street, Huntington Dr. There are a lot of restuarants over here and 3 of them are very good. However, if I’m hungry NOW and broke (as always), I’m not going to Hecho in Mexico where it takes 10 minutes to order a drink and another 20 to get the drink, nevermind actually eating your food–you’re looking at 30 – 40 minutes after you walk in the door. I’ll go to one of the taco trucks where I can get tacos and a burrito to feed my entire family under $20 and in 10 minutes. As tasty as Hecho in Mexico is, we’ve never left there with a bill under $75 and usually 2 hours pass us by as we wait and wait and wait to get our bill. Such a shame because it is a very nice, albeit empty, restaurant and the food is good.

I get the troubles of the bricks and mortar shops and yes, the taco trucks should probably park where there’s less competition for restaurants, like closer to my house…but we must look at this logically too. The taco truck vendors have been taxed, fined and legislated at the whim of the merchants, when do they get a say in how they run their businesses?

I don’t really think they’re talking about table service restaurants here, but places like King Taco that offer food of a similar style and price range as the taco trucks. While I love taco trucks and want them to stick around for sure, I can also see the other side, which is that it costs a lot to maintain a stationary eatery, and it would kind of suck if someone pulled their taco truck right in front of your restaurant and it diminished your business.

Does the new law apply to the City of Los Angles, and all cities within L.A. County, or just the unincorporated sections of L.A.County, like East Los, Basset, Altadena, Hacienda Heights, etc.?

“While I love taco trucks and want them to stick around for sure, I can also see the other side, which is that it costs a lot to maintain a stationary eatery, and it would kind of suck if someone pulled their taco truck right in front of your restaurant and it diminished your business.”

hindinwood – wouldn’t a better solution to this issue be to just set up a zoning regulations so they couldn’t, for example, set up within 500 feet of a restaurant? Or better yet, the restaurant could do a better job of making the tacos so I will go to the restaurant instead of the taco truck.

I like the taco trucks. Never gotten sick out of one. ‘

I do understand the small non-restaurant guys point of view as well. These guys are busting their butt trying to make a living too. I’d rather see it set up like Thurmanoliver suggested that way the taco truck isn’t in direct competition but putting up a distance limit and his suggestion of 500 feet is perfect.

I think the 500 ft. rule would be more appropriate. This just isn’t being handled very well I’m afraid.
As far as quality, it’s probably impossible to offer the same food at the same prices with the overhead of a restaurant. That’s something the owners have to make up for with ambience (El Gran Burrito!)and a kick ass salsa bar. I also have to mention La Estrella on Figeuroa, just because.

Thank gawd City Hall has seen fit to concentrate their efforts on important issues like taco trucks rather than saving our neighborhoods

People keep on mentioning “City Hall” as the culprit. Since it’s Gloria Molina behind this action the building we should be hurling rotten eggs at is the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration where the county supervisors are stationed.

Just recieved a response from Mrs. Molina’s office today, to wit:

“Thank you for contacting my office to express your views regarding the
proposed changes to the Los Angeles County peddling ordinance. Please be
aware that this ordinance is effective only in the unincorporated areas
of Los Angeles County.

The proposed changes to the ordinance allow peddlers to remain in one
location in a commercial zone for one hour. The current ordinance
permits 30 minutes in one location. For your information, vending from a
sidewalk has never been permitted in Los Angeles County. Our ordinance
will protect the health and welfare of our residents and respect the
needs of our business community.

If you require additional assistance with a County-related matter,
please do not hesitate to contact my office at (323) 881-4601. Thank
you.

Sincerely,

GLORIA MOLINA
Supervisor, First District”

woohoo we stand corrected its “county hall” not “city hall”.

That only makes it clear we need a consistent approach to the issue. Both are vialble businesses that need and deserve and equal shot at making a living.

Wow, I remember the good old days in LA…taco trucks, smoking in bars and a very seedy Hollywood Blvd. Oh how times have changed.

Thank you COUNTY Supervisor Molina for answering my question. So the Trucks on Figueroa, Eagle Rock, Venice, Sunset, Santa Monica, and other parts within the CITY of Los Angeles will all be preserved. Including, and especially this one.

Wouldn’t it be great if people like kids and people as much as they liked tacos? This is major big deal which is great, but you know wow it’s pretty amazing in regards to everything going on in regards to people and rights that this is the thing that really caught on.

Browne

Well Browne, I think that’s the thing. While social health programs and children’s advocacy are a separate issue from the taco trucks, one thing is true:

People DON’T really like kids & people as much as tacos.

They like tacos better.

[...] guy flashing his tattoo (April 18); a petition against a new city law requiring taco trucks to move on after one hour (April 18); A Grilled Cheese Invitational Cook-Off (April 17); [...]

Im fine with it. Get rid of the trucks that are killing businesses and making people spill their number twos.

[...] friend Evan at Hot Knives pointed this out to me: in light of the recent legislation that could potentially punish taco truck owners with jail time if they linger in one location too [...]