New York’s food trucks offer up an amazing variety, from waffles and cupcakes to schnitzel and Korean tacos.

But as their numbers have expanded in recent years, complaints have started coming in from both brick-and-mortar businesses and residents.

“Food trucks have become popular in many corners of the city, but most of them are operating illegally,” either by vending from metered spots or by not following existing parking laws, Manhattan Councilman Dan Garodnick told Metro.

He further pointed out that when multiple trucks line up, “You get essentially a wall of commercial activity in the street, which can change the character of a neighborhood.”

In an attempt to resolve the free-for-all, Garodnick introduced a bill last month that would create special parking spots just for food trucks. No more than one truck would be allowed per block, and at least half of the spots would be outside Manhattan.

“They are an inexpensive food option and have even become a gourmet experience in some cases,” Garodnick said. “So we’re trying to set forth rules that allow the trucks to operate with some certainty but also protect communities.”

The bill set the maximum number of food truck spots at 450. However, Garodnick called that number merely “a discussion starter.”

“I am certain the bill will be revised to increase the number of spaces,” said David Weber, president of the NYC Food Truck Association, who explained that it was drafted before city officials testified that there were about 530 food trucks in the five boroughs.

Weber added that the current rules were so outdated that they used words like “hawker” and “huckster.” As a result, he supported the idea of legislation.

“New York City has the best culinary talent in the country and the most dense and active streets,” he said. “There is no reason we shouldn’t have the country’s best street food.”

Other stakeholders likewise believe that something must be done, although they disagree on the specifics.

At a hearing last month, a representative from the mayor’s office backed the “broader intentions” of Garodnick’s bill, but said it needed a “strong enforcement component.”

The mayor’s office made a number of suggestions, including that food trucks bid for the right to certain street locations, that they switch over to cleaner fuels and more environmentally friendly packaging materials, and that they be responsible for the cleanliness of their immediate vicinity.

Meanwhile, Monica Blum, president of the Lincoln Square Business Improvement District, said the bill should also address the roughly 4,500 food carts on the city’s streets.

“I don’t think you can consider one independent of the other,” Blum said. “If you regulate only the trucks you can still have nine food carts along one block.”

She expressed concern that mobile food vendors were unfairly competing with brick-and-mortar businesses.

“What currently happens now is that, quite frankly, mobile food trucks park directly in front of our quick-serves,” Blum said. “And we don’t feel that’s appropriate.”

Nonetheless, she acknowledged that food trucks serve a need. “There’s no doubt that many people like them,” she said.

The post Council legislation attempts to resolve food truck free-for-all appeared first on Metro.us.

It’s that time again, folks. Come Saturday, a fleet of the best and brightest food truckers culled from Boston and New York City will set up camp on the Greenway and go head-to-head in this spring’s Food Truck Throwdown. Admission is free, and if last October’s star-studded bout was any indication, the chance to chow down en masse should by no means be missed.

“Both cities have some fantastic trucks,” says Mei Mei Street Kitchen co-founder Irene Li. “Not only do we get to eat each others’ food, but we also get a little time to talk, compare notes and learn from one another.”  

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  PHOTOS: Food trucks around town

The sibling-run Mei Mei Street Kitchen joins a roster of trucks armed to the teeth with talent — outdoor lunchers can count on appearances by favorites Bon Me, KickAss Cupcakes, Chubby Chickpea, and Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, among others.

“The last Throwdown feels like it happened ages ago,” Li says. “We’ve put dozens of new items on the menu since then, so we really tried to look at all of our dishes and pick the ones that are the most streamline-able and the most delicious.”

“Plus, we started making bacon,” she adds. “Expect lots of bacon.”

Included in a judging panel packed with local culinary luminaries and enthusiasts is Jamie Bissonnette, chef and owner of Toro and Coppa.

“Eighteen trucks… daunting. I am afraid I’ll miss something,” he says of the challenges that arise when faced with a Greenway littered with gourmet fare. “Judging this will be more about the cohesiveness of the foods, styles and overall flavor.”

Roxy’s Grilled Cheese founder James DiSabatino, the winner of last year’s Best Truck Design, is more than ready for the influx of meals on wheels. “The city didn’t allow food trucks three years ago, and now we have trucks from other cities visiting. That’s really cool in my book,” he says. “But, we still plan on kicking their a—es in the Throwdown.”

Last fall’s event fed more than 1,000 hungry city-dwellers, a wave that nearly brought the Roxy’s team to their knees. Not this year, DiSabatino assures. To boot, the grilled cheese experts will be offering a category dedicated to one event sponsor: Maker’s Mark. According to DiSabatino, “it’s going to knock some socks off.”

“It’s a food revolution. It’s changing the way people dine in urban areas,” he continues. “It had to happen.”

2013 Food Truck Throwdown
Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
The Greenway (between State and India streets), Boston
Free admission
foodtruckthrowdown.com

The post Food Fight! Boston vs. New York Food Truck Throwdown is back appeared first on Metro.us.

I have a deep love for Latin food, which might come as a surprise to anyone reading Food Truck Lovin’ since I have yet to review a food truck that has one of my favorite foods. That’s why this week I knew what I had to do. I had to head to the Taco Bite truck immediately.

As I approached the bright blue truck with the fun lettering, I was intrigued by the huge menu and the amount of possible combinations. I’m not great at math so I honestly couldn’t tell you, but I know there’s a ton.

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  Taco Bites food truck

Their menu consists of three basic items: tacos (soft corn tortilla or crunchy shell), burrito (filled with rice, beans, cheese and sauce in a flour tortilla) or a quesadilla (flour tortilla with shredded Monterrey Jack and cheddar cheese). But then things get a little complicated. You can choose from many different insides (chicken, steak, ground beef, carnitas, spicy pork, chorizo and more) and five different sauces (picante rojo, salsa verde, pineapple BBQ, chipotle mayo or avocado delight). If you want, you can even have “mango bite” (a spicy sauce) or sour cream. The best part, though, is the Mexican soda, Jarritos.

The combinations are truly endless.

As I pondered on my very important lunch decision, I settled on a hard shell grilled chicken taco with pineapple BBQ (topped off with onions and cilantro) and a nopales taco with the “avocado delight” sauce (topped with lettuce and cheese).

If you’ve never had nopales (also known as cactus, yes really!), then you’re in for a treat. I was very surprised to find that they are watery, squishy and very salty. I’ve actually never had cactus before and I find it surprisingly pleasant, though I think next time I will have it with a sweeter sauce. The tacos, though, were truly divine–my only regret is that I haven’t had the chance to try the burrito or quesadilla yet. But if the tacos are any indication, we’re all in for a REAL treat.

If you’re craving a taco in countless variations (and, seriously, why wouldn’t you be?), then check out tacobite.com, see what they’re up to on Facebook or follow them on Twitter for their latest delicious locations. And yes, you definitely should because unbelievable tacos are absolutely always worth it. Yum!

The post Taco Bite: More variation than you’ll know what to do with! appeared first on Metro.us.