Nissan's Addressing the Needs of Food Truck Vendors

Nissan unveiled it's food truck at the L.A. Auto Show. Photo: Rosanna Xia

via latimes

With the Food Truck craze going national, it was only a matter of time before an auto manufacturer got in on the action.

Being from the New York area, I saw the competition between trucks fighting for space or events not allowing all trucks to participate. This Nissan NV addresses his need by allowing a more stylish, smaller framed food truck to perform the same functions as a much larger standard food truck.

Read more...

If the Nissan NV looks familiar it may be because another model of the same van was recently selected as the NYC "Taxi of Tomorrow":

"Scratch Street Food" Food Truck

"Scratch Street Food" food truck of Indianapolis, Indiana is one of the newest players in the U.S. street food game.

ScratchTruck.com

Food Trucks Generating Other Sources of Income

Many food trucks are getting into catering - private and corporate.

Food Trucks Going to The Dogs

Phydough - a gourmet food truck for dogs.

via lxtv

Buffalo Food Truck Scene Hits Snag

Local ordinances and lack of a permit process won't allow Buffalo food trucks to serve a growing clientele.

via wgrz/@luvfoodtrucks

NY: Zagat's NYC Food Truck Frenzy

Good Day New York and Mike Woods take you to the site of Zagat's Food Truck Frenzy.

25 trucks, food & fun.

Zagat is embracing the street food truck scene by sponsoring a food truck festival in the Chelsea area(near the Highline).

This event is May 23rd, at 21st and 22nd Street btw. 10th & 11th Aves. from 12PM until 3PM.

Click this link for more info...

A Primer to Atlanta's Food Truck Scene

Atlanta is getting in on the street food scene - they might have come late to the party, but they've arrived.

Los Angeles, New York, Miami & San Francisco often come to mind when discussing street food. Now Atlanta can be added to that list - not because I've recently found out about it, but because of the organization and healthy growth their street food scene is experiencing. 

They totally get what the food truck is about - offering high quality eats at good prices, in a mobile setting.

Find out who many of the players are in the Atlanta street food game...

via 11alive

Special thanks to @keyinfluencer James Andrews(Follow him!) for pointing me in the right direction to do this post.

Follow some of them on Twitter:

• Yumbii / Korean BBQ - @Yumbii
• King of Pops / Gourmet popsicle - @theKingofPops
• Westside Creamery / Artisan ice cream - @WsideCreamery
• The Pup Truck / Gourmet hot dogs - @ThePupTruck
• YumYum Cupcake / Gourmet cupcakes - @yumyumcupcake
• Souper Jenny / Soup - @SouperJenny
• The Good Food Truck  / Variety - @GoodFoodTruck
• El Burro Pollo / Burrito - @elburropollo

Miami Beach May Consider Lifting Food Truck Ban... On Occasion

Miami food trucks. Photo: Larry ShaneMiami Beach may consider ending their food truck ban and allow the vendors to do business it the area... once a month.

Although, they don't want food trucks driving around the area, they are considering a monthly or bi-monthly food festival, which would allow vendors to congregate and offer their fare to the public.

While food trucks have had success in south Florida, they have faced resistance from Miami Beach and some brick and mortar restaurants - who worry about the competition(rightfully so).

Read more about the actual plan for Miami Beach... 

via miamiherald

Food Trucks in Los Angeles - Too Many Chefs In the Kitchen

Kogi's Roy Choi. Photo: Lawrence K. HoWhen Los Angeles' food trucks rolled out on to the streets everyone wanted to try the food.   They were gourmet, cool and the new thing to do.

Since that time(2 years), many more mediocre food trucks are crowding the market and some feel this has to stop.  They're selling a lower quality product.

The pursuit of money is commercializing something that once felt unique and was done for a love of cooking.  

Restaurants like Jack N The Box and Sizzler have added their corporate approach to the game. Their trucks being on the street make it a less desirable(and profitable) place to be.

Roy Choi has some opinions about it and he wants the opportunists to know...

via latimes

NY: Kimchi Taco Truck

The Kimchi Taco truck is the latest gourmet truck to hit the streets of New York.

You can find a mixture of Mexican and Korean food with a spicy twist on the menu Monday through Friday(between 11:30 am-2:30pm). 

The food's affordable, nothing over $8.

Check out the video...

To find the truck in your neighborhood, click here...

For spicy marinade recipe, click here...

LXTV: Meet Chicago's Food Truck Scene

We've told you about L.A., New York and Miami's food truck scene, now it's time to focus on Chicago.

Check you local listing for LXTV on NBC!

NYC Gourmet Food Trucks Are Fighting for Space

via wsj

After a year of being on the streets of New York, food trucks are dealing with the inevitable... lack of parking space in Manhattan.

It was only a matter of time.

Some of the newer trucks are trying to rewrite the rules of gourmet truck etiquette.

New York City's Food Truck Scene

New York's food truck scene is not brand new, but, it's in its infancy and growing.

While many foodies love them, there are detractors which include traditional food trucks which have been around for decades and brick and mortar restaurants.

Because they are mobile and often use Twitter and Facebook to keep customers updated as to location and availability of certain dishes, there is a certain convenience associated with them that is unique to food sales.

Wafles and Dinges Spread in a Jar

via nytimes

Gourmet Belgian waffle company, Wafles and Dinges now sells their gingerbread spread to patrons from their truck, website and at their kiosk.

The peanut butter textured spread goes on waffles and anything else that can take a spread.

Read more...

Bi-Coastal Food Truck/Restaurant Tension May Be Brewing

Chairman Bao food truck - they specialize in Asian-style steam and baked buns.

via marx

Imitation is often considered the highest form of flattery, but, what do you do when a new competitor in the food truck business steals your idea for your main food item and leads people to believe that he might be associated with you? Feel flattered?

You might say, "in the words of Dave Chappelle, 'Fuck yo' couch".

That's what Eddie Huang, the chef at Baohaus on the Lower East Side(Rivington Street) said. Eddie is based in New York and fluent in Ebonics, while the people who fund the Chairman Bao truck are based in San Francisco and corporate.

Read more...