Restaurants Vs. Taco Trucks ~ East LA
The Los Angeles Times weighs in on the simmering debate over mobile taco wagons, commonly known as taco trucks, in East Los Angeles. The story frames the debate as one of vendors (taco trucks) versus merchants (restaurants). Featuring quotes from both vendors and merchants stating their cases, the story is light on the opinions of the people who matter most– the customers. Followers of the taco lifestyle, please let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Are taco trucks an illegitimate threat to traditional taco shops? Should taco trucks be forced to scurry around the city, changing position every hour? Vote below, then comment on this post.
(4 tacos)
Arte wrote:
On the one hand I feel for the restaurant owners since my uncle owns a restaurant and half of the problem is dealing with the city, etc.
But on the other hand it’s a free market economy and if your restaurant can’t compete with a truck maybe you need to think about your overall business plan. like, maybe you need a nicer decor etc.
Posted on 14-Apr-08 at 5:50 pm | Permalink
Edraid wrote:
What about Taco trucks being (haven’t checked facts) a cultural landmark of Los Angeles?! Can nothing grow indigenously?
Posted on 15-Apr-08 at 8:07 am | Permalink
Dona Junta wrote:
My uncle as well has a resturant but he started his business with a TACO truck, he had it for about 7 yrs or so he posted at the same spot around 10 pm in San Pedro,there where times he had issues with the city on being at a spot so long but he managed to stay ahead of the game,he then moved up to now owning two taco resturants so it was a stepping stone for him. He still has the taco truck when he caters events and what not, but I dont think that it should be a big problem with the resturants. I mean I see what they mean but like it says in the artical or how my uncle did mabey possibly change up the stagedy more variety, better prices,or maybe having a truck as well or offer night specials that might allure the customer some kind of marketing. As for the law having the trucks moving every hour I see what they mean but its not convientant for the popular spots for us customers,I think the taco trucks are fine how it is in East Los but I guess it is two (gente) trying to make a living so its a tuff debate,do the trucks come all day? don’t they usually post up after hours? at least most of them right?
Also for example I am sure there can’t be to much of a diffrence if its East LA or South Central or even San Pedro are people only complaining in East Los?? Thre is Taco Trucks just about everywhere
The area I work in is an industrial area and we do have a moving truck that comes in daily around break times it makes stops through out the vacinity I mean its convienent for these trucks becuase they are moving often and its morning and noon hours BUT the people still go to the nearby resturants so its not a problem weather the truck moved or not people want to sit in a place and eat they can if they want to eat in front of a taco truck they can as well we do have the ultimate choice, give us a good deal and most likey we are there..
Posted on 15-Apr-08 at 11:47 am | Permalink
Lucy wrote:
I would really like to see a story on the business owner, much like myself who started with a taco truck 22 years ago and because of local business owners (restaurants) complaining about my tacos truck in their area taking away their business, i was forced to shut it down! I then opened a two restaurants in that same area and have been very successful! I see it as “Fair Competition NOW”. I see the restaurant owners point of view NOW, because i am now competing with the taco trucks! I as a business owner have to pay workers compensation, business insurance, rent, property tax, bills that taco truck never see! Above all SALES TAX! It’s unfair when they price their food at the same price as my food! I know exactly what kind of profit they are seeing, and i can’t make that profit because i have a restaurant?
I would love to tell you more… i just feel like there is too much to say in an email. I don’t see it fair for taco trucks, to be in competiton with us restaurants! The day they see the monetary obligations we see, will be the day that it becomes fair! Other wise why would anyone have restaurants when you can get a truck and not pay any bills, insurance, tax’s???? Something has to be done in favor of US! WE ARE THE ONES MAKING THIS ECONOMY GO ROUND WITH ALL THE BILLS WE PAY. Every cent they see goes into their pocket! i speak from experience!
Posted on 23-Apr-08 at 4:11 pm | Permalink