Food Trucks Near FIDM Serve Up Controversy
Lauren Mattia
Students and local office employees take their pick from one of several food trucks parked on Hope street near FIDM on Friday.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — It's TGIF for hungry FIDM students and office workers, who flock to 9th and Hope to sample the affordable fare available from one of several food trucks for what local employees have coined "Food Truck Fridays."
While patrons see the influx of food trucks as a largely positive addition to the lack of dining options in the area, employees from nearby lunch spots like Simply Salad and Quizno's feel that the food truck employees are competing on an uneven playing field. "They will have some of their associates pull their cars around two hours before the lunch rush to secure a spot," a local lunch spot staffer said. "It's kind of getting out of control."
"They pick this block because of the lack of restaurants in the area," one staffer said. Although FIDM is bustling with activity, there are few affordable dining options near the campus.
Some restaurant staffers take a different spin on the competition. "In the end, they bring people to this corner that wouldn't normally be here," a source said. "I know some business owners who call the cops on them [food truck vendors] every day," he said. "but we are comfortable enough in our own skin, so we don't need to do that."
All over Los Angeles, food trucks have received a lot of criticism for their disregard of parking laws. "L.A. doesn't really have rules that regulate this kind of thing," another employee stated.
For large events like Art Walk, food trucks have their own designated parking zones, which frees up spots on the street. But the trucks near FIDM are a different story. "They park here knowing they are going to get a ticket," an employee said, "but for them, that is their rent."
What do you think about the food trucks near FIDM? Take our poll and let us know what's on your mind!
<a href="http://polldaddy.com/poll/4390266/">Do you think the food trucks near FIDM are a good or bad thing?</a><span style="font-size:9px;"><a href="http://polldaddy.com/features-surveys/">online surveys</a></span>
Candice Benjamin on January 14, 2011, at 04:29PM – #1
Really? Simply Salad is an overpriced option that is actually new to the area. The trucks are a great way to get affordable food that is constantly changing.
Sara Jones on January 14, 2011, at 05:27PM – #2
When I was a FIDM student I would have loved, loved the food trucks. When I went there, from 2002-2004, there was almost nothing in the way of lunch options. Your options were the student cafe selling overpriced prepared sandwiches or the food courts at Macy's Plaza and 7th and Fig, if you had the time between classes. Construction on the Ralph's didn't even begin until my last quarter. As far as the food truck restaurant debate; depends on the location. At FIDM, where the options still remain few and limited, I fail to see how a few food trucks on Fridays is really hurting anyone.
Johnny on January 15, 2011, at 03:33AM – #3
I am amazed by the energy and hustle of the people trying the trucks and the hard working vendors themselves, I love the food trucks on Fridays.
Why do local business feel like they are "stealing" from them, and constantly calling parking enforcement to write tickets for expired meters or extending into the red zone. Many come out for the trucks, resulting to spillover into the Quiznos and Coffee Beans at that corner. The audience for Panini Cafe is completely different, and their manager is a vocal protesters of the trucks; simply uncalled for.
If a business became a supporter of the trucks, a local like myself would happily frequent their business several times a week. But by complaining about these Friday events, I would skip them altogether during the week and pick up something from Ralph's.
This is a part of building up a vibrant South Park community and everybody stands to gain from this. If only people can see it as the pie expanding, instead of having to share the pie.
Jamie DeFrisco on January 15, 2011, at 11:17AM – #4
I understand the concerns of businesses. I assume that these businesses are actually seeing a drastic dip in sales when food trucks are around (as opposed to complaining over a few lost sales.) While I understand this, I also feel that if they were making good enough food then the food trucks wouldn't be a threat. If your business is built on the fact that people only eat there because there's no competition then of course people will stray. Even if your food is great if that's all there is in the area then people will want a variety.
My concerns are if frequent food trucks dissuade people from moving a business into a particular area.
Either way I enjoy food trucks. If a food truck is in the area I will go to it instead of eating at home. Rarely do I choose to go to a food truck over an established restaurant.
film rob on January 15, 2011, at 01:17PM – #5
If they follow the law and permits of the city fine. Fedex / UPS always gets tickets too.... I think the stores should adapt...don't be a Blockbuster.
Christopher Eaton on January 17, 2011, at 02:07AM – #6
Business breeds business. And competition is always better for the consumer. Get with it local restaurants. Welcome the foot traffic and the competition!
downtown vibe on January 17, 2011, at 10:38PM – #7
These food trucks on hope street are NOT paying the meters. They use fake parking tickets in the window to evade parking enforcement.
It is cheap to operate a truck compared to a restaurant. Who do you think is paying the taxes that maintain those streets the trucks are using? What about the business improvement districts? The property owners pay for extra services and the trucks just drive up, use the street and drive away.
Make no mistake, these people are pirates. Using their services is no different than buying illegal DVD's on the street corner. If you don't support the people who make permanent investments to the neighborhood, you will be left with "pop-up" everything.
Just remember that things that "pop-up" can disappear just as fast.
Zeppo on January 18, 2011, at 08:21AM – #8
Those investing in retail food start ups still are pioneers and need to be nurtured and, to some degree, protected by those of us who benefit from their presence. A stand alone "brick and mortar" restaurant or other food service operation costs a lot to design, build out and manage and is dependent on street traffic for it's potential success. Have a food trucks parked in front of restaurants is not productive.
We need a food truck parking and eating area so we can choose where and what to eat with out impeding the non-mobile businesses.
Cheri Adams Goldwater on January 24, 2011, at 07:59AM – #9
If I want a plain sandwich or chopped salad I will go to Quiznos or Simply Salad but I love having many options. I live just a few blocks away and love when I see the trucks.
Candice Benjamin on January 24, 2011, at 02:56PM – #10
@Downtown Vibe: This may be true, but for the restaurant owners, use the trucks as a learning experience. Customers want a variety of food that is fast and affordable. That's why Ralphs is doing so well during lunch time. Most people that are in the area are students. They can't afford to pay $15 for a lunch then wait 15 minutes to have it served to them.
"Make no mistake, these people are pirates. Using their services is no different than buying illegal DVD's on the street corner." That is a little extreme. After being in this area for 5+ years, I've seen brick-and-mortar stores disappear quickly, even before the trucks started coming around. Want to know why? They didn't take in account the customer.