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'Mobile Food Courts' Headed to Downtown

By Eric Richardson
Published: Monday, February 08, 2010, at 12:17PM
more than tacos Ed Fuentes

Patrons crowd around food trucks parked on Spring street during the January Downtown Art Walk.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — A trio of food trucks will act as guinea pigs for Downtown's first mobile food court this Thursday, making an eatery out of a loading dock at Alameda and Traction.

The lot could be the first of many for Downtown. Matt Geller, Vice President of SoCal Mobile Food Vendors Association and the man organizing Thursday's launch, is currently working with the Downtown Art Walk to secure private truck spaces on the outskirts of the popular monthly event.

Geller expects that program to launch in March. Getting the trucks off the street and away from the center of Art Walk would help reduce congestion in the center of the event, a problem that has caught the eye of LAPD and event organizers. Tom Gilmore, owner of the Old Bank District properties, has secured "No Parking" rules in recent months that have removed the trucks from the popular stretch of Main between 4th and 6th.

Thursday's Arts District lot will kick off during an Art Walk, but Geller isn't sure exactly how much connection the spot will have to the event, which takes place in the Historic Core.

The loading dock is owned by Robert Arranaga & Co, which has a wholesale grocery warehouse on the site. The company contacted Geller about bringing the trucks in. "They love the food trucks," said Geller. "They probably wanted some more lunch options."

Who else beside employees on-site will be visiting remains to be seen. "I don't know if this is going to be a prime location," said Geller. "It's all just sort of wild-eyed guessing at this point."

One mid-day stop at nearby Wurstkuche is enough to prove that workers from City Hall will make the Arts District trek if the food is right.

While on the east edge of Downtown, the site is actually well-served by transit. The DASH A stops not far away near 3rd and Traction, and picks back up at 3rd and Alameda. The site is also just a quick walk away from the Gold Line Eastside Extension's new Little Tokyo / Arts District station.

Transit might be a wise way to reach the site. Geller's drew chuckles from some Arts District residents, who have seen parking become much tougher in recent years as housing and nightlife have expanded. Geller said that a lot owned by the property owner may be made available going forward.

A Venice native, Geller has enjoyed getting acquainted with all that is now going on in the central city. He praised new Art Walk Executive Director Jay Lopez, but held out particular thanks for officers at LAPD's Central Division. "I couldn't have done the things I'm trying to do Downtown without their support and help," he said.

Food Truck Lot / 216 S. Alameda / Thursday, February 11: Lunch and Dinner; Friday: Lunch; Saturday: Dinner

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Conversation

Guest 1

LAofAnaheim on February 08, 2010, at 12:54PM – #1

To make this food truck lot more central to downtown...especially for the lunch crowd...they should place it in the parking lot near the Title Guarantee Lofts at 5th and Olive.


Guest 2

Joe on February 08, 2010, at 03:56PM – #2

Food trucks? Really? Whenever I think of lunch trucks, I unfortunately tend to think of an upset stomach quickly following.


Guest 3

Whitman Lam on February 09, 2010, at 08:32AM – #3

OK, so what about all the restaurants in Downtown who spend thousands of dollars on leasing ground floor space, they are overpaying? What can you buy from a lunch truck that they don't sell just a few blocks up on Alameda in the Olvera St district?


Guest 4

downtownian on February 09, 2010, at 09:03AM – #4

i think this is a good idea, but again, someone has missed the mark slightly. alameda and traction are nowhere near where they should be for the artwalk event. who thinks of this stuff anyway? no on is going to travel there when they can hit food trucks in the historic core. has common sense escaped these people?

people are going to hit the restaurants anyway. as a business owner, it is good to realize that there is enough business to go around. if you are selling a product that people like, they will come no matter what else is put in front of them. good businesses will continue to thrive. i don't think it is a huge threat.

the good point is rent and fees. these trucks should be given a fee from the city to set up shop for the night. it isn't fair to the businesses that are paying market rate rents, i agree.


Guest 5

Wsder on February 09, 2010, at 09:05AM – #5

Whitman: The food truck's provide a variety of food options for a lower cost. Your assertion that established restaurants who pay rent are some how more deserving of business runs counter to the economic principles of the US. When businesses compete, consumers win. I'm a consumer, sometimes I want a restaurant experience, and sometimes I just want food, which the trucks provide cheaper and faster. New industries frequently are assailed with accusations of unfair competition. Satellite TV was blasted by the Cable companies as having an unfair advantage because they didn't need to lay wires and could go anywhere (sounds familiar). If that had worked we'd all have less choice. If the existing restaurants were smart, they would renegotiate they're leases, and pass that savings on to their customers. Give me more choice, more competition, MORE FOOD!


Guest 6

Inscribed on February 09, 2010, at 09:28AM – #6

It may be a bit too far for artwalkers to walk to, but the writer of this article may be unfamiliar with two groups of hungry people willing to pay more than a few bucks for food truck fare: Sci arc students and overflow crowds too impatient for the long-azz line at nearby wurstkuche.


Guest 7

Rover on February 09, 2010, at 12:37PM – #7

Way off the beaten path for artwalk, but PERFECT for Little Tokyo / Goldline Extension / Sci-Arc!!

There have been other food trucks in the area and appear to be popular amongst the pedestrians - while lines are still populating the eateries and restaurants for the sit-down food experience. (The sidewalks in the area are also cleaner.)


Guest 1

LAofAnaheim on February 09, 2010, at 02:22PM – #8

Whitman: Keep in mind, that In-n-Out, Tommy's, and King Taco started out as food trucks. Thereafter, they became popular brick-and-mortar stores. The same thing is already starting to happen with Kogi truck.......(West LA store opening soon). It's an evolution process...


Guest 8

asku4water on February 09, 2010, at 07:15PM – #9

People are attracted to food, and the more food choices, the better! I recently had a great sandwich at a great price from a soup 'n sandwich food truck; so "truck" food is not just burritos and burgers anymore. I agree that the trucks would better serve Art Walk patrons if they're parked within reasonable walking distance.


Guest 9

bromike666 on February 11, 2010, at 07:58AM – #10

Way off the beaten path for artwalk, but PERFECT for Little Tokyo / Goldline Extension / Sci-Arc!!

You said it, screw all the artwalk tourist mess;-) Us Art District dwellers deserve a crack at lunch truck dining without having to hassle with the Thursday night tourists. I think I'm going to stop buy for lunch AND dinner.

AND....... Wsder is spot on.


Eric Richardson () on February 11, 2010, at 09:49AM – #11

Bad news for your dinner plans, bromike... The schedule is posted and doesn't list an evening service today.


Guest 9

Guest on February 11, 2010, at 09:31PM – #12

I made it just before the last truck took off for Artwalk. I've got the schedule and am headed back tomorrow and Saturday.


Guest 10

Guest on February 16, 2010, at 06:28PM – #13

Life thrives in diversity.


Guest 11

Guest on September 18, 2010, at 07:18AM – #14

IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ALL MOBILE FOOD TRUCKS WILL NEED SOMEONE CERTIFIED IN THE SERVE/SAFE FOOD MANAGER OR OWNER CERTIFICATION, WE WILL TRAVEL TO THEIR LOCATION TO CONDUCT THE CLASS AND GIVE THE EXAM, PLEASE CONTACT THIS NUMBER FOR MORE INFORMATION.

THANKS, HERMAN WAGNER



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