According to my new friend, @ChrisHowdy, SOL Mexican Grill was chased out of their spot at L’Enfant Plaza today by MPD and a popcorn sidewalk cart operator. According to Chris, SOL, the MPD and the popcorn vendor were involved in a heated discussion that resulted in SOL Mexican Grill driving out of their parking space.

I can only speculate as to what was going on, but it does seem to be another case of a new DC food truck operator learning where to park and where not to park. My guess: SOL parked too close to the popcorn vendor for his own comfort and the popcorn vendor called MPD because SOL didn’t have a line of customers. Part of the old DC ice cream truck regulations that food trucks operate under states that the food truck has to have a line formed in front of it, or else MPD can force them to move locations. MPD generally enforces that rule only when someone complains.. like an angry popcorn man. 🙂

UPDATE: @kosmo_wren just tweeted me to say that he was in line nearby at El Floridano and the word is that SOL Mexican Grill was not licensed.

UPDATE 2: I have received official word that the reason SOL Mexican Grill was shutdown today because, while they are licensed, the licensed individual was not in the truck during operation.  It’s a relatively minor offense and I’m sure we’ll see them back out as soon as tomorrow.