The DC Food Truck Association is really concerned about the “10 foot rule” in the Mayor’s proposed food truck regulations, and we all should be, too!  It states that food trucks can’t park on a side of the street if there is an obstruction on the sidewalk that reduces the width of the sidewalk to under 10 feet.  The DCFTA notes that this kind of rule is copied over from brick and mortar sidewalk cafe rules which, by the way, only need to provide 6 feet of sidewalk space (pdf).

The DCFTA conducted a site survey of the 10 most popular serving locations in the District and found that brick and mortar restaurants can potentially keep food trucks out of 8 of those 10 locations!  The 10 foot rule has to go, and we need food truck fans to make their voice heard by next Tuesday (Nov 13) when the comment period closes.

Comments can be submitted:

• Over www.RulesThatWork.org
• By e-mail to DCVendingRegs@dc.gov
• By letter to Mr. Helder Gil, Legislative Affairs Specialist, Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, 1100 Fourth Street, SW, Room 5164, Washington, D.C. 20024

Comments are due by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 13, 2012.

Here is the survey conducted by the DCFTA:

From the owners: “Rolling Ficelle’s crew has decided to donate 1% of net sales this week (Nov 5-9) to those who have been victimized by Hurricane Sandy. Help us help a good cause!”

Also worth noting is that a handful of DC food trucks have running donation programs, like TaKorean, which donates 1% to a different charity every month.

Goodies is going to give out free cake and custard today (11/6) in celebration of “Gigi’s” BIG 60th b-day!  They are still deciding on what location to do the giveaway (after they serve at BET), so tweet them with your request! @goodiesdc

Also, Friday will be Goodies’ last day until next year when the weather warms back up.

Yumpling is getting ready to serve a variety of dumplings in the District.  This yellow truck will serve Middle Eastern, Spanish-American, and Asian dumplings, in addition to a unique nacho cheese dumpling.  I’ll keep you posted when they launch!  Here is their page.

The DC Food Truck Association needs your help in asking Mayor Gray to not limit the amount of food trucks allowed to serve downtown.  The rules are vague (mentioned in the press release below) and give DDOT a lot of latitude in preventing food trucks from serving at all of the popular spots, including Farragut and L’Enfant.  Can you imagine only 3 food trucks ever being allowed to serve at one time at Farragut Square?

The DCFTA outlines three ways to let your voice be heard:

1) Over www.RulesThatWork.org

2) By e-mail to DCVendingRegs@dc.gov

3) By letter to Mr. Helder Gil, Legislative Affairs Specialist, Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, 1100 Fourth Street, SW, Room 5164, Washington, D.C. 20024

Comments are due by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, November 13, 2012.

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Opening last week, The Salsa Room (TSR) Baked Empanadas (menu details) serves saltenas, which are like empanadas, but also containing a liquid stew.  The Washington Post’s Tim Carman has a nice tutorial on how to eat a saltena here.  Baked TSR is the mobile component to their brick and mortar restaurant in Arlington, operating since 1991.  The truck is permitted in the District.

Sinplicity, today at L’Enfant! Quote from the owner:

The Sinmobile prepares to shut down for the season. Two for one special on scoops and Sinwiches today and next Wednesday.

The Sinplicity Ice Cream Truck is about to take its winter hiatus. We’ll be shutting down at the end of October every year so that our catering operation can gear up for the busy holiday season.

To thank everyone for a great year, we’re offering a two for one special on Sinwiches and scooped ice creams today in L’Enfant Plaza. On Halloween, we’ll be out in a wildcard spot dressed for the occasion and offering the same “twofer” special. Please come out and say goodbye. Thanks to all for the support and enthusiasm, and we look forward to seeing everyone again in the Spring. Cheers.

The new Peruvian truck, El Fuego, is launching today at Cap South!  It’s hard to miss this fire-engine themed food truck.

Meatball Nation launches today (10/25) at L’Enfant plaza (the planned location)!  Keep an eye on their page for location updates.  They will have beef, pork, chicken and veg options.  It’ll be their first day, so please go easy on the reviews. 🙂

Members of the Food Truck Association (FTA) today will mark Food Day by highlighting an important but little-recognized benefit that food trucks provide the community — food trucks are one of the most efficient uses of public space in cities’ downtowns all over the country.

“By bringing food to the densest areas of downtown, food trucks are helping to reduce overall city congestion and maximizing the value of our public space,” said Craig Barsi, FTA organizer and owner of That Cheesecake Truck.

Food Truck Association members will be serving today at 21st and Virginia St NW, Farragut Square, L’Enfant Plaza and Metro Center.

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