Just a heads-up to Truckeroo goers: the $1 donation is looking like it’s mandatory at the entrance of Das Bullpen. The donation goes to the Greenleaf Recreation Center in Southwest DC. Note: Georgetown Events (the venue operator), not the DC Food Truck Association, is requiring the $1 donation “entry fee.”
UPDATE: The DC Food Truck Association put out a statement regarding the surprise cover charge.
Wait, why do we need to pay to enter if we have to pay for the food once we enter anyway? That’s weird…
Way to mess up a good thing by charging a cover!! I don’t care that it was a dollar and supposedly going to charity, when you’re paying $15 to eat off a truck to start and $3 for a drink, I don’t need to get fleeced anymore.
And to the “bouncer” that accused us of not paying the cover–there were 2 of us and I rolled up $2 and dropped it in the jug–You had the NERVE to tell me “Not to disrespct YOU” How bout this, DON’T EVER DISRESPECT ME!! You won’t get that chance b/c I’ll NEVER patronize the event in 2012…..
Absolutely agree. Our truck and the Food Truck Assoc. was not made aware of the “donation” until the event got underway. We always bill this as a free event and appreciate all that come to our trucks. To fleece patrons at the door is unacceptable!
Alex & JA: I agree with both of you! I was just as shocked at the front entrance shakedown, especially since the flyer said “suggested donation.”
The Das Bullpen security guys acted shamefully. I really got the sense that they decided to make the “donation” mandatory and were going to jank the money jugs at the end of the event. At one point one of the guys was breaking larger bills and counting out singles while chomping on a huge cigar. He looked like a friggin’ bookie! What was most disappointing was their attitude and behavior toward people who questioned the mandatory “donation” policy. How is, “you don’t have to go in, no one is forcing you,” a valid response when someone says, “you should really advertise that it’s $1 to get in so people can be prepared”? As much as I love having Truckeroo so close by, DCFTA might want to consider a new venue that doesn’t involve Georgetown Events and Das Bullpen. Clearly neither entity has any business sense, and it’s a shame that they have damaged Truckeroo’s reputation so badly.
UPDATE: The DC Food Truck Association put out a statement regarding the surprise cover charge.
NEWS: The Washingtonian has a follow-up article on the $1 fee.