Downtown Food Truck Park Opening This Week

[JaxJersey-licious]

Concerning that JBJ article, wasn't that the same argument made by old established lunch places when the Jacksonville Landing opened in 1987?  If I recalled a lot of the old lunch standbys survived that, didn't they?

And if these struggling spots are bitching now, what would they say if some visionary had the balls to convert the Landing into the new Food Court concept taking over urban areas? Imagine a dozen well known suburban restaurants setting up make-shift low overhead kitchens and booths importing favorites from their mother locations in one centralized location complete with seating and A/C? You'd think they'd faint or shit themselves...

...or they can put big boy pants on, ride out the hype, and keep providing good consistent service. A new thing is a new thing but hopefully loyalty can be rewarded if they just hold on.

[thelakelander]

Yeah, lots of BS in the article.  I feel for the Pita Pit guy but to be honest, I work downtown and haven't been in there since its grand opening.  The one time I went, it wasn't my cup of tea. So four trucks have nothing to do with this DT consumer's choice not to return.  Also, I eat out for lunch most days. Typically, I skip the sandwich shops for places like Burrito Gallery, De Real Ting, etc., along with a food truck or two each week.  If I want a regular sandwich, I'd save the money and pack my own lunch. If I do settle for a sandwich (which is rare), I go super cheap by picking up a Subway foot long to take back to my desk or settle for the dude selling two hot dogs, chips and a drink, near the courthouse for $3 bucks.

[thelakelander]

Concerning that JBJ article, wasn't that the same argument made by old established lunch places when the Jacksonville Landing opened in 1987?  If I recalled a lot of the old lunch standbys survived that, didn't they?

And if these struggling spots are bitching now, what would they say if some visionary had the balls to convert the Landing into the new Food Court concept taking over urban areas? Imagine a dozen well known suburban restaurants setting up make-shift low overhead kitchens and booths importing favorites from their mother locations in one centralized location complete with seating and A/C? You'd think they'd faint or shit themselves...

...or they can put big boy pants on, ride out the hype, and keep providing good consistent service. A new thing is a new thing but hopefully loyalty can be rewarded if they just hold on.

Yeah, if a food hall popped up, they'd go crazy.

[SuzySpringfield]

Places like Desert Rider are failing because they're terrible, not because people are getting lunch at food trucks. Downtown lunch crowds have kept these places afloat for so long due to proximity and time restraints. It's pretty humorous to think that these owners feel like they're owed business just because they've had a stranglehold on diners for years. "We've been serving overpriced, disgusting meals for years. How dare you abandon us for better food!"

[Adam White]

Places like Desert Rider are failing because they're terrible, not because people are getting lunch at food trucks. Downtown lunch crowds have kept these places afloat for so long due to proximity and time restraints. It's pretty humorous to think that these owners feel like they're owed business just because they've had a stranglehold on diners for years. "We've been serving overpriced, disgusting meals for years. How dare you abandon us for better food!"

I agree. I worked in the Ed Ball building years ago and found my options very limited - especially later in the day. I spent way too many dollars having incredibly disappointing lunches/dinners at Quiznos.

[exnewsman]

Places like Desert Rider are failing because they're terrible, not because people are getting lunch at food trucks. Downtown lunch crowds have kept these places afloat for so long due to proximity and time restraints. It's pretty humorous to think that these owners feel like they're owed business just because they've had a stranglehold on diners for years. "We've been serving overpriced, disgusting meals for years. How dare you abandon us for better food!"

I work about 1/2 block from Desert Rider. I have never been inside. It looks disgusting, so I don't eat there. I hit the Brick Coffeehouse regularly for breakfast. I enjoy Zodiac for lunch. The people are great and the food is good. I also will go to BG, Indochine, (Pho when it was open), Nature's Table occasionally. Trents in the BBT building is decent.  I also enjoy the food trucks as well. Food trucks are just another option.

[SuzySpringfield]

Places like Desert Rider are failing because they're terrible, not because people are getting lunch at food trucks. Downtown lunch crowds have kept these places afloat for so long due to proximity and time restraints. It's pretty humorous to think that these owners feel like they're owed business just because they've had a stranglehold on diners for years. "We've been serving overpriced, disgusting meals for years. How dare you abandon us for better food!"

I work about 1/2 block from Desert Rider. I have never been inside. It looks disgusting, so I don't eat there. I hit the Brick Coffeehouse regularly for breakfast. I enjoy Zodiac for lunch. The people are great and the food is good. I also will go to BG, Indochine, (Pho when it was open), Nature's Table occasionally. Trents in the BBT building is decent.  I also enjoy the food trucks as well. Food trucks are just another option.

I don't mean to infer that all places downtown that may be feeling the squeeze from food trucks are terrible. I love BG, Indochine (although I end up at the San Marco one more often), Chamblins, Oilo, etc, but the people featured in the article own restaurants that could implode tomorrow and no one would ever notice. If you've had the same menu of greasy cafeteria food for 40 years, you should and will be edged out. All I see is the potential for new food options in their place.

[JaxJersey-licious]

I'm glad that the response to the use of the garage setbacks for food trucks has been (mostly) positive. Now I'm curious about the garage the city will construct for when the shovels start turning for Laura Street Trio. I love the pictures of the garage in Greenville, SC using the setbacks, but could the city do the same for part of the new garage? Would the LST developers be cool with that in exchange for a taller garage? If that and the Barnett are successful could the city end up selling the setback parcel to the LST developers for their own use? I know this is jumping the gun a bit but I hope this possibility gets consideration.

[Kerry]

The problem with downtown restaurants is their business model relies 100% on lunch M-F.  They have 15 hours a week to make all their money - but they lease their space for 168 hours a week.  That isn't a viable ratio and is why average food is so expensive.  A food truck blows this business model up.  The solution isn't to ban businesses with a viable and profitable business model, it is to increase the time diversity downtown by bringing in hotels and residential.  The City needs to get on the ball with this.

[MusicMan]

My wife and I enjoyed the Indian food truck's offerings last week. There don't seem to be many Indian restaurants in the Historic District.

I believe it is called "FUSION FOOD TRUCK."

Highly recommend.

[johnnyliar]

My wife and I enjoyed the Indian food truck's offerings last week. There don't seem to be many Indian restaurants in the Historic District.

I believe it is called "FUSION FOOD TRUCK."

Highly recommend.

Fusion is so great. Wish they would open a brick and mortar in the core (Murray Hill)

[ProjectMaximus]

My wife and I enjoyed the Indian food truck's offerings last week. There don't seem to be many Indian restaurants in the Historic District.

I believe it is called "FUSION FOOD TRUCK."

Highly recommend.

Fusion is so great. Wish they would open a brick and mortar in the core (Murray Hill)

Yes! I tried to recruit her a year and a half ago but she said they were looking in the urban core. I guess I should reach back out and see if anything has changed.

[johnnyliar]

Yes! I tried to recruit her a year and a half ago but she said they were looking in the urban core. I guess I should reach back out and see if anything has changed.

Oh my. Please do.

[SuzySpringfield]

My wife and I enjoyed the Indian food truck's offerings last week. There don't seem to be many Indian restaurants in the Historic District.

I believe it is called "FUSION FOOD TRUCK."

Highly recommend.

Fusion is so great. Wish they would open a brick and mortar in the core (Murray Hill)

Yes! I tried to recruit her a year and a half ago but she said they were looking in the urban core. I guess I should reach back out and see if anything has changed.

Lots of cheap commercial space in Springfield!

[MusicMan]

I asked her about brick and mortar and she said "NO".  "Too much trouble. The truck is much easier."

Ate there again yesterday.