Food Trucks Coming Downtown

[Brian Siebenschuh]

But hey, if someone wants vastly superior food in way less that half the extraordinarily long time it takes to get it at Kickbacks, then I see how a truck can do some serious "damage"!

Okay, I get the novelty draw of food trucks, and plenty of the food trucks we have here in Jax have well-written menus, and if they're on-site at a late night bar location or quick lunch break area near office workers, they're probably bringing some value to the scene - but they're not magic. 

All things considered, a brick and mortar restaurant should always provide a better experience than a food truck, just as a beach house vacation should provide a better experience than camping at Huguenot in July.

"Brick and Mortar" restaurants (or, as they were called prior to the food truck fad, uh... "restaurants") - have things like tables, chairs, air conditioning, and restrooms.  Food trucks (especially in Jacksonville, in August) provide... plastic utensils, and the opportunity to sit on a parking curb while you enjoy your lunch in the blazing sun.

So to bring it back around to the quote, if two guys in a van are putting out better food, faster than your kitchen team can manage in a proper restaurant kitchen - that doesn't mean those guys' food truck should be set up near your restaurant in order to provide "competition", it means you should fire your kitchen staff and hire the guys from the food truck, because they're kicking your guys' asses while cooking food in a van.  Right?

[Noone]

Great American Food Truck and they are knowingly breaking the law.  They cannot park on City right of way.  It is not right that others are following the rules and they are not... And they know it too.  I made my thoughts on the issue clear to them last night. 

They should be allowed to compete like everyone else, and I hope they do well... But thumbing your nose at everyone else is quite respectfully, disrespectful.  I sincerely hope they wise up before the City starts citing them. 

Remember 2010-856? The transient vendor ban? A one mile ban from a similar business and it's just not food and the only exemption is Downtown?

Legislation is pending right now 2012-364. Is this where an amendment could be attached to identify the food truck zone for Downtown?  This is separate from San Marco, Riverside and Avondale. 

Mike Congratulations again. You are kicking butt. Just saw you on WTLV and the cash mob for Sat. In Springfield.

Took someone kayaking Downtown yesterday and we put in at Mayor Brown's newest kayak launch on Hogans Creek at Catherine St. Outgoing tide. Went to Bay St. Pier Park and the guys working on connecting the Riverwalk to Bay St. Were there and all waved as we paddled by. I mention this here because when we returned we had to exit (bail) at the Old St. Luke's Hospital and get out on private property because it was a low tide. The food truck issue is heating up because MJ has shown how it can be an organic cluster of mobile vibrancy. Now the rules need tweaking. That's all.

Still haven't heard back from the Riverkeeper (Administration) on a letter of support for Bay St. Pier Park. (Supports Food Trucks)

Be concerned.

Shipyards III

[fieldafm]

Corner Taco will be out today at the corner of Main/Forsyth(across the street from CoWork Jax) at the new food truck lot!!! 

On The Fly will also be in their normal spot on Jefferson/Adams near the courthouse (behind the old Wormans building, in front of the Ronco building)

[fieldafm]

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2012-08-06/food-trucks-roll-downtown-jacksonville-lot

[Josh]

Just got back from checking out Corner Taco. The food was really good and it looks like that spot will do really well since the line was getting pretty long even before noon.

[fsquid]

The Superfood truck had the cops called on them last Friday night by Kickback's.

That's a damn shame.  I have a lot of respect for Kickback's and it doesn't seem like they would be competing since the food truck probably doesn't have 80 beer taps.

[Josh]

The Superfood truck had the cops called on them last Friday night by Kickback's.

That's a damn shame.  I have a lot of respect for Kickback's and it doesn't seem like they would be competing since the food truck probably doesn't have 80 beer taps.

Some of the restaurants in Avondale complained that if 7/11 came to the area it would steal away food business from them. Ugh.

While the Superfood truck doesn't have 80+ beer taps to compete with Kickbacks, Dahlia's does. Apparently Kickbacks will still deliver food to you if you drink there. How about that...

[fsquid]

sounds hypocritical.

[rjr120]

The Superfood truck had the cops called on them last Friday night by Kickback's.

That's a damn shame.  I have a lot of respect for Kickback's and it doesn't seem like they would be competing since the food truck probably doesn't have 80 beer taps.

Kickback's has lost a customer in me for both their current incarnation and the new business they are building next door.  I found out yesterday, after noting that the Superfood truck was not out that weekend, that they will not return to the area.  They were made to feel very unwelcome by the businesses in the area, with Kickbacks being the main culprit.

It's too bad because, after Intuition stepping up to host the food truck rally after downtown said no, I thought of the College/King/Post street district to be food truck friendly.  I guess Kickbacks is too frightened by cheaper food that is better than what they currently put out with way less of a wait time.  I haven't liked the food at Kickbacks for the past year now.  It was good when they first opened but has gone downhill since then.  I won't eve speak of the hour plus wait time to get the food once it's been ordered.  I guess the only late night food options for the area remain the Wendy's and Taco Bell.

If you are serious about food trucks being permitted to operate in the area as a compliment to the brick and mortar restaurants, the you should join me in boycotting Kickback's and the new place that they will open up next door.  You can get the same beer at Dahlia's or much cheaper at Beer 30.

[fieldafm]

Folio has included a food truck category in their 'Best of Jax' awards.

Vote for your favorite food truck today:
http://www.folioweekly.com/bestofjax2012.php

Also, consider voting for Jax Truckies as the best thing to happen in Jax in 2012, and Metrojacksonville for both best local blog   and  best local online news site.

[fieldafm]

More press:

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2012-08-13/fly-food-truck-new-lunch-option-duval-county-courthouse

http://www.news4jax.com/news/Food-trucks-setting-up-shop-downtown/-/475880/16066236/-/oeuft2z/-/index.html


This week, On The Fly will be at Jefferson/Adams Monday-Friday.

Corner Taco is at Main/Forsyth today.  Up in Smoke BBQ will be there Tuesday and Monroes BBQ will be there Thursday.

[BigGuy219]

More press:

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/423471/gary-mills/2012-08-13/fly-food-truck-new-lunch-option-duval-county-courthouse

http://www.news4jax.com/news/Food-trucks-setting-up-shop-downtown/-/475880/16066236/-/oeuft2z/-/index.html


This week, On The Fly will be at Jefferson/Adams Monday-Friday.

Corner Taco is at Main/Forsyth today.  Up in Smoke BBQ will be there Tuesday and Monroes BBQ will be there Thursday.

Hooray. Monroe's tomorrow!

This is right across the street from me, so I am thrilled to death.

[thelakelander]

That does sound good.  I'll be downtown tomorrow.  A stop at Monroe's may be in order.

[BigGuy219]

That does sound good.  I'll be downtown tomorrow.  A stop at Monroe's may be in order.

Well after two and a half years we finally agree on something ... BBQ.

It's a start!

[thelakelander]

Lol, you have to start somewhere!