Comments on: A community united by tacos

By: Another Victory for the Loncheros | YORK BLVD.

Another Victory for the Loncheros | YORK BLVD. — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:26:26 +0000

[...] by the affected members as well as by supportive politicians and community leaders. If a similar event in East Los Angeles last year is any barometer, come [...]

By: chimatli

chimatli — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:51:55 +0000

I speak from experience when I say it’s possible to cook food without a truck (and running water) and still be hygienic. Also, it would be nice if folks used food safe containers rather than 99 cent plastics to store salsas etc. but whatever, people have eaten “sketchy” food from the moment of our existence as humans.
I’ve eaten street food all over Mexico and Los Angeles have been fine. My worst case of food poisoning came from a pseudo-fancy French-ish restaurant in Long Beach.

By: don quixote

don quixote — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:40:13 +0000

Good info and update on some of the real heros of free enterprise and the “trickle up” theory of economics.

By: alienation

alienation — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 07:50:00 +0000

When the trucks were banned, a lot of unlicensed vendors set up shop with carts or tables. The health risks probably increased significantly, because these vendors didn’t have running water.

Also, while these trucks were facing a crackdown, nothing really happened to deal with a few vendors who have innovated their shopping-cart cooking operations by using hot charcoal to cook the food! I kind of like these shopping-cart vendors, but this was too much even for me. It’s very dangerous to be burning hot coals in a metal box, atop a shopping cart.

As a big city, it is almost necessary to have street vending. They create businesses and jobs in the best-possible market conditions: a daily shortage. During busy times, there is generally a food shortage (you can tell because there are lines) and food carts and trucks help keep the people fed.

These truck-based caterers are inspected, licensed, and operate safely, not only for the customer, but also for the workers. Having eaten at many trucks, I’ve only gotten ill a few times — and not really more than regular restaurants.

In contrast, when I’ve eaten from unlicensed carts, or carts that are illegal because there’s no category for them, I’ve gotten sick more often. They just can’t keep the food hot enough.

By: urbanista

urbanista — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:10:50 +0000

I’m guilty of eating at taco trucks, but I am still divided on the issue. I understand that they operate with the city license, but I’ve never seen a rating on a taco truck. Anyway, what recourse do I have against say a restaurant if I get food poisoning? I guess I have better odds against a restaurant than a taco truck. I understand that with “La Crisis” taco trucks offer the best bang for the buck, but is it always the best bang when you get sick? I usually stick to a couple of taqueros but even that way, I’ve had my share of incidents with the food. Should I rat on them? Hold them to the same standards as restauranteurs are held? How about the sales tax? Have you ever been charged sales tax at a taco truck? Seems like a nice cash business where a good portion of taxes could go to the general fund of the city. You know, like for libraries, schools, parks, etc… But then again with “La Crisis” you are better off cooking your own food, eating healthier, and at the same time spending less money.

PS Random – ask for a media ahogada next time… only half is dipped in salsa picante.

By: laura luna

laura luna — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:30:21 +0000

I love taco trucks. I’m glad everyone is behind them.

and that last pix…the kid in that pix looks like he’s ‘In it to WIN it’

By: chimatli

chimatli — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:31:22 +0000

Great post Random!

By: EL CHAVO!

EL CHAVO! — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:57:10 +0000

Very awesome and informative post El Random Hero! And I love that last pic!