Napa’s deli-on-wheels, Pastranomy, has returned from its winter hiatus with a new menu that incudes both pastrami and pulled pork. Credit Louisa Hufstader

Napa’s deli-on-wheels, Pastranomy, has returned from its winter hiatus.

The gleaming food truck, emblazoned with the motto “EAT OR WE BOTH STARVE,” is back at its downtown Napa location in the parking lot on the northeastern corner of Clinton and Main streets, across from Azzurro Pizzeria and Shine salon.

Winter hours are currently Thursdays and Fridays, said Jesse Gilbert, a new partner in the deli truck.

“I used to work with Michael Dellar, one of the owners, and they asked me to be a part of it.

“I’m very blessed,” said Gilbert, who said he has merged his own business, Best in Show Hot Dogs, with Pastranomy.

“We’re going to specialize in service and really good products,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert has introduced some changes to Pastranomy’s menu.

The matzoh-ball soup, which he said was time- and labor-intensive to prepare, has been dropped, and several offerings added including hot dogs, hot links, chicken apple sausage and a pulled pork sandwich.

“I’m breaking the rules,” Gilbert admitted. “But the pork’s really good.”

Pastrami, corned beef and roast turkey sandwiches remain on the Pastranomy menu, he added.

Pastranomy is set to be serving in Napa today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and in future weeks will be scheduled for Thursdays and Fridays from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Gilbert said.

Saturday, Jan. 25, the truck will be at Concord’s Todos Santos Plaza for a festival, he added.

http://napavalley.patch.com/articles/pastranomy-food-truck-adds-pork-to-napa-menu-drops-matzoh-ball-soup#photo-13120437

It’s that time of year again–the days are longer and warmer, which can only mean two things. First, we’re breaking out the Sauvignon Blanc and second, it’s just about time for the annual downtown Napa Chef’s Market to kick-off.

This year’s weekly Chef’s Market starts next Thursday, May 19th, and will run every Thursday from 5pm – 9pm through August 4th. As usual, the market will feature a host of local food vendors, farmers with fresh local produce, local bands and two nightly cooking demonstrations–one at 6:30pm and the other at 7:30pm.

A new addition will be the Food Truck Stop, which will see several local food trucks setup shop on Randolph Street. Among those currently planning to participate are Cross Road Chicken, Mark’s the Spot and Phat Salads & Wraps.

It’s interesting (and maybe encouraging?) to see the food trucks working with local businesses and presumably the City given the recent issues that have halted Food Truck Fridays.

The event is free and open to the public and more information can be found here.

*Photo courtesy Mark’s The Spot

By Louisa Hufstader | Patch.com

Food truck fans were out in force Tuesday night when the Napa City Council discussed how best to regulate the mobile eateries, an agenda item requested by the Napa Chamber of Commerce.

But anyone expecting a heated dispute was likely disappointed – or relieved – with the way the meeting unfolded.

Napa Chamber chair Ryan Gregory told the council that the city’s rules governing food trucks are out of date and inadequate to the needs of today’s rolling restaurants.

But, he said, “it’s very important to allow all mobile food operators to continue” while new rules are being developed.

The council also heard a series of public comments from food truck operators and their allies.

Longtime Napa caterer Melissa Teaff told council members that she’d once viewed the trucks as competition and now rents kitchen space to mobile proprietors.

“You’ve got to keep up with the future,” she said, to applause from the City Hall audience.

Brothers Kevin and Colin Simonson of the Crossroad Chicken truck asked that they have a voice in developing the new rules.

Only Andrew Siegal, proprietor of Dim Sum Charlie’s and impresario of the now-stalled Food Truck Fridays gathering on First Street, expressed displeasure, reading a prepared statement attacking the Chamber as a “special interest” that wants to change the rules in response to his truck’s popularity.

Council members agreed that Napa’s food trucks should be allowed to continue operating while city staff forms a group of “stakeholders,” including truck owners, to craft an up-to-date set of rules.

“The roach coach is no longer the norm,” council member Peter Mott said.

Not all of the Napans who took nearly every seat at City Hall were there for the food trucks, however.

The other item on the evening’s agenda was a public workshop on budget priorities for the upcoming two fiscal years, which attracted contingents of golfers and boaters who spoke out, respectively, for the Kennedy park golf course and the proposed Main Street boat ramp.

http://napa.patch.com/articles/video-food-trucks-keep-rolling-in-napa

ALISHA WYMAN | NapaValleyRegister.com

Napa Valley's Dim Sum Charlies

A group of stakeholders in the food truck industry will join to formulate new rules to guide them.

In the meantime, the city will require that the trucks operate under year-long use permits to remain parked on private property.

The Napa City Council asked that a stakeholders group be formed at its meeting Tuesday.

The group, made up of food truck owners, city staff, Napa Chamber of Commerce members, brick-and-mortar restaurant owners and other residents will meet to sift through the city’s existing ordinance and suggest revisions.

It could take six months to a year to form the group and write the new regulations due to the city’s full schedule, assistant city manager Nancy Weiss said.

Several food truck owners and industry advocates attended Tuesday night’s meeting.

Josepha Bertolini, who works in gourmet food sales, asked the city to retain the organic nature of the food truck industry, not hamper it with regulations.

“This is such a great chance for Napa to really be unique,” she said.

Kevin and Collin Simonson, brothers who own Crossroad Chicken, asked for fairness in the future rules.

“Basically, we just want to make good food,” Kevin Simonson said.

Alicia Raymond, whose husband, Mark Raymond, owns Mark’s the Spot, wondered why they weren’t notified so much was shifting in their industry and asked to be involved in crafting regulations that are sustainable.

The city began enforcing its decades-old ordinance in September, when officials started asking operators to seek proper use permits to remain on private property semi-permanently.

Napa Chamber of Commerce officials wrote a letter earlier this month requesting a revision to the rules, which it said were outdated.

They suggested that a stakeholders group be formed. In the meantime, they asked that existing food trucks be allowed to continue to operate.

Andrew Siegal, owner of Dim Sum Charlies, questioned the Chamber’s motives, saying they were attempting to quash competition for its brick and mortar members with layers of regulation.

Vice Mayor James Krider extolled food trucks but said he wants to make sure that there is consistency and quality within the industry.

“I think Napa is kind of like a foodie’s paradise, and I see these food trucks as sort of the latest and greatest,” he said. “This is a whole new segment of the eating industry, and I think it’s incumbent upon us to get it right.”

http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/article_1ce1b916-6b12-11e0-b13d-001cc4c03286.html ]]> http://www.mobilefoodnews.com/2011/04/city-of-napa-to-form-group-to-revise-food-truck-rules/feed/ 0 http://www.mobilefoodnews.com/2011/04/napa-council-to-discuss-food-trucks/ http://www.mobilefoodnews.com/2011/04/napa-council-to-discuss-food-trucks/#comments Tue, 19 Apr 2011 22:23:30 +0000 MobileFoodNews.com http://www.mobilefoodnews.com/?p=11324

By Staff | NapaValleyRegister.com

Napa Valley Food Truck Garthering.....

The Napa City Council will discuss food trucks when it meets at 6:30 p.m. tonight at City Hall.

With food trucks surging in popularity here as well as throughout the Bay Area, the council is being asked to decide how the city should regulate them.

The Napa Chamber of Commerce is asking the city to create a task force of interested parties to create new standards for food trucks on private and public property.

Last winter, Napa had begun issuing use permits to the 14 food trucks in operation within the city limits, but the chamber said the city needs more up-to-date standards.

City staff agrees that the city need to review its food truck policies, and suggests that this happen this summer.

In the meantime, food trucks would be able to continue to operate as they are now, with the city monitoring them on a complaint-only basis, staff is recommending.

The issue of issuing use permits to individual food trucks is separate from the city’s decision last month to require sponsors of the monthly Food Truck Friday event in the Oxbow to get a city permit.

The city wants to make sure that Food Truck Fridays meets various safety and handicapped access requirements.

http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/article_c7351bc4-6ab8-11e0-8ddf-001cc4c002e0.html

By ALISHA WYMAN | NapaValleyRegister.com

The Napa Chamber of Commerce is asking for a new ordinance governing food trucks that have become a growing presence in Napa.

Earlier this week, chamber officials wrote city planning manger Rick Tooker raising issues with the existing ordinance; they said it is outdated and unclear.

The chamber asked that the city postpone approving any additional use permits giving venders permission to operate on private property on a semi-permanent basis until a new resolution is in place.

In the meantime, the chamber requests that the city allow food truck vendors to continue operating in their current locations.

The chamber is asking that stakeholders group of made up of food truck owners, restaurant owners, residents and others be formed to write a draft ordinance for city consideration. It is offering to work with the city in forming or running the group, Lisa Batto, chamber CEO, said.

Because of the chamber request, Tooker told the Planning Commission Thursday night that use permit hearings for two local food truck owners had been pulled from that night’s agenda.

The City Council will decide if the city should pause and rewrite an ordinance at its meeting April 19, Tooker said.

The goal of the rewrite is not to tie up food trucks with more regulation, but clear up misunderstandings in the current law and create an even playing field for all restaurants, said chamber officials.

“We think they’re a great thing — a great addition to the community — and we actually want to help legitimize the industry,” said Ryan Gregory, the chamber’s board chairman.

Gregory said the process won’t affect Food Truck Fridays, an impromptu monthly food truck gathering at First and McKinstry streets, which has been temporarily canceled  because of its own permit problems.

The existing ordinance requires that food trucks move every 15 minutes, according to the chamber’s letter.

If a truck wishes to park on private property for a longer term, they must file for a use permit. But the ordinance doesn’t include any guidelines such as truck design or times and places the business should operate, the letter says.

“You almost have to sift through the thing with a fine-tooth comb to figure out that you even need to get a use permit,” Batto said.

The chamber seeks to prevent unnecessary restrictions that cause economic hardship to businesses in the area, Batto said.

The issue came to the chamber’s attention last fall after it formed a food and beverage task force, Batto said.

It learned the city had started asking food trucks to seek use permits to linger in a particular area.

The commission approved two such permits in February — one for Tacos Jalisco that serves food at 2005 Redwood Road and another for Taqueria Michoacan, which parks at 3259 California Blvd.

Thursday night, Tacos Michoacan approached the commission for a use permit at 1898 West Imola Ave. and Tacomania requested one at 1895 Salvador Ave.

The commission postponed decisions on both after receiving the chamber’s letter.

http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/article_62e8d3c8-623d-11e0-9ce8-001cc4c002e0.html

By REBECCA HUVAL | NapaValleyRegister.com

Food Truck Fridays have been temporarily put on hold as the sponsor of the event and the city work on resolving issues facing the popular event. J.L. Sousa/Register

The city of Napa has announced its intention to find an alternative location for Food Truck Fridays for as long as the event’s original spot next to the Oxbow Public Market lacks a use permit, Barry Martin, the city’s community outreach coordinator, said Thursday.

The impromptu first-Friday-of-the-month gathering started in September, and grew to about 400 customers sampling high-quality fare from nine food trucks in March. But the “food rave,” as attendees call it, screeched to a halt last week due to its code violations.

“We’ve never had problems with the event,” Martin said. “It was the site that was the problem.”

Violations included the lack of a wheelchair-accessible ramp, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the presence of a fire pit within 15 feet of tents and trucks, among others.

The city’s concerns could take three months and more than $10,000 to address, said Andrew Siegal, owner of the event grounds, 728 First St., where his food truck, Dim Sum Charlie’s, is parked.

Siegal’s use permit for Dim Sum Charlie’s was filed in February and is scheduled for planning commission review in April. There seem to be no issues with that application, said Rick Tooker, city planning manager.

To buy time, the city hopes to offer up a private property for the April 1 event, Martin said. It remains to be seen whether the new site would be a permanent or temporary solution.

Either way, Siegal wasn’t certain whether the event would be ready in time for the April 1 gathering.

“It’s not up to the city to tell private businesses they can’t have a business on their property,” Siegal said. “My intention was to use that property to earn money.”

Siegal, who runs the event at a loss of $500 a month, hopes to eventually develop his property into a mixed-use building to include a restaurant, offices and condos.

“They’re hijacking the event from us,” he said.

In a later conversation, Siegal said he was working with East Napa businesses, such as Oxbow Public Market CEO Steve Carlin to find solutions.

“We are working with our neighbors the way we always have to make sure the event goes on,” he said. Still, “I’m not looking to just be a food truck promoter in another side of the city for the city.”

But the city insists it doesn’t want to commandeer the spontaneous gathering.

“The city would not be involved in running the event any more than in the past,” Martin said. “We just wanted to be proactive.”

The prospective alternative location is located in downtown Napa, Martin said. It’s still unknown if the owner would rent out the space to food truck drivers or not, he said.

The city planned to announce the location and make a formal offer Friday, he said.

“The food scene is important in our economy. We want this to be promoted, not hindered,” Martin said. “At the same time, everyone needs to go through the permitting process to keep up with liability issues that might come up.”

The city is responding to local outcries against the shuttering of the event.

After news broke this week that Food Truck Fridays might be put on hold, there was a foodie uprising fomented on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. The group “Save the Napa Food Truck Up” had almost 800 “likes” as of 3 p.m. Thursday.

In response, the city posted its announcement online about the alternative location, which received mixed reviews at best from the event’s supporters:

“Napa has found a place that suits the City leaders for FTF ……..Vallejo!” wrote Mike Hall.

“I’m sure the business around Oxbow will be thrilled…” wrote Courtney Murray.

More upbeat, Gia Teresa Sempronio said, “Glad to hear it…WE ALL want to work with you on this issue:)”.

Despite the hassle, the controversy might have garnered the event more fans.

“The bloggers are talking about it, and the general frustration from the locals is mounting,” Siegal said. “It’s kinda cool.”

http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/article_b3347624-5668-11e0-b26b-001cc4c03286.html

On the first Friday of every month there is an event called “Food Truck Friday” held at 728 First St., the location of Dim Sum Charlie’s. Around 10 gourmet food trucks from Napa and Sonoma counties gather and serve locals and visitors. The event has been successful for five months without any major issues. The entire Oxbow Public Market and Gott’s Burgers have backed this event to encourage people to “cross the tracks” to the east side of downtown Napa and support neighborhood businesses. It is improving and evolving each time, becoming a social hit.

Now the city of Napa, the very town that banned indoor club dancing without a dancing permit, has decided that this event warrants their supervision and regulation. Permits are fine, they assure a safe environment for the public (as well as a nice bonus for the city of Napa). The health department cleared all of the food trucks, the fire department said the fire pit isn’t dangerous, no alcohol is sold at the event (diners bring their own beverages), ADA restrooms are open at Oxbow and Gott’s, extra trash and recycling bins have been provided, and everyone has a great time.

Napa needs these types of events to thrive. Andrew Siegal and Clayton Lewis, business partners of Dim Sum Charlie’s, have created something awesome and special. If you’ve attended Food Truck Friday then you know what it’s about. If you haven’t, then you’re missing out on one of the best family-friendly things this town has seen in a long time. Support Andrew and Clayton in what they are trying to do for Napa. Attend Food Truck Friday; the next one is April 1. Tell your friends about it. If you really like it then send an e-mail or letter to city officials letting them know you support it. If you don’t enjoy it or don’t support it, then stay home on Friday. Let those of us who love it get our foodie fix.

http://napavalleyregister.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_e330b21a-493f-11e0-8f81-001cc4c002e0.html

by NATALIE HOFFMAN| NapaValleyRegister.com

After flying under the permit radar for years, Napa’s 14 food truck operators are working with the city to set things straight.

The city of Napa Planning Commission raised concerns with the lack of food truck permitting, after granting use permits to two mobile food vendors last week.

“Is the city cracking down on food trucks? No,” Napa Planning Manager Rick Tooker said Tuesday. “It’s just a matter of managing what exists so we have an system in place that everybody knows and we can expect can be followed.”

Kris Schalwitz of SFC BBQ uses a custom installed, wood burning barbecue and smoker to cook and heat the food on his menu during a Third Thursday Food Truck Event at Tulocay and Company off Devlin Road. Jorgen Gulliksen/Register

According to city guidelines, Planning Commissioner Arthur Roosa said food trucks must apply for use permits if they’re staying in one place for more than 15 minutes at a time. Most food trucks, he said, “scout out” their own position in the city where they remain for several hours each day.

The city is talking to ‘Food Truck Friday’ organizers about getting a special permit for the large events. The gathering typically draws between 300 and 400 people to the corner of First and McKinstry streets downtown on the first Friday of each month.

This event raises the need for portable bathrooms, garbage containers, adherence to safety measures, and making concessions for people with special needs, Tooker said.

Two local food trucks — Tacos Jalisco, which parks at 2005 Redwood Road, and Taqueria Michoacan, which frequents 3259 California Boulevard — are among the first mobile Napa eateries to pick up the required city use permits for their businesses, according to officials.

The Planning Commission granted the two permit requests last week.

At its spot behind the Union 76 gas station on the southeast corner or Redwood Road and Solano Avenue, Tacos Jalisco must get rid of an illegal A-frame sign it was using to draw customers, commissioners said last week.

Meanwhile, Taqueria Michoacan — located on the east side of California Boulevard just south of Industrial Way — must improve its nighttime lighting, Planning Commissioner Arthur Roosa said.

The trucks must also stay off of the street, commissioners decided.

Virtually all of Napa’s food truck operators, most of whom operate on private property, have either recently applied for the permits or have committed to do so, according to the city.

Tooker said the business owners will shell out a one-time $500 fee for the permits.

Abel Rueda, owner Taqueria Michoacan, said he’s been in the business for 20 years and only recently learned about the city’s use permit requirements. Rueda said he’s OK with it.

Like Rueda, Francisco Ramirez, owner of Tacos Jalisco, said through a translator that he doesn’t have a problem with the city launching efforts to require the permits for food trucks.

Until recently — and like virtually all food trucks in Napa — Ramirez was selling his wares armed only with a city business license and a mobile food vendor’s permit from the Napa County Environmental Management Department, according to the city.

Nobody really noticed the lack of permit compliance until last September when an unnamed food truck owner inadvertently brought the issue to the city’s attention by applying for a city permit, according to the city.

Commissioner Tom Trzesniewski said Tuesday that he has two general concerns about the food trucks. First, he said, they’re “unsightly.”

And because cooked ingredients are transported from kitchens to the trucks where they are re-heated, it’s hard to keep food temperatures within safe ranges, he said.

http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/article_5e2efc2e-3f13-11e0-a953-001cc4c002e0.html

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