(credit: NYSF)

We recently received an email from our friends at Food Freaks Grilled Cheese, who are working on bringing their cart back into the city. Can’t wait for that!

In the meantime, they had some news for us about a new food truck they know called Paris Sandwich Truck.

We actually ran across the Paris Sandwich Truck at last summer’s All About Downtown Festival in Jersey City, but we didn’t have a chance to try them that day. We heard last year that they served in Jersey City, but Food Freaks told us they are now in the city.

You know what that means – banh mi!

Shreddeed Pork Banh Mi (credit: Paris Sandwich)

Paris Sandwich has two stores in Chinatown, serving Vietnamese dishes, banh mi sandwiches and more. They are the 1st banh mi truck in NYC, although there is a Banh Mi Cart in the Financial District.

You can find the Paris Sandwich Truck on twitter here or on our Mobile Munchies twitter feed.  Their website is here, and below is a photo of the truck’s menu that we took at last summer’s All About Downtown Festival.  It’s possible prices may have gone up since then.

Menu Summer 2012 (credit: NYSF)

http://newyorkstreetfood.com/42024/nysf-new-food-truck-alert-paris-sandwich-truck/

Manager Ismael Dominguez takes food orders at The Taco Truck on Mar. 22, 2013 on Greene St. in Jersey City. (Photo by Alyssa Ki/The Jersey Journal)

Revised regulations for Jersey City food trucks and other mobile food vendors are set for adoption this week by the City Council, but one prominent food vendor is still unhappy about the measure.

The proposed ordinance, which has come before the council numerous times only to be tabled or revised at the last minute, would prohibit mobile vendors from staying in one spot for more than two hours.

The vendors would also have to stay at least 300 feet away from any brick-and-mortar eatery. The measure was introduced 8-0 at the March 13 council meeting, and is set for adoption on the body’s regular meeting this Thursday.

But older versions of the proposed ordinance were “stronger” than the one scheduled for adoption this week, according to Jason Scott, owner of The Taco Truck.

The council has “actually taken out all the guts,” Scott said.

“They’re just trying to get something passed,” he said. “But this isn’t any better than the ordinance that is currently on the books so I don’t know why they’re rushing to get this done.”

The newest version of the measure doesn’t include a provision requiring applicants for mobile food vendor licenses to attend a course in food handling. That requirement was included in a previous draft approved by the council in February.

A rigorous application process that was outlined in previous drafts is also missing from the newest one.

There’s also a clause in the newest measure that prohibits food vendors from operating on private property. The council had previously considered allowing property owners to give permission to allow food vendors, a clause Scott had personally requested.

City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said the newest draft has three inclusions agreed to by the council at its last caucus. All other issues will continue to be discussed by the council, Morrill said.

City officials hope the new regulations will lead to better enforcement of mobile food vendors. The measure first came before the council in April 2011, and each time it was introduced, it faced opposition from either food vendors who thought the regulations were too strict, or owners of brick-and-mortar eateries who thought they were not strict enough.

At the council’s last meeting, city officials argued in favor of adopting the regulations now and revising them as issue arise.

The council meets for a caucus tonight at 5:30 and on Thursday for its regular meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 280 Grove St.

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2013/03/proposed_regulations_for_jerse.html

(credit : NYSF)

Looks like Jersey City is poised to make it nearly impossible for food truck owners to make a living there.

In the proposed ordinance, which is being voted on tonight, vendors would have to stay at least 300 feet away from any brick-and-mortar eatery.

The law would also prohibit mobile vendors from staying in one spot for more than two hours, which is the real killer in our opinion. It can take close to an hour just to set up to serve, and up to another hour to break down. That leaves maybe 10-15 minutes for serving customers. Who can survive on that?

But there’s even more…

There’s also a clause that prohibits food vendors from operating on private property, which seems like an overreach of governmental rights to us. The council had previously considered allowing private property owners to give permission to allow food vendors, a clause requested by Jason Scott, owner of The Taco Truck. This was obviously not heeded.

The measure was introduced 8-0 at the March 13 council meeting, and is set for adoption on the body’s regular meeting tonight at 6 pm at City Hall, which is at 280 Grove St.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Restaurants should not feel threatened by food trucks, which have far less equipment, work space and storage space than brick and mortar establishments. Food trucks necessarily have smaller menus too.

If restaurants can’t compete with food trucks, maybe the restaurants need to raise their game, not use the political process to protect their position. That’s what capitalism is all about.

http://newyorkstreetfood.com/40731/jersey-city-voting-tonight-on-restricting-food-trucks/

Manager Ismael Dominguez takes food orders at The Taco Truck on Mar. 22, 2013 on Greene St. in Jersey City.

New regulations for Jersey City food trucks and other mobile food vendors were adopted by the City Council tonight, over the objections of a vendor who said the measure lacks teeth.

The measure, adopted unanimously, places a two-hour limit on the amount of time a mobile vendor can stay in one place, and it requires a vendor to stay at least 300 feet away from any licensed brick-and-mortar eatery.

Jason Scott, owner of The Taco Truck, said the council’s decision to eliminate a rigorous application process from the measure would lead to “lawlessness.”

The revised ordinance adopted tonight “fails to address critical issues,” said Scott.

A requirement for mobile vendors to attend a food-handling course was also eliminated from the ordinance, which has been in the works for years and has been in front of the council numerous times without ever making it to adoption.

Ward A Councilman Michael Sottolano told Scott the measure was just a first step that will allow city health officials to inspect and license all the vendors currently operating.

A specific application process and other regulations will be added in the future, Sottolano said.

“This is just step one,” agreed Ward B Councilman David Donnelly.

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2013/03/new_regulations_for_jersey_cit_3.html

(Gallery by Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

A measure to revamp Jersey City’s regulations regarding food trucks was postponed again tonight, in yet another setback for a measure that the City Council first introduced 16 months ago.

The ordinance, which was set for adoption tonight and has been in the works for two years, was tabled so city officials could review changes suggested by two food-truck owners who spoke to the council tonight and at its Monday caucus.

The measure would require that food trucks and other mobile food vendors move at least 150 feet every two hours. The current requirement is that vendors move every 20 minutes, though it is rarely enforced.

The ordinance would also prohibit the vendors from selling in parts of Journal Square and Newport.

Taco Truck owner Jason Scott on Monday told the council he objected to a portion of the ordinance that would have prohibited vendors from parking on private property even with the permission of the property owner. Another portion, Scott said, is worded in a way that would essentially forbid the vendors from parking anywhere in Jersey City.

City officials have been working on the new regulations for two years. The council was set to introduce it in April 2011, but postponed the vote when vendors said the proposal was too restrictive.

The council introduced the measure the following October, but adoption was delayed as the body tried to include language favorable to vendors, brick-and-mortar restaurants and city health officials.

City Clerk Robert Byrne said tonight the council will review the ordinance at its next caucus to “dissect” it with health officials.

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2013/02/new_regulations_for_jersey_cit_2.html

Gus Breakfast & Lunch food truck near the New Jersey City University campus in Jersey City.

Two popular food trucks near the New Jersey City University campus in Jersey City may be exempt from new regulations regarding mobile food vendors.

The proposed rules, up for consideration at tonight’s City Council meeting, are a multi-year effort on behalf of city officials to revamp antiquated regulations. The council was set to approve the changes last April, but the vote was delayed after the vendors said they were too restrictive.

The new regulations would force vendors to stay at least 300 feet away from any licensed brick-and-mortar eatery, and they would have to move at least 150 feet every two hours.

The only exemption to that rule would be for the area near NJCU.

Back in December 2011, The Jersey Journal spoke to brothers Bill and Gus Papathanasis, who run two food trucks that sit outside the university campus every weekday. The men said they shouldn’t be forced to move every two hours, arguing that they don’t compete with any restaurants.

And they won’t have to, if the council adopts the measure up for initial approval tonight.

The council introduced a version of the new regulations last October, over objections from restaurant owners who said the proposed fees for mobile vendors were too low. The council never adopted the proposal.

The council meets tonight at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 280 Grove St.

http://www.nj.com/jjournal-news/index.ssf/2013/02/jersey_city_council_will_retur.html

(Gallery by Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)

Two popular food trucks near the New Jersey City University campus in Jersey City would be exempt from new regulations regarding mobile food vendors.

The proposed rules, up for consideration at Wednesday’s City Council meeting, are a multi-year effort on behalf of city officials to revamp antiquated regulations. The council was set to approve the changes in April 2011, but the vote was delayed after the vendors said they were too restrictive.

The new regulations would force the vendors to stay at least 300 feet away from any licensed brick-and-mortar eatery, and they would have to move at least 150 feet every two hours.

The only exemption to that rule would be for the area near NJCU.

Back in December 2011, The Jersey Journal spoke to brothers Bill and Gus Papathanasis, who run two food trucks that sit outside the university campus every weekday. The men said that they shouldn’t be forced to move every two hours, arguing that they don’t compete with any restaurants.

And they won’t have to, if the council adopts the measure up for initial approval Wednesday.

The council introduced a version of the new regulations in October 2011, over objections from restaurant owners who said the proposed fees for mobile vendors were too low. The council never adopted the proposal.

The council meets next on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 280 Grove St.

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2013/02/popular_jersey_city_food_truck.html

(credit: NYSF)

When we went to the All About Downtown Festival in Jersey City, there were more than a dozen of NYC’s best food trucks, and there were also a few local Jersey City vendors.

We go to the NYC food trucks all the time, and wanted to try a local vendor that we had never tried before. A good candidate looked to be El Chilango Taqueria, Autenticos Tacos Mexicanos. Considering “El Chilango” is slang for someone from Mexico City, we expected authentic Mexican tacos.

(credit: NYSF)

El Chilango Taqueria is a small box of a food cart, similar in size and shape toKelvin Slush’s Ice Cube. They usually park in the Grove Street PATH Plaza, but are occasionally by Columbus & Marin.

The menu is a pretty standard taqueria menu, with tacos, quesadillas, burritos and tortas.

El Chilango had normal fillings like steak, chicken, spicy pork and chorizo. They also have a couple of Mexican specialties such as salted beef and nopales (cactus). The fish taco caught our eye right away. To round things out, we got a steak taco and a chorizo taco.

Most of the tacos are 3 for $6.50, but the fish and steak has small supplements. All together, these three tacos cost $7 and change.

The chef asked if we wanted hot sauce, which is always a “yes”. Each taco had lettuce, fresh cilantro and chopped onions, along with radish slices and a wedge of lime. There were small variations in the preparations too.

(credit: NYSF)

Starting with the fish taco, it was a long, narrow piece of grilled fish. This was a nice surprise, as we expected fried fish. Another surprise was some guacamole that was added to the fish taco.

The sauce on the tacos was creamy and spicy, along the lines of a chipotle mayo. Between the chipotle mayo and the hot sauce, these tacos had some zing.

Some taquerias use lettuce and some don’t, but we liked the coolness and crunch it added to these tacos.

The steak taco had small pieces of steak that had been marinated or rubbed with spices. The meat was tender, with a char-grilled taste, with no fat or other tough stuff in it.

(credit: NYSF)

The last taco was chorizo, which was grilled well, and had a bit of charring around the edges, which always adds flavor. The chorizo was not oily, which is often a problem with chorizo. It had a good flavor, but there were a few pieces of fattiness in the chorizo.

We were happy with the tacos from El Chilango Taqueria. The word that comes to mind is “fresh”. These were fresh tasting tacos.

As we said, El Chilango parks in the Grove St PATH Plaza and a few other places around Jersey City. To be sure, check their Twitter here or our Mobile Munchies Twitter feed.

El Chilango Taqueria is worth seeking out if you’re in Jersey City.

http://newyorkstreetfood.com/35894/street-eats-tacos-from-el-chilango-taqueria/

Two Pitas in A Pod regulars Hoboken & Jersey City

City working on related agreement with food truck owners

The installation of multi-space meters in Hoboken won’t just change the way motorists pay for parking. When the new meters are installed, a long-ignored law that restricts parking at any meter in the city for more than two hours will now be enforced. The city says they believe that it is mainly employees of city businesses who are feeding the meters all day, and that enforcing the law will free up more parking for visitors and for customers of local businesses. The city is suggesting that people who need to park for more than two hours can take advantage of various promotions to use city garages (see sidebar).

Meanwhile, a group of food truck owners are concerned that they may be run out of town by the two-hour limit, and they are working with the city to try and implement exceptions to the rule.

Some of Hoboken’s food truck operators park in metered spaces, sometimes for the entire workday.

They also have the option of parking in any areas with permit parking, as long as they pay for a city business parking permit. In that case, they could park on one side of most city streets all day long. But some food trucks and delivery trucks like to park in certain areas, for instance, in front of their store (if they have one). Many of the heaviest traveled areas downtown have metered parking.

A city spokesperson said last week that the city is in the process of trying to work out an agreement that would ease restrictions on the vendors.

The new meters will not be installed in places where there was no metered parking before, according to city officials. As of last week, the city had installed 100 of the 140 planned multi-space meters, according to Juan Melli, the city’s communication director.

The rules

Food trucks will be ticketed if they park for more than two hours at the meter, just like everyone else, unless a new agreement is reached.

“All vehicles are expected to abide by rules established by the city code,” Melli said in an email. “During the past few months, the city has been coordinating with various stakeholders, including brick-and-mortar restaurant owners, food truck owners, and residents to develop specific regulations for mobile food vendors.”

Some business owners have complained that the food trucks take away their customers without the overhead cost of paying rent and property taxes in the city. Instead, food truck vendors pay fees for various permits, as well as hundreds of quarters per year for meters.

“The city has been monitoring feedback received from the community in the form of letters, emails, and social media, and taking all the input into consideration as we develop the legislation,” Melli said.

One food truck vendor, Sayed “Ali” Gomah, worries that the enforcement of the rule could end his livelihood if no amendment is made. His food truck, called “Ali” Food on Wheels, sells breakfast and lunch, including egg sandwiches and meatball subs.

Gomah said he has been coming to Hoboken, parking at Newark and River streets for the past 17 years, and has never had a problem.

“It wouldn’t be fair to pull the rug out from under us,” Gomah said. “I pay my permit fees, I clean the spot when it snows, and I know everybody around here. I follow the rules, and I’m just trying to protect my livelihood.”

When asked what he would do if food truck drivers were only allowed to park for two hours at meters, he said he would continue to do business here.

“I’m in it for the long haul,” Gomah said. “What choice do I have? This is how I feed my family. I don’t have any other options. I can’t take public transportation.”

Gomah travels every day from East Brunswick to his favorite parking spot.

One of Ali’s customers, Tim, who only provided his first name, said he goes to the truck for the convenience and said the prices are “generally cheaper.” Tim said he would be upset to see food truck vendors fall victim to the parking rules.

“The real issue is there’s not enough parking, period,” Tim said.

Parking and Transportation Director Ian Sacs hopes that with the enforcement of the once-ignored law, parking will be freed up along Washington Street and other commercial areas, which will make parking easier for visitors and shoppers.

The operators of the Indian Grill, parked on Sinatra Drive near Second Street, said through a translator that they haven’t received any warnings or notices about parking at a metered area all day, but had heard of the new enforcement. One employee at the Indian Grill said that he noticed many cars feeding the meters all day, parking from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sinatra Drive. The two operators of the Indian Grill did not seem worried about the new law.

When the issue was first introduced, the enforcement of the law received the backing of Michael Novak, who is the president of the Chamber of Commerce in Hoboken, since it will result in more spaces becoming available for visiting customers.

The parking ordinances in the city are passed by the City Council, and then enforced by the Hoboken Parking Utility and the Hoboken Police Department.

An amendment to the parking code, involving food trucks, is expected to go before the City Council in the near future.

Ray Smith may be reached at RSmith@hudsonreporter.com

SIDEBAR

Alternatives for drivers; why switch to multi-space meters?

The Parking Utility is offering motorists a merchant coupon, which is a free permit that allows employees to park in a municipal garage for a total of $5 for 12 hours, which is cheaper than feeding the meter for eight hours. However, the municipal garages are only downtown and not uptown. Sacs said earlier in the year that the city is currently trying to establish a public/private partnership with private garages uptown for space.

The new multi-space meters allow drivers to use credit, debit, and smartcards, meaning motorists will not need to always carry a pocket full of quarters when they park. Melli said that through the first few months of the meters, 40 percent of the transactions were not made with quarters.

The new meters will also provide more accountability, Melli said, providing “to-the-penny” audit reports.

That’s significant, because in 2009, millions of quarters were reported missing, which led to the indictment of the former parking director, John Corea, on charges that he conspired to steal more than $600,000 in parking meter revenue. Corea has yet to be tried almost two years after his indictment.

The meters also provide “more efficient use of on-street parking space,” Melli said.

“With multi-space meters, if several shorter vehicles park on a block, you will be able to fit an additional two or three vehicles on the same block,” he said.

The meters are also solar-powered, eliminating the city’s cost of up to $10,000 per year in batteries.

Some of the meter poles will be retrofitted as bike racks, Melli said.

As far as delivery vehicles that park on Washington Street, Sacs has said that the city is encouraging businesses to utilize bike deliveries.

Joseph Castagna leaves court in July 2009 after he was charged in Operation Bid Rig III.

Jersey City says there are too many portable food vendor licenses and former health inspector Joseph Castagna has been charged with issuing them and the pocketing the money.

City officials say that there should only be 175 licenses issued for businesses like food trucks and dirty-water hot dog carts. Right now officials are guestimating that there are about 320 of them out there.

We know why any municipality might want them limited. Restaurants and fast-food joints — with much larger overhead costs — probably don’t like the competition, and municipalities could argue it’s hard to attract new food businesses when there is so much competition out there already.

On the flip side, are they really competing against one another? Is someone passing up Casa Dante because they found a food truck that sells meatball sandwiches on the to the restaurant?

And wouldn’t more licenses bring in more money to municipalities?

http://www.nj.com/hudson/voices/index.ssf/2011/06/daily_poll_should_municipaliti_7.html