Last Thursday, Councilwoman Shevawn Akers led a task force meeting on food trucks, which was open to the public. She will be having a follow-up meeting Thursday, February 14 at 8:30 am which will also have opportunities for public comment. Last Thursday’s meeting saw both brick and mortar food establishment representatives as well food truck vendors represent their opinions on the issue.
Oh, and for those of you who aren’t familiar with food trucks, the video below gives a quick introduction:
As the video notes, food trucks allow individuals who can’t afford to open a restaurant a way to enter the food business. The lower barrier to entry helps provide for a greater diversity of food options for Lexingtonians, and food trucks provide a nice complement to local breweries and bars.
What ProgressLex would like to know is: where do Lexingtonians stand? Has anyone had experience with food trucks in other cities or thoughts on the current offerings in Lexington? Chicago, New York and Los Angeles all have vibrant food truck scenes as do smaller cities like Louisville. Do you think Lexington would benefit from one as well? If so, how should food trucks be regulated? Are there limits we should impose on where and when they can ply their trade with regards to public and private spaces?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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I think Lexington needs a food truck scene like no other place in the country. I have spent most of my life in Kentucky namely Lexington and even though there are great places to eat, there aren’t enough hole in the wall, little mom n pop type places to eat. I have traveled all across the US and spent extensive time back in my home state of Hawaii and if you want some of the best food on most islands, you have to go to a food truck. The appeal of the food truck isn’t this elegance of having someone waiting on you in this luscious locale, it’s the fun of getting some great comfort food with your friends or co-workers. No waiting for a booth or seat, no hostess, just good service and great food, usually made by the people that own the truck. The success of food trucks so far around town have shown that Lexington is craving and enjoying all of the new food opportunities that have become available. This is not only good for the food trucks but its helping more local business from the two new breweries, West 6th and Country Boy but also places like Harvey’s and Lexington Beerworks. From El Habanero Loko, Ogata’s, Fork in the Road all the way to the taco stand that Ello’s does, street vendor food is a must in the growing scene of food in Lexington.