It’s impossible to write about the street food movements happening in San Francisco, Oakland and Portland without some serious jealousy. From creme brulee carts to twittering tamale hawkers, the explosion on-the-fly food vendors operating from carts, trucks and impromptu stands is clearly a sign of the times.
With low start-up costs, its an easy toe-in-the-water for part-timers, immigrants and aspiring cooks to test out the market for their cuisine. For eaters, the low overhead usually means a bargain bite.
Sonoma County has long had its taco trucks — our own brand of street food — each with its devotees and specialties. But in recent months, there’s also been a surge of bakers and chefs setting up shop at local farm markets, selling everything from Indian food to cheesecake. But there’s clearly a market for more, and I’ve heard a few niblets of exciting information about folks who may soon start Twittering their mobile food locations to hungry SoCo eaters.
Until then, there are several upcoming street food events happening nearby to whet your appetite. Last weekend’s San Francisco Street food festival attracted thousands, and reportedly turned into chaos when lines stretched for 20 minutes or more for carts.
This weekend’s big street food event is the Eat Real Festival in Oakland, a combination of street food vendors and farmers selling their wares at rock-bottom prices ($1-$5), not to mention ice cream sold from the back of a bicycle. Get more info.
In November, the CIA’s Worlds of Flavor Conference will focus on World Street Food and World Comfort Food over three days at the Greystone campus in Napa. Get more info.
What’s your take on street food?
There are lots of exciting mobile food vendors in Sonoma County.
The farmers markets and other fairs are a good place to find them.
It would be wonderful to have them around on a regular basis. Tweeting the locations is about the best use of twitter I can think of…
The health departments (and business license bureaus) in other counties are working to develop policies to protect consumers but also make it possible for the vendors to survive.
I have a problem when I see those trucks are not within the required disatnce to a bathroom. It’s also a problem for me to see their 33 gallon garbage cans outside on the filthy ground knowing it’s hauled into the kitchen area when they depart. Oh yes and then there is the one where the vendor was sitting on the outside counter on between customers ( where you prepare your food with condiments)… Let’s not forget their are not enough Inspectors to stay in top of those who set up after 5:00 pm … Can you say upset stomach?
I am all for street vendors! I am always looking for somewhere quick to grab a bite that is not greasy fast-food!!! As a student and a mom, I don’t always have time for sit-down meals that Sonoma County has to offer.
Missy and Don, despite your racist tone, do you guys eat fruits and vegetables, drink wine, or just trolling?
So Missy remember that when enjoying your glass of chardonnay with your salad tonight.
I always thought Courthouse Square would be a perfect location for street food vendors. Maybe Tijuana bacon wrapped hot dogs for the 4th street drunkards.
Good point – well taken. Although – I am sticking with my No Go policy. It’s my perogative.
I have seen many trucks with Health Inspection stickers. There are some serious assumptions being made here. Latin = Illegal Immigrant? Cash = Does not pay taxes? Sad.
I’m with you Missy and Don – never have, never would. Yuck is an understatement.
These trucks are a death wish for most resturants that have to pay TAXES, workers comp, and other fees for owning a location. The owners of these units do not pay taxes( all cash business) and they do not give back to the community.The law states that they must move every 30minutes to a new location. The health dept has turned its back on these units as they are to be parked at a commisary and not someones home.
I won’t eat in any truck that hires illegals, or is from illegal aliens.
I find it reprehensible to advocate this when so many Americans are out of work.
Love street food!
I lived off the best (or, ummm, worst, depending on how you look at it) of its kind for years when gallivanting around New Brunswick, NJ in my early 20s. The Grease Trucks – http://www.yelp.com/biz/grease-trucks-new-brunswick-2 – there is no equal. Although the falafel and shawarma and dirty water dogs I lived off of when gallivanting around NYC came close.
But the Fat Cat was an absolute god send at 2 AM just about every Friday and Saturday night for years.
We have a decent taco truck roll by my office a couple times a day, and our neighborhood has lots of people out an about selling ice cream, tamales, elote, chicharrones, and other goodies.