Los Angeles City Council Grinches Screw Over Super-Sized Food Trucks
Merry Christmas, Los Angeles bricks-and-mortar restaurants. As a special end of the year gift, the city council approved new rules that screw the extra-large food trucks to protect their competitors' profits!
The full scoop comes from Adam Blevins, who covered the story for the Park Labrea News-Beverly Press (and took the pic at right):
According to the ordinance, trucks that are larger than 22 feet long and seven feet high are prohibited from parking in spaces with oversized vehicle restrictions along Wilshire between Fairfax and La Brea avenues from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"It makes the street safer for everyone," said Councilman Tom LaBonge, 4th District, the author of the ordinance. He added that the restrictions should increase visibility for motorists in the area. "It's the safety that I'm concerned about, and I think it works it out."
Food trucks have long been a source of frustration for some restaurant owners in the area, especially Dick Messer, owner of Johnny Rockets. He said food trucks siphon business from "brick and mortar" restaurants that are heavily taxed and regulated.
"Certainly, it will be a change for the area, as far as dining goes," Messer said. "Hopefully, it'll be helpful."
Ho. Ho. Ho.
Via Mobile Food News.