- Local every day in
Should Food Trucks Be Allowed Statewide?
Chicago just issued its first license allowing people to cook and sell items on food trucks. Patch wants to know if a similar law should be approved statewide? Tell us in the comment section below.
The Chicago City Council recently issued its first “on-board” cooking license to Dan Salls, owner of the Salsa Truck, the Chicago Tribune reported.
While mobile dining has been around in the U.S. since the 1600s, the idea has gained in popularity in recent years, with shows like The Great Food Truck Race, and the prestigious Zagat guide starting to review food trucks in 2011, according to Mobile-Cusine.com.
Food trucks are allowed in some Chicago suburbs, such as Evanston, but not in all communities.
Patch wants to know: Should food trucks be allowed statewide? Tell us in the comment section.
The City of Evanston passed a food truck ordinance in 2010, which allows businesses with a physical restaurant within city limits to apply for a food vehicle vendors’ license. A judge recently sided with the City of Evanston in a dispute with Chicago-based food truck Beavers Coffee and Donuts, which argued the city’s policy is unconstitutional because it discriminated against businesses that were not Evanston-based, the Daily Northwestern reported.
Along the North Shore, the City of Highland Park is also considering allowing food trucks after receiving more than 25 permit requests in 2012. By comparison, the Village of Deerfield reports getting only two inquiries last year, so it's not a big issue yet.
Related Coverage
Thanks. We'll email you the next time we update this story.
Gus
6:59 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
Yes! Food trucks for all! (Just make sure that there's no large sized sugary soft drinks, have no more than 30% calories from fat from anything sold, any chips should come from veggies, and fruit must be dispensed with all food sold.) It's for own good.
Tea drinker
8:14 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
I'd love to see food trucks in the Lake Zurich area. I remember the hot dog place that used to be at 12 and Quentin. He was parked in the parking lot of the gas station. His food was so good!
Frances Murray
9:28 am on Monday, February 4, 2013
Sure, why not? Food trucks are a great convenience especially in areas where there are no fast food places or other eateries. As long as they are regulated and comply with all the safety measures needed to sell food, they're okay by me.
eicy
1:23 pm on Monday, February 4, 2013
If they are held to the same health and cleanliness standards and inspections as any restaurant would be, then I think they should be licensed and allowed.