Ticktock, ticktock -- the taco clock is counting down

There's a big shindig tomorrow night to celebrate the last night of la vida taco in Los Angeles. The reason? Starting at midnight Wednesday, the new law that makes it illegal for mobile eateries to park for more than an hour in any one location kicks in.

Taco Libre is the brainchild of Save Our Taco Trucks, two guys who got worldwide attention (NYT, NPR, IHT, even Time) with their "Carne Asada Is Not a Crime" campaign to save the taco trucks. Despite  6,000-plus signatures on the petition, though, L.A. County supes have refused to budge on the new law.

Some truck owners have vowed to ignore the law and stay put, which, if they're cited, can earn them a fine, or even jail time.

The party starts at 8 p.m. in East L.A. at Tacos El Galuzo, at 5555 Whittier Blvd. Head on over and chow down. Or you can join the resistance movement by buying -- and parking -- a taco truck of your very own.

-- Veronique de Turenne

Comments

[acc]

Aren't we suppose to be a capitalist free society? I cannot believe that these businesses are being victimized like this. I see fast food restaurants lined up like soldiers in every strip mall and/or commercial area but it's the lunch truck being singled out? Sounds like because they're "Taco Trucks" the latino community is once again being the scapegoat for the woes of the country. This sucks. I love the food and convenience these trucks offer. If you don't like them then don't go to them. And the businesses that are complaining about getting their business clientele being taken away should make better and more affordable food.

[Cindy P.]

I think that the taco trucks should be allowed to park on street. They should have to be licensed correctly and have a County Health Inspection.

[Ed]

I remember when these "catering trucks" were referred to as "roach coaches." I'm sure the ones the law applies to the ones that don't sell tacos... or do those even exist anymore?

[michael ryston]

It comes down to order. Who wants to have major city streets cluttered with taco trucks? While there is a need for them, such as fulfilling the needs of construction workers and other locations where employees on a break want something to eat and can't leave, businesses such as "brick and mortar" restaurants should not have to compete against them.

I surmise that for some, having taco trucks parked all over the place, and having people standing around clogging up the sidewalks doesn't matter....cause LA is a mess already.

[Vato Loco]

Taco Raza.

The Taco Cholos will fix everything.

[Mike]

Taco trucks just undermine brick and mortar restaurants. They are a blight on neighborhoods that restaurants could improve....get rid of them.. They want to sell tacos in a neighborhood...open up a restaurant.

[gregory kay]

Taco trucks are the LA equivalent of the hot dog cart. Sure, the cart takes up some room on the sidewalk. Sure, the taco truck takes up a parking spot. But both add more to many neighborhoods than they take away. Los Angeles should designate places where people might walk or ride a bike,such as Boyle Heights, Echo Park, Pico Union as "taco truck friendly" and license the trucks to park in those areas accordingly.

[Marcos El Malo]

@aac: This has nothing to do with racism. The owners of the failing restaurants whose complaints got Latina Gloria Molina (Chairwoman of the Board of Stupes) to enact this ordnance were all Latino businessmen. So, no race card to be played here. Thank you, come again.
@michael ryston: In think I'll take a pass on your idea of order: Government regulation favoring one type of business over another. I like my idea of order better: dos carnitas, dos de lengua, con todo y para llevar. Also, I apologize for everyone that stands around clogging up YOUR sidewalks and blighting your neighborhood.
@Mike: If by "undermine" you mean "compete with", then I suppose you have a point. Heaven forbid a business with a fixed address should have to compete with a mobile business. That leads to anarchy and blight.

Taco trucks are long standing features of the Los Angeles cultural landscape. If you don't like 'em, go back to where ever it was you or your ancestors came from.