Should L.A. ban food trucks from parking on city streets? Tell us what you think.

A Los Angeles City councilman intensified debate in the city over food trucks last Friday by introducing two motions that could lead to the trucks being banned on city streets.

One proposal from Councilman Tom LaBonge asks city staff to study what other cities have done and to look into prohibiting trucks from parking at metered spaces in commercially zoned areas. The other calls for a report on the creation of specially designated catering-truck parking zones.

Food truck owners and patrons -- famous for their fervor and their mastery of social media sites such as Twitter -- have mounted a campaign against the proposals and the councilman himself.

Someone has set up a Facebook page called "Los Angelinos Against Labonge." An online petition "against any city bill that would limit access to the food trucks" had racked up 2,000 digital signatures in just three days. Food truck supporters accosted LaBonge during his community bicycle ride Wednesday evening to complain about his proposals. On Twitter, where the controversy became a major local topic Wednesday, one post urged food truck supporters to attend the ride to tell LaBonge "you don't approve of his hatred of food trucks!"

The Times' Kate Linthicum reports on the growing food truck fight. What do you think? Share your opinions below.

Photo: Councilman Tom LaBonge, right, speaks with Dan Nathan about LaBonge's proposal to limit food trucks on Wilshire Boulevard. "Everybody in the building loves having the food trucks," said Nathan, who works nearby. Credit: John W. Adkisson / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Kerry]

Local restaurants have to pay rent and abide by county health department laws. It is not fair to have mobile food trucks pull up in front of existing restaurants. Right now, the entire scheme is unregulated: many park in established parking places, have no access to bathrooms for their workers, and flee as soon as a government official shows up. Kudos to Councilmember LaBonge for tackling this tough issue and trying to find a win-win solution.

[John]

NO

[Restaurant Owner]

I'm not for a complete ban on food trucks. But I think some regulations are needed. They create unfair competition. I pay well over $10,000 per month (along with many other restaurant owners) and to have a truck sitting near our establishments for more than 8 hours a day seems a bit unfair. Owe, and there's a thing called taxes and county fees that restaurant establishments have to cough up on a regular basis. I think asking for some reasonable limitations and/or regulations isn't too much to ask from our city's council.

ALSO - I feel there are some public safety issues that should be addressed. Remember, these food trucks handle FOOD. Employee hygiene? how are they keeping the food fresh for 8 hours? How do they replenish? Bathroom? They're sitting there for hours, how are these things handled? I heard one truck owner say he uses the bathroom in the truck.....WHAT bathroom?!! *I won't mention which truck...but lets just say stay away from the bulgogi.

[kuruc]

are they healthy?

[Danielle]

I have worked on that now-infamous stretch of the Miracle Mile for the last decade and, to me, the trucks are a blessing. That area is, as my friend called it, a culinary wasteland with only a handful of places to eat. You can only eat at the same place so many times before it gets old. The trucks have brought us myriad new options where a year or so ago we had so few.

But there is another benefit that has been largely overlooked - the trucks have brought a sense of community to an otherwise sterile area. My office overlooks Wilshire and when I look out at lunch time, I see crowds of people out on the sidewalks sharing a common experience. I meet new people almost every day and have a chance to catch up with co-workers I don't necessarily interact with much in the office. Before the trucks came (and on those days when construction blocks off the street), it was a wasteland with only a handful of people out on the street, always walking to a specific destination. Now, people hang out and share a common experience.

Are there too many trucks on any given day? Maybe. But the people who work in the area appreciate them.

To those who mentioned the mess in Abbot Kinney, I am sorry to hear that. But you can't blame the trucks - that says more about the people frequenting the trucks in that community than it does the trucks themselves. I hardly ever see any litter left behind on Wilshire and almost all of the trucks have trash cans for people to use.

[migs]

I eat out a lot, most of the time at restaurants, but also from different food trucks- its a totally different experience and i want to be able to continue to enjoy each in their own right. I don't think this councilman's done his homework on this one when he says they don't have to follow rules

From what I hear Food trucks in LA are pretty regulated.

They're inspected by the Health Dept like any other food establishment- from what i understand they have very strict guidelines that they have to operate within and many of them have owners or employees that are certified food handlers, so i'm not worried about the food being safe. and they have to carry their trash away with them. one owner i talked to said they try to leave any area they go to cleaner that it was before they got there! this said, some are definitely better & cleaner than others ..but isn't this true of restaurants as well?

Also, they have to have business licenses for each city they operate in & have to follow the specific rules of that city. so that means they're not just paying taxes to one city, but to each one they operate in. not to mention all the people who they employ..

I say let them continue- they should follow the rules and if they break them they should be fined like everyone else. otherwise, councilman labonge, please leave the food trucks alone!

[bill]

If they start outlawing the food trucks, all they'll do is put the better, legitimate operators out of business.

The guys who grill hot dogs on the sheet metal downtown and those who push the fruit wagons will still operate as they always have, free from restrictions and inspection.

Is LaBonge going to then dedicate the already overstretched resources of the LAPD to be the food truck patrol?

Give us a break, Tom.

They ought to look into some of the brick & mortar lunch cafes in some of the office buildings. They're filthy and yet many have an "A" displayed in their window.

Give me a gourmet lunch truck any day over those places.

[eastside food bites]

Well, I just ate my first sandwich from the Nom Nom truck, and it changed my life, so I'm going to say no. And Hypatia, I promise I wasn't offered any drugs, just a pork sandwich.

[dave]

These are tax paying buisnesses. keep them. and the "sell drugs" comment, please think before you speak.

[Shannon]

I completely agree with Danielle. As someone who has worked on Miracle Mile both pre-and post-food truck revolution, I cannot endorse the food trucks enough. They give us healthy, afforable options on what is truly a culinary wasteland and they encourage a sense of community on what I remember was essentially an empty street at lunchtime. Let the trucks stay!

[Wolfy]

How about packing your own lunch - much more healthy and economical than any restaurant or food truck food. Such lazy American workers. In other countries they all bring own lunch boxes.

[alex]

Unfair competition? Sorry, that doesn't exist. Competition is the way it works in the US. If one business makes a great innovation, who are you to say we should disallow it just because it's a clever idea and saves them some money?? And for the record, many brick & mortar restaurants and businesses have said that the trucks have significantly helped their businesses. The trucks create foot traffic, more interest and a more lively area. I go to just as many brick and mortar restaurants now as I always have; it's quality that wins my money. Restaurants which offer poor quality food but pay rent on their buildings aren't entitled to my business. Good food=good money no matter if it's on wheels or in a building. You'd be surprised.

On the food quality- it seems some commenters don't know about the new gourmet trucks. Taco trucks have always been good, delicious food (with no drugs I might add??) but there is also a new type of truck that's new and started in LA and those are the "gourmet" trucks, which have very high quality food, often creative fusion food, delicious! And if you have never tried it, do try! At least before you voice your opinion about wanting to ban them. That's like trying to ban a book before reading it.

[Pickup Trucks]

The food trucks are not really that big a nuisance as its made out to be. The 2000 votes are a testament to that. There has to be a solution to the issue and it should just be a matter of time before we see some positive action.

[Pickup Trucks]

The food trucks are not really that big a nuisance as its made out to be. The 2000 votes are a testament to that. There has to be a solution to the issue and it should just be a matter of time before we see some positive action.

[Mek]

Let a few people get sick from the food and see who gets is balmed and sued . City of Los Angeles.