Austin, Texas, is riddled with food trailers: Every vacant lot near a sidewalk seems to be home to a food mobile. They serve dogs and tacos, of course, but so much more: barbecue, sandwiches, coffee and pastries, cupcakes, burgers, fried chicken, sushi, pizza, crepes, kebabs, ice cream, pad thai, etc.
Most of them dish up quick takeout; many have a few tables and chairs set out in front. But one we visited, G’Raj Mahal, was a full-service restaurant with a hostess, waiters, menus, and the whole bit. We sat under a roof that had been rigged with lights, and enjoyed some excellent Indian food.
The trailers are popular among both food entrepreneurs and diners, as they’re so much cheaper to operate than a regular restaurant. Running a kitchen in a trailer sure doesn’t seem to hurt quality.
The Bay Area could stand to see a few more of these besides taco trucks and carts at UC Berkeley. But we lack vacant lots, and the lenient codes that allow so many of Austin’s trailers to thrive.
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Just don't eat the street food in Southeast Asia...
ReplyDeleteI once formally requested that we have food trailers at lunch at HP Labs in Palo Alto. Alas, I was informed that HP's contract with Marriott forbid competitors on the property.
ReplyDeleteOh, Austin, we really should follow their lead.
ReplyDeleteLenient parking code is key. Not to slight the traditional restaurant community, but the Bay Area has done its darndest to discourage food trucks in recent years.