BY Mariah Robinson
CHICAGO – Lined up on the corner of S. Wacker and W. Adams street, companies like BBQ Boss, Bop Bar, and Big Wang’s Food Truck strive to feed their customers rain or shine on the street. Food trucks have made an increasing presence in downtown Chicago, despite their struggles to receive permits from the city of Chicago.
Food Trucks are roaming in more than 300 U.S. cities and are becoming a new trend among Millennial’s and Generation Z. Chicago is rated number eight according to Webstaurant Store, for having the best quality food trucks.
Mexi-Taco food truck has been on the streets since 2017, parked next to four other competitors that serve similar food items. Worker Jamie Rodriguez claims the competitors were the least of their problems. “It’s all about inspections, they (Department of Public Health) require so much for food trucks to pass that the slightest infraction could deny us from a permit forcing us to start the whole process over again, ” Jaime said. Mexi-Taco received their permit within six months of applying. Some vendors aren’t as lucky, taking as long as over a year to receive their permits.
Undeterred by difficulty of receiving permits, food trucks are becoming a new competitor in the food industry forcing other companies to step of their game. Customers like Andrea Correa prefer food trucks over a sit-in restaurant.
Mexi-Tacos and other trucks are a better experience to enjoy because you’re outside, it’s quick and easy and you’re not wasting all of your time waiting for food to come out,” says Correa.
With summer 2019 in full force vendors are able to take their trucks to the next level by participating in food festivals like the Taste of Chicago, which has a vest food genre range. Windy City Smokeout which is dedicated to consumers who love barbecue, and Greek Fest which travels to different parts of Chicago each week serving Greek traditions to attendees.
With warm weather and unlimited amounts of sunshine, this is a perfect opportunity not only to start trying mobile food vendors, but also a chance to experience the diversity of food Chicago has to offer.
