Midtown Lunch

The law still stands that food trucks are not legally allowed to set up at parking meters to operate their business. And while petitions have been signed, videos have been circulated, and meetings have been held, we don’t see quite as many trucks as we used to. However, it seems as if the police have been bothering the trucks a little less frequently in the last few weeks. Have they finally found better things to do, or is it just lulling us back into a false sent of lunchtime security…

In the last few weeks, there have been some encouraging signs including three trucks (Desi Truck, Rickshaw, Crepes Truck) parked on 50th and 6th side by side that haven’t not been bothered at all – except by the competition from the new Thai food cart on the same corner. ML favorite Taim Mobile has even made quite a few appearances in Midtown the last few weeks (after a long absence) without any trouble. And it’s not uncommon to see Wafels & Dinges, Crisp, or Red Hook Lobster Truck back on 46th near 6th Avenue on any given day. It seems like now that the summer has ended and the glut of new food trucks has slowed, business is starting to return to normal.

However, not everything is rosy. The Treats Truck made their first non-promotional appearance in Midtown since the ban last Monday on 38th and 5th, but were told to leave by some undercover cops. Kim tried again on Wednesday at her old 45th Street spot and that seemed to work for the afternoon, but needless to say she’s discouraged and skeptical. Although if we’re lucky, we may see her a bit more often in Midtown and won’t have to just live vicariously through her new cookbook. In the meantime, follow the trucks on the ML Twitter Tracker and be sure to show your support.