1st Annual Chicago Food Film Festival

Posted on September 27, 2010 by chicagofoodcarts

Last Friday I had the opportunity to attend the 1st annual Chicago Food Festival’s opening night. (Thanks for the passes D!)

Anyway, this was the first year in, hopefully, a long run for this fest in Chicago. It has had a home in New York City for the past 4 years but judging by the attendance I am sure it will also travel to Chicago for many years to come.

Festival Director George Motz, the documentary filmmaker behind the award-winning Hamburger America film and book, along with co-creator Harry Hawk

Festival Director George Motz, the documentary filmmaker behind the award-winning Hamburger America film and book, along with co-creator Harry Hawk

The food festival works on this basic premise:
“Through documentaries, features and short films, the Festival showcases the best, and the most memorable, of the world’s favorite foods. Along with a heaping helping of mouth-watering films, the festival serves up the food that guests are watching on the screen for a multi-sensory, full-bodied experience.” — chicagofoodfilmfestival.com.

Basically you taste what you see on screen and, let me tell you, it was delicious!

Among the samples I tasted were:

Deep fried Oreo:

Deep-fried Oreo

A delicious half-eaten deep-fried Oreo

Fried Cheese Curds, Beets and Carrots with tarragon dip, Cucumber Martini:

Fried Cheese Curds, Beets and Carrots with tarragon dip, Cucumber Martini

Mmmm fried cheese curds!

Sugar cream pie from Hoosier Mama Pie Company:

Sugar cream pie

Hoosier Mama!

Ginger and Pomegranate Lemonade:

Ginger and Pomegranate Lemonade

Lemonade never tasted soooo good...

Unfortunately I was not able to attend the 2nd night of festivities which included burgers and beer!

If any of you went on night 2 let me know and leave your thoughts and comments right here.

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Happy Bodega

Posted on September 16, 2010 by chicagofoodcarts

I wanted to give a shout out to Amanda at Happy Bodega for getting off the ground over the past few weeks. This is her mobile convenient store/food truck:

Happy Bodega

Happy Bodega's mobile convenient store/food truck

Her truck was featured in today’s Chicago Thrillist newsletter and you can see its full contents here.

Congrats Amanda!

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More Support: “C’mon Daley, loosen-up.”

Posted on September 1, 2010 by chicagofoodcarts

We’ve received more support to bring food carts to the city of Chicago and below you will see a candid response from fellow supporter, Joe. He says:

Chicago Food Carts: What types of food would you like to see served from food carts?
Joe: All types of food would be great! The program is succeeding in so many
other cities. This would be another revenue stream for any city with permit fees and such, I don’t understand why all the hubbub. Entrepreneurs would get an opportunity to start small businesses, and the city generates much needed revenue. C’mon Daley, loosen-up.

Aimee B. says she would like to see all types of ethnic foods served from carts in Chicago. She phrased it,”gourmet twists on everyday food.”

With all the support we have received over the past few months, I think it is time for you to ask us what you would like us to answer for you. So ask away and it can be anything, of course within reason.

Thanks again for your continued support!

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Philadelphia cupcake truck seized by inspectors

Posted on August 27, 2010 by chicagofoodcarts

“The Philadelphia government is very difficult to navigate as a small business.” — loyal Philadelphia cupcake customer Marion Summerville

Sounds like Chicago. The other day Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspections seized the Cupcake Lady’s food truck because they said she didn’t have the correct permits to operate in the zone where she was selling her delectable’s. The cupcake lady, Kate Carrara, says the rules are just too confusing.

Inspectors confiscate Philadelphia cupcake truck

The "Cupcake Lady" truck is seen conducting business in JFK Plaza in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010. The vendor's followers are outraged after the Department of Licenses and Inspections on Tuesday seized the converted mail truck used by Kate Carrara, also known as the "cupcake lady," who roves the city selling 400-500 cupcakes a day. (AP Photo/Patrick Walters)

Too confusing? Hmmm. Sounds like the rules in Chicago. We can’t prepare food from a truck or cart but we can sell already made eats. What’s the difference as long as we meet health and sanitary inspections we should be able to serve what we please. Why can’t our local governments stop stifling the entrepreneurial spirit in the aspiring society? Ok ok…enough bitching, but a mobile food business should not be so difficult to start.

You can read the entire story here.

Do you think it was right for the city of Philadelphia to seize the cupcake lady’s truck?

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Food Desert’s in Chicago

Posted on August 10, 2010 by chicagofoodcarts

While picking up the RedEye yesterday I was sparked by the cover and its accompanying story; Chicago’s Food Deserts (see pages 6-7).

RedEye 8/9/10

Chicago's Food Deserts cover story in 8/9/10 edition of RedEye

I have often thought that food carts could be used to distribute fresh produce in under served areas of Chicago. This article backs up my thoughts in some ways. But instead of outfits like Peapod distributing fresh food, making it somewhat pricey to order and forcing you to be locked in to a specific bundle of products, their could be a cart that sells farm fresh delectables on an individual basis. This would also allow for menu changes that are more nimble on a day-to-day basis or even weekly. Of course, this would depend on what local farmers are producing and what is in season.

Chicago’s food deserts are a problem as it is with most big city’s. However, New York City has their own Green Cart program. They help put produce carts in their food deserts plus help entrepreneurs get started for a very affordable amount of capital. Check them out as I find that this would be nice to have in Chicago.

Share your thoughts on the growing problem of food desert’s in Chicago in the comments section.

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Mug ‘n Bun: A name so simple for a hot dog joint

Posted on August 3, 2010 by chicagofoodcarts

I stumbled across this today and thought that this was such a great name for a hot dog joint:

Mug 'n Bun

Mug 'n Bun hot dog joint in Indianapolis - photo courtesy of WGN America: Sky Dives (Tom Langmyer)

Names like this are so simple and it made me think about how I can make my business name to be as easy and understandable as Mug ‘n Bun.

I have come up with a few ideas and would like to share them via our Chicago Food Carts twitter feed or facebook page. Look for updates at these mediums and feel free to chime in and provide some feedback at whichever you prefer.

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Video: Seattle’s mobile food scene

Posted on July 26, 2010 by chicagofoodcarts

Take a look at this video about some of the selections from the Seattle mobile food scene:

This is the type of scene Chicago should have. Thoughts?

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My creation: “The Loaded Hot Dog”

Posted on July 20, 2010 by chicagofoodcarts

Yesterday, I was experimenting with some new toppings to add to my Hebrew National 97% Fat Free hot dog. I came up with what I call, “The Loaded Hot Dog.” It’s a grilled dog, toasted wheat bun topped with yellow American cheese and steamed broccoli. Just like a loaded potato that is topped with the latter plus bacon where in this case the hot dog serves as the bacon. Take a look at the photo below for your savory pleasure:

The Loaded Hot Dog

This is planned to be a menu item every once in awhile once I get up and running wherever that may be.

Would you order this? Leave a comment.

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Additional Support to bring Mobile Food to Chicago

Posted on July 14, 2010 by chicagofoodcarts

Looks like we are going to be moving forward with opening our own food business in the near future but it couldn’t have been done without your support and inspiration. Here are some more thoughts from you:

What types of food would you like to see served from food carts?

One reader had some very nice suggestions:

OBJECTIVE – Introduce healthier food and teach to each at least one
item of green vegetable.

Nepali Food – modified recipe
Chick peas curry (organic)
Goat meat curry (organic)
Grilled Chicken like shish kabobs (organic)
Vegetable (Mustard leaves) (organic)
Wheat roti – like tortilla (organic)
Quinoa Pilaf
Fresh fruits in cup
Yogurt (organic)
Coffee
Cheeya (Nepalese Tea) (organic)
Water

OR

Hot Dog (organic) 99% fat free
Meat Pizza (organic)
Vegetable Pizza (organic)
Wheat Pasta with herbs, little cheese (organic)
Plain Soda
Sorbet – organic
Water

From others:
– Everything delicious
– Roasted corn-on-the-cob!
– Hot dogs (of course)!
– Tamales, tacos & burritos
– Cold fresh cut fruit (fruit cups, fruit kabobs, etc.)
– Samosas!
– Pot stickers or pierogis
– Sausages like kielbasa or smoked sausage — on a stick!
– Big kosher pickles!
– Coffee, tea, gelato, sorbet, sammies, pizza, fruit, hummus, salads,
– Candy, cereal, bagels, EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD.

Do you want to see food carts on the streets of Chicago?

You said:

– Absolutely! It’s a big missing, especially in some areas where any kind of restaurant is hard to find!

– YES, YES! YES! YES!

– In strategic locations that make sense with traffic and pedestrian considerations so that it provides a needed service and not annoyance to local residents and businesses.

– Of course! Food carts make people happy!! They make me happy!!

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Seattle Food trucks face some uphill battles

Posted on July 9, 2010 by chicagofoodcarts

Today, I read an interesting story about the Seattle food truck scene and the struggles they face vs. brick and mortar restaurants. A few owners mentioned they work way more hours operating a food truck than they do at their physical restaurants. My thought is why not open a food cart? A lot less hassle and cheaper to operate.

Fernando Paz works with daughter Jessica, 16, in his food truck that he parks on Third Avenue near the Mexican Consulate in Belltown. Paz is a former mortgage broker who once made half a million dollar in one year.

Fernando Paz works with daughter Jessica, 16, in his food truck that he parks on Third Avenue near the Mexican Consulate in Belltown. Paz is a former mortgage broker who once made half a million dollar in one year.

It looks like Seattle will be loosening their food vending laws in the near future. Come on Chicago! Speak up!

Read the full article about the struggles of food trucks from The Seattle Times

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