Residents Review Long Beach's Food Trucks

The City of Long Beach-backed food truck market that kicked off last week at Riverside Boulevard beach was met with mixed reviews, at least among people who commented about the summer pilot program on Patch’s Facebook page earlier this week. 

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In response to a query about the food trucks and their fare, some people used words like “fun,” “cool” and “awesome,” as others commented favorably about the layout of the food market, with its picnic tables and potted palm trees sandwiched between the Superblock and Foundation Block.  

“Food trucks are everywhere and very successful,” Michael Hummel commented. “Good to see [Long Beach] getting on board!”

Nydia Moreno-Rodriquez wrote that she thinks “The Shoregasboard,” as the food trucks market is dubbed, is a great idea: “They should have come up with this a long time ago.”

A former Long Beach resident, Melissa Sutton, writing from her home in Portland, said: “[L]ots of food trucks everywhere. I think it's fabulous. If [Long Beach] is doing the same now, keep doing it. I think it's great for restaurants (financially) and the community.”

The city first announced the pilot program in March, promoting it as a way to give business that are rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy an additional opportunity to sell their fare and to boost tourism. The following month officials announced the program locations and schedule: Riverside Boulevard and Shore Road from Tuesday to Sunday, and Kennedy Plaza, the area outside of City Hall at 1 W. Chester St., on Mondays. The markets will operate each day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Sept. 2.

An announcement, posted on the city’s website in April, read: “The Food Truck Market will consist of businesses that currently have City of Long Beach mercantile licenses …. Only in the event that extra spaces shall exist, then those spots may be obtained by non-mercantile businesses.”

Alan Adams, owner of Sugo Café on West Park Avenue, was among the first local businesses to purchase a food truck, at a cost of about $30,000. Other participating businesses are Swingbellys, Beach House, Long Beach Wellness, Lido Kosher Deli, Tutti Frutti, Villaggio and the Whale’s Tale, according to the Long Beach Herald.

Other residents who commented on Patch’s question about the food trucks called for ice cream trucks at the market, while others asked that the trucks spread out further along the beach area rather than have them confined to Riverside beach. Still others thought the fare was too pricey.

“Great idea and long overdue but too expensive for small portions,” Steven Chan commented.

Marybeth Kelly Rabin also thought the food was a little too expensive.  “Good but I guess it is priced for tourists, not locals,” she wrote.

Some others don’t care for the program in general. One commenter, Jennifer Zwicker Loucas, called the food market set-up “tacky” and she expressed concern about business still struggling after Sandy who can’t afford to buy a food truck.

“This may have been a good idea a few years from now when everyone had recovered, not the summer after such a tragedy!” she wrote.

Another commenter, Jim Cancelliere, asked: “Isn't this taking local business away from established merchants who are already struggling in a post Sandy world?”

Some restaurants that are not involved in the program fear it could hurt their businesses. Ekaterina Langis, a co-owner of Diner by the Sea, at 260 E. Park Ave., told the Herald that she didn't think the city gave restaurants enough notice about the food truck program, and that it is unrealistic for these establishments, many of them still struggling since Sandy, to deal with purchasing a truck, obtaining the required licensing, and learning how to run a business on wheels in a matter of weeks. 

“You have to give businesses enough time to react and make a decision and get together the money. In two months, no one is going to come up with $100,000. How many hamburger deluxes am I going to have to sell to buy a food truck?” 

But city official believe those businesses will benefit from the additional tourist attraction.  

Mandel told the Herald:

“The location of the Shoregasboard is an unsaturated market, and we are giving the program a test run this summer. It’s our belief that it will benefit all businesses, as ultimately it serves to bring people into our city and give them more reason to stay longer once they are here. Overall, I think this program will add to attracting more people to our city, which will only serve to add to shopping and foot traffic.”

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