Food Trucks?
Dec 18, 2011 | 1:29 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: ACT/GRK/DAL/ABI/MIA/FLL
Programs: OMNIArchist, OMNIArchy!, OMNIIDGAS
Posts: 23,478
There are lunch trucks as well, but they target industrial park (where I often am), and try to get the factory workers leaving for lunch.
Dec 18, 2011 | 1:33 am
#48
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
I can see the lunch trucks filling in the need for far to reach places where there is little selection for food.. That would be normal in Calgary..
I guess the dinner option is a niche that seems to work..
Dec 18, 2011 | 5:31 am
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,947
That is no longer the case in most urban areas where food trucks proliferate. These aren't the sandwich and coffee offerings at construction sites, but a variety of ethic and gourmet offerings. Lunchtime is def big business, but these guys do a good evening and nighttime business, as well. The dessert trucks do particularly well in the late afternoons and evenings, and the late night munchers need something when they get out of the bar or club to help soak up that alcohol. On biz travel, I've picked up a gyro or something else from the trucks on occassion in NY, if i left the office very late and wasn't in the mood for a sit down meal somewhere but needed to eat.
Dec 18, 2011 | 1:14 pm
#50
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
That is no longer the case in most urban areas where food trucks proliferate. These aren't the sandwich and coffee offerings at construction sites, but a variety of ethic and gourmet offerings. Lunchtime is def big business, but these guys do a good evening and nighttime business, as well. The dessert trucks do particularly well in the late afternoons and evenings, and the late night munchers need something when they get out of the bar or club to help soak up that alcohol. On biz travel, I've picked up a gyro or something else from the trucks on occassion in NY, if i left the office very late and wasn't in the mood for a sit down meal somewhere but needed to eat.
Second, business owners are inundated with overhead, so the food truck business likely cuts down on many expenses that a normal brick and mortar restaurant would have to pay for..
Lastly, food trucks are mobile.. no demand.. just move the truck and sell at a high demand location.. Plus special events, food trucks serve a purpose.. Of course, this is all subject to appropriate permits..
Dec 18, 2011 | 1:32 pm
#51
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
Dec 19, 2011 | 10:33 pm
#52
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Dec 19, 2011 | 10:39 pm
#53
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Northern California
Programs: UA Premier Gold, 1.5 Million Mile Flyer
Posts: 3,696
Dec 19, 2011 | 10:55 pm
#54
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
Fast food is about half that! Heck, you can get 2 Big Macs and large fries for $8.97.
Dec 19, 2011 | 11:41 pm
#55
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,001
err, yes, they can.
PDX food trucks a decade ago were mostly midday and closed for dinner; now they serve all day long and do good business for dinner or later. Pricing is similar to non chain "fast casual" i.e. better than fast food.
PDX food trucks a decade ago were mostly midday and closed for dinner; now they serve all day long and do good business for dinner or later. Pricing is similar to non chain "fast casual" i.e. better than fast food.
Dec 20, 2011 | 8:28 am
#56
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: AS, SQ, SPG, IHG
Posts: 321
When I was in the LA area (the Inland Empire, to be more exact) the whole upscale food truck thing was just beginning. I kind of thought it was ridiculous until I started trying some of them and was actually impressed.
Then I moved to DC and found the most uninspired food trucks ever... dunno about y'all, but of all the food trucks I've tried in DC, I have only found one worth my repeat business. Everything else here is really uninspired, blah, and overpriced.
Therefore, LA food truck proprietors, if you want my money, you know where to find me--or else you'll just have to rely on my constant trips back to CA.
Then I moved to DC and found the most uninspired food trucks ever... dunno about y'all, but of all the food trucks I've tried in DC, I have only found one worth my repeat business. Everything else here is really uninspired, blah, and overpriced.
Therefore, LA food truck proprietors, if you want my money, you know where to find me--or else you'll just have to rely on my constant trips back to CA.
Dec 20, 2011 | 9:54 pm
#57
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Hehehe... Those are not fast food prices. I had some sliders and fries from a food truck a few weeks ago and it came out to about $20 for me alone. Four sliders to be precise at $4 a piece and some fries.
Fast food is about half that! Heck, you can get 2 Big Macs and large fries for $8.97.
Fast food is about half that! Heck, you can get 2 Big Macs and large fries for $8.97.
Dec 20, 2011 | 10:04 pm
#58
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LAX
Posts: 6,769
I guess when I think of Fast Food, I think of showing up at a mall food court.. go to Orange Julius to get a drink ($4).. head over to the Italian Place and get the double pasta combo with salad and cheese toast ($12 to $14).. and finish off with a Banana Split at the Ice Cream Kiosk ($7)
Dec 20, 2011 | 10:26 pm
#59
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Dec 20, 2011 | 10:33 pm
#60
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Northern California
Programs: UA Premier Gold, 1.5 Million Mile Flyer
Posts: 3,696
I guess when I think of Fast Food, I think of showing up at a mall food court.. go to Orange Julius to get a drink ($4).. head over to the Italian Place and get the double pasta combo with salad and cheese toast ($12 to $14).. and finish off with a Banana Split at the Ice Cream Kiosk ($7)
Any of those $7 fast food meals fills me up for 7 hrs. minimum. Your food court meal would kill me.