Food Truck Lot Coming to Santa Monica's Main Street, Will Include Alcohol [Updated]

Santa Monica was home to the first food truck lot, but, despite its success, it lasted one whole day. The city shut it down over zoning issues and put the concept to study. That was January.

Then last month the city's planning department concluded it would give out three-month temporary use permits for food truck lots on private property. The deal was that the city would monitor the effects of the operations on neighborhoods before finalizing a permanent solution.

The first lot will open next Tuesday evening at the California Heritage Museum at Ocean Park and Main (map) from 5:30 to 10 p.m., according to Matt Geller of the Southern California Mobile Food Vendors Association. The weekly event will run for up to three months and hopefully liven up the street on those weekday nights. The non-profit museum will benefit from not only exposure, but money raised by leasing the space.

Update: Trucks to appear next Tuesday include Nom Nom, No Reservations, Coolhaus, Don Chow Tacos, Ahn -Joo, India Jones, Phamich and Calbi. The attached Victorian Bar will provide seating and drinks. "It will be the first time we'll have a sit down food truck lot where patrons can buy alcohol," said Geller.