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Gold for the Defense: 'Let a thousand food trucks roll.'
Photo by Alan Heitz via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
Photo by Alan Heitz via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr
Today's LA Times includes an opinion piece by the LA Weekly's Jonathan Gold in defense of food trucks. Specifically in defense of the trucks as they face potential political foes such as Councilmen Paul Koretz and Tom La Bonge, both who have made waves--and enemies--for calling for tougher regulations or, in some cases, getting rid of them altogether. Recently, La Bonge proposed creating specific zones for truck parking.
"This sidewalk looks a lot like Los Angeles," summarizes Gold, in discussing the hordes of people of all walks of life who line the street to get a Kogi taco or fare from one of the approximately 100 new wave of food trucks. "Food trucks have become a staple of reality TV. Food trucks, which attract so many like-minded people, may be indirectly responsible for more new relationships than OkCupid," he proclaims.
It's our restless nature, our on-the-go and on four-wheels culture that Gold believes fuels and fosters the food truck culture that has rapidly grown to become our current culinary calling card here in L.A. Even among the many highly-esteemed restaurants, there should be, asserts Gold, room for the food trucks--which, by the way, are inspected and regulated.
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"Do food trucks take business away from established restaurants? Undoubtedly, especially in areas where those restaurants tend to be both expensive and mediocre. Great cooking always wins out." Sometimes that great cooking happens on the trucks. Count Gold among those who are wholly in favor of allowing them to continue to be a part of our food business community.
"LaBonge and Koretz must not win," he concludes. "Let a thousand food trucks roll."
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We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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