Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Taco Truck Law-Breakers: Someone Had to Be First
Photo of a mariscos-specialty taco truck in Venice (not the one cited...yet!) by stevelyon via Flickr
It's a rather dubious honor: The first taco truck to be cited for violating the County's new mobile food vendors' parking laws.
The lucky recipient is an East LA-based truck called La Flor de Sahuayo. They were hit with the citation on Wednesday for "staying in the same parking spot longer than permitted," reports SFGate.com. But here's the rub: Truck owner Alejandro Valdovino says he parks his truck in front of his own restaurant. Valdovino is quoted as marveling in Spanish: "Whose business am I stealing? My own?"
The Sheriffs say that 20 complaints were filed about La Flor de Sahuayo in the past four months. For his crime--a misdemeanor--Valdovino "faces up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail if convicted." He explains that his food business began in the truck iin 1983, then he established the permanent restaurant. He maintains the truck for the people who prefer not to wait as long to be served, and who don't mind having less variety on the menu. Many who oppose having the trucks around say that they bring more litter and loitering to the streets and an increase in neighborhood traffic.
You can follow the Taco Truck drama right here on LAist.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
