Wolfgang's In Town
By Andrew Zimmern
Last month I let you know about a taco truck I love in LA and asked the
question, why not here? Check out this video from CNN about the taco truck being a Twitter hit. I maintain the position that here in Mpls./St
Paul, we are a perfect market for mobile food vendors of all species,
especially in this fragile economy. If the local city governments would
make it easier for entrepreneurs to open businesses such as these, it
would be a huge boon to our downtown areas and extended metro
neighborhoods. Check out this link to a NRN article on the mobile food truck craze.
Why, after all the success of one or two vendors here in the Twin Cities, are we making it so hard on young entrepreneurs? I don’t get it. Talented chefs can get in the mobile game for a fraction of the price of opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Even Milliken and Feniger are going mobile. This is exactly the type of cool business model that the our cities could support. Imagine mobile hot chocolate and mini donut vendors on Nicollet Mall in December. Dumpling carts at the lakes in the Spring? C’mon people, let's make this happen. It’s the right idea at the right time.
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Speaking of right ideas, my friend Lenny Russo has always been long on opinions and doesn’t give a rat's ass about political correctness of any type, a major reason I love his letters to my sites and the private e-mails we share. He has started a new blog, and you should check it out.
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If you don’t already know, chef Wolfgang Puck will be at 20.21 at the Walker Art Center this Thursday evening, June 11. A special tasting menu with wine pairings, created by Puck and 20.21 executive chef Asher Miller, is available from 5:30 to 11p.m. that evening. Reservations can be made at 612-253-3410.
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The Minnesota Farmers Union and Food Alliance Midwest are once again co-presenting the seventh annual Minnesota Cooks event at the Minnesota State Fair on Tuesday, September 1. This event brings together local farmers, chefs, celebrities, and the community for cooking demonstrations and discussions about sustainable food production practices and the farmer-to-consumer connection. Brenda Langton is co-hosting, and the chef lineup is as always very impressive. Mark your calendars.
Why, after all the success of one or two vendors here in the Twin Cities, are we making it so hard on young entrepreneurs? I don’t get it. Talented chefs can get in the mobile game for a fraction of the price of opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Even Milliken and Feniger are going mobile. This is exactly the type of cool business model that the our cities could support. Imagine mobile hot chocolate and mini donut vendors on Nicollet Mall in December. Dumpling carts at the lakes in the Spring? C’mon people, let's make this happen. It’s the right idea at the right time.
****
Speaking of right ideas, my friend Lenny Russo has always been long on opinions and doesn’t give a rat's ass about political correctness of any type, a major reason I love his letters to my sites and the private e-mails we share. He has started a new blog, and you should check it out.
****
If you don’t already know, chef Wolfgang Puck will be at 20.21 at the Walker Art Center this Thursday evening, June 11. A special tasting menu with wine pairings, created by Puck and 20.21 executive chef Asher Miller, is available from 5:30 to 11p.m. that evening. Reservations can be made at 612-253-3410.
****
The Minnesota Farmers Union and Food Alliance Midwest are once again co-presenting the seventh annual Minnesota Cooks event at the Minnesota State Fair on Tuesday, September 1. This event brings together local farmers, chefs, celebrities, and the community for cooking demonstrations and discussions about sustainable food production practices and the farmer-to-consumer connection. Brenda Langton is co-hosting, and the chef lineup is as always very impressive. Mark your calendars.
© 2008 MSP Communications, Inc. All rights reserved
Andrew--
There's a taco/burrito truck outside the Midway Target on University--some, if not all, days. I haven't partaken yet but I'm immensely curious!
Posted by: katie d on June 10, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Not impossible but definitely harder than it needs to be. For at least 10 years, I've been seeing Augie's Catering sandwich trucks as far west as North Minneapolis and as far east as Vadnais Heights over the lunch hours (their kitchen is in Roseville). The trucks hit job sites and factory receiving docks; smart gig!
Posted by: Alexis on June 10, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Every time I bike around Lake Calhoun over my lunch hour, there's a hot dog guy on the south side of the Lake. I have no idea about the weekends.
Posted by: MSPD on June 10, 2009 at 3:54 PM
There's a taco truck near Lake Phalen on Arlington that hits the East Side. If you see them around it's a must stop.
All of their food is amazing and I don't say that lightly.
I told them to get on Twitter, but they didn't believe me that it'd be good for business.
Posted by: justacoolcat on June 11, 2009 at 11:09 AM
There is an up and coming restaurant on wheels called Curbside that will knock your socks off. I have worked with the owners for years at a great restaurant in the west burbs. They will be in the downtown area shortly and you should all check them out, gourmet food on wheels.
Posted by: Kelly on June 16, 2009 at 1:37 AM