Working in the west loop now, I'm going to be trying to venture out and hit the various trucks in the area. This journey yesterday started with Jacks Fork in the Road, which was parked on Adams and Lasalle. Had the Roasted Pork Loin sandwich with fig jam, prosciutto and apple slaw. Not exagerrating when I say I think it was the best sandwich of my life. Highly, highly recommend it.

I was initially going to try the Grilled Cheese truck which was parked next to it, but that line was 200 people at 1145, so I'll scope that out next week.

_________________
Team Cutler.

_________________
"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

not a fan of the Chicago food truck scene for myriad reasons

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I don't get the whole food truck thing, especially in a city where you can't walk a block without hitting a restaurant. If it's such good food, why the fuck do I want to eat it from a truck?

_________________

Maybe Biggie can sticky a food truck thread, I think we have a few now.

Hopefully I'm in the West Loop soon, too, and then I can give some better opinions. All I've had thus far is the Jerk truck, which was great.

_________________

Seems to make sense that a food truck is able to specialize in just a couple items on a small scale and do them really well which is a model that only works on a restaurant-scale in a few instances.

Plus, I believe there are fewer licensing issues to deal with but I don't really know much about that side of things.

_________________
My Maserati does 186.

Ask Mike North.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Yeah, I don't get the food truck scene in Chicago.

It makes sense to me for college towns, where you can kind of follow the drunken students around and satisfy their need for food.

A buddy of mine has invested in a couple of food trucks that serve the Mizzou area. The enterprise is making tons of money, and the plan is to expand into other college towns over the next couple of years. The trucks they use cost 125K each.

_________________

My guy mario ran his Burrito Buggy since my days at dePaul. His dad had a place on Lincoln, then he went downtown with the Burritos and Tacos. He operated without a hassle for about 10 years until the hipster food scene came out with fried chicken skin on a chabata roll with a remolaude sauce, micro greens and friend tomatoes become hip to eat for lunch.

What dod these trucks do when its below 50? People line up for whatever they are selling?

I am not against the food truck, they probably have some good stuff, but if they sell 50 sammies in a day, with a profit of $4 each? thats $200, 2 people? Gas? what kind of money do you make?

_________________
"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

I have never been a food truck guy either, but from the lines at some of them (mainly in NY), I know I am missing something.

_________________
Hawaii (fuck) You

I got some sort of spicy chicken and naan from a food truck in Indianapolis. The food was mediocre, portions were skimpy, and it cost me $7. I probably could have gotten more/better/cheaper food if I had been willing to poke around downtown more or just settled for the Schaumburgian options that dominate downtown Indianapolis. I guess I'm just weird about meal ambiance when I'm ordering anything more uptown than cotton candy and a corn dog.

_________________

I'm guessing that the bulk of their profit comes from drinks and chips and they save on rent and utilities. It wouldn't be the first business I would think about starting.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

As I am with my ballparks!

_________________
Hawaii (fuck) You

Yeah, drinks. I think it was another $1.50 for a Sprite, which I thought would be a big fountain-drink cup of Sprite and was instead just your standard 12-oz can. That's a good $1 to $1.25 of profit.

_________________

If the end game was to open a location, I guess it is a good way to startup and see if your product sells.

_________________
"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

I hate when restaurants do that.

_________________
Hawaii (fuck) You

There's a great Lebanese restaurant in Edgewater that has big cheap shawarma wraps but then gouges you on the soda cans. Oh well, the sandwiches are delicious enough that I don't care, and at least I'm patronizing a brick-and-mortar restaurant.

_________________

water

I guzzle water throughout the day and especially after working out. I like to allow myself a flavored drink when I eat.

_________________

Yeah I try to drink water during the day and then something flavored at dinner, key work being "try".

_________________

Hard Cider

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

Jack Daniels or Glenlivet

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Saving those for Lakemoorfest.

_________________

I loved the Buggy when I worked downtown.

_________________
When I am stuck and need to figure something out I always remember the Immortal words of Socrates when he said:"I just drank what?"

My main issue with the food trucks is the absence or relative scarcity of running water, from pipes, that drains into the ground. I am aware that food can be kept at safe temperatures and handled safely on the trucks, but sometimes you need quick access to a lot of clean water and under some circumstances I'm sure it is more tempting to stay operating during a lunch rush and take your chances than to shut down for the day.

_________________
I don't remember half the time if I'm hiding or I'm lost

What else are you saving for Lakemoorfest?

I don't drink!

_________________

Really? So just beer then?

_________________
I don't remember half the time if I'm hiding or I'm lost

Tried the Jerk truck at Wacker and Adams today...the chicken was tasty, but it was $11 including fries. Better off getting the jerk chicken from Cafecito.

_________________