Dedicated to Empowering and Informing the Burlingame Community
Public opinion seems to be divided almost evenly over the Indian Street Food from the Curry Up Now truck that is serving on Howard Ave. Some people just love the food and competition while there are those who think it is unfair competition to the city's restaurants that have to cover their higher overhead.
The truck moves every hour, but usually less than a block in any direction. What do you think of the whole arrangement?
Are you saying that the food truck is an illegal business run by undocumented humans? (I guess we could ask to see their papers to prove they’re real Americans….It says they have a business license and aren’t doing anything illegal though.)
If not, I don’t understand the false comparison. (Unless the point is to try to make this about something it isn’t…)
Like that other poster who’s worried about people selling oranges and strawberries on slippery street corners.
(Oh, and the next “young entrepreneur” who rings my doorbell trying to sell a “holiday” wreath, or “scout” cookies, well — I’ll make sure to explain to them how they’re destroying everything this fine city is about and why their parents should be ashamed for teaching their children that it’s okay to take business away form the local shops and eateries who can’t go door to door selling their products, yet really, really need the revenue.)
Moleguy, ignore Holy Roller. His last cogent thought was around 1968. I take it you are in favor of the truck. Is that because you just want more competition? Or are you also looking at it from the seller point of view? Mingalaba and Roti seem to be doing well but I wonder if the truck has an unfair advantage over La Corneta for example?
Unholy moleman, you miss the point.
Burlingame IS the market.
Door to door is not the market.
Your comparison is off. Try this one on for size.
The Curry Truck should drive inside ATT Park (not outside) and set up shop next to one of the food vendors.
Do you think that the vendors would complain? Why?
Isn’t this an example of free market competition?
Maybe the truck should set up outside ATT Park and see what happens?
Residente — I like competition, I like variety. I also find comments that imply food trucks bring “a bad element” or detract from the “quality” of our fair community to be troublesome.
This weekend, I had a tasty Indian burrito, talked to some really nice community folk who were standing in line (in the rain), and the food truck lady gave me a hug. Seems like what a city should be about. I’m also a big fan of the farmer’s market, which has come up in a few comments, for the same reason.
After I had my tasty burrito, we went shopping downtown and contributed to the local economy. Walked past Mingalaba, which had a line out the door, as usual. I eat there too.
KRN — Last I checked, driving into AT&T park is against the law. If it were legal, and the truck had permits to be there and sell food, I’d have no problem with that.
If it were legal to set up outside, no problem with that as well. I mean, who doesn’t like $8 hot dogs? (Well, enough people decide not to bring in outside food, so bully to AT&T.)
The better point would be to argue that it should be made illegal in Burlingame. However, on what basis? Right now, it appears to be on the basis that local food establishments
don’t like the food truck. And a few cranky citizens feel “there goes the neighborhood.”
(Well, maybe they’re really nice people who just sound ornery but would be really nice if you shared a Chai with them and didn’t give them enough time to think of really snarky things to type.)
Why let the food businesses decide? Of course businesses don’t like competition! They’re businesses! (Government officials also don’t like people running against them either! That’s life.)
This all seems to boil down to arguments based on self interest. Well my self interest is in an interesting community with lots of options. (Even if Baby Couture wouldn’t have exactly gotten my vote to replace the Sharper Image if someone had asked…) Now a baby clothing truck! That might be the symbol of community healing we need most right now…
You are right on Unholy Moleman. We are becoming a mighty elitist community, aren’t we? So many Scrooges around it makes me ill. Let’s keep this truck in business, even if there are others who think it gives Burlingame a shoddy appearance. What have we become?
I think people are just looking out for the local merchants. These are the people who make Downtown Burlingame.
Should capitalism be unregulated? Its not about competition, but fair competition. The Curry Truck is not competing nor is it innovating. It is stealing customers from local merchants who have cultivated the market.
Why do you think a hot dog at ATT is $8.00? You may not like paying this price, but that profit is the right of the vendor who PAID for the space INSIDE the park in order to face LIMITED competition.
The merchants in Burlingame pay for the right to sell their products in BURLINGAME by renting a venue to sell their goods. Part of that rental payment is for a barrier to entry against others who want to set up shop in the streets and “cherry pick” customers. If the truck wants to set up outside of Oracle or a construction site, go right ahead but setting up down the street from established businesses is Free Riding.
Why should anyone pay rent to sell products in Burlingame (or anywhere else) if Free Riders can set up shop without paying a dime?
“Of course businesses don’t like competition! They’re businesses!” This is not competition. Competition is when the Curry Truck rents a space, pays bills, employs people and competes on an even playing field.
If the Curry Truck is confident in its success then is should open up in a non-business area and sell food. If the other posts are correct and the people come for the food, then the people will go wherever the truck parks. If the truck is a real success, it can operate anywhere. If not…. we know the answer.
KRN,
Limited competition in Burlingame? Why? When? Where? Competition is a good thing. Choices are a good thing. Diversity is a good thing. I went to the food truck (well on the edge of downtown, by the way) and the tikka masla was good and the hyderabadi was excellent. The naan’s better at Roti but I will be patronizing both again. And the lady running the truck is very charming and I appreciate her cooking.
You argue like paying $8.00 for a hot dog at AT&T park is not only okay but we should expect the same treatment in downtown Burlingame. Guess what? Burlingame businesses not only compete with other Burlingame businesses but businesses all over the bay area. Don’t you have at least a few places you travel far to visit? You can add the curry truck to my list.
It’s not unfair competition it’s a different business model and only works if community members support it. You agree eating at a food truck is not competition for a sit down restaurant like Roti, but is competition for taquerias like La Corneta (which I also patronize and enjoy). But why concern for fast food places or taquerias? The competition is nearly unlimited in San Mateo county.
Maybe you should ask the owner of La Corneta why he decided to open a store in Burlingame rather than sell food from a truck? He put a ton of $$$ into the building in order to produce a business.
I did not say that paying $8.00 is okay, but I did say that it is expected given the rent that is charged at ATT.
I find it hard to believe that most of the blog is “up in arms” when Starbucks, J Crew, or another national chain comes into town and may take away business from a mom and pop business.
Why is it that competition is only BAD when it is a national chain and good when it is food vendor on wheels? At least the national chains rent a space and pay their share. They have an advantage but they play on the same field.
Is it a different business model? The street vendor selling oranges is the same business model but I don’t see him allowed to sell on a corner of Burlingame Ave. Why is that?
If the Curry Truck’s food were bad would you make the same points about competition, or would it matter since the food is bad?
The taquerias may be all over San Mateo County, but there is only one on Burlingame Ave.
Oh KRN you are always looking at everything from an economic stanpoint, because that is what you know. Give the Curry Truck a break. It is not taking business from Roti or any other restaurant in Burlingame, and there are many streets that are far better than Burlingame Avenue these days. Don’t be so closed minded about the “little guy” trying to make a buck. You were trying to make a buck at one time in your life too. Geez! Merry Christmas!
I do know a little more than economics..
It seems that most on this blog like the Curry Truck because they claim that it has good food but are indifferent to the fact that it isn’t a local merchant. It doesn’t pay rent or financially contribute to the town. I can also download music for free on the internet, it comes at a much better price than the store or I-tunes.
See any connections?
If the local Chamber of Commerce gives the Curry Truck a thumbs up, then let him sell!
I also love to give the little guy a break, but fair is fair. Right now, the Curry Truck could get a break on renting a spot on Burlingame Ave and become a part of the community.
There it is, an invitation to join.
The little guy can leverage the down economy and get a cut rate deal on prime Burlingame real estate.
Be careful, if you open the door for the Curry Truck to sell on the street, then the door is left open for all others who want into the Burlingame market. You don’t get to pick and choose which trucks get to sell on the streets. If one comes in, they all can come in. Fair is fair.
Dear KRN & Mole Man.
I have no idea what you do to make a living.
However, if I had the same qualifactions you both have in your,professions, would you object to me driving up to your place of employment-THE FRONT DOOR, park my 300 square foot BILLBOARD, to offer my services.
I have no office, my overhead is based on the price of fuel, and do not have to answer to any IRS, Insurance, WC, or BOE. Free Wireless.
If & when,your business does not enhance mine, I will drive my unregulated free enterprize mobile to the next “Brick and Mortor’.
Start again.
Niether of you commented on my idea of a “Labor Center” in Burlingame.
There is plenty of vacant store fronts in the Burlingame Ave/Howard district.
As savey as both of you are, I am sure you could find State/Fed moneies to get one up and running.
Why is it that the City of San Mateo has 2-3 hundred undocumented workers standing around street corners 24/7?
I am sure The City of Burlingame could benefit from that labor pool just as well.
Curry Up is in Burlingame.
How come they are not in San Mateo?
I am not picking on Curry Up.
It could also be Pizza Up,Dress Up, Yoga Up,etc.
I disagree about the Curry Truck not contributing financially to the town. They are very open about this to their customers and even post about it on their twitter feed (the way most of us find out what they’re serving that day) about their patronage of other local eateries IN BURLINGAME after their hours are over. They don’t go home to eat their own food they go out to eat dinner in town. To restaurants. And pay money to do so. In addition, I really do go downtown more often on weekends and shop now that the truck is there. Let’s not forget that right now the truck is in Burlingame a total of about 10 hours a week.
And for us to start making the claim that it is actually pulling customers away from other restaurants I think we need some data first. We can all make claims to support our positions. We do it all the time. I’m even doing so when I say “no they are NOT!” But this is not how good public policy is developed and it’s not how good civic decisions are made. I commend the City for releasing a survey about the matter (though, as a former policy analyst for a much larger city I have to say I was neither excited about their methods nor their survey instrument, but I digress). This at least represented an attempt to collect data to make informed, information-based decisions about the future of Burlingame. It does not serve our town if we continue to bicker based on gut feelings about what or how many customers are being stolen from brick and mortar restaurants now that we have the curry truck. Let’s not forget there are a lot of other confounding variables right now — including a down economy — that could make it appear that customers are leaving restaurants (especially based on the reports by restaurants themselves!) and flocking to a truck to get a good meal.
This is what economists do for a living. Perhaps we need to find one!
Here are some interesting links in case people want to expand their view about the harm or benefit of mobile food vendors on our communities.
http://mobile.rimag.com/index.asp?layout=article&articleid=CA6712324&article_prefix=CA&article_id=6712324&nid=4134
http://www.portlandonline.com/bps/index.cfm?c=47477&a=200738
Also — I think Holy and KRN should eat at the truck one time just to see what they’re arguing against 🙂
I love Indian Food!
I want to eat there but I go to a Place in San Mateo-Bombay. It is on Third & Ellsworth, I think.
Roti in Burlingame got a bad rap by employees stealing CC numbers from clients. Those employees were prosicuted.
It is hard to go back to any business if the employees steal from customers.
To bad Roti.
Oh Holy, you should totally try the food truck! We went there today again and had delicious chicken tikka masala burrito and tandoori tacos. Yumm!! And yes, we patronized other business along the way, including a post-lunch yogurt at Harmony. Double yum. Try the truck next weekend (or even sunday!!) you won’t be disappointed.
This thread has got to be the most popular ever.
It is really good to see the people who care about “our enclave” T&C
Thank you Burlingame Voice!
Thank you, Holyroller. Keep posting and tell your friends how this is the place to discuss and discover issues that are important to Burlingame. Blog on!!
I understand what people WANT.
What role should local government play in this matter?
Do the local merchants have an expectation that the rules and policies of the city will be upheld?
SMALL BUSINESS
AUGUST 20, 2009
Three Best Ways to Start a Food Truck Business
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125079598384547231
1. Buy a used truck for cheap.
2. Find a good location to sell your fo
“some cities don’t allow trucks to be located in certain business districts and streets because they would affect surrounding restaurants or disrupt residential areas.”
3. Use social-networking technology
Here is my next idea… A frozen yogurt truck. Low overhead. Park in Burlingame at the end of the school day, Farmers Market, Summer, AYSO Soccer Days, dessert time after a meal at a local venue. I will TWEET everyone as to my time and location.
I know of at least two (soon to be three) venues that I can put out of business because I can cut costs. Lookout Powell’s, Willy Wonka’s got nothing on a low cost truck!
KRN –
With all due respect, I don’t think your analogy about music downloading holds water. The Curry truck is doing nothing illegal.
(Assuming for the sake of argument you meant copyright-infringing music downloading. There is plenty of Creative Commons-licensed music out there that’s perfectly legal to download and share. You should try some.)
In terms of financial contributions to the town, you discount the fact that bringing foot traffic downtown provides benefit to the city. We can point to several examples of this happening just by looking at comments on the forum here. Though, I will admit that given the belief that local food merchants are ganging up on the food truck via the Chamber of Commerce, I’ve become less inclined to patronize local establishments… (I agree with the person who likes the Indian place on 3rd ave in San Mateo.) Though, I did buy lots of things at the farmer’s market too last week. Sorry, Mollie.
Again, same arguments about mobile businesses should apply to the farmer’s market. I once even bought coffee there out of a truck once.
Slippery slope argument on “if one comes in they all come in” doesn’t fly either.
The city issued a permit. They can pass a law or rules outlawing the food truck, or placing a limit on food trucks, right? (Much like they pass a limit about how many food establishments can open up in town — I recall a bit of controversy about that on the Broadway side… I’m sure the original restaurants weren’t happy about the new places moving in a few years ago…)
Thankfully, the Chamber of Commerce isn’t the policymaker here. The government is. Again, nothing illegal happening here. If you want to make it illegal, there’s a process for that.
Otherwise, debate that the food truck is bad for Burlingame, or bad for the businesses that have a strong voice in the community.
I disagree. I see a neat community resource that’s bringing people together and actually helping commerce downtown. Good food, friendly conversations with strangers. That’s worth something too. It’s nice. You should try it. We won’t bite.
Well, except for these two hooligans — you can see them ripping apart our community and its economic prosperity here:
http://i.imgur.com/AO3bd.gif
Shameful. (I blame the parents.)
(Also, there was a second taqueria in Burlingame, on Broadway. Did competition put them out of business? Or just bad food?)
What about the ice cream truck that goes all around Burlingame, sits in front of BIS when school lets out and even posts a sign for one of the council members during the last two elections? I bet your kids are making good use of that truck, KRN????
Again, I say, “geez!” Aren’t there more pressing things for the city to be worrying about?
My point with music downloading is that consumers like low prices and many do not care how they acquire them.
The taqueria on Broadway is a proper application of competition since they do in fact operate out of a physical space.
There are many more pressing issues to deal with in this town. The ice cream truck does in fact move and does not do business in downtown Burlingame competing with local merchants.
The objective of the blog is to allow citizens to voice opinion on issues that are pressing to Burlingame. If you would like to pass judgement upon me for my opinion, so be it. “except for these two hooligans, you can see them ripping apart our community and its economic prosperity,”
I never knew that I had such power to rip apart a community by issuing an alternative opinion on electronic media. This isn’t Congress where we line up by party line and curse those who dare cross. It is a place to advance opinions and debate. You may not like my opinion, but I am not wrong just because I disagree with you.
I believe what I pointed out to be valid discussion points as to why the truck should be regulated within the downtown business district. You have offered the factors of taste, low cost, and limited public support as reasons that it should stay.
There are more pressing issues in town.
If everyone is coming for the food, they why does it matter where the truck is parked? Why does it have to be parked in downtown Burlingame?
:http://californiatacotrucks.com/blog/category/san-mateo-county/
“it may make sense to move the truck toward Bayside Park, where there are sports games and a lack of takeout food options.”
But Kapoor said that would be tantamount to moving his truck out of the city
“If we have to move to Bayside Park, we’ll just move to San Francisco,” he said.
“I don’t have the energy to fight,” he added. “I’d rather just move 10 miles down and I know people will come.”
So…does location really matter? If location does matter, does location have a value that others are paying for and the truck is not?
KRN,
Moleman wasn’t saying you were a hooligan 🙂 The hooligans to which he was referring were the kids in the the picture that moleman linked to. I think moleman was attempting something I’ve heard called “friendly sarcasm”… you should have clicked the link. Not everything is about you.
Oh, KRN! Yes, it does matter. People come to the truck AND spend money in Burlingame at shops, etc. I don’t come to the truck b/c it’s near other restaurants, but I do come to the truck and bundle that with shopping trips on weekends.
KRN —
I think you misunderstood. When I (sarcastically) wrote about the two hooligans destroying our community, I placed a colon and a link to a picture of two food cart diners: http://i.imgur.com/AO3bd.gif
(They’re the hooligans. Not you. You may not have a sense of humor, and I have issues with your logic, but I don’t think you’re a hooligan.)
And, to be clear, if the parents of these little critters see this thread and also lack a sense of humor — I don’t blame you for anything, other than having excellent taste in food.
Anyone else want to order food truck take out and bring it to KRN so he at least knows what he’s arguing against?
Dear Moleman,
I asked you and another about people who have the same background, qualifacations, and experience, as you, setting up shop in front of your workplace, or home, and offering the same product you deliver, at half the cost.
You were not able to reply.
Could you please share your response.
The newpaper article I read today did nothing to support the Curry Up Truck either.
Morgatage Brokers?
Living in Hillsbourgh?
Undocumented Workers?
Worker Comp- or any insurance at all?
If the City of Burlingame signs off on one mobile food cart, The City of Burlingame, takes on a lot of liability.
At The Park-across the street from “STACKS”
This weekend, “Curry Up” will be parking their Business across the street from “STACKS.”
The owners will be parking their personal cars in the spots surrounding the “island” across the street from “STACKS.”
In the early morning, they will move those cars and set “CURRY UP” across the street from “STACKS.”
“CURRY UP” now has expresso machines, and a new “Early Morning Menu.”
Whats wrong with that?
Now that I’ve learned that the owners will be parking their personal cars here in Burlingame I’m starting to see the other side of the argument. They actually are contributing to our community by putting coins in our parking meters. Good for them. Nobody can say that they aren’t contributing to Burlingame.
I like CurryUp’s street food. I am also particular to Indian Bento, an organic Indian food place that serves it well, and I believe, without the grease that comes with most Indian food places. It’s at http://www.indianbento.com in San Mateo. Another place that serves really authentic Indian food (more fiery) is Saravana Bhavan in the south bay http://www.saravanabhavan.com/
I’m not going to reply to Holy Roller anymore. Holy, when you are ready to have a constructive conversation I will be here.
Holly Roller —
I see no mention of a Stacks plan on the curryupnow web site: http://www.curryupnow.com/
Are you trying to make a point? Because it looks like you just made that up and at least one other person is taking it as the truth. (Where I come from, that’s considered uncool and would earn me a time out from mom.) I may be missing some detail documenting this espresso plan of yours. (But if you’re just making it up, there’s a word for that.)
Also, “You were not able to reply” comment to me smacks of playing “gotcha talk show-host.” How about I’m just unwilling to play rhetorical games with you?
Regarding your proposition — if it’s legal, I guess there’s nothing I can do about it. I face competition every day. I don’t want to abuse public policy or create special rules to make it illegal. It’s good for me (really, competition is good) and it’s good for my clients. Again, no one likes competition. (Or, as I argue in this case, the perception of competition, whether it exists or not.)
If you want to build a world free from competition, enjoy. (Plenty of talk show hosts are also raising “socialism hysteria” these days. I’m sure there’s room for opposing points of view on the AM dial.)
(I understand that your argument is that this is “unfair” and bad for the
community. I and many others disagree.)
How would you feel if I took up the mantle of angry curmudgeon on this
blog on other threads? I bet I could offer more humor with fewer typos!
(That’s a joke.)
Moreover — no one has really come up with a strong rebuttal to the “farmer’s market” argument. What about those out of town delivery flyers on my doorknob? The ice cream truck? Taking away sit-down and delivery business form local establishments. It just seems like some mobile businesses “fit” and some don’t.
At this point, the only point of my commentary is to make sure that any
observers — city government, chamber of commerce, etc — understand that
there are unaffiliated people in the city that think the food cart is a
good thing and actually good for the community, and that an attempt to shut it down to “protect” other local establishments is not something that would go down without comment or
attention.
(I think I may be done feeding the trolls for a bit…)
I have no idea what a “troll “is.
Yes, I was joking about Curry Up parking in front of Stacks this weekend.
However, why should Curry Up not be allowed to..
Every weekend
1. Park their food bus across the street-from Stacks?
2. Put out tables, and chairs- in the City of Burlingame Park?
7:00AM-3:00PM, 7 days,every week?
UM,
Awesome responce.
Merry Christmas
Thank you very much!
Last word: yummmm
San Fran Chronicle has “10 Trends shifted decade’s dining” last Thursday. Trend 7 is
Casualization of dining and upgrading of street food.
“This is a twofold trend. Even places with $30 entrees are stripping off the tablecloths and doing away with formal uniforms; casual is in, even in the kitchen. Restaurants now search street cultures for street food to put on upscale menus at places like the Slanted Door (Vietnamese) and Wexler’s (barbecue).
Has anyone tried the new street food truck called SilverFork (I think)? Any good?
How about deleting some of these old posts?
Why? So your idiotic comments can be forgotten?
Curry Up Now has opened a restaurant on B Street in San Mateo.
Downtown San Mateo also added two SF staples, Cha Cha Cha Cuban and Golden Boy Pizza.
Downtown Burlingame will soon have five frozen yogurt shops. Thank goodness for Mingalaba, the only decent addition in the last two years. What happened to Ike’s sandwiches?
Word on the street is Ike’s could not strike a deal for the spot on Oak Grove where the small market is now. As far as I know Chipotle and a pizza place (Piece of my Heart?) are still queued up for the old Wells Fargo building at the Safeway site.
What is it with the Yogurt-? I wondered that as soon as the third one opened. It appears that the one on Howard Ave., however, may be changing to Sapporo (sp?) Cafe, or perhaps that is going to be run together with the Yogurt offerings–
Just how is Burlingame rent paid with a $3-$5 Yogurt? It’s a mystery to me. Could any frozen Yogurt connoisseurs who blog here tell us about any significant differences between the yogurt available in each of these establishments?
From today’s DJ:
Grand jury calls for more food truck oversight
With food truck numbers swelling nearly 50 percent in the last two years, the county needs to step up its inspection of the mobile operations rather than risk them becoming a moving source of food-borne illnesses, according to the San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury.
The jury’s report released Monday recommends the county’s Environmental Health division unexpectedly inspect each food truck before next February and do so under actual working conditions when food and beverages are present. The report also suggests Environmental Health revamp its website so that the public can more easily see if any specific food trucks have been cited for major violations.
“Food-born illness is a serious and preventable problem; no less attention than that given to restaurants should be given to the expanding world of food truck cuisine,” wrote Foreman Bruce E. MacMillan in a summary of the report “Food borne illness: A moving target” which looked at whether trucks received the same level of county oversight as fixed locations.
You can read the rest here
http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=1750505&title=Grand jury calls for more food truck oversight
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