Food trucks have come a long way from where they used to be, and now they’re everywhere. It’s not considered out of the norm anymore, and the food is always great, but what are the secrets that you wouldn’t expect? We’re about to tell you what you won’t believe and what you should know.
Cash Is Great
Everyone is talking about how no one uses cash anymore, and because of that, most people shop with a card. However, cash is great for food trucks. It’s easier, makes the line move more quickly, and it’s more likely that you’ll tip if you have cash, which is appreciated by the business.
Substitutions Aren’t Going To Work
At a restaurant, it’s easy to substitute. Trucks are a different story because they have limited space and a limited number of ingredients. It’s unfortunately not always going to work for you if you’re allergic to something or if you’re a picky eater. They’ll help as much as they can, but it’s likely that you will need to go somewhere else.
Licensing
There have been surveys and studies that have suggested that even though you’re supposed to have a license for the food truck, they don’t always have one. Some of the waiting lists for gaining the proper permits could be closed, and some have to wait a decade to get one. Many people don’t wait because they’ve got a family in need of money.
Poison
No, the food isn’t poisoned. At least not on purpose, but the roach poison they spray in the areas where food is being prepared has been an issue with trucks, along with the problem of having mouse droppings all over the floor. The health district has stated that they’ve found some quite disturbing things in the food trucks. That makes most people second-guess the tacos or hot dogs.
They Might Not Be Allowed
Now, this doesn’t apply to every food truck, but research suggests that some may not be allowed at their current location or in any nearby area. Or there’s a limit to how long they can stay. Some states make you relocate every half hour. Parking meters and other tight restrictions also come into play.
Different Standards
So, safety and regulations differ from state to state. For example, La says you can park 200 feet from a bathroom, in Nevada you need to be certified in food safety, and in New York you get a letter grade. These differences can be warning signs that your food isn’t being prepared the way you need.
They Don’t Make Millions
To the untrained eye, people might think these trucks are making bank, but they’re not. The profit margin can be quite narrow, and the cost of running the business is high. A popular item doesn’t always mean profits right away. For example, it could cost over $130,000 to start a food truck business, depending on what you want to buy.
Inspectors
So, inspectors do check them out. They can do it about three times as much as restaurants to ensure safety. So that should give you some comfort. Research also suggests that they have more regulations they need to meet than regular eateries. However, health regulations and safety issues may vary.
Safety
We’ve mentioned safety because the safety regulations are, unfortunately, not as standard as you might think. Safety standards vary significantly between states and, in some cases, within a single state. People want safety to be taken more seriously and have a set national standard, but it hasn’t happened for us yet.
Risks
A food truck has unique risks that others don’t. For instance, a mother-daughter duo tragically lost their lives in a food truck explosion. Vapor had leaked from one tank, filled the truck, and the resulting flame from the grill caused it to explode. Safety checks need to be more extensive on these trucks to ensure that people aren’t in mortal danger.
Black Market Permit
So when you think of the black market, you’re probably not thinking of a food truck. However, people do look for these in order to do their business. It can cost from over $21,000 to $26,000, depending on the length, among other things. But most last a mere two years, and that’s it.
Menus Are Small
There’s a reason for small menus. They typically specialize in a few dishes, and that’s all they offer. They can only store so much, and honestly, it’s better for customers if they specialize. If a food truck has a small menu, it’s because it’s tried and tested, and it works.
Put The Phone Down
Talking on the phone while you’re ordering is going to tick them off, and in many cases, they’ll be too polite to say anything. However, if you get your order right, because it’s what you said, then change it up and act like you didn’t because you were on the phone, not paying attention, then it’s on you. Especially since food trucks typically contact people on the phone at least twice.
They Will Get Frustrated
Food truck workers run out of patience just like you do. So, try having some yourself. If they don’t open until noon and they’re still trying to get ready, but can’t because you keep asking questions and bothering them, they’re going to lose their patience, and rightfully so, because you’re keeping them from doing their job.
No Parking
So, like cars, there are places that food trucks can’t park without finding trouble. So they skirt the rules because they don’t feel they have a choice. Some food trucks will find that they’re stuck in front of a parking meter, while others may block part of a street. Either way, you’ll find many aren’t where they’re supposed to be.
Choose Carefully
When you’re choosing a good food truck, make sure you’re thinking the choice through. You don’t want to choose one that isn’t going to give you the best food or one that has mice droppings. Instead, look around and see what you notice before you order food there. There have been countless stories of people getting food poisoning from unwashed hands and poor sanitation.
