What the truck - Aug 3

[IanO]

Aug 3, What the truck on the Victoria Promenade.

http://www.whatthetruck.ca/2012/07/2...ria-promenade/

We’re excited to finally announce the second What the Truck?! event to take place this summer:

What: What the Truck?!, Edmonton’s food truck extravaganza
When: Friday, August 3, 2012
Where: Victoria Promenade (100 Avenue, south of Jasper and 121 Street – very limited parking, so walk, bike, or ride transit!)
Time: 5-9pm

Most importantly, we have a great line-up of trucks:

Battista’s Calzones
Carnival Cravings
Drift
Eva Sweet
Filistix
The Lingnan
Nomad
Smokehouse BBQ
The Act

[edmonton daily photo]

Best view in the city!

[Gunner]

looking forward to this event. I'm committed to eat from every truck.

[IanO]

Reminder - tonight

[edmonton daily photo]

The "what the truck after... party" Start time 8pm at the Oliver Community League Hall in Oliver.
(118st and 103 ave)

Come chat, hang out, meet your neighbors and have a few (cheap) drinks.

[Alex.L]

Looked like a raging success tonight. I know I was in line for quite a while, and Battista's Calzones sold out within about an hour of opening.

CRAZY amount of people down there. Food truck culture has definitely arrived in Edmonton. Job well done by Mack Male and associates.

[IanO]

Great location, incredible turnout, neat event once again.

Thanks to the Oliver community league for the post truck festivities.

[edmonton daily photo]

The next oliver social will be sept 15. That is Community league day...

[Medwards]

This was horrible. The food lines were very long, and no real order to where the line starts and ends and who is actually in what line. The road should have been closed completely. Far too many people crowding the area and food lines. I was very disappointed -- poor setup and lack of communication. I don't blame the city for originally saying no. The people running the ocl really don't know how to plan or organize anything!

[IanO]

Closed road would have been nice, but if you used your eyes and noggin, it was manageable.

Then get involved if you feel so strongly... Debbie downer

[Medwards]

I could do without your personal insult... blind shameless booster

It was managable, but I saw a lot of people walking away disappointed like I was. Better organization is clearly missing at this event... which is normal for any OCL event I've attended.

[IanO]

Sure some were, but the vast majority made it work.

I will let OCL respond to that.

I love how some people must find something to criticize versus celebrating a unique event in a new location that drew a ton of people to central Edmonton. Next time they can improve on logistics.

Bravo big guy

[Medwards]

I love how some people can't take constructive criticism and instead just like to think everything went out okay. Boost Boost Boost. Nothing could or did go wrong.

Bravo bully. I feel less like sharing my opinion now, because you're bullying me with your personal insults. Seeing as I have a thick skin, its likely that I wont stop though.

Carry on with your bullying and shameless boosting. Boost boost boost. No one can do no wrong!

[IanO]

Could it be improved, Sure, but you only talk about the perceived negative.

Sharing good, so is defending a great 1st event along there.

I bet you are perfect with everything you do for a first time too.

[Medwards]

I am far from perfect. You must have read my posts before?

Could be improved? Definitely. How do you know it needs to be improved? It certainly won't come from people just saying "bingo" and "job well done" or "way to go". It comes through people offering their experience and perception of the event. It doesn't come from calling people names when they offering opportunities for improvement.

If you read my post, I suggested that the street should have been closed. Perhaps you could ask why I felt the street needed to be closed, instead, you bullied me - "debbie downer", and left it at that.
Now, even though you haven't asked, I'll tell you why I thought the street should be closed. You could turn the trucks around, allow for proper queues to be formed at each truck, (instead of the hodgepodge mess that occured, not sure where one line started, which line it was for, etc) standing in line, you could face the scenery, and behind the trucks could form a nice little eating area, again, enjoying that awesome scenery.

Defending the event is one thing. Calling people names when they point out how the event could've went better, and how they felt the event was handled?

You are better than that IanO, or at least I used to believe you were.

[IanO]

Just saying that you could be constructive and positive instead of "horrible" and putting down the community league as well as those who volunteered their time to organize this fun event.

[edmonton daily photo]

I have no idea what medwards is saying as I blocked him but.. From what i can tell here is my reply.

Victoria promenade cannot be closed down, almost every apartment building on the promenade has their access pointing to the street.

The traffic was a non issue and Vic prominade would be an ideal place for truley mix road usage.

Medwards please feel free to get involved. Ocl meetings are the first wed of each month 7pm at the hall.

[Medwards]

As usual you'll respond with out reading what people are saying... Ignorance is bliss.

[edmonton daily photo]

Let me reiterate that Vic promenade can not be closed down! The city will not allow it and Mac and the ocl worked hard for the compromise we had. Which worked wonderfully. Traffic crawled through at 20 km an hour. What was required was more trucks.. The popularity of the event has gotten too big.

Feed back was ectreamly positive. Exposure of Vic prominade was huge and a number of people stopped by the social to say how great it was.

We look forward to doing it again next year.. With more trucks that line the entire street.
Next year the ocl is also going to sell beverages and look for a way to host a beer garden

[Medwards]

What about moving it to the park and parking lot SW corner of 116st and 100 ave?

[IanO]

Small and nowhere near as cool.

[DanC]

Originally Posted by Medwards

This was horrible. The food lines were very long, and no real order to where the line starts and ends and who is actually in what line. The road should have been closed completely. Far too many people crowding the area and food lines. I was very disappointed -- poor setup and lack of communication. I don't blame the city for originally saying no. The people running the ocl really don't know how to plan or organize anything!

Highly constructive!

Any one have any pictures, sadly I am away from home and am missing these great events.

[MJ]

A friend and I went through, looked at the long lines and decided to go elsewhere. I was surprised as to how popular this event was!

[Alex.L]

We showed up shortly after 5, then had to retreat to Jasper Ave to find an ATM because none of the trucks took debit and there was no mobile ATM on site (like at Taste or City Market). We were able to get Lingnan before any real lines started, but did wait about 15-20 min in lines for both Nomad and Drift (which I expected).

It was leisurely until about 5:30, then it got a bit ridiculous with the amount of people crammed onto the sidewalk fighting for space with a few of the lineups. I noticed that at Eva Sweet's truck people were lined up behind the benches, which made much more sense than lining up in front of the benches on the sidewalk. Virtually all other trucks had lineups snaking out to the sidwalk (then doubling back sometimes).

All in all it was a good event, but it's popularity combined with it's sparse schedule of events means that it has outgrown niche locations like this. If it was every Friday, or even every 2nd Friday at this location, it wouldn't attract such a ridiculous crowd.

They're already doing weekly events just off Whyte. Why not alternate weeks and take food truck culture in this city to another level? RHW can be another location eventually, or even right on Jasper Ave (facing the sidewalk, of course) once all the work is completed and we're graced with nice wide sidewalks.

[edmonton daily photo]

You guys realize that the people who put this on make no money right... Sharron and Mac do this with no finical benefit. This is a pop up event meant to be easy to administer. What is needed is more quick pop up events all over the city what is not needed to Move such events as what the truck off of vic promenade. This should be a clear indication that Edmonton has a population that wants things to do and these things do not have to be over produced labour intensive festivals.

Give us some pop up events, give us a pop up concert or a pop up movie in the park...give us more food trucks

[Alex.L]

This is only the 2nd 'What The Truck' of the year.

That's the issue I'm getting at. They need more, and they need them in more places.

[IanO]

Dano -


(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7268/7...9bc25197dc.jpg)


(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8284/7...c4317087e8.jpg)

Recap: What the Truck?! at Victoria Promenade
Posted on August 5, 2012 by mastermaq
Friday was sunny and warm here in Edmonton, the perfect day for a stroll down Victoria Promenade while enjoying delicious eats from some of our best food trucks. Thousands of people descended upon our biggest What the Truck?! yet to fill up on tasty food and the amazing view of Edmonton’s river valley.


It was probably the most diverse crowd yet! We think the sights and smells helped attract curious residents from the apartments above, and we heard from many other Oliver residents were excited that What the Truck?! was finally making a stop in their neighbourhood. But we think the conditions were perfect for others new to the food truck scene to take advantage of the location and the weather to experience this trend for themselves!

As organizers, we envisioned that an event like this would again help draw attention to what we believe is an underutilized space in the city. So although we admit it was a bit crowded, it really was rewarding to see people turning every corner of the Promenade into their own little picnic spot – from the curbs and railings to apartment stoops.

More recap here
http://www.whatthetruck.ca/

[IanO]

Huge amount of photos

http://www.flickr.com/photos/masterm...7630920219800/

[mastermaq]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! A few thoughts:

- We did ask to close the entire street, but were not allowed to. I understand that some of the residences along the promenade only have access via the front. We really loved the location and decided to try to make it work.

- Lines were long and the smaller space didn't help. For future events, we think having stanchions and ropes may help to keep the lines organized. We'll also be providing feedback to the trucks about expediting the lines and taking orders.

We'll do our best to learn from the event and we'll try to make improvements for next time. We are generally happy with the way it went however, thanks to everyone who came out!

[Alex.L]

At the end of the day, we appreciate the time and effort you're putting into events like these, mastermaq.

[edmonton daily photo]

Originally Posted by Ander

This is only the 2nd 'What The Truck' of the year.

That's the issue I'm getting at. They need more, and they need them in more places.

or more pop up events in general.. it doesn't have to be what the truck.

There is nothing stopping any of you from applying for a road closure or permits calling up the foods trucks and inviting them to your own food truck event for your own community.

Almost all the trucks can be contacted via twitter.

[Alex.L]

The current event has a reputation and a following. Starting another event that completely rips off their idea (aside from maybe a one-off for a block party or something), wouldn't exactly foster an environment where people would be more willing to do the leg work in the future, lest someone else swoop in and capitalize on their 'sweat-equity'.

Other people have other pop up-type events in mind. Trust me, they're in the works.

[bolo]

Originally Posted by Ander

This is only the 2nd 'What The Truck' of the year.

That's the issue I'm getting at. They need more, and they need them in more places.

I agree. If the food truck operators are interested in running a regular evening business, it's time for them to find a permanent once a week, or even twice a week spot to setup. Most of the people I know who have gone to a What the Truck love the idea, but are never interested in a return visit because of the long waits and disappointment when dishes sell out early. Hopefully these events are profitable enough for the operators to consider running more regularly.

My vote would be either the parking lot north of the Bay (which would probably end up being the de facto food truck spot if the arena gets built) or shutdown a portion of 104st for the evening a la Al Fresco. Friday/Sat evenings probably make the most sense as well.

[IanO]

Keep in mind that these trucks can be found around Edmonton pretty much everyday of the week for those all upset about lines/selling out of foods.

[edmonton daily photo]

@oclyeg has started a food truck list on twitter you can subscribe to. I have not updated in the last 4 months or so it may be missing a truck or two like the Act.

[Medwards]

Originally Posted by IanO

Keep in mind that these trucks can be found around Edmonton pretty much everyday of the week for those all upset about lines/selling out of foods.

True, but almost entirely only during the business lunch period and only primarily in downtown Edmonton... So events like these enable people to enjoy these trucks while not currently working downtown.

[IanO]

^indeed, but there are options available.

[bolo]

^Sure, but I think having a steady, stable setup would work out well. Not everyone wants to check a bunch of twitter feeds to see what is available, when and where. But if they knew that they could expect 3 or 4 food trucks to always be in a certain spot at a certain time, I'm sure they would do plenty of business.

[edmonton daily photo]

^ and quasi kill the whole idea of idea of a food truck... half the fun of food trucks are the online mobile nature of them. I think people need to start changing the way they operate as opposed to demanding people change to suit them.

http://biggayicecream.com/

Check out the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck.. a food truck that not only draws the people of NYC but also the people who visit NYC.


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NwgdSWKvtU...ck_archive.jpg

A food truck is more a personality than a truck. IMO

[Alex.L]

Didn't kill the idea of food trucks in Portland.

Where: No U.S. city does street food like Portland, where you’ll not only find food stalls bunched up downtown, you can visit “pods,” where food trucks clump together like a mini food court. On our last Oregon roadtrip, we visited two pods on the south side of the city: Cartopia at SE 12th and Hawthorne and the D Street Noshery on SE Division Stret.

http://travel.usatoday.com/alliance/...rucks/176796/1

They can have a rotating selection, but be located at the same place on occasion to give some sense of stability.

[bolo]

^^Wow 100% disagree. So maybe at lunch time they should setup on random streets and have a city-wide scavenger hunt? Find the food truck... and win the opportunity to buy a sandwich.

I'm not saying they should give up going to events and whatnot. Just that they have the demand to add a regular, stable, say Friday evening setup. It's not so different than Drift and Nomad always being at the 124 St Market on Thurs or the truck Stop event in May (just year round instead.... well maybe not the dead of winter).

And frankly living in Toronto and spending several months working in NYC, there are definitely food trucks/carts that have occupied the same piece of pavement for years or decades. So don't give me that "idea of the food truck... online mobile nature" nonsense.

EDIT: Like the Portland Pod example, but not necessarily permanent. Just an every Friday or Saturday thing.

[edmonton daily photo]

I think the whole joy of being a food truck operator is being able to do what you want how you want it where you want.

Not being tied to a set place and time...

Many food trucks have their regular lunch time sports and are found at that same spot on a daily basis.

[bolo]

^No kidding, and if it works for lunch, why not for a dinner or two?

[Alex.L]

Nobody is saying they need to stay parked there forever, or sign a 5 year lease. This isn't a hard concept.

3 or 4 trucks park in location A every Friday night. Those 3 or 4 trucks don't have to be the same ones every Friday. They are free to park wherever they can get a permit, but this specific 'truck stop' or 'pod' or whatever it's called provides a reliable location at which the public can show up and buy food from a truck. It also provides a reliable location at which a food truck operator can park and sell food if they don't particularly care about the Food Truck Ethos that you're talking about.

[Gord Lacey]

Except the rules in Edmonton pretty much dictate that they operate in a certain place, based on their license being for that spot only.

[Alex.L]

I've seen Nomad in 3 different places in the past 2 weeks, so it's a bit of a stretch to say that they're relegated to one specific spot.

[edmonton daily photo]

They apply for permits for specific spots..

They can't just park anywhere..

Ander you set up a Friday night food truck event then... or are ya just going to post about it?

[Alex.L]

As I said before

Originally Posted by Ander

The current event has a reputation and a following. Starting another event that completely rips off their idea (aside from maybe a one-off for a block party or something), wouldn't exactly foster an environment where people would be more willing to do the leg work in the future, lest someone else swoop in and capitalize on their 'sweat-equity'.

[edmonton daily photo]

^ What the truck doesn't make the organizers money... i am sorry where was this missed. I think I stated it a few times. The whole idea of what the truck, from my understanding from conversations with mac and his team, is to foster Edmonton's food truck culture.

If someone tried to charge for this i am not sure if the trucks would jump at it.

For what the truck the OCL paid for the road closure.. which can be a considerable cost. The OCL was approached for road closure costs for another event that came to $4000.00

[Alex.L]

You're just jumping from point to point now. Nowhere did I say that they make or could make money off of this idea. I also didn't say that the hypothetical event I'm talking about needs to take place on a road at all.

I get that you don't like the idea, but now you're just grasping at straws. The point of a discussion forum is to discuss ideas with other like-minded people. If you're going to start playing the "you do it, or are you just going to post about it?" defense, you're going to see my username in other threads echoing that sentiment right back at you.

[McBoo]

Wanted to take a bus down Jasper and check out the BBQ truck that parks way down on Gateway Blvd - but it didn't work out.

Fact is, these are small trucks that don't have space for walk-in coolers, and therefore they're gonna run out (which I figured would happen if I didn't get there by 6:30 latest).

No-one's fault - just reality. A beer tent would help massage the disappointment, but I'm not holding my breath the city will permit (both descriptions) that.

[IanO]

Journal coverage

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/enter...912/story.html

[edmonton daily photo]

^ that truck is always there.. its attached to a utilities and a large propane tank. It's not really a food truck... but that is what works for him.

[edmonton daily photo]

Originally Posted by IanO

Journal coverage

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/enter...912/story.html

I really love how they pointed out that Vic promenade is under used.

[Tiran]

San Francisco has a very popular (its even listed on tourist lists) event like this once a week in the same spot every week. I think even once a month an event like this would get a positive response, but I think that it needs to be up to the trucks or the venue, not volunteer organizers to set up.

[IanO]

Originally Posted by edmonton daily photo

I really love how they pointed out that Vic promenade is under used.

Is it though? I always run into a good mix of runners, walkers, babies, seniors etc.

[edmonton daily photo]

^ i would like to see it used for a few events throughout the year... like an artwalk... it would also be nice to see a food truck parked there on a reg basis at the far west end where there is lost of room...

all in all I feel it;s a little overlooked.

[edmonton daily photo]

Originally Posted by Tiran

San Francisco has a very popular (its even listed on tourist lists) event like this once a week in the same spot every week. I think even once a month an event like this would get a positive response, but I think that it needs to be up to the trucks or the venue, not volunteer organizers to set up.

See larger centers have food truck associations that they pay into, (and pay a lot from what I am told) to do this kind of thing for them.

Larger centers like LA have areas or an area where food trucks must park when not in use and because of that services such as cleaning and stock replenishment can be provided.

as far as Edmonton goes The Beatles said it best... Sometimes we need a little help from our friends. What the Truck has catapulted Edmonton's awareness of food trucks to the next level and i don't think they could have done it themselves because sometimes it takes an outsider to circumvention red tape and group politics. We would be nieve to think that all the food truck operators have an interest in working as a collective group.

Mac and Sharon are not thinking of business when they started What the truck (IMO) They are thinking of greater Edmonton.

[Alex.L]

Originally Posted by Tiran

San Francisco has a very popular (its even listed on tourist lists) event like this once a week in the same spot every week. I think even once a month an event like this would get a positive response, but I think that it needs to be up to the trucks or the venue, not volunteer organizers to set up.

Exactly.

[edmonton daily photo]

^ Than set it up Ander... ;-P you work with the city and get it done!

[Alex.L]

You clearly missed the part where Tiran said "it needs to be up to the trucks or the venue"

[edmonton daily photo]

How many food truck opperators does Tiran know and or talked to....

I would disagree. I think that if your mandate is to create something for the benefit of Edmonton first and foremost you need someone that has that interest as number one in mind...

My 2 cents

[EscoffierLivesOn]

In other news:

The popular television series Eat Street is currently in Edmonton, highlighting three food trucks: Today in Churchill, tomorrow on Jasper, and back again at Churchill on Thursday.

[edmonton daily photo]

Yay positive exposure for Edmonton!!

[Medwards]

Yay I'm shocked there wasnt a comment by edp "but this is Edmonton ..."