Indian Street Food

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?

Comments

[Ron Fulderon]

My first reaction was that it seems unfair competition to the restaurants we have here in Burlingame. Those restaurants are paying huge rents, complying with health codes, building codes, safety codes, providing toilets and washing facilites for customers (and the food workers that work with the food), disposal services, city taxes and regulation fees to open businesses and struggle to stay in business.

But then because of the excellent arguments that we should be more cosmopolitan like San Francisco and Portland, or that the tastiness of the food is the bottom line, (and for so cheap! $8 to $12 to eat something standing up) I've changed my mind. Being as suave as San Franciscans has always been one of my goals. In fact I can't wait to start stepping over homeless people sleeping on Burlingame Ave.

I think we need more food trucks. It is so inconvenient to have to drive up to Milbrae to get a taco off a truck. Why can't we get some of those trucks down here too? And the more the better because competition is good. As pointed out this is Estados Unitos. Support your local taco truck. Let the sucker restaurants that cater to those unhip non-foodies fend for themselves, and if those silly businesses can't make it and they go out of business I'm sure we'll continue to find great businesses to move into the empty store fronts. Viva El Camion.

[so closed minded]

What a sad commentary this is for me. Is Burlingame becoming more of an opinionated, elite enclave? What gives us the right to make determinations about a restaurant truck, which happens to serve something other than good old Americana, when other cities have MANY truck style restaurants and love the idea of having so many fast, different good food types to choose from. As someone above mentioned, go to downtown Portland at lunch and see what it is all about. The trucks do a booming business, as do the restaurants and NOBODY is complaining. We are lucky to have such a truck in our closed minded little community.

[MinBres]

Yay, so closed minded, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Also, after my third consecutive weekend eating at the truck (and after spending $$$$$ at a shop on the Avenue just before lunch because I was going to be downtown... take that, tax base), I have to say it is the best Indian food I've ever had. Ever.

[Holy Roller]

Lets close all the resteraunts!
Lets but all our clothing, jewelry, cars, and books from mobile vans.
Th only overhead would be car insurance, and money spent on parking meters.
Think how much and average City of Burlingame Home Owner would save?
What is an average City of Burlingames homeowners yearly income?
According to "Sperlings", the average income "City of Burlingame, CA." homeowner. Two workers, two children, is $206,567.

[Overweight but not fat]

"best Indian food I've ever had"???

You really need to get out more.

The rice is pure Safeway quality and there is too much of it in the "burritos"--what the heck is an Indian burrito anyway. I like some of it, but No Way No How is it the best Indian food I've ever had.

[MinBres]

Overweight -- Wow. I've had a lot of Indian food. Homemade from friends, restaurants from different regions, etc. What exactly is so threatening to you about my statement, albeit probably hyperbolic, that you have to say something mean in response? Unless I'm reading your tone incorrectly. If I am, I apologize.

My statement was meant to describe just how well I think they have figured out the spice ratio, the texture of chicken, combination of sauces and creativity of presentation. It's not the same-old chicken tikka masala and saag paneer I've had elsewhere. That's all I'm saying. If you've found your favorite Indian food in other places, more power to you!

[RavPat]

Holy Roller -- You're a character. I'm not sure which one yet. But I know a few things. I know: You don't like "Ghetto Phrases," as you mentioned in a post against Bev Mo earlier on this blog. And now you have something against "Resterants." (I think you're trying to be sarcastic, but who knows on the internet. You can be funny and even nice-sounding when you try. I think.)

(Wikipedia tells me that a Ghetto was "originally used in Venice to describe the area where Jews were compelled to live, a ghetto is now described as a 'portion of a city in which members of a minority group live; especially because of social, legal, or economic pressure.'")

Here's another old school ghetto phrase to go with the "BevMo" and other unsightliness you see threatening the traditional values of Burlingame: Shalom.

So much anger and meanness out here on the anonymous internet. And snootiness. Just read some of these posts. ("The BEST food? Oh, you don't know anything...")

Just everyone calm down. My mom taught me that the way to respond when you disagree with someone is to exchange ideas. Not call names. (Example: You name callers are mean idiots. Stop it. Be nice. Catch some flies with honey.) Or to shout: 'TEH HOMELESS TACO TRUCK DRIVERS ARE COMING TO DESTROY GOOD BUSINESES AND TEH CITY, OH NOES! TACOS!! AND E COLI DISEASES!!'

By the way, the repeated use of the word "taco truck" in the context of this debate might be taken the wrong way by some people. And, it's "Estados Unidos" not "Unitos." Though, I'm sure you're not trying to mean anything by your choice of words. (So are they all, all honorable men...)

I think several of you just like the attention. So you shant receive any more from me and encourage others to do the same. (Don't worry, I'm sure there's a property tax measure, a noisy train, kids with their rock and roll music or other erosions of traditional values of self-reliance, honesty and community spirit that will fill the void and give you something to demonstrate your wits and wisdom on.)

Isn't this fun kids? See you at the food truck this weekend! (Wish I made $206,567....)

[meatloaf]

All I know that my posts continue to be deleted....and they are positive!...within the terms of use...so maybe Mrs. Baylock (Joe) has some issue.

[fred]

Two points to RavPat for being the first person to use lolspeak on the Burlingame Voice. It was only a matter of time.

OH NOES THE INTERWEBS (and the homelss) IS INVADING BURLINGAME! PWN3D!!! MMD --- WOOT!

[Foodie]

Does the Indian truck serve meatloaf? I'm confused.

[MinBres]

Aw. I love our town. Fred and RavPat, you rock.

[ron fulderon]

Yes, Fred, Ravpat, and MiniBres. You da Rock, homeee.

[fred]

LEEROY JENKINS!!!!

[Holy Roller]

Has anyone noticed the flurry of activity at City Hall?
It seems like the Park Depatment is dressing up the tree at City Hall.
I live in the neighborhood.
I am not sure, but it appears to me that the installation is not going well.
I was aware that there was a lack of funds last year due to a BUDGET DEFICIT.
How is it that this year "all is forgotten?"
The Police,Fire Dept., Traffic Control, closure of streets-(Street Dept.) set up and break down of the event, become now a priority?)
OVERTIME!
Who is paying for this RELIGOUS EVENT?
WHAT ABOUT THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA $23 BILLION DEFICIT?
If anyone has the "connections" to ask our city elders; please ask them to post where this (City of Burlingame)funding comes from!
I was hoping the City to fix the sidwalk in front of my home that people trip on.
This issue really deserves a thread of it's own.

[Ted]

Don't care about how this impacts local eats, just don't need that trashy kind of bisiness around town. I paid a higher home price to avoid this crap.

[Holy Roller]

"You can run..but you can never hide."

[Joe]

I've been wondering about why the Indian food truck needs to move around and now have the answer courtesy of City staff. It's part of the state and county health codes that state:

"Mobile Food Regulations – Length of Stay for a mobile food facility is limited to one (1) hour unless the facility (truck) is located within 200 feet travel distance of an approved and readily available toilet and hand washing facility. Such facility must have been inspected and approved by the San Mateo County Environmental Heath Department. In the event the facility (truck) is not located within the aforementioned approved toilet and hand washing facility, the mobile food facility must move 500 feet from where it previously sold or displayed food and can not return to a previously used site for minimum of four (4) hours.

In the event a facility (truck) complies with the toilet and hand washing facility then the facility is limited to length of stay associated with local parking regulations; ie. 2-hour time limit."

[Thakur]

They serve excellent food in a timely manner. We need cheaper alternatives in downtown Burlingame.

[tikka]

geez, i am quite sure that i could've brought out my ladder and hung those darn lights faster than the three days or so it took park/rec! and would've had time for a bit of indian food.

[cheryl bower]

Here are my 2 cents on why we should support Curry Up Now:

http://www.sfbungalow.com/2009/11/27/please-support-food-truck-curry-up-now-staying-in-burlingame/