Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Charlotte taco troubles get attention in L.A.


Charlotte is not the only community cracking down on taco trucks. Similar efforts have taken hold in Los Angeles, Houston, Des Moines, and Hillsboro, Ore.

The Los Angeles Times reports today that as the Latino community has grown in the United States, so have the number of taco trucks catering to them.

We reported in March that dozens of taco trucks in Charlotte have shut down since the city passed an ordinance curtailing hours and where they operate.

Read the Observer story here.

In the LA Times story, Kevin Johnson, dean of the UC Davis law school and a professor of law and Chicano studies, says the fight against taco trucks in Charlotte and Des Moines is another way to express anti-immigrant views.

"It's hard for me to see how this whole taco truck controversy is separate and apart from the continuing clash of cultures in the U.S.," Johnson told the paper.

Here is an excerpt about Charlotte from the LA Times story:
In Charlotte, which has a fast-growing Latino population, residents complained last year that taco trucks were camping out in office parking lots past midnight, bringing crowds and crime to nearby neighborhoods.

"They were transitioning from a place for food to a place for folks to congregate," said John Lassiter, an at-large city councilman. "A lot of these neighborhoods are older, struggling with the changing demographic, so they perceive the taco truck and the related use as negatively impacting their quality of life and potentially impacting the value of their primary asset, which is their house."

The City Council responded by passing an ordinance forcing taco trucks to shut down at 9 p.m. and ensuring that several of them could not gather in the same parking lot.


Photos: DIEDRA LAIRD/Charlotte Observer

61 comments:

  1. You come up with simply priceless stuff.

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  2. Yes, the city will not be happy until Latinos learn to sit alone in front of their TVs with their doors closed & locked, like we white people do. Uh-oh! A little bit of vibrancy, life, and noise in a neighborhood? We can't have that!

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  3. Well if Charlotte had a population of latinos like L.A. I don't believe Taco truck would be gone. IT's more latinos than whites or blacks so you know the Taco trucks are there to stay. I love Taco Trucks, que rico.

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  4. Chicano Studies? Does the DVD Box Set of Chico and The Man count?

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  5. Never fails. The lefty college prof. plays the race card. (He must have attended the Nifong School of Race Relations at Duke). If someone complains about something that obviously degrades the quality of life others and it happens to be something a particular minority partakes in, it MUST be because of the racists. Or....maybe, JUST MAYBE it is because homeowners don't want a crowd of strangers milling around their 'hood at 12 midnight!!! How do we even know the people complaining are white???? Typical California stereotype of Charlotte. Hey Kevin @ UC Davis, enjoy your rotting state infrastructure and growing tax burden you money-sucking libtard!!

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  6. Leave the roach coaches alone!

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  7. Adios Muchachos!

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  8. I see nothing wrong with them myself. They go where they can make the most money. lol, if they spend lots of time in your area, must mean lots like to do buisness there. oh, and i got a kick out of this, "enjoy your rotting state infrastructure and growing tax burden you money-sucking libtard" and uhhhh, what city school system is laying off teachers and keeping high paid admins at the expense of children. think before u throw stone. Charlotte is just as bad. lol, glad i live where we hire teachers not fire them.

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  9. Where is the magical land of a puppy and a teacher for every child that you speak of?

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  10. You can't just run around and sell food wherever.
    1. You must have a business license, which I doubt these people do.
    2. You must have a sanitation grade, which I'm sure these people don't.
    There is no excuse for not cracking down on ANYONE not following state rules, laws, regulations, etc.

    Even hot dog stands have certain rules to go by. These people are no different.

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  11. So, Franco, do you have an opinion on the taco trucks, or do you just quote what others say?

    I mean, you allow comments on your blog, but don't you have any original thoughts or comments of your own on the subject?

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  12. The windows that are shown in the picture, do not look to be DOT approved, so what happens when there is accident with one of these trucks?

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  13. Wow. They've noticed little ol' Charlotte in L.A.

    We've hit the big time at last.

    Hey, ever think about writing something good about the Latino community? Reporting on some good news, maybe?

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  14. The crack down should be on the loitering that takes place in close proximity to the trucks.

    Buy your tacos and drive away. This allows the taco-chefs to make their money, the hungry to eat and the neighbors to still have relative quiet.

    Very little good comes out of ANY demographic crowding a parking lot at midnight

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  15. Mr Ordonez and other Observer staff have been reminded numerous times that the "new ordinance" requiring mobile food vendors to close by 9:PM is not new. The curfew has been in place since 1985Actually 8:30PM. In 1985 when the curfew was set, the hispanic/latino population was approcimately 2%.
    He is also aware that the vendors who were working after curfew were breaking the law.
    He & other journalists have repeatedly refused to print these FACTS and the opinions of those who support the revised ordinance based on those fact or the opinions expressed below:
    The law which was not enforced & caused a glut of these trucks in areas identified as over-supply or retail space & on top of that the trucks were competing with brick & mortar bsinesses. They mention none of this even though they have been presented the case.
    The Oserver also uses the term "Taco Truck" which they have been asked to stop using as it is innaccurate, divisive & sensationalistic. Tacos are not a staple in most latin american diets. Nor do these trucks necessarily serve tacos. They have featured latin american vendors who do not. And the ordinance nor any of the people who spoke to city council specified a culture or food. The Observer coined the term Taco Truck. The appropriate term is Mobile Food Vendors
    Important to note that Lassiter & the rest of the council unanimously supported this ordinace. I highly doubt it was b/c they are all racist...

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  16. I think it really is, in an indirect way, an issue of race. The demographics of the population are changing and those that have been in a the area a long time may not be comfortable with that change. It just happens to be a racial change, rather than just a socio-economic change, that's happening and so race IS a factor. Since I fit the demographic of the older residents, what I would suggest is maybe get out and meet some of the people that are frequenting the taco trucks. Make some new friends. Try some different foods-I could go for a chorizo taco right now. Anyway, you just might be surprised at how much you have in common with the newcomers.

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  17. First, anything that has a potential to devalue my property or deprive me of my quality of life, I want regulated.
    I am a proponent of private property rights and fully support the entrpreneurial spirit. However there are limits to everything.
    We are also a nation of laws. In order to maintian a civilized society ALL must obey the law.
    On to the race card...
    There are two kinds of racism..Singling out person because of their race and not sanctioning a person or people because of their race.
    It cuts both ways.

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  18. What is not clarified in Lassiter's comments is the issue people who compalin about their home equity are not concerned about the ethnicity of te patrons or the busines owners.
    They are concern with disregard for the peacfullness neighborhoods wish to enjoy at night, disregard for the law, disregard for the appearance of the business district which brings grat ridicule and deeply affects home prices. Important to note that many business owners have a problem (many of whom are hispanic/latino) b/c these businesses were running unregulated & competing with an already oversupply of retail space.
    You can't have a business district completely UNREGULATED & completely overrun with mobile businesses. Unnattractive ones at that. Once all the brick & mortar businesses are pushed out. What is left. When the economy takes a turn for the worst, or the district bottoms out. They just drive away. No investment. No loss. But the brick & mortar businesses & neighborhoods are left with the mess. But The Observer wont put any of these points in the articles even though they are hearing these opinions from people deeplyb entrenched in the community. Also not mentioned is how these same communities embrace latin/hispanic businesss. These communities use the latino/hispanic restaurants as a marketing tool & host events such as Taste of the World. The same people they are implying are racist... Lassiter & Ordonez have both been reminded of these points

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  19. It's not the taco trucks themselves, but the drunks that hang around them that make them such a problem.

    I used to live in Houston.

    And while many of these immigrants are tolerable neighbors, some of them are just downright obnoxious and noisy and will not stop.

    They act as if they have some birthright to have mariachi bands play in their backyards until 2am if you let them.

    One thing I have learned is that you can't let them get away with anything, or they just keep going until they trash the entire community.

    Just wait until you get enough of them in your "hood" that they start firing pistols at midnight to celebrate New Years.

    Now, that's some "cultural" BS...

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  20. I doubt that my parents, were they still alive, had ANYTHING in common with illegal immigrants who have taken over OUR east side of town. Yes I am a Charlotte native, and unless you have lived here for a while, you have not witnessed the huge negative impact that these Latinos have had on the east side of Charlotte, as well as South Boulevard. Taco trucks are just another nail in the coffin of the east side. Just look at what they have done to Eastland Mall.

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  21. Why does INS not check the status of these truck propreitors? You could get rid of 80% that way.

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  22. Do we STILL have a "fast growing" Latino population?

    I hope not.

    So where to these beer-swilling patrons of Taco Trucks go to take a p-ss?

    If my understanding of taco truck "culture" is correct, I'd guess somewhere in the neighbors bushes.

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  23. I was blown away by the amount of traffic congestion these trucks were causing on Central Ave. When this issue became contoversial I set out to see for myself exactly what was acurate & what was exaggeratd. I found several things.
    1) Many of the vendors were squatting on vacant property. Made me wonder if they are paying taxes, getting health inspections, getting permits. Code Enforcement determined they were generally breaking curfew, getting health inspections or vending permits
    2) All of the vendors I witnssed were breaking curfew
    3) Traffic was backing up on Central at intersections. Much of the area has medians. The customers were making U-turns directly into corner parking lots. But the parkinglots were backed up. The parking lots were too small to handle all of the customers.
    4) The parkinglots were dark and crowdd. People were coming from all directions in their cars and i was noticeably dangerous.
    5) There were vendors directly at the entrnace of neighborhoods well into the night. These trucks were primarily pedestrian traffic. There were drunks around them and they littered profusely. Appearnace was the worst of all of the trucks.
    2) Crime rates were higher on roads with these busineses. Not to say it was causal, but there was already that question. Prostitution arrests were high and so were armed robberies. Police never provided stats to back up these claims. (Not sure they had the detailed info to do so) but the claims of residents & police were not crazy

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  24. How about stopping ice cream trucks - that's where we have to worry - they are trying to come in contact with/sell to CHILDREN.

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  25. I dont see why this is a big deal. It is obvious that most of them dont care about the laws anyways, so why dont the jsut keep the trucks open late.

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  26. Correction: Code Enforcement determined that generally the vendors were breaking curfew, not getting health inspections, & not getting permits

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  27. "They go where they can make the most money. lol, if they spend lots of time in your area, must mean lots like to do buisness there. oh, and i got a kick out of this, "enjoy your rotting state infrastructure and growing tax burden you money-sucking libtard""

    - Funny you should mention the tax burden. Considering these businesses are mobile, haven't been obeying any of the laws like curfewsa, fedearl tax ID's, getting business permits & licenses or health inspections, & squat on vacant property. I wonder if they pay taxes. Don't answer that... Well now we know why the state doesn't have money to pay teachers

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  28. If these were a bunch of rednecks with a BBQ stand in the same place, I doubt some of you would be complaining about this. Just a bunch of good ole boy meanin' no harm.

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  29. Anonymous said...
    If these were a bunch of rednecks with a BBQ stand in the same place, I doubt some of you would be complaining about this. Just a bunch of good ole boy meanin' no harm.

    May 21, 2009 10:57 AM


    It does apply to BBQ, and hot dogs and all other "mobile vendors" you moron. Not everything is about race It just so happens that the vast majority that were not playing by the rules to begin with, and causing problem were taco trucks. But why should they worry about these regulations when more than likely they are illegal anways.

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  30. "If these were a bunch of rednecks with a BBQ stand in the same place, I doubt some of you would be complaining about this. Just a bunch of good ole boy meanin' no harm."

    Judging from your derrogatory remarks about people from certain demographics, you would complain...
    But I digerss.
    I complain in the event ANYONE breaks the law, is walking around intoxicated, litters, keeps me up at night, sells drugs, or engages in prostitution, breaks the curfew, kills off already struggling businesses, plays loud music late at night, causes traffic congestion, doesn't pay taxes, doens't have a health rating, doesn't pay rent, doesn't invest in the community, doesn't keep their business clean and maintained, sets up shop at the entrance to my neighborhood.
    The law applies to everyone equally and the law is fair. Any question about targeting latino business owners is not justified based on:
    1) The curfew was raised from 8:30PM to 9:00 PM in 2008.
    2) There are no laws specifying Taco Trucks. BBQ trucks are included. The law specifies Mobile Food Vending Trucks
    3) The curfew of 8:30 was put in place in 1985 before there was any significant latino population or mobile food vending industry in Charlotte
    4)The same communities and same community leaders that are criticized for not wanting latino businesses actually are the leading advocates for Marketing Latino Rstaurants (which are businesses that have invested in the community, pay rent or own their establishment, bring permanance, get routine health inspections, are licensed, pay taxes, maintain their property, and generally obey the law.
    I don't have a problem with mobile food trucks. I have a problem with a glut of them and i have a problem when they don't obey the law or respect my community.
    If Someone wants to get or sell a taco or BBQ at a restaurant that is nice and clean great. If they want to do the same thing at a Mobile food truck that is great. If tey want to sell a taco or BBQ without any regard for the community or the law. I have a problem.
    Now considering your use of the term "redneck" I suggest you take a look at your own acceptance of diversity.

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  31. FACT: We live in a city that condones a major double standard.
    Street food vendors in Uptown can pretty much do as they please, operating under lax rules.
    All others (mainly taco stands on major thoroughfares) are supposed to comply with strict rules and regulations meant to drive them out of business.

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  32. The community at large supports and patronizes latino restaurants in Charlotte. It is comonplace for Charlotteans to seek out authentic Mexican restaurants. The vast majority of comments that I hear in the community are positive.
    It is not uncommon for hispanic & latino people to patronize these restaurants either. Patronizing restaurants is just as popular in Spain, the Carribean, Cntral, & South America. particulalry in the middle-class,
    The efforts to make the mobile food industry appear as latinos only source of nourishment and enjoyment of pastime is ridiculous and culturally insensitive.
    While the poorest segment of the latino population who tend to be immigrants depend on these mobile food trucks more than middle class Americans or middle class latino Americans.
    Considering the importance of restaurants in latino culture and North American culture, and the frequent patronage of latino restaraunts by mainstream Americans it is highly doubtful that mainstream Americans have a problem with Latino people, food, culture, or businesses. Rather the primary issue is CLASS.
    Evidenced by the heavy patronage and use of latino restaurants & consumption of latino food by mainstream Americans. And the lack of support for mobile food trucks which do not meet middle class standards i.e. no regard for aesthetics, tranquility, home equity, community involvement.

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  33. If you have a center and a restaurant is paying rent to be there, how fair is it to allow the taco vendors to set up shop? If they want to sell tacos, let them rent space like everyone else. I manage real estate and had to hire security guards to protect my tenants' right to not have their business interrupted.

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  34. Regarding Ice Cream Trucks:
    This is an industry that is regulated under a different section of the mobile vending ordinance for various reason I will outline below
    But is dominated by latino business owners. In particlar the pushcarts are almost exclusively latino owned and run.
    However no one is trying to regulate them for several reasons. 1) They obey the law
    2) They do not require health inspections
    3) They do not operate after curfew or generally infringe on the tranquility of th community
    4) They are constantly moving when not at a private event. They are not allowed to set up shop for more than 30 minutes

    Considering this is a vastly latino operated industry, and it has not raised the ire of the community, it is more evidence that the laws regulating mobild food vending trucks are not targeting or intentionally impeding businesses because they are latino owned or patronized by latino people.

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  35. "FACT: We live in a city that condones a major double standard.
    Street food vendors in Uptown can pretty much do as they please, operating under lax rules.
    All others (mainly taco stands on major thoroughfares) are supposed to comply with strict rules and regulations meant to drive them out of business."

    I find it ridiculous that your statement is full of commentary but you call it fact.
    The "strict rules" applied to major thoroughfares vs. uptown is not a double standard. They are have inherntly different land uses and impacts to those they serve.
    I.e. Uptown is a hightly regulated, hightly policed area that people purpoely move ot because they want a fast-paced lifestyle with lots of entertainment & nightlife. A major thoroughfare is surrounded by quiet residential neighborhoods and the businesses typically are not interfering with their way of life. There is also no way to provide code enforcement, health & sanitation, or police protection/patreol 24hrs a day at the same intesity as uptown. In in particular the carts uptown are not mobile and are not cooking food, so there are a lot of public safety issues involved.
    Here are some FACTS for you.
    What you call a double standard is not.
    NO mobile food trucks ase allowed in Uptown because they take up too much space. Center City Partner regulates mobile food carts and the rules are very strict. They are not lax at all.
    Mobile food carts are allowed to sell food on the sidewalk Uptown(not in parkinglots or the street). The food is precooked and therefore does not require a health inspection.
    The rules uptown & on thoroughfares are designed to create an environment that is compliant with the overall land use as well as protect the business district as a whole.The rules don't focus o tacos or any other specific food or culture.
    The rules arent' meant to put anyone out of business. If people haven't been breaking the rules they won't be put out of business. i.e the 9pm curfew gave mobile food trucks an extra half hour to operate. That is half an hour more than the last 25 years.

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  36. And now you know why we call it the Charlotte "DISTURBER".

    The change to add an extra half hour has been twisted into limiting a specific race from "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness", Thomas Jefferson.

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  37. I live in third world South Florida. It would be wise to get the TACO trucks out of Charlotte - or Charlotte will look like downtown Miami very soon.

    I'm hoping to move to Charlotte - I sure hope the atmosphere will be more law abiding than here in South Florida - because it's a virtual nightmare here!

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  38. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  39. This last comment is the reason why we must pick up every illegal and remove them from this Country. This kind of mentality will turn Charlotte into the third world South Florida is.

    Listen up Mr. Moron - no one is against immigration. This country is made up of immigrants from all over the world, but what makes us great is that we're governed under the rule of law. We are civilized - that's why most people want to live here. If you want to live in a country where they can do just about anything they want then move there - South American or Mexico would be a good option.

    Illegals must be removed from this country and then apply for LEGAL status.

    GET IT NOW?! AND BY THE WAY THAT IS NOT A RACIST OPINION.

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  40. I had taco troubles the other night, but it was nothing a little pepto could not fix.

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  41. I own a Mexican restaurant on Central Ave. I was born in Mexico. and now I am American. I am a businesswoman. A mother. A wife with two children to feed and shape as proud Americans. I follow all the rules. These trucks were pulling up in the parking lot next to mine. They didn't pay any tax. They had no licenses and worked all night. sometimes in my parking lot after I left. They might be other Mexican people. But they don't run their business like I do. People weren't coming to my restaurant because they saw trash and people standing outside. They weren't even paying rent.
    The people going to the truck were using my parking lot I pay rent on. On holidays there wasn't enough space for my customers. When I come in in the morning there were beer cans, broken bottles, condoms , and trash from trucks that used my parking lot or the one next door. I called 311 or the police about the problem. They did nothing fo over 7 years. They told me there was nothing they could do. Code Enforcement lied to these neighbors and businesses. There were laws all along. They just wouldn't enforce them. Now everyone wants to make it about latinos. Well I am and it hurt my business, but no one cares. Not the city. not the observer. not the other people who claim it's about latinos. The trucks were putting everyone out of business including Latinos who are Americans and pay taxes and tun legitmate businesses

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  42. Anon 1:17, if every business owner were like you, a proud American who follows the rules, this would be a much better place for us all! I do hope the new regulations will help your business.

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  43. The government has no business meddling in the businesses of these taco trucks. We have enough of big government's stranglehold on private business as it is, and we're sick of it. Leave the taco trucks alone, government! Join the TEA party!

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  44. And that is exactly what makes our country the best - good people like the owner of this Mexican restaurant - how dare these taco trucks be permitted to [illegally] compete and negatively affect that business!

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  45. I really have to go back to work, but yet another moron - describing these TACO TRUCKS as "private business."

    NOT!!! They are illegally operating their business - it has nothing to do with government interference it has to do with breaking the law.

    Gee whiz!

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  46. I do not care about how they feel! I don't like them in the area ... go to a restaurant and sit down to eat. The concept of standing at a mobile food truck to get/eat food boggles my mind. Unless, there is a community event --what is the need to sell food out of a mobile vending truck? I remember (before I had a washer & dryer) going to a local laundry facility and a Latino women selling food out the back of a mini-van. Who in the hell would eat this?!

    Personally, I do not care if they make money but not in filth. The patrons of these establishments do not respect others when it comes to parking, throwing trash on the streets in and around these trucks.

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  47. someone call taco bell in to squash the truck business!

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  48. Tacos on wheels is a great idea anytime. How much are they? We hope they come to Dilworth. Sure would beat going out and we could save gas.

    Bring on the Taco vans. Forget these naysayers. We need some Chinese vans and Italian ones too. Throw in some Japanese food vans and maybe some Burger vans. Where is McDonalds or Wendys on wheels? Jeez. Lets get with the program. How about a Prices Chicken Coop on wheels or even a Coffee Cup on wheels? BarBQ too. Soul Food dawg in da house. Diversity food on wheels needed.

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  49. "The government has no business meddling in the businesses of these taco trucks. We have enough of big government's stranglehold on private business as it is, and we're sick of it. Leave the taco trucks alone, government! Join the TEA party!"

    - Yeah! The government has no right to perform health inspections to ensure the health of God Fearin' Americans... Only on restaurants it's okay. Whack job extemists are sad

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  50. "someone call taco bell in to squash the truck business!"

    Seriously they were parking right across the street Illegaly and without paying rentin the parking lot two lots down and at the old Shell station. Basically on both sides of Taco Bell. they were killing Taco Bell. Taco Bell pays taxes, their employees pay taxes, they pay rent, they clean up litter, get health inspections and still provide competitively priced affordable food. Meanwhile the vendors broke the law and created majorly unfair competition.

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  51. "Tacos on wheels is a great idea anytime. How much are they? We hope they come to Dilworth. Sure would beat going out and we could save gas. Bring on the Taco vans. Forget these naysayers. We need some Chinese vans and Italian ones too. Throw in some Japanese food vans and maybe some Burger vans. Where is McDonalds or Wendys on wheels? Jeez. Lets get with the program. How about a Prices Chicken Coop on wheels or even a Coffee Cup on wheels? BarBQ too. Soul Food dawg in da house. Diversity food on wheels needed."

    - Well if you want diverse food Cenral Avenue is the best in Charlotte. There are great restaurants on Central. You might want to move from Dilworth over to where the diversity and diverse menu is.
    As far as the mobile food trucks, according to the vendors they cater to a predominantly latino customer base and they go where the market is. Where manual latino manual laborers live and who need to eat on a budget and have a preference for the food. Dilworth is not very diverse on and thus there is not the same demand for the diverse menu that exists on Central, which is why you don't see mobile vendors from any culture there. There are vendors further down on South Blvd. where there is a larger latino poulation.
    All in all the people who talk about diversity anf the people who live it are two diferent things. A person with a masters degree can theorize about what they imagine diversity to be or what it should meani in a peerfect world, and they make sure to stay far enough away from diversity. Dilworth is essentially comments from the peanut gallery. Let a homogenous community of affluent white Americans tell everyone about how they appreciate diversity. They can't lead by example, but if they did they would do it differently... Please

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  52. I have no problem with latinos or their food. I don't have a problem with the people or the businesses. I don't even have a problem with mobile food trucks. I have a problem with businesses that cater to drunk people, that don't pay taxes, that have no regard for those around them. That includes retail stores and restaurants and quiet neighborhoods. If you run around squatting on people's property, serving drunks, not getting health inspections, not getting business permits, not paying taxes, setting up outside my neighborhood with a gas generator at 4AM, leaving trash, parking side by side around other clean law abiding restaurants, waking me up, watching prostitutes congregate around your business and not calling the police, dealing drugs or watching drug deals and not calling the police. I have a problem. And that's what happened. I go to at least five Mexican restaurants. I eat mexican food in the same areas where these vendors congregated at least once a week. They know my children I know their. Our kids go to the same school. They come over our house to play and vice versa. This race card stuff disgusts me and is a slap inthe face to the most diverse parts of Charlotte who lead by example instead of pontificating about the way the world should be. Well there's plenty of affordable housing where the trucks congregate, so if you support them so much, come on down and lead by example. That's what I thought... Remember when you bought the trendy condo that had the great view of uptown or that two story house you just had to have in te suburbs with the best schools,.. yeah conveniently away from all the latino people and the diversity.

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  53. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30870505/

    So how do ostrich condesending disengenious libs "disgusted by this race stuff" rationalize things such as this?

    With south of the border gangs on the rise everywhere including here going after blacks or sometimes vice versa is that ok?

    So what is the solution? We know whites get caught in the middle.

    There are 1000s of Americans kidnapped along the borders or visiting south of the border held for ransom paid off yet never seen again. Dateline and 60 Minutes have done stories. This is a fast growing very alarming problem to say the least.

    Do you stay out of south of the border? What happens when south of the border comes to your nation your state and your neighborhood? No cause for alarm?

    But then again we need to be more liberal open minded and stop being so cliquish or clannish and not complain about changes right in front of our front doors.(even if you die in the process). And forget the drug problem. No big deal.
    It can only get worse.

    We have heard of reconquistor or reconquer of border states but since when were non-border states like NC or SC etc owned by the Aztecs?

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  54. Dilworth is essentially comments from the peanut gallery. Let a homogenous community of affluent white Americans tell everyone about how they appreciate diversity. They can't lead by example, but if they did they would do it differently... Please

    May 21, 2009 5:27 PM


    OMG, here we again with this thousands of years old class struggle workers paradise bourgeoise vs proletariet Manifesto ideology crapola published in 1848. You can tell who the Karl Marx lovers are.

    The creme always rises to the top. In America you can be the creme or the milk. Its your choice. Dont complain if you dont try to be all you can be even if you fail. Edison said success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. Even if you fail and never succeed you are a success if only because you tried your best. Otherwise you are just a whiny crybaby lazy punk commie pinko.

    You know one thing about Mexicans nobody mentions is that for the most part they are very good hard workers and dont whine but appreciate America. These people epitomize what Edison said. Those in Taco trucks are entrepreneurs taking advantage of the American dream. Good for them.

    Dilworth is always open to any hard worker true Americans or those trying to achieve. Commies and whiners keep out. You are losers and dont deserve to be in this great nation. Vote conservative.

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  55. I don't care if it's the "red bull truck" or the "miller lite van", I don't want things like that roaming through my neighboorhood late at night. I don't mind them doing business during business hours.

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  56. All I want to know is: What are the best Mexican restaurants in Charlotte, then? Any recommendations?

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  57. Dilworth is always open to any hard worker true Americans or those trying to achieve. Commies and whiners keep out. You are losers and dont deserve to be in this great nation. Vote conservative.

    ...And yet there are no Mexican people or Mobile vendors in Dilworth - the very people you welcome & recognize for their work and entrepreneural spirit. interesting...
    I like how you blast remarks about classism, but then you describe Dilworth in hierarchal terms such as "achieve" & "The creme always rises to the top." "Dont complain if you dont try to be all you can be even if you fail."
    As if everyone wants to live in Dilworth where everyone is the same. As if someone choose to live in the more affordable areas of Charlotte they are not successful either financially or otherewise.
    The Mexicans and the Trucks you consider entrepreneurs with the american spirit don't live in Dilworth... And if they are welcome in Dilworth, I am sure it's only to mow your lawn.
    The diversity and immigrant spirit that Edison was talking about is what atracts people to many affordable communities in Charlotte...

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  58. Lets face it There a lot of people liviing in Sedgefield -I mean Dilworth- who have achieved The Greatness of Edison.
    Dilworth is the perfect example of the true grit hunger of immigrants making their fortune in America like those that once worked in Edison's factories in north Jersey.

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  59. Hey I'm going to Cantina for some authentic Mexican.

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  60. Are you crazy Dilworth is very diverse. There are white people with brown eyes AND blue eyes

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  61. I love how this guy consders breaking the law the epitome of what edison said about entrepreneurs...
    Hey lets break the law. Oh and don't forget to "vote conservative"

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