Alderman Calls for Rolling Restaurants

Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) wants to legalize the concept to create a "whole new industry" that's already part of the "culinary culture" in other major cities in the United States and around the world.

At Wednesday's City Council meeting, Waguespack introduced an ordinance that would legalize mobile food trucks now prohibited in Chicago and establish strict operating conditions to ensure sanitation and avoid unfair competition with stationary restaurants. Mobile food trucks currently exist in the city, but they can only sell prepackaged foods.

The proposed trucks would be required to have at least three sinks but could have no tables or benches.

They would have to follow designated routes so the city would know where they are to conduct random inspections. They would have to be at least 200 feet away from a restaurant and 100 feet from any retail store that sells food.

The annual license would range from $660 to $1,100, depending on the size of the truck.

Waguespack envisions a thriving new industry that would enhance Chicago's reputation as one of the food capitals of the world.

"If we have all of our bases covered in terms of health and sanitation, we could have 60 of these truck start up in the first year. We could create 500 to 600 jobs right off the bat with a $13.5 million payroll. That's how many people have called to say they're excited about it," he said.

Waguespack said a would-be restaurant owner could purchase a truck for less than $100,000, a fraction of the cost of a brick-and-mortar restaurant.

Jerry Roper, president of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, said he's all for the idea.

"We see it as another boutique-like industry that is very competitive in New York and Los Angeles. You'll be able to get hot food instead of buying something that's been wrapped and prepared a day or two in advance," Roper said.