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Food Trucks Rally at Daley Plaza as Part of City Campaign on Social Media

By Ted Cox | September 26, 2014 11:48am
 Gina Koscal shoots a selfie after getting an order at the Beaver's Coffee and Donuts food truck.
Gina Koscal shoots a selfie after getting an order at the Beaver's Coffee and Donuts food truck.
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DNAinfo/Ted Cox

THE LOOP — Food trucks rallied at Daley Plaza Friday as part of the city's attempt to jump on the bandwagon on Social Media Week.

Some 10 food trucks joined taxis and livery services — all with a significant presence on social media — took part in what was being called a Public Vehicle Party from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

But as lunchtime approached the food trucks were the stars of the event, and according to Jay Sebastian, owner of Bridgeport Pasty, it signaled a potential shift in the way the city handles food trucks.

"This is the first time that the Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Department of the city has sponsored one of these food-truck rallies," Sebastian said while opening for business alongside his relatively tiny and compact Patsy the Pastymobile. "The other times we've had these out here have been Department of Cultural Affairs" events.

 Bridgeport Pasty owners Jay Sebastian and Carrie Clark prepare for Friday's food-truck rally alongside Patsy the Pastymobile.
Bridgeport Pasty owners Jay Sebastian and Carrie Clark prepare for Friday's food-truck rally alongside Patsy the Pastymobile.
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DNAinfo/Ted Cox

"It's really kind of a great affirmation by them that they're supporting the food trucks here," he added.

The relationship between food trucks and the Department of Business Affairs has been confrontational, as the department licenses and polices the trucks, including making sure they don't violate a ban on parking near restaurants. But Sebastian said there have been signs that restrictions would loosen up, perhaps next year.

"They're looking at stuff," Sebastian said, "looking at models of things they have like in Portland and Austin, where there are actually food-truck courts with tables in the middle and everything, which this will kind of be like today."

Sebastian expected to do big business at Daley Plaza.

"It's a beautiful day," he said. "We've got about 300 [pasties] now, and we're bringing more."

Nearby, Gina Koscal shot a selfie for public distribution after picking up an order at the Beaver's Coffee and Donuts truck.

"I never, ever stop for doughnuts and coffee," Koscal said. But having seen the truck featured on a TV news program, "It looked too good to be true."

Koscal said she would welcome a regularly scheduled food-truck rally, "that there was going to be a grouping at a certain place like this. Not every day, but certain days."

Sebastian seconded that.

"You don't want to do it every day. It'll get tired then," he said. "But once a month or something is definitely a possibility."

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