Home › Forums › West Seattle Rants & Raves › RAVE: Street Food!
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April 30, 2009 at 10:03 pm #590696
BayouMemberI finally made it to Hallava Falafel today (the famous yellow truck in Georgetown) and it was spectacular! I love street food vendors and from what I’ve read, that guy had to put up a good fight to serve the area. I also have much love for the taco truck and corn stand in White Center.
It made me sad to read that Skillet is being shooed off the property after they had the best day ever thanks to West Seattlites. I hope that they can find a new home soon.
It makes me wonder- do some people in Seattle have something against street vendors or is it just the threat of competition?
I’m sure there are other favorites in the area, so what other street food am I missing out on? Did anyone ever figure out why Hot Dog Joe’s disappeared from the BPP?
May 1, 2009 at 3:44 pm #665635
JoBParticipantFor incredible street food.. you have to head south to portland where it reigns downtown.
May 1, 2009 at 4:01 pm #665636
BayouMemberI’m not afraid of a little roadtrip. ;) What would you recommend JoB?
May 1, 2009 at 4:58 pm #665637
datamuseParticipantMy understanding is that the regulations are very restrictive. I’ve been some places (Bangkok, for example) where street food is commonplace.
(Mind you, my younger brother is no longer allowed to eat street food in Bangkok because he keeps getting food poisoning…but when I was there I didn’t have a problem.)
May 1, 2009 at 5:23 pm #665638
BayouMemberThere are sooo many places/cultures that street food is commonplace. That’s why it surprises me that we don’t have more of it, considering what a melting pot Seattle is.
Now I’m craving tamales… or Bratwurst… or a PoBoy.
May 1, 2009 at 5:26 pm #665639
CallMeAlMemberWhere exactly is Hallava Falafel located? I’d like to head down there today. Special days and time like Skillet??
May 1, 2009 at 5:28 pm #665640
B-squaredParticipanti’ve seen someone selling hotdogs or something outside of beveridge place pub (which is ideal since they have little to offer the hungry). anyone had one – are they any good?
May 1, 2009 at 5:31 pm #665641
CMPParticipantHallava is located on Airport Way and Corson in Georgetown. Hours are 11:00 – 2:00 pm. Parking seemed rather limited when I went but it’s a great day for dining outside so enjoy! Check Yelp for reviews if you want more info.
May 1, 2009 at 5:36 pm #665642
BayouMemberAl, According to their MySpace page they are only at the Corson building location Tues-Thurs 11am-2pm.
http://www.myspace.com/hallava
They used to park in front of the 9 lb. hammer on Friday nights but I’m not sure if that’s still the case. (There was wrangling with the owner of Smarty Pants about parking there.)
May 1, 2009 at 5:42 pm #665643
WSBKeymasterThey also were at Youngstown Arts Center one day a week for a while last year. Re: hot dog guy, we haven’t yet had a chance to check with BPP if he’ll be back. Zeeks opening tonight may mean less demand for extra food in the vicinity. And stay tuned for Skillet news sometime before Sunday – we just got a note from a Junction-area concern with a parking lot that they might be able to offer – have forwarded that news to Skillet’s Josh.
May 1, 2009 at 7:06 pm #665644
Bikefor1MemberPortland just had their Food Cart Festival. Here is a guy who is so dedicated to food carts he made a web site for them: http://foodcartsportland.com/
May 1, 2009 at 10:38 pm #665645
BayouMemberThanks for posting that link! After looking at the site, I realized I’ve actually been on that street in Portland with all the vendors. Sadly, they were already closed when I stumbled upon (what looks to be) the holy grail of street food.
May 2, 2009 at 5:11 am #665646
austinMemberUnfortunately somewhat out of date but still relevant health reports for the ones they list. And a map. Seattle area taco trucks- http://www.lostacotrucks.com/
The OP brings up an interesting point though: Why the relative lack of street food in Seattle? And why the resistance/challenges presented to the existing vendors?
May 5, 2009 at 7:39 am #665647
alki_2008ParticipantCould it be the weather that reduces the number of street food vendors? The entire business would be heavily dependent on the weather. Since it rains so much, then maybe it’s just not feasible for people to have an outdoor cart/truck as the basis of their livelihood. Just a thought of why Seattle might be different.
May 5, 2009 at 2:22 pm #665648
PDieterParticipantWood fired pizza ovens on wheels. Veraci Pizza is at several farmer’s markets, and they will come to your home and cater and last fall they opened a brick and mortar too. Incredible pizza.
May 8, 2009 at 10:02 pm #665649
BayouMemberMmmm, Veraci looks very tasty! Thanks for the tip PDieter.
May 21, 2009 at 6:32 pm #665650
BayouMemberI have to bump this thread after seeing this article.
Coming soon to the streets of SODO, Fremont, and Capitol Hill, with possible spots in the works for Beacon Hill and West Seattle- Korean-Hawaiian taco truck!!
June 5, 2009 at 11:22 pm #665651
alki_2008ParticipantAnybody try the taco truck that was parked at the auto repair place on Alki Ave last weekend? Didn’t catch the name of it, but wondering if it’s going to be a regular thing. Interesting to see it pop up next to the other restaurants, but if it was allowed there then maybe that’s a good spot for Skillet to try. Public restrooms are fairly close (not sure the exact distance).
June 5, 2009 at 11:37 pm #665652
LexMemberI love the taco truck. Yes they had some heath violations but so did many of the “fine” restaurants in seattle. I’ve had food poisoning from many established locations and never the taco truck.
Bayou you should try the corn at the fruit stand on 35th and barton, he will have it there mid June. Its awesome. I think another reason we lack more street vendors is because our city is so conservative and so many people are afraid to try something new. Check out NY amazing selection of street vendors. My hope is to see more street vendors at Alki this summer.
June 6, 2009 at 1:36 am #665653
JoBParticipantLex.. venture into white center… you will find both a corn booth and a taco truck.. both very good.
June 6, 2009 at 7:12 am #665654
RainyDay1235MemberBut, like anywhere – and perhaps especially considering the “mobile” nature – be sure to check on any possible health code violations. I know you can check on restaurants here:
http://seattle.everyblock.com/restaurant-inspections/locations/neighborhoods/west-seattle/
SKILLET just caught with:
– Operating without valid food business permit or plan approval
– Potentially hazardous foods at unsafe temperatures
– Inadequate facilities to control temperatures of potentially hazardous foods
– Handwashing facility not working
– No available hot water
June 6, 2009 at 1:06 pm #665655
hopeyParticipantDid you read the article about why this happened with Skillet? Their backup trailer wasn’t ready but they had to use it. And, unfortunately, that was the day the inspector came by. Not as ‘hazardous’ as it sounds from your list.
Read the details here: https://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=17560
June 6, 2009 at 4:14 pm #665656
jamminjMembergood topic. After visiting NYC a few years, I fell in love with all the vendors everywhere. Which led me to wonder why not here?? Is it the weather here?? But have you seen the weather in NYC??
So could it be regulations here? Besides KC health regulations, one must deal with city of seattles vendor regulations.
Has anyone tried opening a street vendor business, but frustrated with the city??
June 6, 2009 at 10:36 pm #665657
alki_2008Participanthopey, I did read the article and commented that their selling food isn’t an “emergency” so if they don’t have proper facilities (ie, they didn’t even have hot water) then they just shouldn’t open for business. The lack of the permits and such wasn’t a big deal to me considering the back-up vehicle situation and all…but not having hot water or proper temperature control seems like a major problem.
Keeping things “on ice” isn’t sufficient when selling something beyond individually-wrapped ice cream.
June 6, 2009 at 11:40 pm #665658
pigeonmomParticipantSpeaking of Skillet, I’ll try again here with my question. Skillet will not answer any of my emails. I am meeting some out of towners @ Skillet on a Sunday coming up. They are older and need specific instructions/directions. Skillet web site gives two locations for West Seattle. I am growing frustrated with the lack of customer service at Skillet. My question is, what is the West Seattle Skillet location? I followed their 40th & Genesee directions a few weeks ago and they weren’t there.
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