In Los Angeles, ‘Carne Asada is Not a Crime’

Travel Blog  •  Jim Benning  •  05.05.08 | 11:13 AM ET

imageHave more profound words ever been uttered? That’s one of the rallying cries of Save Our Taco Trucks, a movement opposing a new law that restricts taco trucks in Los Angeles County. The law requires the trucks to change locations every hour, with violators “facing fines, misdemeanor charges and, possibly, jail time,” the New York Times reports.

In Los Angeles, “You can squander public money, close down the ports and flatten landmarks, and many residents of this sprawling metropolis will simply yawn and move on,” writes the Times’ Jennifer Steinhauer. “But this is also a food-obsessed city with rich Hispanic cultural traditions, and tacos have crossed the miles of road and class divides.”

SaveOurTacoTrucks.org hosts an online petition. The site proclaims: “Taco Trucks are a special facet of Los Angeles, and something we don’t want to lose. Though this ordinance currently affects just unincorporated parts of L.A., that’s 65% of the County. And of course it opens up the doors for legislation closer to home too. Let’s send Gloria Molina and the L.A. Board of Supervisors a message that we cherish our local vendors and don’t want to see them move away. This new law needs to be repealed!”

Of course, L.A. isn’t the only town that loves its taco trucks. Last year, for example, NPR reported on Oakland’s beloved taco trucks.

Photo of Oakland taco truck by alex.lines via Flickr, (Creative Commons).

Tags: Food, North America, Mexico, United States, California, Los Angeles, News and Briefs


1 Comment for In Los Angeles, ‘Carne Asada is Not a Crime’

Ling 05.06.08 | 5:10 AM ET

This ain’t no joke. There are 14,000 licensed taco trucks in LA. What do you think these people, and their families, should do if you yank away their livelihoods?

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