South Street Steaks returns as food truck in Bethesda

There's some good news for long-patient fans of South Street Steaks in Bethesda. Although their bricks-and-mortar location on Cordell Avenue fell victim to a car crashing into it, they have now launched a food truck. Their website and social media have not yet advertised their location(s) or hours, but the truck has been spotted by the Bethesda Community Store at 8804 Old Georgetown Road. That's just north of Suburban Hospital. Until they start advertising, that's just a tip I can pass along to cheesesteak aficionados.

The food truck would seem ideal to reach one of their largest fan bases, people who took advantage of their late hours, now a rarity among restaurants in downtown Bethesda since the Montgomery County Council tanked the nighttime economy with their disastrous "Nighttime Economy Task Force" initiative. If this were eight or nine years ago, South Street Steaks would have been able to park their truck near the few remaining bars in the Woodmont Triangle, and do some big business.

But Councilmember Hans Riemer also managed to destroy the food truck industry in Montgomery County, along with nightlife. No longer allowed to park on public roadways, 96% of trucks went out of business or fled back into the District. So unless a generous property owner will allow them to operate on private property (such as the Bethesda Community Store lot), they would not be allowed to operate in downtown Bethesda. What a County! No one knows how to stifle free enterprise, business, and entrepreneurs like the Montgomery County Council.

Heckuva job, Brownie!

MoCo Council passes weak food truck bill; Riemer admits trucks were "driven out"

The Montgomery County Council passed a weak food truck bill Tuesday, which "expands" the hours during which trucks can operate from today's 9:00 AM to "sunset" hours, to 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. This was hyped to you as a major step, but in reality, it doesn't even restore the hours to what they were just a few years ago.

Such trucks had been known to serve breakfast to day laborers at dawn in some parts of the county, or Jamaican fare to Bethesda bar patrons in the middle of the night. So 10:00 PM is still hours short of when trucks were operating in the county just a few years ago.

One interesting moment in yesterday's discussion was Councilmember Hans Riemer's acknowledgement that the County has actually driven food trucks out. Usually, the Council PR suggests that they are going to bring us this new thing called "food trucks", which we don't have now because we taxpayers are stodgy and not as forward-thinking as our hip and enlightened councilmembers. And they're going to give 'em to us.

In referring to perceived problems caused by food trucks, Riemer said, “You don’t see a lot of problems with food trucks in the county right now, because we really don’t have many, because the way that the rules have been enforced has driven them out.”

So true. But those supposed rules weren't being enforced prior to Mr. Riemer's election to the council. What Riemer didn't acknowledge was that his own political operative, Dan Hoffman, was part of the County effort that was marketed to the public as "improving food truck locations". In reality, by the end of that effort, food trucks had vanished from the streets of downtown Bethesda. Workers seeking their favorite food trucks in lunchtime hot spots like the Veterans Park area of the Woodmont Triangle, or Bethesda Avenue at Woodmont Avenue, or 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, were coming up empty.

In fact, whereas my @BethesdaRow Twitter account was usually being tagged by dozens of food truck operators eager for me to share their locations that day, I instead began to get panicked messages from truck owners saying they were in the process of being booted from the spot where they had parked. 96% of food trucks either went out of business, or fled back to friendlier places like the District.

For a County political machine that rips off almost every one of its initiatives from places like Berkeley, CA and New York City and Portland, OR, it's remarkable that it doesn't subscribe to the overwhelming consensus among new urbanists that food trucks help make urban areas vibrant.

Of course, this same political cartel supports Barwood Cab over more recent transportation innovations, so it maybe isn't that surprising. But I digress.

When Council President George Leventhal says food trucks are one way to "make Montgomery County friendlier for young people, more interesting and dynamic," I couldn't agree more.

So why did they drive out those very food trucks, which can be found steps over the County line in DC on Wisconsin Avenue every day at lunch?

No trucks are coming back to the public streets of MoCo just because they have longer hours to operate - they can't park in profitable hotspots, so what's the point?

PHOTO GALLERY: WESTWOOD SHOPPING CENTER FOOD TRUCK RALLY

The Westwood Shopping Center held its biggest event yet under new owner Equity One yesterday. Several popular DC-area food trucks parked at the venerable shopping center on Westbard Avenue between noon and 6:00 PM. Participating trucks included one of my favorites, CapMac, and a very special guest - Hooper's Crab House brought its Crab Wagon all the way from the greatest resort city in America, Ocean City, Maryland.

CapMac truck

Carmen's Italian Ice

Hooper's Crab House
Crab Wagon from
Ocean City, MD

Reggae Vibes

My Gym, Anglo Dutch
Pools and Toys and other
businesses participated
in games and raffles

CALL FOR FOOD TRUCKS AT SMALL PRESS EXPO AT NORTH BETHESDA MARRIOTT

One fan of independent comic book gathering Small Press Expo, September 13-14 at the North Bethesda Marriott Convention Center, is dissatisfied with the nearby food options. She put out a plea on Twitter yesterday to all food trucks interested in "getting rich."

One assumes she is referring to food options that would be in the lower end of the cost spectrum, as there are actually several good restaurants a short distance from the hotel. Chef Geoff's and Timpano Italian Chophouse are both great (I recommend the Big Shrimp and Extra Gouda Grits at Chef Geoff's, and the donuts), and Brio and Paladar are almost next door to the hotel. Matchbox is further up the Pike, at Congressional Plaza.

Furthermore, while room service can tend to have "boardwalk" pricing, I've never stayed in a Marriott-branded hotel that didn't have a Marriott Burger on the menu. That's always a reliable and excellent choice.

I'd be perfectly satisfied with the McDonald's, Arby's and Popeye's right by the hotel, and there's a Chick-Fil-A just across the Montrose Parkway.

But consider this an invitation, food trucks of Montgomery County!

GO FISH! TRUCK RETURNS TO BETHESDA TODAY AT ROCKLEDGE

After some time off the road, Bethesda Magazine's reigning top food truck - the Go Fish! truck - returns to the streets today for lunch.

Owner Missy Carr says the truck will be at 6705 Rockledge Drive from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM today. On the menu are lobster rolls, fish tacos, crab cakes, fish bowls and soup.

The fish is purchased fresh, and the crab products are made with real Maryland crab.

JOSÉ ANDRÉS PEPE FOOD TRUCK COMING TO BETHESDA ROW TODAY!!

The big day is finally here:  Pepe is rolling into downtown Bethesda for lunch around 11:30 AM today.

Pepe will stop in front of its owner's restaurant, Jaleo, at Bethesda Row on the corner of Woodmont Avenue and Elm Street.

Don't want to wait in a long line?  Just head straight into Jaleo to enjoy the same great Spanish cuisine.

BOLD BITE HOT DOG CART HITS STREETS OF BETHESDA

FAIRMONT AVENUE

RESTAURANT

GOES MOBILE

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

While the food truck market continues to expand, Bethesda's Bold Bite is entering the curbside dining phenomenon backwards, launching a food cart out of the existing bricks-and-mortar hot dog restaurant on Fairmont Avenue.

While world-famous chef Jose Andres recently made news with the launch of his food truck, Pepe, Bold Bite's venture is a more natural development.  In fact, Bold Bite the restaurant was originally inspired by co-owner Alonso Roche's memories of hot dog and sausage carts in Venezuela.  So, perhaps it was inevitable after all.

Bold Bite Cart

The cart made an inaugural run September 24, with New York and Chicago-style hot dogs on board.  Yesterday, it made another appearance at Wisconsin Avenue and Leland Street.

This is a good chance for those who work on the Bethesda Row side of town - but only buy lunch within walking distance (although I consider Bold Bite within walking distance of Bethesda Row, it just depends how much  lunch time you have) - to try Bold Bite.

Follow @BoldBite on Twitter to find out what days the cart is out, and where to find it.  It's a chance to literally "buy local," as your dollars "stay in the neighborhood" when you purchase from Bold Bite.

JOSÉ ANDRÉS PEPE FOOD TRUCK ADDS BETHESDA ROW AS A STOP!!

INCREDIBLE!

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

World-famous chef - and owner of Bethesda Row's Jaleo - Jose Andres has announced what downtown Bethesda has been waiting 6 months to hear:

His Pepe food truck will be adding Bethesda Row as a stop from now on!  Pepe will also stop at the NIH campus.

Pepe's menu will include:

Butifarra Burger
Pollo Frito
Escalivada
Pepito de Iberico
Spanish Grilled Cheese
Futbol Club Barcelona
Jamon Serrano y queso Manchego
Pepito de ternera

Andres is perhaps the highest-profile restauranteur to "turn the tables" on the popular food truck phenomenon, by launching his own truck.

In terms of downtown Bethesda restaurants, Bold Bite recently launched a rolling hot dog cart out of its Fairmont Avenue location.

The competition for lunch dollars is just getting started.  Andres' expansion into Montgomery County (Friendship Heights and Rockville Town Center are also on the list of stops) could lure more big names and DC food trucks to downtown Bethesda.

BETHESDA FOOD TRUCK

POLL RESULTS ARE IN

Residents Overwhelmingly Favor

Mobile Cuisine Purveyors

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Bethesda has spoken: residents and workers love food trucks.

An online poll created by Ken Hartman, director of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, was taken by 47 people.

Hartman reports that just over 80% favor food trucks, and would like to have more in downtown Bethesda.

16% said food trucks are "OK but...there may be a problem if too many trucks set up in one place."

Just 3% said "they're awful and the county needs to regulate them more."

The results certainly reflect what I hear regularly from people in Bethesda. Most express that they wish more of the popular trucks that operate in the District would come here, too.

That may require the county to rework and enhance their regulations to make our jurisdiction more attractive to DC food trucks.

Bravo to the Red Hook Lobster Truck for being one of the very few DC trucks to venture out to Bethesda.

In fact, the Lobster Truck is scheduled to be at Wisconsin and Leland for lunch today! So show them some support.

The other great thing that's happening even as we try to figure out how to lure DC trucks here, is that a set of homegrown, Montgomery County trucks are popping up at lunch hours countywide.

Suburban Bros., Go Fish Truck, Thatsalata!, Cravin Cookies, Cupcake Blvd. (working in MoCo and Anne Arundel), and Corned Beef King - to name a few - are not just meeting consumer demands, but are actively cooperating and supporting each other's efforts.

That is helping to grow the whole market for food trucks in Bethesda and the county.

For that reason, I disagree with the complaint about multiple trucks stopping at once. Sometimes 2 or 3 trucks will stop at a spot, and it allows people to spread their money among several operators. Likewise, diners can get a salad from one, a sandwich from a second, and a cupcake for dessert.

Thanks to all those who took the poll and to Ken Hartman for posting it. This type of feedback ensures that if code changes are made, that they will be guided by the knowledge that a majority of residents support food trucks.

Of course, brick-and-mortar restaurants need to be heard from as well. But the more choices available, the better for the consumer.

This poll indicates that consumer wants more, not fewer, dining choices.

CUPCAKE BLVD.

TRUCK

SCHEDULED TO

DEBUT IN

BETHESDA TODAY

Today, new cupcake truck Cupcake Blvd. will make its very first stops in Montgomery County. The tentative place and time are at Bethesda Row, near Woodmont and Bethesda Avenues, around 1 PM.

But this being the first day, there could be changes. So stay tuned to @BethesdaRow and @CupcakeBlvd on Twitter. Cupcake Blvd. may stop in Silver Spring first.

Here are the flavors scheduled to be on board today:

LAVA FUDGE

OREO

KEY LIME

VA-VANILLA

NUTELLA

STRAWBERRY

If you try one, share your thoughts about it in the comments below.

Cupcake Blvd.'s debut is perfect timing for last-minute Valentine's Day cupcake gifts!

NEW CUPCAKE TRUCK

TO DEBUT NEXT WEEK

IN BETHESDA

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Yet another player is entering the high stakes world of cupcakes in the DC area next week.

Introducing...

CUPCAKE BLVD.

Cupcake Blvd. is a mobile food truck that will dispense America's new favorite frosted confection in Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties. Set to launch on Valentine's Day, Cupcake Blvd. is expected to make its Bethesda debut soon afterward.

Angelette Aviles is the baker/froster/artist/mastermind behind Cupcake Blvd. She recently moved back to Maryland from Florida, but grew up right here in Montgomery County.

What sets Cupcake Blvd. apart, among other things, is the unique assortment of flavors, including "21+" cupcakes based on popular cocktails (Margarita, Mojito, Pina Colada, Mimosa, Strawberries N Champagne) and sabor Latino (Dulce del Leche, Guava y Cream Cheese, Tres Leches).

Some other flavors I want to try are The Elvis, Cotton Candy, Peanut Butter Cup, PB&J, and Egg Nog.

Aviles wants Cupcake Blvd. to be "an alternative to the 'ice cream man' who drives through the parks and neighborhoods." In addition to the truck, you will be able to place custom orders for delivery from Aviles' Crofton bakery. Best of all, that delivery is FREE in Montgomery County. Minimum order will be 12 cupcakes.

Cupcake Blvd. will take credit card payment on orders over $15.

But first the truck has to get rolling. It has passed the Montgomery County Health Department inspection, and the hope is that it will hit the road next week.

Stay tuned for updates, and follow @BethesdaRow on Twitter to find out when Cupcake Blvd. makes its first Bethesda appearance!

BETHESDA

FOOD TRUCK

SURVEY

Bethesda food truck fans will want to fill out this one-question survey from the Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services Center, a.k.a. the Montgomery County Government.

By showing your support for food trucks, hopefully we can one day have the great variety of purveyors found during the lunch hour in downtown Washington right here in Bethesda.

One of the possible answers in the survey suggests that tougher food truck regulations could be coming from the county government, if a majority of the respondents are opposed to the status quo. That's why it's important to take 10 seconds and respond positively to food trucks in the survey. And to forward this to fellow food truck fanatics you know, so everyone can be heard.

Of course, food trucks' presence can be considered unfair by restaurant owners who pay the fees and taxes that help Bethesda Urban Partnership keep downtown Bethesda in such good shape. They've got a good point, and every significant issue in life is usually resolved through compromise.

So the poll is not about choosing one side or the other. It's merely a vote to favor more choices and free enterprise; the finer points will be resolved as we go forward.

Brick and mortar restaurants have advantages, too. Climate control. You can have a drink at the bar if there's a wait. Food trucks can't serve liquor, beer or wine at all! Ultimately, price, food quality, variety, customer service and atmosphere can trump a food truck. That's where competition and free enterprise make all of the competitors stronger.

Moreover, food trucks have had a positive effect on cuisine in Bethesda's restaurants. Two years ago, there weren't any lobster rolls in downtown Bethesda. After the popular Red Hook Lobster Truck came to Bethesda, there are at least half-a-dozen restaurants that serve lobster rolls in town. (They'll be here for lunch today, in fact!)

Go Fish Truck (Crab Melt!), Curbside Cupcakes, Cravin Cookies (Brownies!), Corned Beef King (Corned Beef Hash!), Toasted Truck, Sub Urban Bros. (Meatball sub!)... all have been to Bethesda. Let's keep them coming back, and maintain or improve conditions that will tempt some of the popular DC trucks to finally cross the border.

So, feel free to post your ideas and arguments for or against food trucks here, but make sure you get heard in this survey, because the results may impact future decision-making by the county.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY