Perhaps you were at the Sprague Library or on your way to or from the Friday afternoon Sugar House Farmers’ Market events this summer and were suddenly assailed by a fragrant spicy aroma. Perhaps you were hungry and thought you might be imagining things, but more likely you were caught up by the mouth-watering smell of tacos and accompanying side dishes available from the sidewalk taco vendor who operates on the west side of 1100 East in front of the fenced Mecham property awaiting development.
That vending cart is one of only two food cart vendors, both offering tacos, within the Sugar House business district, the other operating farther south on Highland Drive near the Patagonia Outlet on 2292 South Highland Drive. Many more operate in other designated areas throughout Salt Lake City (see online map and other vending cart information), primarily in the downtown Salt Lake area
Debbie Tinker, of Salt Lake City’s Capital Asset Management (CAM)’s Property Management office, which ‘specifically permits the private use of City owned right-of way, facilities, parks, and open space through the granting of,’ among others, sidewalk vending carts, attributes the rise of this type of business venture to former SLC Mayor, Rocky Anderson. Having observed so many street vendors in his ventures to bigger cities, Anderson wanted to pave the way for this type of small business opportunity in Salt Lake City as well.
Others, especially nearby business owners, who sometimes feel negatively impacted by the presence of the so-called street vendors, are often less enthusiastic. Tinker has a ‘can do’ philosophy about it all, stating that sometimes it is just a matter of listening and better communication between indoor and outdoor vendors. Some issues are resolvable, i.e., food vendors cannot operate within 100 feet of a restaurant and must not block store-front windows, but others including complaints from indoor businesses about the food aromas are not. After all, reasons Tinker, aromas emanate from indoor restaurants as well the food carts.
Other concerns are from potential customers who sometimes worry about food safety. According to Tinker, however, food safety is less of a problem from the street vendors versus smaller indoor restaurants since the latter tend to be inspected less pften than the street vendors for whom frequent random inspections are the ‘norm.’
So the next time you are out and about in Sugar House and detect that wonderful spicy aroma, go ahead and safely treat yourself to a taco and a new casual dining experience.
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