The best (as in most popular) food in Los Angeles isn’t found in any of the thousands of  upscale restaurants and chain diners. Instead, the unlikely source which sends LA’s foodies into raptures of culinary delight can be found on the streets - In the taco trucks and in the carts of street vendors peddling bacon hot dogs. Photo by Al Pavangkanan via flickr (creative commons).

A few months back, Los Angeles officials came down hard on the taco trucks with new ordinances and fines meant to keep the trucks on the move, instead of stationed at popular spots. That went fast nowhere, and after a huge public outcry, the anti-parking ordinance on taco trucks has been revoked.

So now LA officials with nothing better to do are turning their evil eye on to street vendors selling bacon wrapped hot dogs, which are banned and illegal anyway. Drew Carey from Reason.tv has a video report (recorded in April) which explores both sides of the matter. Elizabeth Palacios is one of the few vendors willing to speak publicly. “Doing bacon is illegal,” she explains. Problem is customers love bacon, and Palacios says she loses business if she doesn’t give them the bacon they demand. “Bacon is a potentially hazardous food,” says Terrence Powell of the LA County Health Department. Continue selling bacon dogs without county-approved equipment and you risk fines and jail time.

And LAist has the latest with a photo spread which shows the LAPD confiscating the carts and their stuff and throwing all the food into the trash.

Remains to be seen how far LA takes this particular fight. Yes, its illegal, and I admit the health risks. But you can’t deny that this is the best street food in Los Angeles we’re talking about. As soon as they shut down the operations in one area, its going to spring up somewhere else nearby. Simple question of demand and supply. That’s what is keeping the taco trucks in business, and that’s will keep the bacon wrapped hot dog vendors in business.

If LA officials are so concerned about the health risks, they should start a campaign to educate the public, and convince them not to go around looking for the hot dogs.

Posted on August 31st, 2008 by Thomas
Filed under: Los Angeles, Restaurants