The old Law of Unintended Consequences pops up in a funny way, sometimes.
It was just last year when the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors tried to crack down on local taco trucks. But that effort had the unintended consequence of – yes – helping to create even more dining trucks.
According to an article on the front page of this week’s Los Angeles Business Journal, some local folks last year read about the dust-up over the taco trucks and apparently rubbed their chins and said, “Hmmm.” Entrepreneurial types probably cared less about the crackdown (which basically fizzled), but read more intently about the low cost of entry for operators of truck diners. And it probably occurred to them that there are other advantages for truck owners. You can drive to where the crowds are right now, for example, and you can work when you want.
As a result, a new generation of mobile mini-diners was created. Suddenly, pedestrian-intensive locations in L.A.’s Westside have trucks parked radiator to tailpipe hawking all manner of Korean barbecue, sushi, vegan sandwiches and, of course, tacos and burritos.
Granted, established restaurants probably don’t like taco and un-taco trucks parked out front their doors. And they may pressure the political class to try again to crack down on the proliferation of trucks.
But they should proceed with caution. Another crackdown like the last may have the unintended consequence of revving up yet another new convoy of dining trucks.