More food trucks may serve in Chapel Hill

Food trucks may soon begin rolling into Chapel Hill, now that the town council has made changes to its restrictions.

Last week, the council voted unanimously to reduce the annual regulatory fee for food trucks from $600 to $200. The new amendments will also allow trucks to cater and to participate in special events like food truck rodeos in town.

Currently, only one truck — Baguettaboutit, which serves sausages wrapped in French bread — is licensed to operate in Chapel Hill.

But owners of other food trucks said they now expect that to change.

Tracy Livers, an owner of the Olde North State BBQ truck, said her business is planning to expand services to neighborhoods and events in Chapel Hill.

“I am very excited about the new rules,” Livers said. “The steep fee and limited lots to park made it difficult to do business in Chapel Hill.”

Olde North State BBQ currently operates regularly in six nearby towns, including Durham and Raleigh. Livers said she is looking forward to working in Chapel Hill.

“We have been able to work with a few schools on fundraisers so far and hope this will lead to more and more business in Chapel Hill,” she said.

Chapel Hill residents should also be on the lookout for the American Meltdown truck, which serves cheesy melts and specialty sandwiches.

“I think there’s a lot of excitement in the general food truck community,” owner Paul Inserra said. “I think it makes it easier for trucks. There’s new locations, new spaces.”

Inserra said he is happy about the reduced fees and believes Chapel Hill has a good market for food trucks. He said trucks will excite customers and add to the downtown area.

“Chapel Hill has some of the best foot traffic in the Triangle,” he said. “There are always people out on Franklin and Rosemary going to and from Carrboro.”

Despite excitement in the food truck community, some truck owners said they are still hesitant to extend business to Chapel Hill.

Jody Argote, owner of Parlez-Vous Crêpe, which operates regularly in Carrboro and at special events, said she is wary of venturing to Chapel Hill because available lots are not appealing.

Argote said she is pleased with the business they have done outside of Chapel Hill.

“It’s not just a matter of fees, it’s a matter of having a good market and a good location with ample parking that’s accessible for those with disabilities,” Argote said. “That was something that I was not pleased with (in Chapel Hill).”

Chela Tu, a co-owner of the Chirba Chirba Dumpling truck, said she is also concerned about the lack of space to operate in Chapel Hill but she does see potential for fundraisers and special events in town.

“As a food trucker, I believe food trucks have the power to bring people together to create a space for a community to hang out and enjoy each other and food, but it’s a different space than Durham,” Tu said.

“It’s a much more limited space for us to operate, and there’s a lot of direct competition from restaurants.”

Contact the desk editor at city@dailytarheel.com.