Carnivale again, to finish the 2017 odyssey

Carnivale's food truck came to the rescue on a cold, blustery Thursday - the last outing of the 2017 odyssey.

That's snow on upper Columbus St. 

Skirt steak sandwich aka Arrachera

Cubano for Kathryn.

Fries with lemon herb and oil - always popular

When it is cold and windy - well, winter - the
42nd floor or the HCSC building is a good refugre

Carnivale encore

The coldest Food Truck Thursday of the season fell on the week of a disappointing court ruling upholding key provisions of the city's food truck ordinance.  We consoled ourselves with a return bite from the Carnivale truck that came to upper Columbus.   

The lawsuit challenged two provisions in the law: a requirement that food trucks use a city-monitored GPS tracking unit and a rule to remain at least 200 feet away from fixed food establishments.  The Circuit Court Judge rule against so the provisions stand.

Chicago Business Journal, Dec. 5, 2016 -  CHICAGO'S FOOD TRUCK RULES UPHELD IN COURT 

http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2016/12/05/chicagos-food-truck-rules-upheld-in-court.html

A Chicago food truck owner's bid to overturn regulations of mobile vendors fell short Monday morning when a Cook County Circuit judge upheld key provisions of the city's food truck ordinance.

Laura Pekarik, owner of Cupcakes for Courage, had originally filed suit in 2012, arguing that Chicago's food truck regulations were unconstitutional and unfairly targeted mobile vendors to the benefit of brick-and-mortar restaurants.


Pekarik's suit challenged two provisions in law: a requirement that food trucks use a city-monitored GPS tracking unit and a rule to remain at least 200 feet away from fixed food establishments.

Libertarian-leaning nonprofit the Institute for Justice, which represented Pekarik in the case, claimed the rules violated the Due Process clause of the Illinois Constitution because they did not further a legitimate government purpose and were enacted solely to protect brick-and-mortar restaurants from competitors.

Circuit Court Judge Anna Helen Demacopoulos disagreed, ruling that both requirements were constitutionally sound under Illinois law. She said state law allows Chicago officials to "balance" competition within city borders, the Chicago Tribune reported.

A third provision in the ordinance, that that food trucks may not park in any space for more than two hours, was not challenged in the lawsuit.

The Institute for Justice said Monday it will appeal the decision within 30 days, the Tribune reported.

"The food truck industry will survive, it will thrive, just not in the city of Chicago," said Institute for Justice attorney Robert Frommer.

Carnivale

A new truck for the trekkers: the Carnivale offering a Latin-fusion menu.

Kathryn: Arrachera sandwich - skirt steak, papaya, cucumber, morita

Eric: Chorizo sandwich - chorizo patty, chedddar.

Bruges news

On Nov. 10 we got two pleasant surprises, that (a) the Bruges Brothers truck had pitched up outside our building, and (b) the intrepid Brothers plan to stay on the street into December.  We snapped up the storied Croque Madame (off-bone ham, fondue, dijonnaise, sunnyside egg, buttered breadcrumbs) and resolved this wouldn't be our final Bruges stop of the year.

The beloved Madame

Some things to consider

Some young Bruges Brothers prospects

The youngest.   He didn't get a cone of his own.

Fat Shallot and electromagnetism

Dave Chase and Josh Jund from the Services Quality team joined the trek and raised the level of the dialog beyond sauces and spices.  There was a lot of talk about renewable energy and Dave wanted us to recognize ubiquitous electromagnetism.  Then he had Fat Shallot's burly turkey sandwich.

 

Bop Bar (left) joined Fat Shallot across the river by Tribune Tower

Fat Shallot tip jar(s) recognized the Cub miracle.

Josh, Dave, Kathryn

Truffle fries.  Two orders for the group was too many.

Josh's Buffalo Chicken looked manageable but it took very many napkins. 

Buffalo Chicken without its hat.

Turkey

Kathryn went for the Truffle BLT

Big World

Big World's Torta was a new little truck for the trekkers.  I think this is the description for Kathryn's treat: Skirt steak, sautéed onion, jalapeño, tomato, on refried bean spread, chihuahua cheese, cilantro. Eric fell back to Bop's spicy pork with rice. 

.

Boo Coo Roux was also parked on Columbus, but didn't get love.

Bop Bar

Bop Bar menu

It looks bigger in the picture

Bop's creation

Torta!

Yum yum for Yum Dum

We tested the Sampler (2 Baos, 6 dumplings, side --  we both choose noodles-- and a drink) at Yum Dum at Cityfront Plaza, another new truck for us.  Here's the Yum Dum story from their web site (Link ) - July 2014, the Yum Dum Truck rolled out onto the streets. Not really knowing what to expect, we just wanted to share the food we grew up eating with you. Growing up in a restaurant family, Chef/Owner Jeff Wang knew he would find his way back into the kitchen. He just didn't know that kitchen would be in the back of a truck. Just over a year later, we've built up a large following, been featured in Chicago's most iconic events, and nominated for several accolades including the title as one of 'Chicago's Best Food Trucks.' We look forward to feeding you soon, Chicago!  

Baos

Dumplings

Noodles

Making the most of opportunities for...Bruges Brothers

What to do when winter approaches with the threat of a cessation of food truckery?  Visit the Bruges Brothers truck whenever possible, of course.

Columbus Street was busy.

Mr. Bruges takes an order.

Hanger steak with blue cheese.

Kay Burnett sampled Bruges Brothers,
then enjoyed her ZONE bar.

Bruges Brothers on a rainy day

An encounter with Bruges Brothers made up for the windy, soggy day.  The much-anticipated Oxtail Poutine was not on offer, but there's never disappointment with Bruges Brothers.

The bad news: no Braised Oxtail Poutine

Usually there's a long line, but the rain was in our favor

We went for the box rather than the normal cone...easier to carry
to the Cultural Center.

Blue cheese and steak

Fish and chips

This sad frite...hit the floor and had to be abandoned