Working up appetite for food trucks in Luzerne County
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Food trucks are a quick and convenient way to get a bite. They’ve become a major player in the fast food game.
While some folks are big fans of the thriving industry, others are calling certain aspects of it into question.
Food trucks have been seen all across our area at different kinds of festivals to out on the streets in Wilkes-Barre.
28/22 News looked into questions about what exactly are the advantages and disadvantages of the growing popularity.
Philadelphia Halal Gyro Food Truck located on the corner of South Pennsylvania Avenue and East Northampton Street in Wilkes-Barre is one of dozens licensed in the Diamond City.
“Sometimes it’s expensive and sometimes affordable but it’s definitely convenient,” said Wilkes-Barre Customer Jose Rodrigues.
“The first few days is, like, empty but when people got to know about us now Halal we have like we have a lot of customers like a lot,” said Philadelphia Halal Gyro owner Ashneen Rahmn.
Naomi Sasaki, who also didn’t want to be seen on camera, grabbed a bite to eat from Philadelphia Halal Gyro on Sunday.
She was a hesitant first-time customer at first.
“I drove by this food truck so many times and thought why would I stop at this food truck because it’s at a gas station,” Sasaki stated.
28/22 News Reporter Gianna Galli spoke with Wilkes-Barre City Health Department Director Henry Radulski. He says annual inspections are required that must meet the Pennsylvania food code.
“You have the basic tentacle, hot holding, cold holding, reheating, proper storage, proper protection. There must be a water supply so they can wash their hands, utensils and of course, that water has to be disposed of properly,” Radulski added.
The maintenance of the food truck differs greatly compared to a traditional restaurant.
“Probably one of the problems are, keep in mind it’s a mobile unit so that varies of having a brick and mortar so things like plumbing, water supply,” Radulski continued.
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And space with less room, making it more difficult to move around inside the truck.
“I have one chest freezer and one refrigerator,” said Food Truck worker Cheryl Mascer.
When it is time to dispose of any trash, workers at this food truck say it goes right in those dumpsters right behind me.
It remains to be seen what the growing popularity of food trucks could mean for established restaurants.
“Some business are struggling right now and if they keep coming around it hurts the local economy,” said Edwardsville resident Tony Margavage.
“We don’t have to eat at McDonalds and Burger King. We have actual food places that we can eat actual different types of food from,” Rodrigues said.
Rahmn tells 28/22 News it cost a little more than $120,000 to purchase his Philadelphia Halal Gyro Truck, and nearly $30,000 each year to reserve his spot at Citgo gas station.
He says sales typically double those amounts, making it very successful.
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