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Baltimore Creates New Zones For Food Truck Vendors

BALTIMORE (WJZ)— You might have more reasons to take a detour soon . . . to grab a quick bite at an unexpected spot.

Weijia Jiang explains Baltimore's mayor is reserving new parking spaces for food trucks in city streets.

Baltimore streets, like those in every city, are lined with signs: loading zone signs, no parking zone signs, and coming up soon— food truck zone signs.

"This is huge, this is gonna be nationwide and Baltimore is the leader of it now," said Bill Irvin, of Kooper's Chowhound.

The mayor is reserving downtown parking spots for food trucks to park.

"It's just a variety; it's a change," said Anita.

The 500-block of St. Paul Place and St. Paul Street, the 1900-block of E. Monument, 500-block of Baltimore Street, the 300-block of S. Charles Street, and the 400-block of E. Fayette Street are now Charm City's new mecca for foodies.

"Much much better than we ever hoped for," said Lou Catelli, Curbside Café. "First we were scared they were going to kick us out from downtown, now there are spots just for us to set up."

Kooper's Chowhound started the city's food truck revolution almost two years ago. By now, close to 10 trucks have rolled onto the scene.

"They are competing," said one customer."There's a cupcake truck that comes here, and a soup truck."

Regulars who come back say it's not about the novelty, not even about how fast it is. It's all about the food.

"The food levels really stepped up a lot," Catelli said.

"And it's not breaking my bank, which is awesome," John Baumann, of Hampden, said with a laugh.

Permitted trucks can still set up shop in any legal parking space but the city hopes the new zones will become the hot spots.

The mayor's office is working with vendors to come up with a permanent structure for food trucks.

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