In our current issue, we report on the challenges taco trucks face trying to feed late-night customers on Frenchmen Street. Proprietor Rubens Leite recently sent the following letter to City Council in an effort to have the code amended (all bolding is his):

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Rubens Leite. I am a local businessman and have been working here in the city of New Orleans for the past four years. I own a moderate fleet of Taco Trucks which have made it possible for me to provide for my family.

Unfortunately, it has recently been brought to my attention that there is one city code on the list of Mobile Vendors Rules and Regulations which prohibits me from conducting business at one of the locations where I have been selling food. I have complied with all of the codes except Section 110-190, Division 5 (B). This Code states “….any food or merchandise within 600 feet of any lawfully operated restaurant, cafeteria, …” However, this is a code which was set in the year 1956 with one little amend on November 5,2009. Upon receiving this disheartening news, I sought advice about what steps I could take to legally continue to conduct business. I was informed I should petition to have the rule changed, seeing as this particular city code was made law in 1956 and may be considered outdated.

This particular location, the corner of Frenchmen St. and Royal St., has proven to be the most effective place to make sales. I set up there every Friday and Saturday, from the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. the following day, which allows me to conduct business after all of the nearby restaurants have closed and some closed their kitchen and still open a bar. This way, I do not interfere with their patronage.  This location is safe, well populated, and I have come to make many loyal customers. Among my customers there are New Orleans Police Officers, taxi drivers, residents of the nearby nursing home, students, and service workers from the surrounding area. Therefore, I wish to present the City Council with this petition in an effort to have this particular code amended.

Respectfully Yours,

Rubens Leite

We haven’t heard an update since.

In the story, we reported that the Shins’ James Mercer works in a taco truck. In fact, it is former Shins’ drummer Jesse Sandoval who has a taco truck. We regret the error.