Food Trucks started after the Civil War here in America. Actually during the time of the Westward Movement (Manifest Destiny)during the time the Continental West was being created
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The Food Carts was created for the Cattlemen when they transported herds of cattle in different parts of the west coast that did not have a railroad accessibility. Which meant they would be traveling for months on the roads. So food was a necessity so that was when the chuck wagon was created by Charles Goodnight in 1866 in which dried food and the equipment to cook the food was stored. The meat was supplied by the live herds of cattle they were transporting; in other words they killed the cattle when they needed to in order to have fresh meat to eat. Most of the time the meat was smoked or salted to stay fresh for use.
In 1890's in New York City that's when the Night Lunch wagon was created for people who worked at night; they actually called it "The Owl"
By 1950's The mobile Canteens were created. The Mobile Canteens were used by the us Army and were located on Army Bases.
Then Mobile Food Trucks or :Roach Coaches" which first started out serving at constructing Sites and factories. Then there was a surplus of jobs available for construction workers, Chefs at the High End Restaurants closing their jobs were closing as well. So, the Food Trucks sounded like something of a plus for them(construction worker and chefs).
The purpose of the food trucks now a days is; for the person who is on run to get a quick bit to eat and its cheap.
Now when people come to New York the first thing they want to see and eat from; is the food trucks. Look at this line. This is the Halal Guys always a line until about 2am then it dies out.
The only City in the United States that give food trucks a hard time is Chicago. The Food Trucks in Chicago can not cook food on the trucks; the food has to be precooked wrapped and be stored in a food warmer. Also the food trucks must be 200 feet away from any restaurant, and on top of that only has 2 hours to sell the food at one location. Wow, Chicago is missing out!
Enjoy and Welcome to New York City
