NEW ORLEANS, LA – Food trucks have been all the rage for years in places like Los Angeles, Portland, Austin and even Baton Rouge. When, about four years ago, these trucks serving gourmet grub on paper plates began rolling into New Orleans, they hit a few bumps. And most of those weren’t potholes.

Everyone agreed that the city’s laws governing food trucks were antiquated.

After a legislative tussle between the City Council and the mayor’s office, new food truck laws were passed last July. They went into effect this January.

Local food truck operators see those laws as a vast improvement. And four months later, eaters looking for a quick bite at mid-day or midnight are finding more delicious options. New trucks are about to debut with everything from vegetarian burritos to Toronto-style Italian snacks.

At-large councilwoman Stacey Head took the lead in reforming food truck rules.

“It’s hard to attract national companies to put their headquarters in New Orleans,” Head said. “Building on the indigenous culture and the talents we have in New Orleans, that’s what’s going to keep us strong.”

The first rules the City Council approved — a modified version of the original ordinance sponsored by Head — were vetoed by Mayor Landrieu over constitutional concerns.

The mayor then proposed even more liberal food truck laws, which the City Council went on to pass unanimously.

Find the entire article at nola.com <here>