Food trucks spice up lunch options in Tysons Corner

New rules bring fast food and variety to mid-day dining

Tysons Corner, Virginia's largest office market with 26.4 million feet of space, has opened its doors to some new fast-food options requiring zero brick and mortar. Witness the arrival of the food trucks.

Although legal in Fairfax County since 2014, the county recently permitted an expansion of the food truck scene in Tysons by sanctioning operation on public streets, not just on private property. Designated parking for food trucks has gone into effect off Route 7 on Boone Boulevard, Howard Avenue, Pinnacle Drive, Solutions Drive and Watson Street.

 

Food truck owner Carla Lozano prepares a Chilean steak sandwich along Howard Ave. in Tysons Corner.

"Food trucks give entrepreneurs a great start in the food service business and bring new options right to their customers," said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova, as reported by Viva Tyson Magazine. "I look forward to opening up more opportunities for trucks in Fairfax County."

At the same time, the county must weigh its obligations to existing restaurants and food vendors and pay close attention to public safety in determining the feasibility of food truck parking spots.  For those reasons, the county forbids food trucks to operate in residential neighborhoods and on roads with speed limits in excess of 35 mph. Food trucks may operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday and only after 9 a.m. on Sundays and federal holidays. 

The Fairfax County Health Department is in charge of overseeing mobile food vending zones. The trucks must adhere to numerous guidelines, receive a permit from the county and are subject to annual inspections.

	Sweet Heat BBQ owners Rick Rahim and Mike Lausten discuss brisk business at corner of Boone Blvd. and Howard Ave. in Tysons Corner. (Photos by Seth Livingstone, FCEDA)

While food truck operators compete against one another, it's obvious a fraternity is forming among operators. Rick Rahim, co-owner of the barbecue trailer Sweet Heat BBQ and the Roaming Rotisserie chicken trucks, believes there is an attraction in successful vendors operating side by side, particularly when there are a variety of cuisine.

"We are not vicious competitors," Rahim says. "We want everyone to succeed and I would have no problem with a line of trucks here in Tysons with every one of us doing well."
 

Here's a sampling of the trucks you might find in Tysons Corner on a day when brown-bagging it, burgers and fries or a salad bar simply won't cut the mustard:

Truck Name: Sweet Heat BBQ

Owners: Rick Rahim, Mike Lausten
Specialty: Brisket sandwich ($8) and ribs ($13-up)
What works:  "We also own Sweet Meat Barbecue Restaurant (Reston) and we saw an opportunity," Rahim says. "You can sell a great lunch rush at a very low overhead. You don't have rent, you don't have advertising, because you go to where the customers are. ... Our truck is actually a food trailer with an expanded kitchen. There is nothing we couldn't cook on this truck. We could cater a whole wedding, with every possible kitchen appliance."

Challenge: " Although the county has been gracious in giving us food truck parking, it didn't anticipate normal office (workers) parking in the same spots. While there's room for five, six, seven trucks, there are only two here now because of all the personal vehicles."

Truck Name: Sanguchito on Wheels

Owner: Carla Lozano

Specialty: The Fatboy: Steak or chicken with fried egg, onions and cheese ($10) 

What works: A month ago, "I was a stay-at-home mom," Lozano says. "My husband and I thought about a food truck for a long time and we're really happy. We work in Reston, too, but we like this spot because of the people. We sell Chilean-style sandwiches and hotdogs. We have our own bread." 

Challenge:  "Getting people to try our Chilean food. Sometimes they don't know they are going to love it."

Truck Name: Lime Tree

Owner: Jung Lee

Specialty: Bulgogi bowl (Korean beef) ($9), Bibimbap (rice, protein, egg) ($9)
What works: "We have been in business four years," Lee says. "We serve Asian/Korean food. We are open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and try to go to different locations. No one wants the same food every day. Sometimes we go to private offices."

Challenge:  "We have tried four different locations. Business is (generally) good (but sometimes) business can be  bad. It's hard to predict."

Truck Name: Savory Delicatessen 

Owner: Mike Freeman
Specialty: Home-cured, home-smoked pastrami made on-truck ($9.50 sandwich) 
What works: "We were in upstate New York last year and had a really strong following right off the bat," Freeman says. "I think Howard Ave. is going to be a really great location. Our pastrami is what I'm most proud of and our best-seller by far."
Challenge:  "This is a new area, so it's going to take some time to develop that following. We're still trying to get the word out. Right now, half our customers walk by and say, 'I didn't even know there were food trucks here.'"

Truck Name: Bacon's BBQ

Owner: Ray Bacon

Specialty:  Want no mess -- the brisket BBQ bowl with sweet spice sauce and Sriracha ($7); No shortage of napkins --two-meat platter with sides ($15). 

What works: "I've been full-timing it as a lunch truck for two years now (but) I've been doing catering and BBQ competitions for a number of years," Bacon says. "It's awesome that they're opening it up here (in Tysons)." With smoker in tow, Bacon's offers chicken, brisket, ribs and pulled pork with an array of southern-style sauces and sides.

Challenge: "For one thing, the weather is huge for us. Last week (early October) we had a complete washout. I also don't think we should be so secluded. As long as there's viable parking and sidewalk, we should be able to set up anywhere."

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Showcasing Tysons Corner:  Tysons Showcase and Open House will take place Oct. 19, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, offering the public a chance to experience what it's like to live, work, shop and play in the hub of Virginia's economic activity.

The free community event will be held at Basis Independent, 8000 Jones Branch Drive. The celebration will include free tastings from selected restaurants, live music, coupons for one-day bikeshare rentals and presentations from county staff about upcoming plans and projects.

"Amazing how far we've come in the six years since our board passed the Plan to Transform Tysons," Fairfax County Chairman Sharon Bulova said. "This open house is a festive and informative showcase of the vibrant, urban lifestyle being created in Fairfax County's new downtown. The new Tysons will offer two premier grocery stores, a luxury movie theater, a biergarten, restaurants, food trucks, new luxury and affordable apartments and condos, and new ways to get around, including bikeshare."