Taco Updates: Hoboken 'Inundated' With Calls To Bring Back Taco Truck

HOBOKEN, NJ — After Hoboken residents complained about a taco truck being displaced by a new bike rack this week, the owners of Tastebuds Tacos say they're in talks with the city about a solution, but aren't sure the resolutions offered will work in the long run.

"We are in talks with the city, as we are trying to work together to find a sustainable solution," Tastebuds wrote on social media Tuesday afternoon. "And more importantly, a solution in which will ensure that this doesn’t occur with us or another vendor again."

The truck owners said in a longer letter that after talking to the city, they're being allowed to operate on the sidewalk, but the agreement is "another bending of the rules and a verbal agreement" and won't prevent a sudden displacement from happening again to them or another vendor. "We urge the city to establish concrete ordinances that make it easy for all vendors to comply," they wrote.

They also noted that they were "asked to inform our social media followers because [the city was] inundated with complaints and calls."

The city's director of constituent services, Nora DeBenedetto, responded to posts from the business Tuesday by posting both on Facebook and Instagram.

"As discussed this afternoon and yesterday," she wrote, "the city of Hoboken will allow you to park on the sidewalk, adjacent to your previous spot. As you know, your previous location was a no-parking zone, and especially dangerous given the proximity of the crosswalk to multiple schools and Church Square Park."

She added, "Our ordinance states that non-motorized food carts, like yours, are permitted to operate on the sidewalk, in the public right-of-way. We are more than happy to continue working together."

Earlier Reporting

The tale of the displaced tacos began on Monday, when the owners of the truck that has parked in local parks for several years — usually Church Square Park in the center of town — expressed frustration (via social media) that a bike rack suddenly appeared in their spot.

They said their vending license is for the corner of Fourth and Garden streets. The spot is an entrance to the park and near several schools.

"Trying to recover from this has been extremely difficult," posted the taco chefs on Monday, drawing more than 400 comments in response. "This is how we make a living, this is how I pay rent for my apartment, our kitchen space, staff, and more importantly how I provide for my family. I can’t help but feel this was done maliciously to us. (The 1942 bike rack put directly in the center of our space) A force out."

They added, "For close to 4 years we have been serving this community ... [we] get involved within our community, and have donated our time and resources to be a forefront with our small business. It must be some kind of evil to do something like this to us, with no heads up, not a complaint or warning ... Just a passive aggressive chess move that screams 'GET OUT.' "

"Now as my fist clinch up into a ball, and tears of rage fall from my face. I take a deep breath to ask you, the city of Hoboken what is our next move. How can we make this right."

Customers expressed their anger.

'We Have To Figure This Out'

"This seems like a really wrong-headed decision that gave no thought to the wishes of the community. Bring back Tastebuds to 4th and Garden!!" wrote one community member on Monday, in response.

"We have to figure this out," added another, addressing Council President Emily Jabbour. "The kids (and parents) depend on this at the park for food, a friendly face and a bottle of water. Let me know if I can help somehow."

"You guys offer a healthy and tasty meal for us and for our picky eater child, who always looks forward to her birria tacos. That is not right!," wrote a parent. "A bike rack can be placed anywhere in the park."

The taco team had posted in June 2022 about their love for the local kids: "When they’re doing something wrong, we call them out. When they do something right, we praise them. But everyday we look out for these kids. Hoboken is family."

Later that day, solution appeared to be on the way.

City Responds

"The city has connected with the owner regarding a proposed solution that I’m hopeful will work
for everyone," wrote Councilwoman Jabbour on social media later on Monday, in response. "Waiting to hear back and hoping this means this amazing local business will be back up and running soon!"

Tuesday morning, the rack was still there, holding two bikes.

City spokeswoman Marilyn Baer said later on Tuesday, "Mayor [Ravi] Bhalla understands how important small businesses like Taste Buds are to the Hoboken community, as the city frequently works with the Hoboken Business Alliance to support new and existing businesses, among many other initiatives."

She added, "While, in this instance, the business owner had been told previously that the truck was parked in a no-parking zone, as soon as the Mayor's Office was made aware of the issue yesterday morning, the Mayor directed the Office of Constituent Services to work with the business owners to allow them to continue operating safely and without blocking pedestrian sight lines, especially given the adjacent crosswalk is next to schools and a park."

She said, "Taste Buds has been given the option to reopen in the area adjacent to their previous location, which does not block sight views and remains safe for vulnerable users such as
children and seniors. We are confident that Taste Buds will be able to reopen in short order."

Will the short-order taco chefs return? Stay tuned.