By Staff | KSEE News
Dusty Buns Bistro has been feeding Fresno for about a year. There’s been a lot of support for owners Kristen and Dustin Stewart, especially from city officials. “This is a small business. Let’s see if it can do something good. Let’s not try to stop it and that kept us in the gray zone this last year. We’re just really thankful we lasted a year.”
Dusty Buns Bistro carries a menu that changes with the local farm season… bringing the farm to the people with its specialty meals.
It fits right in with a lunch truck craze that landed the bistro some national attention… and the ire of competing restaurants in the Tower District.
Under the current ordinance, lunch trucks can park at a location as long as there are customers waiting. Jesus Robles has been in the taco truck business for 15 years, running Tacos El Sonorense.
Right now, he’s able to park at various locations around the city. “Six days a week, when the people are working, because they depend on you as much as you depend on them.”
But once the customers are gone at that location, the truck has to leave, unless the truck has permission from property owners.
Restaurant owners close to where Dusty Buns parks complain the ordinance was violated, and that the lunch truck was taking away business.
Council-member Blong Xiong is proposing that lunch trucks be allowed to stay for a set amount of time. The adjustment to the ordinance has yet to be finalized. But Xiong is hoping the adjustment will accommodate lunch trucks, and the businesses they park next to.
“You want to make sure it’s equitable and I think there’s opportunities for both, whether you’re a mobile vendor or established. I think we just need to make sure the city is clear in terms of the playing ground for both.”
