The growing number of food trucks in Lincoln would be able to set up in certain downtown locations as part of a pilot program to further expand the city’s program under an ordinance considered Monday by the Lincoln City Council.
Urban Development Director Dan Marvin said the pilot program would run through September and October, then city officials could rewrite the ordinance over the winter to make it permanent.
“This is a food truck ordinance we’ve tried to do many times,” he said, and it accompanies a pilot program begun this spring that allows food trucks to park in neighborhoods to serve graduation parties and other events at people’s homes.
Trucks moving into neighborhoods and some downtown areas are the latest proposed steps in the evolution of food trucks in Lincoln, which made their first appearance in 2011, when they had to park on private property if they wanted to serve downtown customers.
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Two years ago, a pilot program allowed food trucks to park in four zones in downtown, expanding access for food trucks in the city.
Before that, food trucks could only park on the street with a special permit, which required four weeks’ notice and closing of the street.
As part of the pilot program proposed Monday, food trucks will be allowed near the State Office Building, at 14th and Q streets, and in the south Haymarket under the Rosa Parks Way overpass, Marvin said.
The pilot would allow the council to amend and grow the program, he said.
“We think this has a lot of positive impacts for downtown,” said Todd Ogden, president of the Downtown Lincoln Association. Employers have been trying to get their employees to return to downtown after the pandemic and this is one way to do it, he said, by creating activity on the street in areas underserved by restaurants.
While there may have been a time when restaurants didn’t want the competition of food trucks, Ogden said he’s been hearing they’re so busy now they welcome the addition.
Special events at Pinnacle Bank Arena would be a great spot for food trucks, he said.
“We’re just really excited to continue to adapt downtown,” he said.
Nick Maestas, who owns Muchachos, said the latest pilot program has been a long time coming, after the pandemic put so much on hold.
“Now we’re at a place where I’m really anxious to see how food trucks can change the face of downtown,” he said.
Councilwoman Tammy Ward, who has been instrumental in promoting the food truck program, said food truck operators have waited for this for a long time.
“We don’t want Lincoln to get behind,” Ward said. “I know Urban Development has more ideas for food truck parks. There’s a lot more we can do. We’ll keep working on it.”
The council will vote on the ordinance Aug. 15.
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Top sports bars in Lincoln
1. Sportscasters
1. Sportscasters, 3048 N. 70th St. — Its tiered seating makes it easy to watch games from either the main dining floor or the bar area. Plus, Sporty’s is one of the few restaurants in town with a dedicated gluten-free menu.
Since I returned to Lincoln in 1996, I’ve probably spent more time at Sportscasters than any other restaurant in Lincoln. My softball team goes there after games, as does my golf league, and I’ve watched my fair share of New York Jets wins and losses there.
So, more than anything, my vote is about loyalty. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the bar serves some tasty food. I’m partial to the patty melt (with a side of Thousand Island for dipping), the jalapeno burger and dinosaur-sized chicken strips, which go well with a nice cold brew from Sporty’s taps.
2. Big Red Restaurant and Sports Bar
2. Big Red Restaurant and Sports Bar, 955 W. O St. — Because of its West O Street location, it’s often overlooked, but it shouldn’t be. The bar prides itself on being home for Big Red Keno and for its burgers. I recently enjoyed this month’s burger of the month, an Irish burger dressed with fried dill pickles. And, yes, you read that correctly. There’s also a location at 87th and Nebraska 2.
3. Brewsky’s
3. Brewsky’s, four locations — Brewsky’s has the best wings among the sports bars. The downtown location also offers an entertainment aspect with its popular dueling piano nights. Those are always a hoot.
4. The Press Box
4. Press Box Sports Bar and Grille, 5601 S. 56th St. — My go-to entree here is the sourdough melt with mac ‘n’ cheese as the side. I like that the Press Box kept a row of seats facing the TVs from its old Bleachers days. Plus, there’s a Lincoln Southeast (my alma mater) connection. It’s owned by former football and girls basketball coach John Larsen.
Readers’ No. 1: Brewsky’s
Readers’ No. 1: Brewsky’s got 18.8 percent of the 1,000-plus votes cast for best sports bar.
Readers’ No. 2: Press Box
Readers No. 2: Press Box got 9 percent of responses.
Readers’ No. 3: Sportscasters
Readers’ No. 3: Sportscasters was the favorite of 7.3 percent of respondents.
Readers’ No. 4. Tanner’s Bar & Grill
Readers’ No. 4: Tanner’s Bar & Grill, 8600 S. 30th, got 6.2 percent of responses.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @LJSreist