NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—The city’s famous mobile food trucks, known here and across the world for their “fat sandwiches” may soon be facing removal from campus soon under a proposal being implemented by Rutgers University’s Department of Transporation Services (RUDOTS).
RUDOTS owns the parking lot where the trucks have been parked for two decades. Â Now, they are asking students and community members to fill out an online survey regarding the “Grease Trucks” and mobile food truck policy. Â The survey is available here on the Rutgers website.
The five spaces where the trucks are always parked in Lot 8 essentially constitute a monopoly on the food truck business in New Brunswick, as the University has traditionally not permitted food trucks anywhere else on campus.
RUDOTS expressed concerns that continuing the relationship with the current truck owners costs the University too much, potentially violates an exclusivity agreement with Pepsi, and unfairly keeps out other vendors who want in on the lucrative business.
The legendary trucks were moved to Lot 8 after the City passed a law barring food trucks from all city streets in the early 90’s, during the first-term of Mayor James Cahill, who is still in office today.
Currently, the owners of the trucks have a “complex arrangement” where they share ownership and resources, according to a report on NJ.com. Â It is not clear whether they plan to bid on the spots, but they have said they would give in to many of the University’s other concerns, including selling only Pepsi to comply with an exclusivity agreement the University entered years ago.
The University also wants more money and wants for the trucks to leave each night for at least four hours after they close at 2am.
T-Shirts emblazoned with the wors “SAVE THE GREASE TRUCKS” on the front and “A RUTGERS TRADITION” on the reverse have been for sale at the trucks since shortly after the proposed change was first publicized last year.
Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.
