July 21, 2008
Red Hook Food Vendors Back in Business
As promised, the beloved Latin food vendors returned to the Red Hook soccer fields this weekend, over a month and a half later than usual. After nearly getting evicted from the park last year, the vendors had to spend thousands of dollars to buy new carts and other equipment to meet the Health Department’s requirements. According to Eater, Cesar Fuentes, leader of the vendors association, called the DOH-mandated changes "a financial and emotional burden… [But] the higher cost would have been to lose the permit, and the tradition...and that we couldn't afford."
Only six stands were open today, with four others still scrambling to get DOH approval. By some accounts, lines were “well over an hour” for the vendors on hand, such as the Martinez huarache truck (pictured). Serious Eats has total coverage from the opening weekend, which featured an appearance by Senator Chuck Schumer, who’s been a champion of the vendors.
Photo courtesy Serious Eats.
| 
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
email this
add to facebook
add to del.icio.us
[ report this ]
Listen, Serious Eats, Time Out, Daily News, NY Times, Gothamist and others, next time you discover a "great place or thing" or "awesome bargain" keep it to yourself or maybe a few friends.
The Red Hook ballfields have lost its quaint charm, some vendors and the low, low prices.
[ report this ]
I swung by yesterday and the lines, combined with oppressive heat, made me quit immediately. All the lines blended into one monster line so I couldn't even tell where to stand for what. I went down the road and got tacos instead, but I'll be back, just earlier and more prepared.
[ report this ]
Long time red hook resident friend of mine went and didn't leave his room the whole weekend he was so unhappy about the new set up. It just doesn't have the old magic.
[ report this ]
The exhaust fumes from their constantly idling trucks totally killed my appetite. Not sure if that is better for our health. The city sure knows how to fuck a good thing up.
[ report this ]
When is Red Hook just going to fall off and sink?
So sick of this place that is right over the river but a train does not even go there. Just give it to the yuppies so we never have to see them!