Tysons is becoming more of an urban area, and the presence of food trucks solidifies that notion. Photo by Mike Salmon/The Connection
Thanks to a Fairfax County ordinance in Tysons Corner, areas known to the food truck world as “food deserts,” are getting relief, not in the form of rain like happens in the desert world, but in the form of a new lunch option in certain Tysons Corner zones where food trucks were previously banned.
Kristin Sargent, a consultant in one of the nearby buildings, gathered at the line of trucks a recent Friday at lunch time. She was new to the term “food deserts,” but agreed with the concept. “Food trucks bring vibrancy and culture diversity to an otherwise desolate food area,” she said. Yusuf Popal, operator of the “Chef on Wheels” truck, agreed. “It gives you more variety, cultural foods,” he said.
On Sept. 1, 2016, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution saying food trucks can now legally dish out meals from selected streets in Tysons. Fairfax County Chairman Sharon Bulova said the move opens up opportunities. "Food trucks give entrepreneurs a great start in the food service business and bring new options right to their customers,” said Bulova. “I look forward to opening up more opportunities for trucks in Fairfax County,” she added.
The county adopted its new rules following a change in state law. Previously, state regulations prohibited food trucks from vending on the streets in Tysons. There are only a few streets in Tysons Corner where this is allowed and there are some rules. According to information released by the county, trucks may sell from a designated parking space marked by signage; the days and times are restricted; and no music.
The individual streets where food trucks are allowed include segments of Boone Boulevard , Howard Avenue, Pinnacle Drive, Solutions Drive and Watson Street. These areas are west of Tysons I & II, in an area bisected by busy Chain Bridge Road (Route 123).
Najiba Hlemi, Executive Director of the D.C., Maryland and Virginia Food Truck Association (DMVFTA) said that the advantage of food trucks in semi-isolated areas is that “you get a lot of variety in areas where there isn’t much food retail, we call those ‘food deserts,’” Hlemi said. The trucks have to register as well. A day after the county resolution went into effect, Loopy's Eatery and Sweet Heat BBQ were the firsts to register, according to John Silcox, spokesperson at Fairfax County Health Department. “It’s become much more popular over the last few years,” Hlemi said. Arlington, for example, welcomes the food trucks at lunch time, but their zones are laid out as well, similar to Tysons.