So there’s been a bit of brouhaha in my neck of the woods over a very popular new food truck serving Indian food.  Curry Up Now is dishing out great eats!   Read the YELP reviews.

I’m happy to hear they will now be in S.F.  I’m so hitting them up for a chicken tikka masala burrito when I’m out on broker’s tour.

It seems that there have been some complaints, perhaps from a few local Burlingame merchants about this new business in town.  Not one to just sit on my duff after a few very satisfying meals at Curry Up Now, I decided that I had to show my support and write to the Burlingame Mayor & City Council.  Below is the email that I sent out:

Dear Mayor Keighran and members of Council,

I am writing to voice support for the new Curry Up Now mobile restaurant. There have been different versions of who is complaining (business owners vs. anonymous reporting parties) how often they must move, etc.

Although this is a different business model, and there is understandable trepidation, what is not up for debate are two things: this mobile restaurant is extremely popular and is bringing people to Burlingame, to an area that does not usually see copious foot traffic and as Mayor Keighran has stated, we need to remain business positive and think outside the box with regard to revenue sources.  Clearly this restaurant has captivated people due to its dynamic quality and price.  Street foods (mobile restaurants) are really cutting edge and getting a lot more attention across the U.S.

At this point we are in the position to either catch the wave and benefit financially, or make them feel unwelcome and let another community reap the benefits.  Why not make Howard Ave. an area friendly to this kind of cuisine? It would add another reason to come to Burlingame.  One need only look at the empty and closing businesses on Burlingame Ave. to see that we need more people to come to shop and support our local businesses.  We also need to support the businesses that are successful and are enjoying access to this type of food.  Employees of Apple Store, I believe the largest single contributor to our town revenue, have their own special on the menu at this mobile restaurant.

I’m sure that there are those that will say we are taking customers away from local brick and mortar eating establishments, but I feel that this is similar to saying the weekly Farmer’s Market takes business from Safeway and Molly Stone’s.  They are likely appealing to very different demographic groups and the more customers we can attract to our wonderful town, the more likely that a healthy synergy will occur that enriches everyone.

Best wishes and thank you for your attention,

Care to voice your support?

Email addresses for the Mayor and City Council can be found here.

Just coming into the loop?

More coverage/details here:

http://californiatacotrucks.com/blog/2009/11/11/curry-up-now-takes-heat-from-city-of-burlingame/

http://www.insidebayarea.com/sanmateocountytimes/localnews/ci_13758655

http://blogs.sfweekly.com/foodie/2009/11/upscale_peninsula_city_not_thr.php

If you do write, please BE KIND!!!!!  This is a responsive City Council & they really do listen to their community!

They did after all save our homes a few years back when a small group of Burlingame & San Mateo neighbors got wind that the City of San Mateo had plans to build a full interchange at Peninsula Avenue with the threat of eminent domain to make it happen. http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=71176&eddate=02/21/2007

Then Mayor, Cathy Baylock & City Council members Russ Cohen and Terry Nagel were instrumental in helping us with the fight against this proposal.

Thanks for your support if you do write and please pay a visit to this awesome food truck!