Taco Reho seeks permission to operate food truck

Operating a food truck in Sussex County has turned out to be more complicated than Josh Grapski anticipated. He's finding that his tasty tacos come with a side serving of government regulations.

Under county code, although food trucks and hot-dog carts are mobile and not brick and mortar buildings, they are treated as such. The applications are subject to much of the same scrutiny including reviews by the county's engineering department, Delaware Department of Transportation and Sussex Conservation District.

Grapski has filed a conditional-use application to operate a food truck on the grounds of Big Chill Cantina – where he is a partner – and Liquid along Route 1 near Rehoboth Beach. The $500 application requires that he present plans and appear at public hearings before the county's planning and zoning commission and county council.

“We didn't realize we needed this,” Grapski said during the Feb. 12 planning and zoning commission hearing.

The food truck is allowed to remain open for business while county officials deliberate.

He said Taco Reho expands food offerings at Big Chill, a full-service bar. Grapski said the truck is open 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays and from noon to 1 a.m. on weekends, the same hours as Big Chill. He also plans use the large, black truck for catering jobs.

When asked by the commission what his long-term plans were, Grapski said, “It could end up as a fleet of trucks or a full restaurant, but right now we are seeking permission for one truck and see where it goes from there,” he said.

Grapski said plans include a relocation of the food truck away from the parking lot to provide safer access to customers. If approved, Grapski will be required to submit a final site plan to the planning and zoning commission for review and approval.

Lawrence Lank, director of county planning and zoning, said the final placement of the truck could result in violation of setback distances, which would require a variance application and hearing before the county's board of adjustment.

“We will live within the limits of the code,” Grapski told the commission.

County officials have dealt with similar applications for food vendor carts over the past year. In an effort to streamline the process, officials say they are considering amending regulations.