Then, at 4:45 p.m. on Friday, just 45 minutes before scheduled food service was to begin, Short Order received word that the event was cancelled after a call from Miami-Dade Zoning.
Here's where it gets complicated. The prank call to Good Shepherd Church came from a Monica Vega (or Mesa or Mendez depending on whom you speak to). A call to Miami-Dade Zoning confirmed that no one by any of those names worked there and besides, they don't call ahead to give verbal warnings - if an event is in violation, they simply show up and issue citations.
So who is this mystery person and why does she want to shut down food truck roundups? Again, it depends on whom you speak to, but possible culprits are: food truck owners, food truck roundup organizers, restaurant owners, residential property owners, and the same people responsible for the Area 51 coverups.
Tania Ramirez, owner of Food Cart U.S.A. and a roundup organizer herself, told us yesterday that she has identified the crank caller by tracking the number from a caller I.D. box. Though she wouldn't reveal the person's name, she did say that she has talked to Miami police about the matter and has retained an attorney.
Ramirez added that she is working with Miami-Dade Zoning to obtain permits for her roundups and that despite last week's drama, this weekend hosts a wide array of food truck events and everyone's invited to attend - except Ms. Vega/Mesa/Mendez.
Friday, June 24
Trucks are rolling out to Tamiami Park from 6 to 10 p.m. Free parking, but bottles and pets are not allowed. Trucks include: Aaron's Catering Express, Atelier Monnier, Big Kahuna, Catered Bliss, Chef on 4 Wheels, Chef on Wheels, Churro Mania, Dim Ssam a Gogo, Dog Eat Dog, The Fish Box, The Flying Saucer, The Frita Man, Grill Master Café, Kitchen Kabab, Kona Ice, Latin Burger & Taco, Latin House Grill, Lemon Man, Muscle Truck, Pop Burger Love & Chocolate Love, Perros Express, Purple People Eatery, The Red Koi, El Rey de La Paella, El Rincon del Coqui, Slow Food Truck, Sugar Rush, and Wing Commander.
Tamiami Park 10901 SW 24th Street, Miami
Food Truck Fridays at St. Simon Eipscopal Church offers free parking and over two dozen trucks from 6 to 10 p.m. Trucks serving include: BC Tacos, CheeseMe, Che Grill, Cold stone Creamery, Daddy's Grill, Divan Bakery, Dolci Peccati Gelato, Esther's Caribbean Grill, Guiseppe's Italian Sausage, Gyromaniakz, Havana Rice, Kona Ice, Latin Burger, The MexZican, Moty's Grill, Mr. Chimi, Mr. Good Stuff, Ms. Cheezious, Okay Burger, Papa's Tapas, The Red Truck, El Rey De Las Fritas, The Rolling Stove, Shao Roma, Sir Pizza, Snow Caps, Sugar Yummy Mama, and Tango Grill.
St. Simon Eipscopal Church 10901 SW 34th Street, Miami
Saturday, June 25
Metro Ford is featuring a Marlins Party from noon to 4 p.m. Jeff Conine will sign autographs and Billy the Marlin and the Marlins Mermaids will make appearances. Trucks include: B.C. Tacos, Chef on Wheels, Coldstone Creamery, Dolci Peccati, Frita Man, Gyromaniakz, Latin Burger, The MexZican, Mr.Chimi, Mr.Good Stuff, Ms.Cheezious, Nacho Mama's, Papa's Tapas, The Red Koi, The Red Truck, Sakaya Kitchen, Sir Pizza, Snow Caps, Sugar Yummy Mama, and Tango Grill.
Metro Ford 9000 NW 7th Avenue, Miami
Haulover Marina will host food trucks from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free parking with code "food trucks". Trucks include: Divan Bakery & Coffee, Jefe's Original Fish Taco & Burgers, The Rolling Stove, and Slow Food Truck.
Haulover Marina 10800 Collins Avenue, Surfside
Midway Ford hosts food trucks this evening from 4 to 8 p.m. Free parking. Trucks include: Big Kahuna, Catered Bliss, CheeseMe Mobile, Che Grill, Chef on 4 Wheels, Daddy's Grill, Divan Bakery, Dog Eat Dog, Esther's Caribbean Gril,l Havana Rice, Kitchen Kabab, Kona Ice, Latin Burger & Taco, Latin House Gril,l Moty's Grill, Ms. Cheezious, Okay! Burger, Perros Express, El Rey De Las Fritas, and Sugar Rush.
Sunday, June 26th
Haulover Marina will host food trucks from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free parking with code "food trucks". Trucks include: Divan Bakery & Coffee, Jefe's Original Fish Taco & Burgers, The Rolling Stove, and Slow Food Truck.
Haulover Marina 10800 Collins Avenue, Surfside
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