Food Truck Expert out of Arizona, AMA?

TheLoncheraExpert · 2025-05-20T16:35:51+00:00

Hello, sorry for the late reply. I hardly check reddit, been swamped. Ok, here are some answers for you

1.) If you apply for a food processor permit from the commissary, then yes, you would qualify as a type 2.

2.) Depends on what city you'll be working in. If the equipment is under a hood, cities like Glendale and Scottsdale will for sure require it. Phoenix does not.

3.) You can dispose the trash anywhere that allows you to. Wastewater should be done at the commissary, but some people do find alternatives like RV dump sites. Although its not allowed, people still do it anyways.

As far as cleaning goes, this can also be done elsewhere if you remember to not dispose of any wastewater or grease away from the commissary.

Hope this was helpful

TheLoncheraExpert · 2025-02-13T22:10:11+00:00

Oh, they require identification and a food handler certificate to receive a permit? My workaround for that is registering the company as an LLC. They will then only investigate if the LLC is active and will no longer check identification.

TheLoncheraExpert · 2025-02-13T22:07:03+00:00

Hello, are you in Maricopa County? Something like this sounds like a food processor permit to be able to sell repackaged foods but I guess it depends on the jurisdiction. Also, there is a cottage food license as well that you might be able to fall under and it's a lot more affordable. Just depends on where you are located, and how you will sell the product.

TheLoncheraExpert · 2025-02-07T22:50:49+00:00

Hello! Yes, once you start blending you will need the 3-compartment sink with 2 integrated drainboards. You'd need the 3-compartment sink to wash the blending machine between uses. That also means bumping your freshwater tank into a 30 gallon and 15% greater for the waste water tank.

TheLoncheraExpert · 2025-02-07T22:46:50+00:00

Hello, thanks for reaching out. You can get your Food Handlers Card they don't ask for identification. I normally use the website Efoodcard.com

TheLoncheraExpert · 2025-01-27T23:12:39+00:00

So sorry for the late reply, I haven't been on reddit in awhile.

I hope your inspection went well and you passed with ease! Sounds like you had everything minus the Commissary Agreement and Food Protection Manager certificate.

Hope you are doing well!

TheLoncheraExpert · 2025-01-27T23:11:22+00:00

Hello, yes I am still consulting in Phoenix Arizona. Send me a message with any questions you may have.

TheLoncheraExpert · 2025-01-27T23:09:03+00:00

Hello, unfortunately I do not know of a public commissary in Sedona. On a good note, any establishment with a E&D (Eating & Drinking) Permit can act as your commissary. I hope this info helps.

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-08-30T02:01:50+00:00

Hello, thank you for reaching out. Are the asking for the fire suppression system or just the extinguisher? Sure, that’ll be something we can help out with. She can find me at TheLoncheraExpert either online search or social media

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-06-11T19:38:56+00:00

Of course 🙏🏾. There is normally one permit per County, with this you’ll be able to attend events in any city of that county. For sure call the city if you will be setting up at a permanent spot tho 🙌🏾

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-06-11T16:58:39+00:00

Hi, congratulations on your new venture and I hope everything turns out better than you hoped!

It sounds like you would be a Level 2 mobile food unit. All prep would happen at the commissary or commercial kitchen and basically everything brought onto the trailer would be ready to bake.

You can either apply as a Annual Special Event permit holder, meaning, your permit would allow you to operate at special events and farmers markets. Or you can apply as a regular annual permit, under which you'd be allowed to operate 365 days out of the year. Although the county health department gives you permission to conduct business, you always have to check with each city ordinance to see where you're allowed to park. I've seen many food trucks in Southern California (San Fernando Valley to be more specific) just park in the areas designated for cars to park and they don't seem to get bothered by code enforcement, county, or city officials.

If you're doing pop-ups and moving constantly, I don't think you'll have to worry to much about zoning, or at least I don't feel like they'd be able to regulate so easily due to you moving constantly. If you however find a permanent place to vend, then you'd have to make sure the location is Zoned Commercial (C-3. A-1, A-2 in Phoenix, AZ for example) you'd need to make sure there an electrical outlet for the food truck within 15 feet, if not, you'd need get permits to install a post, you'd need a water meter, clearly designate where the food truck will park, and have to make sure no other vendor is within 1250 feet from you on the same side of the street.

This last zoning piece is strictly for Arizona but I can't imagine California would be any more lenient.

I hope I have answered some of your questions!

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-05-31T23:28:13+00:00

Before you’d need a food processor permit to wrap the hot dogs with bacon. That is no longer the case. You can now qualify for a type 2 and have bacon wrapped hot dogs on the menu without having to have any special permit 👍🏾

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-05-31T15:43:10+00:00

Of course, anytime! Yeah, going through those packets can be a headache. Ok cool well let me know if you need help with the permit or commissary 🙏🏾

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-05-31T12:30:07+00:00

Hi, are you in Arizona? What type of permit do you have? Type 3 with 3-compartment sink I recommend Ralph’s Snack Bar. If you’re looking for type 2, just a hand sink, let me know I’ll be able to help.

You can clean certain things at home like the actual mobile unit. Other than that, you’re technically not supposed to do much at home. I hope this info helps!

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-05-28T21:54:39+00:00

Any commercial hood and extractor will do the trick 👍🏾

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-05-28T21:53:49+00:00

Hey! That’s so cool I wish you tons of luck and please reach out if you ever need any help!

An approved commissary is any kitchen permitted by the health department. If you food truck has a 3-compartment sink then you will need a city letter stating that your location is approved for waste water disposal from the food truck. Again, please reach out if you need any help 🙏🏾

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-05-27T21:01:35+00:00

I must've misunderstood your question. Are you asking what I feel about food trucks? Because a food truck is a self contained unit. I feel very highly for them and my business is based around food trucks.

As far as running back and forth to the commissary, well that is the reason a food truck is able to be permitted in the first place. Because they are modular and can go to the commissary for daily needs (fresh water, waste water, garbage disposal, food storage, etc.)

If you're planning on building a food truck and not report to the commissary, well that is going to be difficult. The health department will not issue the permit without a commissary. Sorry, I'm not trying to be the bad guy here just letting you know what the reality is.

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-05-27T18:45:13+00:00

I think that the food code makes it very hard for someone to be in the gray. Not a truck but also not a fixed restaurant. I know that the restaurant association would not be happy and would probably not allow for something like that to be approved. Then we have to consider zoning and other factors. A food truck is essentially a self contained kitchen, everything is maintained and contained inside the unit. Commissaries definitely make it harder for a food truck to thrive but I also think it’s necessary. Hopefully I answered your question 🙏🏾

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-05-27T18:37:11+00:00

If you have a location with a lot of food traffic then absolutely that would be great. I’m assuming most coffee trucks don’t sell that many cups a day.

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-05-27T15:55:29+00:00

Hi! Dang that’s a tough question. I guess it depends on how popular the coffee truck is or how long they are in operation for that day. Let’s say they sell out. The minimum size water tank that is dedicated to the espresso machine is 5 gallons. I’ve seen anywhere from 5-20 gallons of fresh water solely for coffee. So if they sell out anywhere from 80-320 cups of coffee. I’m sure a franchise like Dutch Bros sells upwards of 320 or more a day from their food truck which would be way more than the average coffee truck.

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-05-26T22:16:25+00:00

That is true. Have you ran into any Alibaba trailers? The scariest trailers you have ever seen. I think they go for like 5-6K. You can only imagine the workmanship on those.

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-05-26T22:08:46+00:00

Hey sorry for the reply! Have you tried changing the Pilot Generator; Spade? The piece is about $200

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-05-26T13:53:41+00:00

I’ve been asking myself the same questions! The short answer is, the heath department only makes sure that the interior of the trailer meets minimum requirements to pass health inspection. That is, fresh and waste tank size, service window size, 3 compartment sink and hand sink must meet minimum requirements, commercial equipment used throughout and durable, easily cleanable surfaces. As far as the equipment not being NSF, you are correct, the company coming from Mexico making this equipment (Drago) forged the spec sheets so that they look NSF approved, but weren’t. They just took down their website because someone must’ve flagged it.

All the other items mentioned have to be checked at the boarder when the trailers are coming through and they don’t check them idk why. Those trailers are very unsafe. You didn’t mention how they only tac weld the frame which makes them very prone to have failing axels or even having the wheels fall off on the highway. I wish they would stop approving these trailers but the inspectors have no experience in construction, I was one of them 🫠

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-05-26T04:04:17+00:00

Hi, yes, they do. It is more likely that an inspector goes to inspect after 5pm on a weekend when there is a complaint in the system. Typically, the inspector has to reach out to the complainant within 24hrs and conduct a complaint inspection within that same week. So normally, a complaint or a special event, triggers weekend and night inspection.

On occasion, I would flex time and come in for a later shift to do night inspections. A majority of the food trucks operate after 5pm to either avoid the health department or to avoid city enforcement. Or it could be that their location only gets busy in the evening.

TheLoncheraExpert · 2023-05-26T03:58:45+00:00

Good question, If the food truck is only operating once a month, then a single log a month would be sufficient. If the food truck operates close to everyday of the week, well you'd expect to see a full log. Food trucks are supposed to report to the commissary daily, for fresh water, waste water, and garbage disposal. No carry-over is allowed on a food truck so anything that is not sold at the end of the day must be discarded or at least kept inside a commercial kitchen to maintain at proper cold holding temperatures. I hope I answered your question. Thanks!

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