Lauded Boston Food Truck to Open Restaurant in Magoun Square

Somerville's Magoun Square is becoming a local food destination as a popular food truck plans its first brick-and-mortar storefront and a new wings restaurant is also planning to open this summer.

Pennypacker's, a small food truck company known for its porchetta sandwich, is planning to open its first brick-and-mortar location in Somerville's Magoun Square. A Facebook post from Pennypacker's said the Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals approved plans for the restaurant on May 15 and that the Magoun square eatery could open this summer. A staff report written by Somerville's planning department says the restaurant will move into 514C Medford Street, a building that's also home to K2 Market, Caprese Pizzeria and soon-to-open King of Wings. Primarily a takeout restaurant, Pennypacker's will have seating for 10 and will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the staff report says. Ward 5 Alderman Courtney O'Keefe, posting on Davis Square …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Five Food Trucks in Somerville Thursday Will Celebrate 'Spring on the Green'

Kick Ass Cupcakes, Flatbread Company, Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, Redbones and Spindrift Beverages will be at Maxwell's Green starting at 4 p.m.

Somerville Aldermen Pass Food Truck Ordinance

After nearly eight months of debate about food trucks in the city, the Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance governing the mobile food sellers.

The Somerville Board of Aldermen Thursday passed an ordinance governing food trucks in the city. The passage of the ordinance came after nearly eight months of debate about the matter. Proponents of food trucks argued they would add to the economic vibrancy of the city's burgeoning food scene while serving as an incubator for small businesses. Skeptics had concerns about food trucks taking business from bricks-and-mortar restaurants. These differneces were hammered out in the Board of Aldermen's Legislative Matters Committee. The ordinance passed Thursday requires food truck operators to file an application with the city, and the Board of Alderman will have the final say about granting licenses and about when and where individual food …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (1)

Courtney O'Keefe

12:08 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012

Somerville Home Owner, The speed of which this was submitted and passed is certainly suspect. I just didn't want people misinformed that there was no public hearing.   more ›

Gewirtz Gives Candid Assessment of Food Truck Ordinance on 'Greater Somerville'

The Davis Square alderman spoke about issues involved in crafting the food truck ordinance, such as establishing a pilot program and CORI checks.

Somerville Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, who chairs the Board of Aldermen's legislative matters committee that's currently drafting an ordinance to regulate food trucks in the city, spoke about the effort on the Sept. 18 episode of "Greater Somerville." The committee has been working on the ordinance for about seven months, and Gewirtz was relatively candid when talking about the direction the draft ordinance has taken. Many aldermen, for instance, want a pilot program for food trucks, but Gewirtz questioned that concept. "The Board of Aldermen is going to look at every [food truck] application, so what does a pilot program mean?" she asked on the show. "We crafted an ordinance which allows the Board of Aldermen to take into account every …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (1)

'America's Test Kitchen' Editor to Discuss Food Trucks on 'Greater Somerville'

Somerville Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz and 'America's Test Kitchen's' Christine Liu will talk about the city's efforts to create a food truck ordinance.

Christine Liu, an editor at "America's Test Kitchen," will join Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz on SCATV's "Greater Somerville" Tuesday night. The two will discuss the debate about food trucks in Somerville. Here's an announcement about the episode from "Greater Somerville": Tonight at 7:30 on Somerville Community Access Television's award winning "Greater Somerville", join host KyAnn Anderson as she talks with Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz and America's Test Kitchen's Christine Liu about the creation of Somerville's Food Truck Ordinance, what the critics are saying, and how innovative cuisine could lead to stronger brick and mortar businesses in the long run. The Board of Alderman are scheduled to vote on this ordinance in the upcoming …

• Photos (1)

Lefty's Silver Cart Also Coming to Union Square

Another food truck making an appearance in Union Square this summer.

On Wednesday we noted that Roxy's Gourmet Grilled Cheese food truck was coming to Union Square's Swirl & Slice Market Thursday nights starting in mid August. It will be at the market for a few weeks, and then another truck will come. We now know that second truck will be Lefty's Silver Cart, according to a comment on the site from Mimi Graney, executive director of Union Square Main Streets. Lefty's serves vegetarian dishes with an emphasis on local ingredients, Graney wrote. Some of its creations include "The Figment": goat cheese, fig jam and truffle vinaigrette-dressed mixed greens on a toasty baguette, according to Lefty's website. Another option is "The Elvis": Nutella, fluff and bananas sandwiched between buttery toasted pain di mie.

• Photos (9)

Roxy's Grilled Cheese Food Truck Coming to Union Square Thursday Nights

Supporters of food trucks in Somerville hope it will showcase what they consider their benefits.

As the Somerville Board of Aldermen debates regulations for food trucks in the city, one notable truck, Roxy's Gourmet Grilled Cheese, will be making weekly stops in Union Square starting in mid August. The popular grilled cheese food truck, which was runner up in the Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race," will be stationed at the Swirl & Slice Market Thursday nights starting on Aug. 16, according to both Mimi Graney, executive director of Union Square Main Streets, and a Roxy's Facebook post. Roxy's will serve grilled cheese at the Thursday market for a few weeks, and then Union Square Main Streets, which runs the market, will invite another food truck to operate there for a few weeks. On its website, Roxy's says, "We don't make your…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Mimi Graney

12:52 pm on Wednesday, August 8, 2012

We're pleased to report that we have our second food truck for the September dates at Swirl and Slice. We're thrilled to welcome Left's Silver Cart, serving up vegetarian fare with an emphasis on local ingredients. http://www.leftyssilvercart.com/   more ›

Somerville Aldermen Now Mull Pilot Program for Food Trucks

Some asked if the pilot program should be limited to Union Square, or if it should include other parts of Somerville.

With some members of Somerville Board of Aldermen voicing apprehension about how exactly to govern food trucks the city, it appears the Board will move forward with drafting a pilot program that will allow trucks in certain areas. Exactly where the pilot program would take place and how it would work is up in the air. Some discussed running a pilot program in Union Square, and some thought other squares should also be included. Aldermen discussed the matter Tuesday night at a public hearing about a proposed food truck ordinance that has been in the legislative matters committee for five months. Though the committee has already presented a complete draft ordinance to the Board, concerns from some members about food trucks sent the matter …

• Photos (1)

Aldermen Balk at Prospect of Food Trucks in Somerville

It's back to the drawing board for a food truck ordinance after some on the Somerville Board of Aldermen expressed skepticism or open hostility toward the measure on Thursday.

A proposed ordinance that would regulate food trucks in Somerville was received with skepticism when it came before the entire Board of Aldermen Thursday night. Leading the charge against the measure was Ward 1 Alderman William Roche. "Food trucks throughout the city of Somerville is not an image that I think promotes what we want the city of Somerville to be. I don't think they do any public good," the alderman said. Roche suggested food trucks might be acceptable at "special events only. Forth of July fireworks. Parades. Youth sports." Others on the Board of Aldermen were more on the fence about the matter. Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston said, "What I was looking for … was more designation of areas" where food trucks would be permitted…

•  9 Comments
• Photos (1)