A Southern California taco truck vendor mentioned after serving the area people for over a decade, he’s been pressured to depart his common spot after a Ralphs grocery store banned him from working close by.
Rudy Barrientos owns the favored Gracias Señor taco truck and has been serving the residents of Pacific Palisades for a few years. His truck is usually parked on the 15100 block of Sundown Boulevard alongside a row of parking meters on a busy avenue.
In January, Barrientos acquired a cease-and-desist letter from a lawyer representing Ralphs, threatening authorized motion if he didn’t transfer his meals truck from the spot. The metered sidewalk is situated proper outdoors the grocery retailer.
In November, he acquired one other letter from the grocery store, banning him from the grocery store’s premises.
“They banned us from Ralphs saying that we couldn’t use the restroom, we couldn’t store there, we couldn’t even step foot within the parking zone,” Barrientos instructed KTLA’s Jennifer McGraw.
The cease-and-desist order claimed Barrientos’ prospects had been utilizing the shop’s parking zone whereas additionally accusing his enterprise of “partaking in disruptive behaviors interfering with Ralphs’ enterprise and its prospects.”
The Gracias Señor meals truck has been serving up tacos and different Mexican meals within the Pacific Palisades group for over a decade. (KTLA)
Rudy Barrientos, proprietor of Gracias Señor avenue meals truck, speaks with KTLA on Dec. 14, 2024. (KTLA)
A letter Rudy Barrientos acquired from Ralphs grocery retailer in Pacific Palisades threatening authorized motion and ordering him to maneuver from his parking spot. (Rudy Barrientos)
A cease-and-desist letter Rudy Barrientos acquired from an legal professional claiming to symbolize the Pacific Palisades Ralphs. (Rudy Barrientos)
Rudy Barrientos serves up an order to a buyer on Dec. 14, 2024. (KTLA)
An indication posted on the Gracias Señor meals truck asking his patrons to keep away from parking within the close by Ralphs parking zone. (KTLA)
Rudy Barrientos, the proprietor of Gracias Señor avenue meals truck (on proper), speaks with prospects on Dec. 14, 2024. (KTLA)
The Gracias Señor meals truck has been serving up tacos and different Mexican meals within the Pacific Palisades group for over a decade. (KTLA)
Gracias Señor and several other different meals vans moved their location to Alma Actual Drive, a a lot smaller avenue tucked behind the principle Sundown Boulevard thoroughfare in Pacific Palisades. (KTLA)
The Ralphs grocery retailer situated at 15120 Sundown Blvd. in Pacific Palisades. (KTLA)
On an indication seen outdoors his truck, Barrientos had already posted a message advising his prospects to keep away from parking within the Ralphs parking zone. Oftentimes, his prospects find yourself visiting Ralphs to buy further meals and drinks.
However Barrientos mentioned the scenario escalated in November when one evening, his truck was immediately surrounded by armed safety guards as he was packing as much as go away for the day.
“[They would] patrol our vans consistently,” he mentioned.
The favored taco truck has been serving prospects within the Pacific Palisades in the identical parking spot for round 10 years. The busy avenue is house to a number of different meals vans as effectively. He operates with the mandatory permits and at all times pays for avenue parking when he’s conducting his enterprise, he mentioned.
All through the ordeal, Barrientos claimed Ralphs requested a few of their workers to park on the street, taking away his common spot and making it tough to earn a residing.
Following threats of authorized motion, he mentioned the battle with Ralphs simply wasn’t value sacrificing his well being or peace of thoughts.
“Greater than something, it was chaotic and it wasn’t one thing I wished to be round and we’ve had such nice native help so I figured if we moved, individuals would comply with us,” Barrientos mentioned.
He has since moved his truck to Alma Actual Drive, a a lot smaller avenue tucked behind the principle Sundown Boulevard thoroughfare.
He mentioned the transfer has financially harm him, with gross sales plunging about 20%. Loyal prospects had been equally upset to listen to concerning the scenario.
“I believe it’s simply ridiculous, the entire saga with Ralphs and preventing over the parking zone,” mentioned Daniel Morris, a patron. “[Barrientos] encourages individuals to not park there, but when they do, it’s not any of his fault.”
Some neighbors, nevertheless, mentioned they agreed with the grocery retailer.
“It’s not the correct approach to do enterprise when you have got shops which might be paying hire that actually make a group,” mentioned John Palle, a neighborhood resident. “These individuals come, they take and so they go away and that’s not truthful.”
Gracias Señor has been a dream enterprise for Barrientos, a proud taquero with a enterprise diploma who mentioned he loves serving his prospects with none intention of making hassle.
“To patrol a taco truck that usually simply needs to supply some goodness and scrumptious meals, it’s ridiculous,” Barrientos mentioned.
KTLA has reached out to Ralphs for a remark however has not but heard again.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This materials will not be printed, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the most recent information, climate, sports activities, and streaming video, head to KTLA.