When Governor Terry McAuliffe visited Tysons less than two months ago to sign legislation taking VDOT out of the equation for food truck regulations, he selected a fairly popular spot that initiated much of the debate right here in Tysons. Just outside of the headquarters for Fortune 500s SAIC and Booz Allen a daily inflow of a half dozen food trucks would arrive just before lunch to serve the thousands of employees surrounding Greensboro Boulevard. What was a burgeoning food truck scene has since been elevated to a festival atmosphere each day at what is being rebranded as the “Boro”.
With the construction of a new parklet with seating, on top of what was to be an underused parking lot, the community around what is growing to be the “Boro” finally had a place to relax at lunch or after work. After a successful series of events deemed “Concerts in the Park” this past summer the new colorful corner of the neighborhood is now rooted into the area as a place for people in what is otherwise a concrete jungle yet to be changed.
What wasn’t expected is just how great of a food truck scene would be created from these simple elements. One could search Arlington, DC, or anywhere in the region and not find a more consistently great selection of local food trucks on a daily basis. With the exception of truckapalooza in DC, I’ve never seen so many trucks congregating, and that is not a daily event. What’s more incredible is how seemingly endless the absorption of all of these food trucks has been.
This is all a great indicator to developer Meridian, who owns and plans to develop mixed use at the Boro; there is indeed a market for simple, quick, but unique food options in their neighborhood. The future of the food truck scene at the Boro could be the maturation of these food trucks as they convert from wheels to brick & mortar, similar to other trucks like District Taco and Arepa Zone.
Even if that never occurs, there are a lot of happy folks in the Boro who love having their food trucks back as an option at lunch.