June 9, 2011,
5:18 pm What’s Always Been Missing in Food Trucks — Alcohol By
GLENN COLLINS The Pera Turkish Taco Truck, stationed daily at the
tourist office and gift shop that was once Tavern on the Green, has won what is apparently the first liquor license granted to a New York City food truck.
Burak Karacam, the owner of both the truck and the brick-and-mortar
Pera Mediterranean Brasserie, was issued the license Thursday and plans to begin serving Friday. The full license from the New York State Liquor Authority permits the truck to offer beer, wine and cocktails during regular operating hours, as long as the beverages are consumed in the truck’s assigned seating area on the terrace.
Pera applied for the license in March.William Crowley, a spokesman for the liquor authority, confirmed that Pera’s was the city’s first food-truck liquor license. He said the application was approved because the truck was limited to a “specifically defined area.”
“We are honored to have been granted this singular, precedent-setting privilege,” said Mr. Karacam, who also thanked the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation for giving its blessing to al fresco alcohol.
Two of the four trucks on the plaza — Rickshaw Dumpling and Ladle of Love — are believed to have applied for liquor licenses as well; the VanLeeuwen Ice Cream truck has not. They debuted on the plaza last Oct. 15 when the visitor center opened to the public.
6:05 p.m. | Updated This story has been updated with comment from the state liquor authority.
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