From whence come the food carts on Library Mall? The prime real estate for hawkers of burgers, burritos and sushi is not easily won. It is earned by impressing agents of the Vending Oversight Committee, the city panel charged with regulating Madison's plethora of food vendors.
Every year, VOC sends about 20 people, including members of the committee, to test the grub at the various food carts. The carts are ranked by quality of food, design, uniqueness, seniority and other things.
Based on the rankings, the city assigns the vendors locations to sell, Library Mall and the Capitol Square being the most coveted spots. Although tenure is factored into the placements, carts are demoted from favored spots all the time, says VOC committee member Mike Verveer. (The only other alder on the panel is Thuy Pham-Rammele, and it is her only committee assignment)
The VOC was planning on making this year's round of decisions last night, but the meeting was cancelled because of elevator trouble at the Madison Municipal Building. Of course, The Sconz vending correspondent only learned of the news after he had taken an uneventful elevator trip up to find the committee room locked.
What is your favorite food cart?
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