Are Food Carts Inspected? What You Need to Know for Safe Street Eats!

Do food carts get inspected? It’s a good question, especially when you see them in areas that may not seem very clean or safe.

First off, not all food carts are created equal. Some of them are part of trendy food cart pods in popular neighborhoods, while others may be in less appealing spots. Just a tip: If you see a lot of blue tarps, it might be best to skip ordering food there!

Now, about inspections: real food carts receive health inspections just like regular restaurants. They get checked at least twice a year to make sure they meet health standards. This includes keeping food at safe temperatures, cleaning surfaces, and properly disposing of expired items.

The biggest difference between food carts and brick-and-mortar restaurants lies in plumbing. Restaurants must have running water, restrooms, and proper dishwashing setups. Food carts, however, are allowed to use tanks for fresh and wastewater. They don’t need as many sinks, and they can wash their dishes elsewhere if needed.

You might think that food carts that stay in one place could benefit from traditional plumbing, but that’s not really an option. Current regulations make it nearly impossible for food carts to connect to city water and sewer systems without being treated like full-fledged restaurants. If they did, they’d have to comply with stricter safety and utility regulations, which can be challenging to set up in a small space like a food cart.

This situation is a bit of a puzzle. On one hand, the health department recognizes the benefits of indoor plumbing. On the other hand, they’re telling many food vendors they can’t have it. Will the rules change in the future? It’s hard to say, but for now, food cart operators continue to navigate these tricky regulations.

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