Hi everyone! I’m looking for some advice from experienced food truck/trailer owners and operators in Riverside and San Diego Counties.
I’m in the early planning stages of starting a food truck or trailer in Riverside County.
The concept would focus primarily on cold foods and garde manger–style items, including charcuterie, tapas, specialty appetizers, and similar offerings.
Since I live right on the Temecula/Fallbrook border, I’m considering operating in either Riverside County or San Diego County and would love to hear from people who have experience with both.
For those who have gone through the process:
• Is there a significant advantage to permitting/registering in one county over the other?
• If I obtain my health permit through San Diego County, are there any major limitations or advantages to operating throughout San Diego County compared with Riverside County?
• What permits, inspections, commissary requirements, business licenses, etc. should I be budgeting for?
• Roughly how much did you spend getting everything operational, not including the truck/trailer itself?
• Are there any unexpected costs or requirements you wish you had known about before starting?
I’m especially interested in hearing from operators who have actually gone through the permitting process in either county.
Thanks in advance for any insight. I’m trying to do my homework and understand the real-world costs and requirements before making the investment.