Montreal unveils new locations for food trucks

For the first time in over 60 years, food trucks will be popping up in downtown Montreal this summer.

On Tuesday, Mayor Michael Applebaum unveiled the nine locations where pre-approved food trucks will be able to set up shop as a part of a pilot project.

The food trucks will rotate between the nine different downtown locations and will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Mont Royal Park, near the Sir George-Étienne Cartier monument

At the summit of Mont Royal Park, near the Kondiaronk lookout point

Victoria Square

Place du Canada

Cité du multimédia on De la Commune Street West, south of the corner of Brennan and Prince Streets

Victoria Street, near the McCord museum

McTavish Street, near McGill University

Place Émilie-Gamelin

Peel Street, near the École de Technologie Supérieure

Gaelle Cerf, co-owner of the popular Grumman 78 taco truck, said the locations were chosen in order to avoid competing with restaurants.

"We wanted to make sure there [weren't] any bricks and mortar restaurants nearby because we wanted to make sure it wasn't in their faces," said Cerf, who is also the vice-president of the Association of Street Restaurateurs of Quebec.

For the time being, the vendors will be required to have an established restaurant or catering business in order to qualify for one of the 35 permits available.

But at least one Montrealer thinks that's not fair.

"It's a disappointment because it would have been good for people who are great cooks," said Lillian Boctor.

Local foodies will be able to satisfy their cravings all summer long, beginning on June 20 and lasting until September 29.

In the upcoming weeks, a seven member committee will review applications and select its pick of vendors based on criteria ranging from quality of service to originality of the cuisine.

Candidates have until May 24 to submit their applications.