Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Central Park Food Truck: Now With Booze!
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jun 10, 2011
Modified Jun 10, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jun 10, 2011
Modified Jun 10, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Finally, some good news out of the food truck court that once was the Tavern on the Green: for the first time ever a New York City food truck has been given permission to serve booze, starting today. The SLA has given the green light to for the Pera Turkish Taco Truck to serve beer, wine and cocktails during regular operating hours—but only if the potent potables are consumed in the truck’s assigned seating area on the terrace.
According to the SLA, Pera was approved because the truck was serving in a “specifically defined area.” So you'll be totally unsurprised to know that two of the other trucks in the court, Rickshaw Dumpling and Ladle of Love, have now requested their own liquor licenses for the court.
“We recognize this privilege comes with considerable responsibility,” Burak Karacam, who owns the truck and Pera Mediterranean Brasserie, told Crain's. “Our enforcement will be diligent.” So if you are planning on going to get drunk in the park, don't be surprised by the yellow band around your $6 to $12 drink—that is for your own security.
Meanwhile, yes, just as Albany is cracking down on booze-peddling barbers the SLA is giving out licenses to beer-dispensing food trucks.
Tagged
central park
food truck
food trucks
liquor license
manhattan
pera
pera truck
sla
tavern on the green
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .