In the world of Iowa City food carts, the night owl gets the revenues — but the early bird gets the crêpes.
The city requires vendors downtown to operate at certain times throughout the week, but many set their own hours.
“We stay open almost all the time, ” said Jake Christensen of George’s Gyros — the cart’s typical hours run from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. “We’re pretty big with the drunk people.”
During the official cart-vending season from May 1 to Oct. 1, cart operators are required by the city manager to set up shop for at least six hours each day during daylight. To operate at night — when profits skyrocket at bar closing — vendors must abide by this mandatory schedule.
According to the City Manager’s Office, vendors must have private storage for their carts when not open. But some stands, such as Uncle Pete’s, sit on the Pedestrian Mall all day even when it’s not open for business, which may confuse some hungry passersby.
Marco’s cheese-griller Katie Williams said staying open during the day is worth being able to have a business at night.
“Our numbers at least double from night to day,” she said. “Bar close and football Saturdays are also huge for us.”
For gyro-maker Christensen, being out in the daytime is more than just a requirement.
“It’s all about establishing your presence,” said the UI student in pre-med, German, and religious studies.
In the competitive arena of walking tacos and meatball grinders, some vendors chose to establish that presence well into the winter, long after the vending season has ended. Likewise, Christensen explained most carts are open until 3 a.m., much later than the 8 p.m. end time indicated by the city manager.
“I’m usually the one out here that late and all through the winter,” Christensen said, then laughed and shrugged it off. “It takes lots of layers — the fingers get pretty numb — but when it’s really cold, people give way better tips.”
The administrative assistant to the city manager, Kathryn Johansen, said the majority of vendors actually do remain open through the winter, noting that this decision is “at their own discretion.”
Vendors who don’t abide by the city’s rules will have their permits revoked, though Johansen said this has never happened. However, since the city only allows eight carts to operate during the year, she does limit the number of permits granted.
Indeed, the business for serving hungry, drunk college kids is booming, at least according to Evan Hudson, a UI senior in history and political science who works at Pop’s Italian Beef.
Though it was a slow afternoon, he insisted profits are steady.
“Compared with the weekdays like now, I’d say we make three or four times that amount on a weekend,” he said. “And then probably double that on a game day.”
His patrons are usually surprisingly polite at all hours, he said.
One of those pleasant patrons is UI senior in English Sean Schminkey, who said “thanks” before biting into his hoagie. He said he usually only visits the carts at night after a few cocktails.
“Marco’s is probably my favorite,” he said. “I could see why the crêpe place closes earlier. What kind of drunk food is that?”