Duluth approves ‘permanent’ mobile kitchen

Duluth approves ‘permanent’ mobile kitchen for downtown. Truck and Tap, LLC, shown here in Woodstock, will add a location at 3137 Main Street in Duluth. Courtesy Truck and Tap

Duluth approves ‘permanent’ mobile kitchen for downtown. Truck and Tap, LLC, shown here in Woodstock, will add a location at 3137 Main Street in Duluth. Courtesy Truck and Tap

The Duluth City Council recently approved a special use permit to operate a mobile kitchen as part of a new restaurant concept at 3137 Main Street. Truck and Tap Duluth, LLC will be a similar business to one the company operates in Woodstock offering food and craft beer with both indoor and outdoor seating.

The business meets zoning requirements for the city’s Central Business District and is compatible with the Unified Code. Approval of the request requires Truck and Tap to meet all established standards for mobile kitchens and be integrated with a bar, brewpub, or restaurant that meets city, county and state requirements.

During the public hearing on the matter, the Duluth councilmembers asked about how the business handles inclement weather. The applicant, Mitch Jaffee, explained that current operations anticipate using patio heater and mister systems, but the patio becomes more of a transition area the 20 percent of the time when the weather is less than ideal. The plan includes indoor seating capacity for 120, with outdoor seating for between 70 and 80 patrons.