Food trucks arrived in Cincinnati only three years ago, but already a few are expanding into brick-and-mortar locations. While some of these changes are in hopes of transitioning into a fecund restaurant business, others are just trying to survive in a competitive market in a city with limited spots to park and do business.   

In 2010, the City of Cincinnati approved a pilot program that allowed up to 25 mobile food vendors to operate in three designated public zones: Sawyer Point, Court Street Market and at Fifth and Race streets. Since then, 11 vendors have signed up for the permits that allow them to operate within the city.