ReadysetDC A CREATIVE URBAN ENTERPRISE

Tweeting to DC’s Hungry Residents

Technology has certainly influenced our lives in ways beyond traditional communication methods. Social networking is no longer for just friends and families to stay in touch with one another but also a great tool for connecting local businesses to their customers. With the rise of new media, many entrepreneurs have started to utilized online social networking websites like Twitter or Facebook to engage with their market.

Last year, street food in major cities across the country experienced a new way to dine out in Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco as well as Washington. In DC, food vendors have been located in the bustling intersection of famous buildings, monuments and museums along the National Mall by serving half-smokes, egg rolls, pizza, ice cream to tacos and more.  Food trucks became transit around the District in 2007 and the trend of tweeting food trucks emerged on the Internet last year.

A phenomenon took place in California during 2008 within the street food scene. Roy Choi of Los Angeles started Kogi, the infamous Korean and Mexican fusion food truck, in late 2008. With the use of Twitter and 140 characters, Kogi’s Twitter followers were instantly updated on the truck’s location during lunch and late night hours. Kogi’s popularity also launched new business opportunities for others outside L.A.’s food scene to other cities.

On the Fly started in 2007 to offer a supplementary menu for the locals and tourists alike with vegetarian dishes as well as popular snacks. By teaming up with local businesses to serve up empanadas (from Julia’s Empanadas), burgers, vegetarian tacos and other dishes made from local ingredients, On the Fly became an instant hit. It was something new and refreshing to DC Foodies. On the Fly has also tweeted their menu options and locations. 2009 paved way for more food trucks in the District, including Sweetflow Mobile from Sweetgreen. Offering fro-yo and healthy salads on the go, Sweetflow Mobile has been trucking around town to DC’s partygoers and lunch crowds. Both On the Fly and Sweetflow Mobile are on Twitter with live updates.

Following the Fojol Brothers from Washingtonian.com on Vimeo.

The Fojol Brothers from Merlindia began live-Tweeting their whereabouts to offer customers Indian cuisine in the form of street food. The Chicken Curry or Mewsh’s Mango Pop are not typical street food found in Washington, as the menu is created and prepared by a local anonymous chef. Not only is the food delicious but the concept in itself is enjoyable. As a “traveling culinary carnival” from a made-up land of Merlindia, the Fojol Brothers travel in style, decked out in shiny jumpsuits, turbans, fake ‘staches and an old bread delivery truck that plays pop tunes as they travel around DC. To date, the Fojol Brothers have more than 3,700 followers on Twitter, operating during lunch to late hours in the evening for the bar crawlers.

In December, they made a special visit to Long View Gallery for ReadysetDC’s “For the Love of DC” launch party, a partnership with local businesses that offered attendees an art installation by local artists, an open bar provided by Modern Liquors, Marvin and music entertainment by DC’s very own Tittsworth, spoken words and music by Bullfight Academy and performances by DC bands Laughing Man and Tennis System. Twitter followers were alerted that the food truck will by posted at a specific intersection on December 10th, revealing that the Fojol Brothers will be making a special appearance at “For the Love of DC”. With the combination of local participants, the Fojol Brother’s involvement was the perfect treat to top off the night. By the end of the evening, DC twitter users sought out to the launch party to get a bite of Chicken Curry or Spinach & Cheese with basmati rice.

By Kevin H.

With more cupcakeries opening shop in the District, Sam Whitfield along with business partner Kristi Cunningham, debuted Curbside Cupcakes in late 2009 with tasteful delights in flavors that include chocolate, red velvet, vanilla and delicious toppings. Like the others, Curbside Cupcake launched their business by marketing on Facebook and Twitter. The latest addition to traveling food trucks is DC Slices, who announced on Twitter that they will be “DC’s first mobile pizza kitchen! Baking up fun and Thin Crust pizza on the go” yesterday. With four food trucks in the District, DC Slices will be the next food truck to feed the masses in February.

Tweeting to DC’s hungry residents is just the beginning in Washington, as I suspect that more creative concepts will come our way in the near future. #dcfoodtrucks