Despite having a well-developed restaurant scene, the Myrtle Beach area does not have the same when it comes to food trucks, partly due to restrictive laws created by Horry County.
Food trucks are limited to where they can set up in Horry County, according to county ordinances. They need a designated spot that is at least 300 feet from the entrance of a brick and mortar restaurant. This prevents trucks from stopping in popular parts of the Myrtle Beach area, such as downtown.
“I don’t agree with it because I can open a brick-and-mortar restaurant right next to another brick-and-mortar restaurant,” said Project Smashburger owner Mike Hensley. “Why does the truck have to be so far away?”
Hensley typically runs his food truck outside in the parking lot of Rob’s Auto Body, 901 Church St. in Conway, which means he also has to follow Conway ordinances.
It is difficult to know just how many food trucks are in Horry County, and where you can find them.
When creating laws for food trucks in 2014 and 2015, Horry County Council had many debates about the matter, according to articles from The Sun News. Some council members at the time feared food trucks would harm brick and mortar businesses, so it was made more difficult for them to park near existing restaurants.
Food trucks need to have their designated spots approved by the county. Two spots are included in the initial application but any additional spot costs $100 in Horry County and $25 in Myrtle Beach. Hensley said he could easily lose money applying to park at other places.
Conway gives food truck owners the option to drive around, but Myrtle Beach and Horry County do not appear to allow the same. They ask mobile food vendors to name where they plan to work and do not mention transient food vending in their applications.
The Gnosh Pit owner Meredith McCarthy said she wishes she could set up near beach access points.
There are also restrictions on how many food trucks can be in one area. Only one is allowed per parcel of land, with up to 15 being allowed on 30 acres. This prevents a group of food trucks gathering in the same place for the lunch rush.
Food truck parks can also be risky for the owners, said McCarthy. If the wrong location is chosen and the truck park sees little attendance, that’s lost money.
The best way to find a food truck is to check its social media or call the company to see where they’re set up. You can also ask food truck workers what other trucks they recommend.
Some of these regulations are lifted for special events, such as food truck festivals. This allows more food trucks in one space and doesn’t require all the typical permits.
The South Carolina weather could be also be stopping food trucks from becoming popular in Myrtle Beach, McCarthy said.
“When it’s 100 degrees outside it’s 130 degrees in the truck,” she said. “It’s difficult to perform well when it’s so ridiculously hot.”
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