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A Southern California taco truck salesman said he’s been serving his community for more than a decade, but was forced to leave his usual spot when Ralph’s Supermarket banned him from operating nearby.
Rudy Barrientos owns the popular taco truck Gracias Señor, which has been serving Pacific Palisades residents for many years. His truck is usually parked in the 15100 block of Sunset Boulevard, along a row of parking meters on the busy street.
In January, Barrientos received a cease-and-desist letter from Ralph’s attorney, threatening legal action if the food truck was not removed from the site. Metered sidewalks are located just outside the grocery store.
In November, he received another letter from the grocer banning him from entering the supermarket’s premises.
“They banned us from going to Ralphs, saying we couldn’t use the restroom, we couldn’t shop there, we couldn’t even step into the parking lot,” Barrientos told KTLA’s Jennifer McGraw. told.
The cease-and-desist order alleges that Barrientos’ customers are using the store’s parking lot and accuses the Barrientos business of engaging in “disruptive conduct that interferes with Ralphs’ business and its customers.”
Gracias Señor Food Truck has been serving tacos and other Mexican food to the Pacific Palisades community for over 10 years. (KTLA) Rudy Barrientos, owner of Gracias Senhor’s Food Truck, speaks with KTLA on December 14, 2024. (KTLA) The letter Rudy Barrientos received from a Ralph’s grocery store in Pacific Palisades threatened legal action and ordered him to move out of the parking lot. (Rudy Barrientos) Rudy Barrientos received a cease and desist letter from an attorney claiming to represent Pacific Palisades Ralphs. (Rudy Barrientos) December 14, 2024 Rudy Barrientos serves an order to a customer. (KTLA) A sign posted on a food truck in Gracias Senor. It asks patrons not to park in nearby Ralphs parking lots. (KTLA) Rudy Barrientos, owner of Gracias Senor’s Food Truck (right). December 14, 2024, Talk to Customers. (KTLA) Gracias Señor’s Food Truck is serving tacos and other Mexican food in the Pacific Palisades. A community that has continued for over 10 years. (KTLA) Gracias Señor and several other food trucks have relocated to Alma Real Drive, a much smaller street behind Sunset Boulevard Boulevard in Pacific Palisades. (KTLA) Ralphs Grocery Store located at 15120 Sunset Blvd. At Pacific Palisades. (KTLA)
Barrientos had already posted a message on a sign visible outside his truck advising customers not to park in the Ralphs parking lot. Often his customers end up visiting Ralph’s to purchase extra food and drinks.
But Barrientos said the situation escalated in November when his truck was suddenly surrounded by armed guards as it prepared to leave one night.
“[They would] Always patrol our trucks,” he said.
The popular taco truck has been serving customers in the same Pacific Palisades parking lot for about a decade. There are several other food trucks on the busy street. He operates with the necessary permits and always pays for on-street parking when conducting business, he said.
Barrientos claimed that throughout the ordeal, Ralph required some employees to park on the street, taking away their usual spots and making it difficult for them to make a living.
After receiving threats of legal action, he said his fight with Ralphs was not worth sacrificing his health or peace of mind.
“Above all, it was chaotic and not something I wanted to be around. And we had great local support, so if we moved, people would follow us. I thought so,” Barrientos said.
He has since moved his truck to Alma Real Drive, a much smaller street behind Sunset Boulevard.
He said the move hurt the company financially, with sales down about 20%. Loyal customers were equally upset to hear about the situation.
“I think this fight over parking with Mr. and Mrs. Ralph is just ridiculous,” said regular customer Daniel Morris. “[Barrientos] He advises people not to park there, but if they do, it’s not his fault. ”
But some neighbors say they agree with the grocery store.
“It’s not the right way to do business when you have stores that are paying rent to form a community,” said local resident John Pal. “These people come, they take, they take, and they leave, and it’s not fair.”
Gracias Señor was a dream venture for Barrientos. Barrientos is a proud taquero with a business degree and said he has no intention of causing trouble and loves serving customers.
“It’s ridiculous to patrol taco trucks that just want to serve good food and good food in general,” Barrientos said.
KTLA has reached out to Ralphs for comment, but has not yet received a response.
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