Food truck and outdoor dining season is underway in Galesburg. The city licenses both food truck vendors and sidewalk cafes, with specific rules governing where they can operate, what hours they can keep, and what it takes to serve alcohol outside.
WGIL reached out to City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz for a breakdown of the permit process and a list of current permit holders. Here’s what she provided.
Food trucks and carts
Food truck and cart licenses are issued annually, running from May 1 through April 30. Vendors pay a $250 annual fee and must provide a valid food safety permit from a recognized health department.
Licensed vendors may operate in designated Food Truck Zones, on private business lots with the owner’s permission, or at any city-approved festivals or special events.
Operating hours run from 7 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Vendors must keep sidewalks and roadways clear — with the exception of one service table — and must direct all service toward the sidewalk when parked on the street.
Food Truck Zones
The city has designated several street and parking lot zones where food trucks may operate:
Street zones:
- South Cedar Street between South and Tompkins streets
- West Tompkins Street between South Cedar and South Cherry streets.
- South Cherry Street between South and Tompkins streets.
- Parking spaces surrounding the Public Square
Public parking lots:
- 235 E. Simmons St. (Parking Lot H) — after 8 p.m. only
- 125 N. Broad St. (Parking Lot G)
City parks (park opening until closing):
- Lake Storey Allison Campground, 1351 S. Lake Storey Road
- Lake Storey Joe E. Anderson Area
- Lincoln Park Horseshoe Parking Lot, 524 Treadwell Drive
- Rotary Park, 1627 W. Losey St.
- Kiwanis Park, 2191 E. Knox St.
- Inbinder Park, 1285 W. Carl Sandburg Drive
City parks (11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday only):
- O.N. Custer Park, 1235 E. Losey St.
- H.T. Custer Park, 626 E. Fifth St.
Who holds food truck permits
The following vendors currently hold food truck or food cart permits in Galesburg:
- Henn House (Altona)
- Mr. Macho Taco (Galesburg)
- Taqueria Jalisco (Galesburg)
- Cousins Maine Lobster (Astoria, New York)
- Smokin’ Willies (Galesburg)
- TMRW’s Brew (Galesburg)
- Barton’s Bites (Knoxville)
- Big Catz (Knoxville)
- MB’s Food Truck LLC (Galesburg)
- Vamos! Gourmet LLC (Knoxville)
- Tacos and Thai (Knoxville)
- Shawdaddy’s (Knoxville)
- Trails End Concessions (Tennessee, Illinois)
- On the Hook Food Truck (Granger, Iowa)
- Carnival Delights (Knoxville)
Sidewalk cafes
Sidewalk cafe licenses are issued on a calendar-year basis. The $100 application fee covers the submission of a site plan showing that a clear four-foot walkway is maintained on the public sidewalk. Because sidewalk cafes occupy city-owned property, the city must be named as an additional insured on the business’s insurance policy.
Alcohol rules for sidewalk cafes
Businesses that want to serve alcohol at a sidewalk cafe must meet additional requirements. Only businesses in the Central Business District holding a Class A (tavern/bar) or Class D (restaurant) liquor license may apply. Alcohol service is limited to 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Additional rules include:
- Table service is required during alcohol hours
- No alcohol may leave the designated cafe area
- Banners or signs advertising drink specials are prohibited on cafe fencing
- Branded umbrellas, menu cards, and glassware are permitted if they comply with the Illinois Liquor Control Act
- All furniture must be removed when the cafe is closed — no permanent installations
- The area must be swept and cleaned daily
Who holds sidewalk cafe permits
The following Galesburg businesses currently hold outdoor dining permits:
- Innkeeper’s Fresh Roasted Coffee
- baked Pizza
- Silver Front Tavern
- Iron Spike Brewing Company
- Duffy’s
- Beanhive
- The Carriage House
- Orange Cup Sidecar
- Coney Island
Bennewitz noted that both the food truck and sidewalk cafe ordinances have been in place unchanged since 2018.
