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http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2013/06/12/tamale-lady-banned-from-zeitgeist/ (http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2013/06/12/tamale-lady-banned-from-zeitgeist/)

Speaking of which, are we still doing Thursdays with the hipsters at the 'geist?

-Massive

Zeitgeist has been getting more and more mainstream.  I'm not surprised that the old gal's system came under some scrutiny. 

There might be people still going to the Z, but I'm not one of them.  Twas a good time, but it was getting increasingly difficult to make it out there once a month.  I'm struggling to find time just to ride much beyond the commute!

We have to be coming close to some sort of 10 year reunion?

It's a city health department decision, in the end (I suspect). There's no practical way for cart vendors like Virginia to get permits under city law, even though the state recently passed legislation (http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/pages/fdbcottagefood.aspx (http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/pages/fdbcottagefood.aspx)) that allows for vendors like her to be permitted. How much Zeitgeist had to do with this is unclear.

Very sad, as food cart vendors have been operating for years without incident in this town.

That is sad indeed. The good news is that I have a permit to sell tamales, just not in San Francisco.

For those inclined to help Virginia go legal, there's a crowdfunding campaign:
http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2013/06/27/tamale-lady-launches-community-campaign-for-her-own-brick-and-mortar-shop-in-the-mission/ (http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2013/06/27/tamale-lady-launches-community-campaign-for-her-own-brick-and-mortar-shop-in-the-mission/)

If you can't donate, please share on social media.

Yes, as a matter of fact, I think we are....   I moved here in spring of '03 and it hadn't started by then...   if I had to guess, it was sometime late 03 or early 04.

I can try to check my records...

Perhaps a formal celebration is in order??

Yes. A formal celebration at Zeitgeist. And if someone knows how to make tamales, even better.

We're out of town from the 19th through the 31st of this month, but are otherwise game!

Yeah...party.   [Dolph]

We make Tamales. And if I believe what the customers say they are really good tamales too.

Gotta love the "logic" in this story: Someone who's been offering food for years and years with a proven record of happy, repeat customers sans license. And yet correct me if I'm wrong, wouldn't it be in her long term interest to be sure no one ever gets sick? And what will licensing bring?  ??? ???

Hell even licensed restaurants get people sick.  [puke] 

My head is spinning.  [laugh]

And therein lies the "logic"...established restaurants and their lobby hold political sway at City Hall, and view grassroots food vendors as a competitive threat. Virginia basically has no way to get a permit in San Francisco, despite the fact that the state has passed and is implementing a law (http://www.theselc.org/cottage-food-laws/) enabling municipalities to do so.