The impact of the food vendors on Roosevelt Avenue is dubious. As a follow-up to last week’s report about street vendors on the busy commercial strip, we surveyed local restaurant owner to gauge the food carts’ impact on business, and whether they would like the chance to sell their food from a convenient street stand.

Some restaurants look upon the cheap eats offered as competition, a quick stop that saves money and time. Others, like Colombian restaurant La Pequeña's manager, Humberto Orjuela, do not view the vendors as a threat.

When asked about the possibility of adding a food cart, La Pequeña shows no interest; Orjuela claims it is not necessary.

"Our clients are not interested in that type of food. People come here for a family setting, where they can sit down," said Orjuela.

This is not the case with La Tiá, a small eatery conjoined with a convenience store that serves food out of a window on 37th Avenue. A manager at La Tiá claims that having a stand on the corner of Roosevelt Avenue and Gleane Street has doubled business.

Mika Savva, of Tierras Deliciosas, has an interesting take on the food vendors.

"Number one, the vendors are one of New York's biggest problems,” said Savva. “Two, they are an eyesore. Three, these people [vendors] don't clean. It's a big issue. What do they do for New York?

"Our biggest problem is getting customers in the store," continues Savva. "Having a stand outside would definitely help out. I could make a killing outside."

Is the answer then for struggling businesses to add a food cart? It may not be that simple.

A call to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, which issues mobile food vendor permits, revealed that there has been a freeze on issuing street vendor permits for the past eight years.

A representative at the department stated that the only legal options are to forego the $200 permit application fee and simply apply for a food vending decal and I.D. badge. Once these have been acquired, one must find a licensed operator willing to have you on board. Clearly, this is not a viable option for restaurateurs.

Due to the freeze on permits, the legitimacy of some street vendors comes into question. During the period of July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2007, the office of the New York State Comptroller conducted an audit report of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs entitled, “Controls Over Restaurant and Food Vendor Licenses and Permits.” The report determined that there were "internal control weaknesses over restaurant and food vendor licenses and permits. As a result, there is a risk that licenses and permits can be created and sold illegally."

In a response to the report, the DCA never outright denied the possibility that permits may have been illegally produced.