Law Firm Issues ‘Cease and Desist’ to Beloved Palisadian Taco Truck

Operations Continue But New Signage Has Been Posted

By Zach Armstrong

Rudy Barrientos has been operating the beloved Gracias Señor Taqueria taco truck in Pacific Palisades for a decade. It wasn’t the first time, but once again in recent weeks, he was confronted by efforts to displace services.

In the middle of a customer transaction, a man Barrientos described as wearing a white shirt and jeans approached the truck. “Rudy?” said the man. “Yes,” Barrientos replied before being handed two stacks of paper. The man then swiftly left without explanation. “Did you just get served?” asked the customer. 

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, a law firm representing Ralph’s supermarket chain, issued a cease and desist letter to Barrientos alleging that his customers create a hazardous environment. The street vendor is parked adjacent to the grocery franchise’s Palisades location on Sunset Boulevard. As reported by LA Taco, the letter stated that the vendor must stop activities or else legal remedies would be sought in court. It went on to cite a 2012 lawsuit which stated areas outside stores are not public forums for risk of interfering with business operations.

According to Barrientos, the lawyer also cited a recent incident prior to Christmas where an alleged customer got into a heated altercation in the parking lot. If that situation, or one similar to it, dangerously escalated, Ralph’s could be held responsible in which case legal fees would be pinned on Barrientos.

Davis Wright Tremaine did not immediately respond to inquiry from Mirror Media Group.

Barrientos halted operations on Sunset for approximately a week while seeking legal advice from local lawyers. He was informed by them that he was not breaking the law since his truck is on public property and the parking lot is not owned by Ralph’s. The lawyers and Barrientos contacted the supermarket chain along with the lawyer who served the letter but haven’t received a response, said Barrientos. Signage has since been posted by the food truck asking customers not to use Ralph’s parking lot.

“We will continue to operate until something else comes up or people don’t want to buy our food anymore,” said Barrientos.

Gracias Señor Taqueria started off closer to the ocean on Temescal Canyon. After some convincing from customers that Sunset Boulevard would provide more visibility, the truck has since been perched in the Palisades business district. Even though Barrientos describes it as “part of the business,” several occurrences have made operations difficult. Some of which include complaints to parking enforcement asking to issue the vendor a ticket and one woman who recorded the truck repeatedly saying “You shouldn’t be here!”

These complications have made the possibility of relocation something to consider. If it came to that, Barrientos says potential new homes would be Koreatown or Santa Monica. However, the food truck industry is competitive and animosity often rises when a new vendor sets up shop on another’s established turf.

“If you show up to a new spot where other vendors are and start vending it’s not good for business because we don’t want bad energy,” said Barrientos. “I feel like the trucks around me all have their own customers but I’m not sure if others are as welcoming.”

in Hard, News
Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Controversial Rebuilding Authority Delayed by Sen. Allen

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The pause follows concerns raised weeks ago when the proposal sought to create an agency run by political appointees to...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

Fire Survivors Urged to Shape Rebuilding Efforts with Digital Feedback Platform

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The initiative, launched in February, marks California’s first large-scale use of a dedicated digital tool to gather wildfire survivor feedback...

(Video) Italian Eatery Finds New West LA Home after Wildfire Displacement

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Cinque Terra, a longstanding Palisadian establishment, has brought its Northern Italian cuisine to Rose Avenue Italian Eatery Finds New West...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

County Launches AI Pilot to Speed Rebuilding After Fires

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The pilot targets early adopters whose homes, located in R-1 residential zones, were damaged by the wildfires Los Angeles County...

Santa Monica Man Arrested for Allegedly Exporting Electronics to Iran

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Ostovari, identified as the CEO of a Tehran-based engineering firm, allegedly orchestrated the scheme since 2018  A 66-year-old Santa Monica...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

ICE Raids Disrupt Labor in Fire Recovery Efforts: REPORT

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Immigrants, comprising about 75% of Los Angeles County’s construction workforce with nearly half undocumented, per a Bay Area Council analysis,...