Sep. 16--Things are really rollin' in downtown St. Paul.

First came the hot dog carts. Then, Curbside, a movable restaurant in a shiny silver Airstream trailer, began plugging meters at Mears Park weekdays at lunchtime.

Now, Tim McKee, who runs Lowertown's hip new Barrio, is the proud new owner of a 26-foot taco truck. After it is painted, outfitted and licensed, the Barrio Truck will cruise St. Paul streets, delivering gourmet tacos and other cheap treats to the working masses. McKee hopes to take a few informal runs this year, but the goal is to hit the streets hard next spring.

The truck also will be used for catering parties and at festivals and fairs in addition to feeding lunch and bar crowds.

Movable restaurants must abide by the same parking rules as other vehicles. Finding two empty meters in a row in the middle of the day in downtown St. Paul can be a challenge, so McKee would like to find businesses interested having his taco truck pull into their parking lot at lunch on a weekly basis.

"It's a good way for us to market our business," says McKee. "And it would be convenient and a little variety for their employees. No one can eat Jimmy John's everyday."

BURGER CHALLENGE

Hold the onions. The Blue Door Pub's Second Annual Blucy of the Moment competition is in the works. Submit your idea for

an incredible stuffed burger, and you could win a $100 gift certificate to the bar on the corner of Selby and Fairview. After entries have been submitted, the owners will whittle the list to five, which will then be put to customer vote. For more information, go to thebdp.com.

CHEESECAKE FACTORY COURTS KIDS

It took a long time, but 30 years and two recessions later, the Cheesecake Factory has decided to come up with a kids' menu. Known for its long list of dishes, giant portions and huge lines, the beloved chain (including an outlet at Southdale in Edina) now offers diners 10 and younger such dishes as fried chicken sliders, pizza, pasta, grilled cheese and mini corn dogs, with prices ranging from $4 to $7.

As always, the restaurant gives the highchair crowd a complimentary plate of banana slices, oranges and fresh bread.

BAD TASTE

When Smashburger de-buted a few weeks ago in Roseville, the popular burger chain sent out postcards with the menu to the neighboring community.

What the mailing didn't include was a coupon. How much could it have cost Smashburger to offer a free drink or a few fries -- any enticement to come in.

Pioneer Press restaurant critic Kathie Jenkins can be reached at 651-228-5585 or kjenkins@ pioneerpress.com. Read more about the restaurant scene on the Eat blog at blogs.twincities. com/eat.

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Copyright (c) 2009, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.

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