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Will vagabond vendors vamoose from Comic-Con 2025?
You got a permit for that hot dog, pal?
Cosplaying builds up an appetite.
Comic-Con International is set to take over the San Diego Convention Center from July 24–27. Each year, the pop culture extravaganza draws cosplayers, collectors, celebrities, and families into the 2.6 million-square-foot convention center and surrounding streets. Collectively, they’re expected to spend more than $165 million on hotels, badges, transportation, parking — and yes, food and drinks. Already, permitted street vendors are preparing to serve the 125,000-plus fans flooding downtown. But unpermitted vendors? Many are thinking twice.
“Sonoran hot dogs and paletas are my go-to,” says John Garcia, a longtime Comic-Con vendor and cosplayer. “During the show, I look for carts in the Gaslamp District or on the way to the stadium. But I have a feeling the cheap vendors won’t be there this year. About five years ago, a food truck used to park behind the convention center and sell affordable grub — but they don’t show up anymore. If you can afford the restaurants and stores around the con, that’s awesome. But not everyone can. I’d tell folks to hit the Ralphs nearby and backpack their food in."
In the past, many con-goers have joined Garcia in seeking out quick, affordable eats — bacon-wrapped hot dogs, cold sodas, and icy paletas sold by street vendors from rolling coolers. They're convenient, and significantly cheaper the fare sold by either official vendors or nearby restaurants. From the Embarcadero Marina Parks to the sidewalks of the Gaslamp, and even in neighborhoods like Logan Heights — where visitors park to avoid $50 lot fees and then trolley or Uber in — street entrepreneurs aim to cash in on the con’s massive foot traffic.
“You’ll find plenty of bacon-wrapped hot dog carts right outside the convention center,” posted Reddit user chrmnxpnoy. “Pretty sure they aren’t permitted though.” Another user, MsMargo, warned, “The city’s been cracking down since one unpermitted vendor stabbed another one in a turf war.” That infamous turf war — and recent enforcement by San Diego Police, city employees, and ICE — has some vendors opting to stay home this year.
Tensions have also escalated between street vendors and brick-and-mortar businesses. Many local restaurant owners and employees are fed up with vendors operating just outside their storefronts. The core complaint? The vendors don’t pay rent, taxes, or permit fees, and customers buying their $6-$8 loaded hot dogs aren't patronizing those who do.
Frustration boiled over in a now-deleted viral Instagram video posted by pedicab driver Danny Ayer (@thatpedicablife). Filmed just two weeks ago on Fifth Avenue, across from the convention center, it shows a bartender from the recently shuttered Henry’s Pub sprinting toward a vendor, tipping over the vendor's red cart and yelling, “F*** you!” A bystander shouts back, and the bartender responds by flipping the bird and yelling, “Trump!” In the video, another person — who claimed to work at Henry’s — explained that the bar was shutting down for good that same morning. The bartender’s outburst, they said, echoed the frustration shared by many struggling downtown businesses.
Not everyone sees the street vendors as villains. Instagram user Francisco Meza offered another take: “Why aren’t we complaining about crazy taxes on the hospitality sector? Soaring rents and the homeless crisis affect the downtown area. I don’t think a hot dog vendor is the problem — it’s like a taxi driver blaming Uber or Lyft for low earnings. Why do we prefer Uber instead of a taxi? Same reason we’d rather eat a $6 hot dog than a $17 one at a bar.”
Personally, this reporter has found that prices around the convention center tend to be 1.5 to 2 times higher than in less touristy areas. And the real kicker? Long lines for everything from coffee to cold water to a $40 burger and fries. Pro tip: bring a refillable bottle — there are drinking fountains inside the halls — and stash some energy bars in your bag. Once the day's final call sounds over the PA, reward yourself with a meal outside the zone while sorting through your haul.
Here's something you might be interested in.
Will vagabond vendors vamoose from Comic-Con 2025?
You got a permit for that hot dog, pal?
Will vagabond vendors vamoose from Comic-Con 2025?
You got a permit for that hot dog, pal?
Cosplaying builds up an appetite.
Comic-Con International is set to take over the San Diego Convention Center from July 24–27. Each year, the pop culture extravaganza draws cosplayers, collectors, celebrities, and families into the 2.6 million-square-foot convention center and surrounding streets. Collectively, they’re expected to spend more than $165 million on hotels, badges, transportation, parking — and yes, food and drinks. Already, permitted street vendors are preparing to serve the 125,000-plus fans flooding downtown. But unpermitted vendors? Many are thinking twice.
“Sonoran hot dogs and paletas are my go-to,” says John Garcia, a longtime Comic-Con vendor and cosplayer. “During the show, I look for carts in the Gaslamp District or on the way to the stadium. But I have a feeling the cheap vendors won’t be there this year. About five years ago, a food truck used to park behind the convention center and sell affordable grub — but they don’t show up anymore. If you can afford the restaurants and stores around the con, that’s awesome. But not everyone can. I’d tell folks to hit the Ralphs nearby and backpack their food in."
In the past, many con-goers have joined Garcia in seeking out quick, affordable eats — bacon-wrapped hot dogs, cold sodas, and icy paletas sold by street vendors from rolling coolers. They're convenient, and significantly cheaper the fare sold by either official vendors or nearby restaurants. From the Embarcadero Marina Parks to the sidewalks of the Gaslamp, and even in neighborhoods like Logan Heights — where visitors park to avoid $50 lot fees and then trolley or Uber in — street entrepreneurs aim to cash in on the con’s massive foot traffic.
“You’ll find plenty of bacon-wrapped hot dog carts right outside the convention center,” posted Reddit user chrmnxpnoy. “Pretty sure they aren’t permitted though.” Another user, MsMargo, warned, “The city’s been cracking down since one unpermitted vendor stabbed another one in a turf war.” That infamous turf war — and recent enforcement by San Diego Police, city employees, and ICE — has some vendors opting to stay home this year.
Tensions have also escalated between street vendors and brick-and-mortar businesses. Many local restaurant owners and employees are fed up with vendors operating just outside their storefronts. The core complaint? The vendors don’t pay rent, taxes, or permit fees, and customers buying their $6-$8 loaded hot dogs aren't patronizing those who do.
Frustration boiled over in a now-deleted viral Instagram video posted by pedicab driver Danny Ayer (@thatpedicablife). Filmed just two weeks ago on Fifth Avenue, across from the convention center, it shows a bartender from the recently shuttered Henry’s Pub sprinting toward a vendor, tipping over the vendor's red cart and yelling, “F*** you!” A bystander shouts back, and the bartender responds by flipping the bird and yelling, “Trump!” In the video, another person — who claimed to work at Henry’s — explained that the bar was shutting down for good that same morning. The bartender’s outburst, they said, echoed the frustration shared by many struggling downtown businesses.
Not everyone sees the street vendors as villains. Instagram user Francisco Meza offered another take: “Why aren’t we complaining about crazy taxes on the hospitality sector? Soaring rents and the homeless crisis affect the downtown area. I don’t think a hot dog vendor is the problem — it’s like a taxi driver blaming Uber or Lyft for low earnings. Why do we prefer Uber instead of a taxi? Same reason we’d rather eat a $6 hot dog than a $17 one at a bar.”
Personally, this reporter has found that prices around the convention center tend to be 1.5 to 2 times higher than in less touristy areas. And the real kicker? Long lines for everything from coffee to cold water to a $40 burger and fries. Pro tip: bring a refillable bottle — there are drinking fountains inside the halls — and stash some energy bars in your bag. Once the day's final call sounds over the PA, reward yourself with a meal outside the zone while sorting through your haul.