Fight for Sixth St. sidewalk heats up

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A feud between a restaurant owner and a food vendor over sidewalk space on East 6th Street is heating up.

Jon Notarthomas, owner of Best Wurst, wants to move his food cart back to the corner of 6th and San Jacinto - its home for the past 17 years.

But, the owner of Parkside restaurant wants to expand with a sidewalk cafe that would push Best Wurst out for good.

Tonight, dozens of Best Wurst fans turned out to get a sandwich and support the Best Wurst cart getting it's old location back.

"I drive down from north Austin have a Best Wurst," explained Randy Langford, a Best Wurst fan. "It is just great food. I mean you can't get better street food anywhere I don't think."

"I like them and I don't know if they are being treated fairly here," said J Shepard, a Best Wurst supporter. "I just want to help them out any way I can."

But, the owner of Parkside restaurant sees the stand in a different light.

"I want what is best for him and there is an opportunity for him to move just a few feet away and that is already set up with the city and I am excited and I hope he takes that," said Shawn Cikeil, Parkside's owner.

Several hundred Best Wurst fans signed up to tonight's benefit called "Save the Best Wurst" on Facebook because they want a favorable outcome and to not see the cart they frequent permanently move 25 feet away from its somewhat landmark location.

Notarthomas told KXAN he is not behind the Facebook page or this evening's benefit, but appreciates the support.

"I am touched," said Notarthomas. "I am completely flattered and touched by the fact that so many people have been supportive."

Notarthomas said he showed up to the event to prevent any type of Parkside Protest since the restaurant is actually hosting a benefit to support the 6th Street Association simultaneously.

He has been at odds with the restaurant's owner for a few months over the relocation of his cart, which, for now, has moved down the street until the city's Department of Transportation resolves the issue.

"We already are the diversity of 6th Street, if we are going to practice what we preach," said Notarthomas. "We need to work with each other and be each others good neighbors, even if we have odds, you know, please, let's talk to each other."

Both business owners sathey are trying to keep things amicable between one another and their supporters.

"I hope that after they have the Best Wurst, they come join us at the show, have a drink and watch Ghostbusters," said Cirkeil.

Both benefits ended around 10:30 p.m.