Each Monday I recap food truck news as it relates to the Triangle area (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill). Bringing news that impacts food truck owners, fans, or those curious.
Interested in New Food Trucks? Check out the Weekly Radar
Food Trucks and Sweet Potatoes
This February is North Carolina Sweet Potato month. In celebration, North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission created the “Signature Sweets” promotion. Chefs and food artisans have put together creations highlighting the state’s famous root vegetable.
There are over 50 restaurants including the following food trucks:
AmigoSan: Sweet and Spicy Tater Tots
Bam Pow Chow: Sweet potato fries w/Kobiyaki sauce, spicy mayo, black sesame seeds
Sweet potato fries w/Kobiyaki sauce, spicy mayo, black sesame seeds @BamPowChow @loneriderbeer http://t.co/wPWCL0yVER—
(@BamPowChow) January 17, 2015
CockADoodleMoo: Ginger Thai Sweet Potato Bisque. Check Gadaboutfood’s post about the recipe (you may recognize her from a recent Chew episode).
Iced Cupcakes: Sweet Potato Pecan Praline Cupcake
Kocina: A Sweet Potato Empanada
Pie Pushers: Sweet Potatoes on pizzas.
Sarge’s Chef: Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger
Sweet Potato Chic~Pig Hero (Valentino’s)
Valentino’s: Potato Chic~Pig Hero, Tender grilled chicken & bacon topped with a reduction sauce spiced NC Sweet Potatoes and Fullsteam Beer. Steve hinted more items like gnocchi and zeppoles.
United Way Rodeo
On Wednesday for lunch, check out Bam Pow Chow, Captain Ponchos, The Humble Pig, Ladybugs Treats, and Virgil’s Jamaican for a Perimeter Park rodeo. The event is at 2400 Perimeter Park Drive in Morrisville from 11:30 to 1:3o pm.
Beer for Beagles
Before you picture Snoopy drinking root beer prior to a Red Baron flight, the event is for the local Triangle Beagle Rescue at Lonerider Brewing. The event is February 15th from 2 to 7pm. CockADoodleMoo will be there, who are also Beagle owners (“Roscoe”). Be sure to make it out! More details on the event’s Facebook Page.
Big Easy: Mardi Gras Party
From Noon to 10 pm on February 17th postponed to Saturday the 28th due to forecasted inclement weather on the 17th, Big Easy will throw a huge party on Fayetteville Street for Mardi Gras. The food truck line-up: AmigoSan, Bam Pow Chow, Baugettaboutit, CockADoodleMoo, Hibachi Xpress, Mac-UR-Roni, and Stuft.
In addition, they will have musical performances from:
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm Soul Psychedelique (High Energy Dance)
6:00pm to 7:00pm Big Chief & The Rumba Boogie Band (Cajun)
7:00pm to 7:15pm Processional with 2nd Line Stompers
7:15pm to 8:15pm 2nd Line Stompers
8:30 pm to 10:00pm GrooveTown (High Energy Dance)
Inside The Big Easy
8:30pm to 11:30pm MikeMickXer
11:45 pm to 2 am Big Chief & The Rumba Boogie Band
Also, there will also be multiple raffles for great prizes, including the grand prize of a VIP Tour to the Abita Brewery, located in Covington, Louisiana – provided by Abita Beer. Night hotel accommodations, limo ride to and from brewery, VIP tour and lunch at Pub House ‐ a $750 value – are included. Air transportation has been graciously donated by the Travel Leaders located in High Point NC. Raffle tickets support Transitions LifeCare (formerly Hospice of Wake County)
More event details at their website or their Facebook Page.
Food Trucks helping out with Unemployment
Did you see the economic update on Friday? Maybe you aren’t into the economic markets as I am, but American Meltdown and Bam Pow Chow are looking to make your fandom into a paycheck. Contact them below:
American Meltdown: Website / Facebook / Twitter
Bam Pow Chow: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Email
Rabbit Farm Crowd Funding Project
Fatty Owl Farm (@ready4rabbit) in Pittsboro is looking to raise funds to add a processing center on their farm. They have asked if food trucks might be interested in working with them on a reward. I also noticed they have a reward geared toward restaurants. If want to see more on the project, check out their barnraiser page.
Pittsboro announces first rodeo for 2015
Excited to see that Pittsboro will start up with a rodeo on March 21st and 3rd Saturdays following. These rodeos are located next to the Pittsboro Roadhouse with a concert usually inside the Roadhouse. They are setting up a lighted sign, which will allow for food trucks to have power and not depend on generators. The first line-up has not been set, so trucks interested should contact the Pittsboro Roadhouse.
Trucks Giving Back
I hope you can recall last year when Gussy’s organized a rodeo that was just for the Durham Rescue Mission. The event was participated by Gussy’s, Stuft, Chick-N-Que, and Not Just Icing, where they provided food to those at the Rescue Mission for free. Gus wants to do the event again expanding it to more trucks and Rescue Mission locations. If your food truck is interested, contact Gus at 919-656-7096 or Direct/Private Message @GreekGussys. The event was covered by many media outlets, including a live shot by Anthony Wilson from ABC 11.
Trucks Opening Locations
Coming Soon
Sol Tacos (as a Sol Tapas concept) – estimated early 2015, Downtown Raleigh. Hints have been out about an April 1st opening.
Deli-icious: Location is in Clayton with a 2015 date expected.
Captain Ponchos: location in Southern Village, Chapel Hill. The date has been pushed back from originally posted. However, based on the photos, things are progressing well. Stay posted here.
And KoKyu BBQ has sent another update to Kickstarter backers and Facebook followers about a KoKyu Na’mean Sandwich Shop as well as further progress on a commissary and restaurant. The details are still influx right now. I’ll update as we get more information.
Looking for Trucks with recent Brick and Mortar Openings – New! Dedicated Weekly Post
Big Events Coming
Durham Central Park 2015 Schedule released
January 25th (what a great day that was)
March 8th
June 21st
September 6th
November 1st
If interested, the Durham Central Park recognized Ben Weber, Becky Hacker (Pie Pushers) and Brian Bottger (Only Burger) as the rodeo organizers.
Knightdale Rodeo (February 21st)
Truck Line-up
Ribmaster III
Take Two
We Bea Grillin
CJ Funnel Cakes
The event will be at Knightdale Station Park, 810 North First Avenue, from 11am-2pm. For more details, check out the town’s website.
World’s Largest Food Truck Festival III coming
Awhile back Generation Food Truck down in Tampa, Florida organized the largest food truck parade in March 2014. Looks like they want to organize another one this March 2015. The goal is to have over 200 food trucks at the State Fairgrounds outside of Tampa. If interested, email the organizer at Generationfoodtruck (at) gmail (dot) com. I did hear they will provide power for this event.
Brewgaloo
This event has been around, but this year was my first time. For beer (and spirits as local TOPO Distillery was here this year) and food truck fans, this is a prime event. Two stages on both ends of Fayetteville Street with beer and food trucks filling the asphalt in between. The date set is April 25, 2015 and is from 2-10pm. I know a bit early, but you might want to circle it and tell your family this is a great weekend to visit.
Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo 2015
May 3rd
June 14th
August 9th (Evening Rodeo)
October 11th
Beericana presented by 919 Beer
In 2014, the Triangle was introduced to an awesome event with local beer, food trucks, and music. Thankfully we will see this again September 12th, 2015. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for details on the blog.
ROAM is coming to Orlando, Florida
Hopefully you caught last week’s special post on the 2014 event.
Circle your calendars now for ROAM 2015 in Orlando. This is the only food truck industry conference that brings owners and industry-specific people together. I’ll have a special post just on my experience here in San Antonio. But in short, if you are someone in the food truck business, I think you need to be here. The dates are November 15 and 16th, which is Sunday and Monday. Hopefully, those are admin days and only 8 1/2 hours (by car) between the Triangle and Orlando. I hope we can exponentially expand our representation for this one.
Food Trucks and Restaurants to support (RED) in June 2015
I came back from the ROAM Conference early November was about the (RED) organization. The (RED) Organization fights AIDS in Africa where 2/3 of those with AIDS are located. In 2014, the organization had events around the food and beverage industry. However, they want to make it bigger and get everyone involved. It would be a nice scene to see food trucks featuring a (RED) menu next June!
For more details on the event, check out details at (RED)‘s website dedicated to the food and beverage industry.
Truck and Equipment For Sale
Jakki’s Juice Jam is closing up shop and selling their truck. If you are interested, contact them at 919-208-7405 or via their Facebook page.
Thanks Captain Ponchos, Gussy’s Greek Truck, and Pittsboro Roadhouse for providing details for the blog.
Is your food truck news not on here? This post focuses on Triangle food trucks every week. If you got news, let the blog know using the form below.
The Wandering Sheppard 