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.
Cousins Maine Lobster Raleigh rolling in!
I spoke with the Kellers and I was told I need to circle May 2nd on my calendar. The Wake Forest family wanted to kick-off their first big event at Meet in The Street, the town they have called home for over 20 years. Wake Forest’s 35th Annual event has lots going on. For more details and where to download the app, check Wake Forest’s website. If you haven’t, follow @CMLobsterRAL and Facebook.
Mixed Korean Cuisine truck wrapped…
Photo from Mixed Korean Cuisine
The Chapel Hill restaurant recently announced a special menu featuring their “truck menu” on their Twitter and Facebook accounts. Well it looks like a truck is built and they are looking to serve Cary, Chapel Hill, and Durham locations. I’m a fan of their casual Korean cuisine, so keep my eye on them. Follow them @MixedKoreanRest.
Wandering Moose is roaming the Triangle Frontier
In case you missed it, The Wandering Moose made an appearance at Gizmo Brewworks in Northwest Raleigh this past Saturday. I had opportunity to try it out. I’ll share more in the New Food Truck focus this week.
Look Mom! I’m on…
In case you missed it, I was on other media platforms last week. First, I was a special guest for two guys I’m huge fans of at 919 Beer, Adam and Wayne. Hosted by Joe Ovies with 99.9 FM ESPN Radio for the Triangle, they asked me to be on to talk about food trucks. You can download the podcast and listen at your leisure (or now). Thank you Barone Meatball and Mac-UR-Roni for providing food. It was hard to speak with the aroma of delicious food in the room.
The other mention was a quote in Cary News, a regional section for the local News & Observer. The article focused on All American’s Terrance Conway and his involvement with the semi-pro basketball team, Cary Invasion. I had a picture and quote in the article.
The writers, hosts, and food trucks associated, you can catch them on Twitter.
919 Beer: @919Beer
All American: @AllAmericanRDU
Barone Meatball: @baronemeatball
Mac-UR-Roni: @MacUrRoniRDU
Joe Ovies: @joeovies
Andy Specht: @AndySpecht
And then Jay Jones’ with Jay’s Italian Ice posts this photo with a musician I enjoy.
Events this week
Flora and Food Trucks
Porchetta and The Parlour will both be at the Flora and Food Trucks series this Saturday at Fairview Greenhouses and Garden Center.
Brewgaloo 2015
Over 30 food trucks listed for the event taking place on April 25th from 2 to 10pm on Fayetteville Street in Downtown Raleigh. This event is one of those big events that puts a bow on NC Beer Month (April). In addition to beer and food trucks, there is also live music that book end the festival.
Check out the Special Preview on Brewgaloo 2015.
Taste The Event hosts a Burger Smashdown
Watch Mattie B’s Public House, Tyler’s Taproom, Al’s Burger Shack, Buns and Only Burger prepare their favorite burger and side combinations for your vote. In addition burgers and sides, Sean Lilly Wilson of Fullsteam will pair beers for each item. Part of the ticket proceeds will fund the Durham Branch of the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. The event takes place at Fullsteam Brewery on April 25th. Tickets available here.
Art of Cool Project
This jazz festival takes place in Downtown Durham the weekend of April 24-26th. I heard SoomSoom Pita Pockets will be here.
Special Food Truck Dinners
Food trucks and breweries are having special dinners at their taprooms. Here are a few going on now:
Tonight! Manna & Brueprint: April 20th
This weekend! Manna & Brueprint at New Hope Valley Railroad (Brew & Choo): April 25th
And Popping Back this Weekend…
Pop Up Sunday at Ornamentea will happen this Sunday, April 26th with Manna and Jay’s Italian Ice. This artisan market highlights lots of local crafts, local beer, local charities, and local food trucks. You can find Ornamentea at 509 N. West Street in Raleigh. Pop-Up Sunday is the 4th Sunday from Noon to 5 pm.
The Ritz looking for Food Trucks
Every month, The Ritz in Raleigh will have Tribute Nights. The next one will be April 11th (this Saturday) with Liverpool (a Beatles Tribute band). These events will be promoted on various media channels (radio, B2B, social, etc.), which food trucks will be highlighted on as well. If you are interested, contact them today (the event is Saturday).
The Ritz is located at 2820 Industrial Drive, Raleigh. If you probably don’t recognize the venue, as they had major renovations completed this year.
Food Trucks Hiring
Jay’s Italian Ice is looking for part time help. See their Facebook page for contact information.
With Gussy’s opening up a new restaurant in May, Gus (“Gyro Hero”) is looking for the help, especially with a grill person. Contact him for more information.
New food truck, Thai Street, is growing in popularity and are looking for some help. Contact info [at] thaistreetfoodtruck [dot] com
Interested in building food trucks contact Jack of All Trades by George at Tambra [at] jackofalltradesbyGeorge [dot] com
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
Recently Opened
KoKyu BBQ opened Na’mean, a sandwich shop, today at 4823 Meadow Dr, Ste. 108 in Durham. Check out info on our Wheels and Mortar post.
Coming Soon
Captain Ponchos (Southern Village, Chapel Hill), Deli-icious, and Sol Tacos have released they have restaurant locations in the works this year. Stay tuned on details.
Porchetta expected to open mid to late May in the Streets of Southpoint food court in the old Five Guys location.
Big Events Coming
For Rodeos, check out the Rodeo Page.
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.
Outside the Triangle
Lowcountry Vendors and Food Truck Expo
The event is taking place Saturday, May 2nd down in Beaufort, SC. The event is highlighting the community and they are looking for food trucks to promote the region. For more details on the event, you can see more at their Facebook Page.
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 2014 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.
Is your food truck news 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 