Reynolds Group

Just a few years ago, Howard Hsu’s barbecue truck, Sweet Auburn Barbecue, was one of the only food trucks in the city. Today it is joined by a park full of other “food on wheels” units, plus many more outside the premises.

As the city’s first permanent food truck site, the Atlanta Food Truck Park and Market attracts an average of 1,000 people daily; but last year the bustling space was nothing more than an abandoned lot.

It was last April that Hsu began looking for property where he could station Sweet Auburn Barbecue, because, while he enjoyed being able to roam the city and meet customers in different locations, he says he was tired of constantly moving.

“Having a mobile food truck was very rewarding and fun,” Hsu tells us. “However, it was stressful because you would go to certain events where there would be no business.”

Reynolds Group

While looking for a place that would provide his business more consistency, Hsu came across a vacant three-acre plot of land — a former hotel site — in an area west of Atlanta on Howell Mill Road.

He quickly realized that the space was large enough to accommodate a number of trucks and decided that if he was having problems finding a parking spot for his mobile business, maybe other food truck owners were, too.

Although the park can only host 15 trucks at one time, food trucks from all over the city apply to the space. The city has also recently eased its once-stringent zoning restrictions, which prevented mobile trucks from operating in multiple locations. This has resulted in a significant growth in the number of operating food trucks and there are around 80 licensed truckstoday compared to 20 at last year’s food park opening.

“[The park] has brought a lot of young entrepreneurs who are on the fence about starting their own business,” Hsu tells us. “They are more willing to pull the trigger when they see there is a location they can conduct business.”

Reynolds Group

Aside from creating a space accessibly to those craving street food, the Atlanta Food Truck Park and Market also contributes to jobs created in the area and has the potential to have a significant economic impact on the city’s long-term development.

The space currently hosts attractions, such as live music, car shows, and special themed events like SurfFest, a recent festival that featured local instrumental bands. On certain days, there are close to 5,000 people visiting the park.

Hsu tells us that he hopes to eventually turn some of the green space into a venue for concerts, movie screenings, and playgrounds. If all goes well, it could potentially become a tourist destination and citywide attraction for residents.

“There are [visitors] of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Depending on the time of day, you’ll see a different crowd of people.”

Despite the park’s first-year success, there are still challenges for food truck owners. While some of the city’s legal restrictions on food trucks were eased in late 2011, applying for a permit in Atlanta is still a rigorous process. Food trucks must have separate business and vendor’s permits, plus a health license for each location they serve at.

Reynolds Group

Although the park’s site is properly zoned, it was closed for several weeks last year because of permit issues for some of the individual trucks.

 Despite the challenges, Hsu says that it has been rewarding for him “to help young entrepreneurs start-up their businesses and create their livelihoods.”

“[The park] has created small business opportunities in Atlanta while transforming what was once a vacant space into a destination, attraction, and place for commerce.”

http://www.businessinsider.com/atlanta-food-truck-park-feeds-thousands-2013-6

Not so long ago, having food trucks travel outside the perimeter was a novelty. Now, it’s commonplace. Here are a few spots to find those street eats in the ‘burbs on a regular basis.

Alpharetta:

You’ll find Alpharetta’s Food Truck Alley in full swing every Thursday evening. Look for 6-8 trucks each week. Bring your picnic blanket and folding chairs to munch while you listen to live music. 5-9 p.m. Thursdays. Old Roswell Street, Alpharetta.

Kennesaw:

Every Monday starting this month through the fall, food trucks can be found in downtown Kennesaw’s Dinner at the Depot event. Vendors include Buen Provecho, Happy Belly, Honeysuckle Gelato and Champion Cheesesteaks. 5-8 p.m. Mondays. 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw

Marietta:

Now taking place at the Harry’s Farmers Market on Powers Ferry, the Marietta Food Truck Rally resumed for the season this week. The new location offers parking solutions and seating options. 5-9 p.m. Mondays. Harry’s Farmers Market 70 Powers Ferry Road, Marietta.

Roswell:

At its monthly Alive After 5 event, Roswell hosts food trucks on the square. This street festival featuring live music takes place every third Thursday from April through October. Last month’s vendors included Wow, Fry Guy, Texas Tacos, Mighty Meatball and King of Pops. 5 p.m. May 16. Roswell square.

Sandy Springs:

For the next few weeks you’ll be able to find food trucks in Sandy Springs. Hosted by the Atlanta Street Food Coalition, this street party features food trucks like Mighty Meatballs, Fry Guy, Mix’d Up and Yum Yum Cupcake. You’ll also find local artwork, live music and beer and wine available for purchase. 5-8 p.m. May 3, 10, 17. Kudzu & Co., 6450 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs.

Suwanee:

On the first Friday of each month from May through September, Suwanee will host food trucks including Mac the Cheese Truck, Nana G’s Chicken and Waffles and Pressed for Time. Local high school jazz bands will provide entertainment for the events. 7 p.m. May 3. Town Center Park, Suwanee.

http://blogs.ajc.com/food-and-more/2013/05/01/where-to-find-food-trucks-otp/?cxntfid=blogs_food_and_more

Credit Microsoft

Cue up the mariachi band—Cinco de Mayo is fast approaching.

The celebration of Mexican heritage on May 5 is sometimes mistaken for Mexico’s Independence Day. However, Cinco de Mayo actually commemorates the Battle of Puebla, a turning point in Mexican history and freedom.

In the U.S., it is celebrated by observing Mexican culture through food, drinks and dancing. If you are looking for a fiesta with margaritas, live bands and authentic food, read on for the best places to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Buckhead.

• Red Pepper Taqueria
• Cinco de Maybe on Saturday, May 4 at Atlanta Street Food Park
• One Love Stache Dash at Tin Lizzy’s on May 4
• 7th Annual Fiesta Atlanta in downtown Atlanta
  
• Cuatro de Mayo Tequila Tour on May 4 at Park Bench in Buckhead

TELL US: Where do you plan to celebrate on May 5? Share in the comments below!

http://buckhead.patch.com/articles/where-to-celebrate-cinco-de-mayo-in-buckhead

via facebook

Park it and they will come. Howard Hsu, co-owner of Sweet Auburn BBQ, had a dream to create a space for food trucks to gather in Atlanta. A year ago, he and partners Brian Harvin and Anita Hsu brought the idea into reality with the opening of Atlanta Food Truck Park & Market on Howell Mill Road. After a bit of a rough start— the park had to close temporarily while trucks resolved permitting issues just a few weeks after opening— things started to move a little more smoothly. Here, Hsu talks about year one.

How was the first year?
It’s definitely been a learning curve. But it has been very rewarding and fun and is actually coming together better than I thought it would.

In what ways has it exceeded your expectations?

http://atlanta.eater.com/archives/2013/04/23/howard-hsu-on-year-one-at-the-atlanta-food-truck-park.php

The Fry Guy

It’s not officially spring in Roswell until the historic district comes “alive.” Alive After 5 and Alive at the Square kickoff tonight, Thursday, April. 18.

As with years past, attendees can expect the popular local event to be quite the spectacle. Food trucks, local vendors, artisans, music, entertainment, kiddie fun and shopping are all scheduled for the season’s inaugural event.

Organizers are expecting record numbers of people to attend this year. So, taking the trolleys from the parking lot at Roswell City Hall to either area of the historic district – Canton Street and the Roswell Square – is encouraged.

Alive After 5

Once again, Canton Street will be closed from Magnolia Street to Norcross Street beginning at 6:30 p.m. It will reopen at 10 p.m. Webb Street will close at 4:30 p.m. from West Alley (near The Chandleryback door) to Canton Street and Elizabeth Way will close at 4:30 p.m. from Highway 9 to Canton Street for vendor set up.

New this year, a “Community Corner” will be set up at the corner of Canton Street and Woodstock Road. This month, Games2u - a mobile gaming company – will set up its Human Hamster Wheel, Video RV and a jumpy house. And Relay for Life Roswell will also be on-hand to share information and register teams for their upcoming event.

Also a highlight this year will be the “Alive After 5 Singer Songwriter Series,” sponsored by The Roswell Tap. Here’s how it will work: five or six singer/songwriters will be showcased, competing for prize money, at the Heart of Roswell Park throughout the event each month. After each artist performs their set at the park, they will head over to The Roswell Tap to play more music. Winners will compete for a grand prize at the end of the Alive After 5 season.

Roswell Square

Alive At the Square will fill the square with vendors, local merchants, food trucks and live music. The Mill Kitchen & Bar will also set up a beverage service.

Park Square will close at 4:30 p.m. for vendor set up.

The Mens in Blues Band will be at the Roswell Square to perform throughout the evening.

The food trucks expected during the April Alive at the Square are:

The Fry Guy - crispy “Belgian-style frittes” with a myriad of dipping sauces

King of Pops - exotic-inspired frozen treats with a flavor range from Mexican Chocolate to the Arnold Palmer.

Wow - “Wonderlicious on Wheels” is part of Duck’s Kitchen in Decatur, serving savory stuffed corn cakes – or arepas – in addition to other menu items like “My Oh My Tomato Pie” and “Crispy Shrimp Cake.”

Tex’s Tacos - a different twist on traditional Tex-Mex cuisine. They serve tacos, quesadillas and sides, such as the Texicana Fries, which were featured on the Food Network.

Mighty Meatball Mobile - a food truck owned by brothers serving up a secret family recipe for Italian meatballs and “fresh new twists on the meatball sandwich.”

http://roswell.patch.com/articles/alive-after-5-2013-season-starts-tonight-thursday-april-18

From Buckhead Patch
Credit: Lauren Thomas

A year ago, Howard Hsu opened his Atlanta Food Truck Park and 4,000 people came out to have a taste of what has become one of Atlanta’s trendiest places to grab a bite of unique food, gab with friends or take a date.

Now, Hsu is hosting the park’s anniversary celebration, Passport to Flavors, all weekend long. The event was scheduled to begin Thursday afternoon, but was postponed due to inclement weather.

Hsu figures that about 2,000 people will visit the park each day of the Passport to Flavors event for a total of about 6,000 people overall.

Each day is a different tribute to the unique food trucks that have become favorites over the last year, a way to celebrate “the ones that helped us bring the food truck park into existence,” explained Hsu, who also owns and operates the Sweet Auburn Barbecue food truck.

The event will feature unique dishes with international flavors, food truck tastings, live music and entertainment. (A full schedule is included below.)

Opening and running the park hasn’t always been a smooth ride, Hsu said. He spent a lot of the last year “really just figuring it out…building a loyal following and finding out not only what the fans want, but what the food truck owners want.”

“It’s been a learning curve. It’s been interesting and very fun getting to know all the different food truck owners.”

One thing is for certain, Hsu loves his job as director of Atlanta Food Truck Park and who wouldn’t? It’s a job with tons of amazing food, which brings people from all walks of life together in one spot on Howell Mill Road.

“My favorite part has been all the good food. I love meeting all the different people from different backgrounds.”

After all the anniversary fun has concluded, the park will open Tuesday for its regular summer hours:  Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday – Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, 12 to 7 p.m. The park remains closed on Mondays.

The event is free, but you will need to bring cash to pay for food items.

Friday, April 5: “Night of the Dragon” (5 to 9:30 p.m.): 
It’s an Asian sensation and celebration with these participating food trucks: Filipino, Viet-Nomie, Sweet Auburn BBQ, Kind of Pops: Thai Tea popsicle, Featured Beverage: Lychee-Spiked Lemonade, Entertainment: Lion & Dragon Dance Performance Troop.

Saturday, April 6: “MasalaFest” (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.): 
A taste of India’s street food, sponsored by the MasalaFresh food truck. Dessert table of assorted Indian treats. Featured Beverages: Mango Lassi and Papaya Lassi. Entertainment: Henna tattoo artist, Indian DJ and music

Saturday, April 6: “Island Vibes”  (5 to 9 p.m.): 
Come on, Mon! This Saturday night, the spotlight is on food trucks offering authentic Caribbean cuisine. Participating trucks include: One Love Jerk Grille, Healthful Essence. Featured Beverage: Island Punch. Entertainment: Live performances by DJ Badd Street.

Sunday, April 7: “World Beats: Family Day” (12 to 7 p.m.): 
It’s a family-inspired food truck festival with cooking demonstrations and tastings, face painting, inflatables and more! Featured Beverage: Blueberry Lemonade & Mint Tea. Entertainment: DJ Rasyrious & The CatDaddies.

The Atlanta Food Truck Park & Market, Atlanta’s first permanent street food park, is located on a three-acre lot at 1850 Howell Mill Road.

http://buckhead.patch.com/articles/atlanta-food-truck-park-celebrates-1st-anniversary-with-3-day-event

Staff / Erin Gray
From left, Alive After 5 at the Square coordinators Kelley Reddick Davis and Anne Reddick, operations manager of Texas Tacos Sean Sugrue, Alive After 5 Roswell organizer Sally Johnson and Terry Hall with Fork in the Road Food Trucks are looking forward to this year’s Alive After 5 festivities.

The monthly street party that has become one of the most popular outdoor events in Roswell is set to kick off its seven-month season on April 18.

Alive After Five, or AA5 as it is affectionately known to its legion of fans, is in its eighth year. Its new sibling, Alive at the Square, is back for its second.

“We see such great spirit and energy that we’re really excited about going forward,” said Roswell Realtor Anne Reddick, who coordinates Alive at the Square with her daughter and business partner, Kelley Davis.

“Last year, we didn’t start until August, but even starting as late as we did, we had 3,000 people that first time, which was phenomenal. And September and October were good, too. It’s a really good adjunct to Alive After Five.”

Park Square is closed off for the event on the historic town square, which includes vendors and food trucks as well as open houses at area businesses.

“We don’t compete with Canton Street, which is mostly an adult crowd. Here we have room for families and strollers,” Davis said. “And the fence around the square has been a wonderful addition because it makes parents comfortable,” Reddick said. Further north, along Canton Street Magnolia Street to Woodstock Road, Alive After Five is ready to set the historic district humming once again.

“In 2001 the city gave us $1,000 to hire a consultant because we could not get people to come to Canton Street,” said Sally Johnson, the force behind the Historic Roswell Merchants Association. “One of the results of that report was a suggestion to create an event. So in 2005, we did.”

At first, attendance was sparse. But as the historic district began evolving into a hot destination, AA5 was a beneficiary.

A decade ago, Canton Street was all shops and art galleries and no restaurants, Johnson said. “Now we have a strong balance of all of them. Everything has come together very nicely.”

So popular has AA5 become that last year the city started closing Canton Street between Norcross and Magnolia streets to accommodate the throngs better. Live music, commercial and nonprofit vendors and a variety of restaurants and watering holes contribute to the party atmosphere.

New this year will be an entertainment area especially for kids. At the north end of Canton at its intersection with Woodstock Road, there will be a bounce house, a “human hamster wheel” and an RV filled with arcade and Wii games.

Also new is an additional trolley to ferry attendees around AA5 and Alive at the Square, bringing the total to three. The free municipal parking lot across Ga. Hwy 9/Alpharetta Street at city hall will be the most frequent stop, Johnson said.

The tandem events will occur the third Thursday of every month, 5 to 9 p.m., until October.

http://www.neighbornewspapers.com/view/full_story/22144374/article-Square–Canton-Street-ready-to-come-%E2%80%98alive%E2%80%99-in-Roswell?instance=north

If you’re a food truck aficionado worth your salt(ed caramel, a la Westside Creamery), you’ve probably tasted the Korean tacos of Yumbii; the wild waffle cones of the Good Food Truck; the arepas of WOW. And now that spring is here and the food trucks are coming back out to play, you’re probably licking your chops in anticipation of those mobile munchies.

Yes, the Street Food Class of 2012 brought us delicious new meals on wheels from Mighty Meatballs, Rolling Reubens and the Blaxican, just to name a few, and their 2013 progeny are looking just as tantalizing. Allow us to introduce some of the new kids on the block that’ll be puttering around the city with the rest of the food truck crew (and, if you’re really eager for a taste, hit up our Friday night hootenanny and give them a warm ATL welcome):

Viet-Nomie’s
The promise of a good banh mi sandwich is easily enough to inspire a trek up Buford Highway—but Nomie, a Vietnamese chef with a South Carolinian twang, is taking that one step further and bringing her traditional Vietnamese dishes to the streets. Which means you can now get your hands on crispy cha-gio rolls stuffed with house-ground pork and chicken, banh mi xa xiu (the barbecued pork version of the beloved sandwich) and rich, full-bodied pho without taking a joyride on Spaghetti Junction. Bonus points: head to our little Friday night shindig at the Atlanta Food Truck Park, and you can feast on Nomie’s lemongrass chili chicken and those aforementioned cha-gio rolls. Beware: we’re pretty sure those little suckers have addictive properties.

Freckled & Blue
Tyler has blue eyes. Juliana has freckles. And they both have a damn good pimento cheese recipe. Yes, the art of Southern food can easily be bungled (or over-buttered), but these two are mashing up age-old recipes with creative little twists here and there. Together, they’re putting a modern spin on the Southern recipes they grew up with, from beer can barbecue chicken sliders smothered with smoked gouda, to perfect, creamy deviled eggs topped with their bacon-packed, jalapeno-spiked pimento cheese.

Masala Fresh
Your curry lust no longer has to be satisfied ‘neath the harsh lights of the buffet line, friend. ATL’s very first Indian food truck (P.S., how did this not happen sooner?) is bringing its spicy, flavorful, fragrant masalas to the people in the form of rice bowls and naan wraps, as well as samosas and—oh yes—masala fries, served either spicy or super-spicy. (A glass of mango juice should help douse those flames.) You can catch these noble pioneers this Friday night at our Atlanta Food Truck Park party, dishing out chicken tikka masala with basmati rice, naan and samosas.

The Bubble Tea Truck
Well, this mobile operations isn’t exactly new (it first started slaking our bubble tea thirst late last summer), but this will be The Bubble Tea Truck’s first full season on the streets, and anyway, how can we pass up a truck stocked with taro milk tea and lychee smoothies? If you weren’t hanging out in Taiwan circa ’88, you might not yet be familiar with the creamy, curiously textured bubble tea, but now that ATL has its very own boba truck, it’s high time for tea time.

http://scoutmob.com/atlanta/scoutfinds/5027

Viet Nomie’s. [Photo: Facebook]

1) Buford Highway: New Vietnamese restaurant Viet-Nomie‘s food truck is waiting for permits and hopes to be operating by the beginning of March. The restaurant’s brick-and-mortar location serves spring rolls, pho, banh mi, and more. [POST-PLYWOOD]

2) Suwanee: A second location of Rio Balsas Taqueria plans to start servingin about three weeks on GA 141 in South Forsyth County. It’s taking over the Canvas Creek/Low Country BBQ spot. [PLYWOOD]

3) Alpharetta: Replacing what used to be Rainwater is Chill Restaurant & Lounge. The restaurant will open at 11655 Haynes Bridge Road.

http://atlanta.eater.com/archives/2013/02/11/viet-nomies-food-truck-rio-balsas-taqueria-coming-soon.php

IMAGE CREDIT: HLN
Brett Eanes, owner of MIX’d UP food truck — one of the most popular trucks in Atlanta.

Editor’s Note: Ever dream of being your own boss? One man made that dream come true — but at a price. See how he does it, and follow him on the crazy road to opening his own restaurant on HLN’s American Journey, hosted by Ty Pennington, on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.

IMAGE CREDIT: HLN
Brett on the job. He can sometimes work more than 15 hours a day!

IMAGE CREDIT: HLN
Mmm… burgers! Brett’s burgers are what have made him famous in Atlanta.

IMAGE CREDIT: HLN
You can’t have a burger without fries.

IMAGE CREDIT: BRETT EANES
Chef “Mas” and “B-Crizzy” — part of the MIX’d Up team.

http://www.hlntv.com/slideshow/2013/02/05/will-work-food-making-food-truck