Get your motor running. The second annual Truck by Truckwest food truck and trailer taste-off runs Tuesday, Oct. 21 – Sunday, Oct. 26. Intrepid diners can search out more than 60 participating vendors offering samples and vote for their favorite. The winner gets a check for $10,000.
Trailer food fans can purchase one, two, or six day wristbands which entitle them to selected food samples from participating vendors. Once they’ve used the handy locator app to find the competitors, the biggest challenge will be deciding whether to take the sample dish or order something from the enticing regular menus. According to event organizer Brian Erickson, 10 percent of the proceeds from wristband sales will go to benefit the non-profit Keep Austin Fed.
Once diners have sampled their fill, they are encouraged to vote for their favorite truck via email. Votes will be tallied and the winner of the $10,000 prize will be announced during Trailer Food Tuesday, Oct. 28 on the Long Center Terrace. For complete details and to purchase wristbands, go here.
Last years winner, chef Eric Regan of Hey! You Gonna Eat or What?, is pleased about his participation in the contest. He reports that the $10,000 prize money enabled him to make an investment in the infrastructure of his business. He was able to add better refrigeration and commercial fryers, both of which made it possible to improve the quality of his menu offerings. “The industrial fryers are especially important because the heat recovery time is so much better – food cooks faster and doesn’t retain as much oil,” Regan explained.
After upgrading the equipment in his trailer, Regan relocated to the new Picnic (1720 Barton Springs Rd) food court where he’s seen a 30% increase in his business. He’s currently looking for a travel trailer to refurbish. Regan is eager to serve the established clientele at his original spot in the trailer lot at Gibson and S. Congress. And, yes, he’s entered in the Truck by Truckwest again this year!
This article appears in October 17 • 2014.