What better way is there to showcase your food truck than to participate in the most popular food truck festivals in the United States? These festivals offer their guests not only wonderful culinary creations from different food trucks, but also usually includes live music, kids’ activities and different arts and crafts vendors. It is a great setting to get your name out there to a variety of people.
Here are the top 10 most popular food truck festivals in the U.S.:
L.A. Street Food Fest
This food fest set in Pasadena, California’s Rose Bowl hosts over 100 vendors including food trucks, carts and stands. With its offering of both local favorites and international cuisines, the L.A. Street Food Fest gets a big turnout every year. They even offer VIP amenities including early admission, private parking and even a tasting lounge. If you are on the West Coast, this is an event you don’t want to miss. Find out more here.
Sea Isle City Food Truck Fest
During the summer and early fall, the New Jersey shore is a mecca for visitors who want to enjoy the sunshine and the beach and ocean. That is why the Sea Isle City Food Truck Fest is always such a big hit. Some years this three-day event is held twice. The best food trucks from the tristate area are invited to participate so it is an event you won’t want to miss out on. This festival tries to offer a little bit of everything from waffles to seafood to ethnic specialities. Held at Kix McNutley’s at 63rd and Landis Avenue, this year’s festivities will be held in June and in September. Find out more here.
Chicago Food Truck Festival
This food truck festival in June in Chicago, Illinois, is a foodie’s dream. Their vendors’ list is always a veritable who’s who’s in the food truck world. They offer a variety of culinary creations from Indian cuisine to cheese steaks and fries. If you operate in the Chicago or surrounding area, this is a food truck festival you don’t want to miss. Check it out here.
Columbus Food Truck Festival
The Columbus Food Truck Festival in August at the Columbus Commons in Columbus, Ohio, is another popular three-day event that usually over 70 food trucks. This is a family-friendly affair that include kid-friendly activities like a carousel and a jumping castle. Arts and crafts vendors will also be selling their wares. Columbus favs like Indonesian and Mediterranean-American cuisine are usually on the menu. Get more information here.
Atlanta Street Food Festival
For this food festival, the setting is almost as important as the food. Held at the historic Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Street Food Festival is an internationally-recognized food festival that includes everything from sushi to tapas. The park dates back to 1822 when a farm was carved out of forest. Enjoy both beautiful scenery and delicious food. More information about the Atlanta Street Food Festival here.
Seattle Street Food Festival
The Seattle Street Food Festival is the largest food festival in Washington State. Held in the South Lake Union neighborhood in Seattle, this three-day food festival takes you around the world with Greek, Japanese and Vietnamese favorite recipes. The next one is in August. Learn more here.
Main Street Food Truck Festival
Specialties like smoked salmon and Mexican tamales are on the menu at this festival that started as a way to revitalize Main Street in Little Rock, Arkansas. Food trucks will be lining Main Street from 4th to 8th Street. This year it will be held in October and there will be food and entertainment on every block. Get more information here.
Street Eats Food Truck Festival
In Scottsdale Arizona, the Street Eats Food Truck Festival is considered the biggest food truck festival in the Southwest. Besides food trucks, attendees enjoy live music, eating contests and even cooking demos. Unlike many food truck festivals which are in the spring or summer months, this one is typically held in late January or early February at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale. A few professional chefs also offer cooking classes. Learn more here.
Eat the Street
This food truck festival is a regular feature in Oahu, Hawaii. The last Friday of every month at Kaka’ ako Gateway Park, foodies can enjoy local Hawaiian street food including fan favorites like the Aloha Plate, Girls Who Bake and the Kau Kau Grill. Find out the dates for the next festival here.
Taste of Three Cities – Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia
This event is more of a battle of food trucks from these three cities, Baltimore, Washington D.C., than just a festival If you win an award or even better the Triple Crown Cup it would be an important feather in your cup and help you gain more loyal followers. The judges of the competition includes some local celebrities and food experts. The Taste of Three Cities visits each city for a competition. There are family activities that the kids will enjoy too. Get information on the Baltimore event here.
The Cape Cod Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
At the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in East Falmouth, Massachusetts, the Cape Cod Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival is held in August and besides top food trucks also boasts the best regional and national craft beers. What goes better together than craft beer and good eats?
If you can afford to travel with your food truck, don’t be afraid to check out food truck festivals in other states across the country. The more you put your name out there, the bigger impact you will be sure to have. You will also learn a lot from other food truck owners and experience different types of cuisines and new ways to approach dishes you are already cooking.
The food truck community loves to support each other so don’t miss out on these opportunities to not only earn a profit, but to also network and grow as a chef and business owner.
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hey, i have to do a presentation about food trucks, and i am kinda stuck, because i have to search for: what is the food that is on a food truck festival. so yeah do you get my struggle, i was hoping you could help me
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Food Truck Fridays in Reno Nevada??? Surprised that’s not a top ten
American Food Truck Festivals is an amazing event that goes around Connecticut in to Massachusetts