By, Darlene Mae O’Connor
Not just for the circus or carnival caravans anymore, food trucks are rapidly growing in popularity. Exponential growth in culinary variety and unprecedented opportunities for serving it up at: flourishing festivals, class reunions, large family events and even wedding venues; restaurants on wheels are on a roll.
Food trucks hold an important placard in American history. Dating back to early Americana and the Chuckwagons provided staples to the settlers, later setting up on campuses of universities in the northeast such as; Yale, Harvard and Princeton, making meals for the student and professional scholars.
the “Wienermobile”. This brilliant advertising scheme to sell hot
dogs became a beloved feature of parades and county fairs, while making
appearances nationwide at hospitals, orphanages and schools, paving the
way for the Fun Food of the 50’s to flood neighborhoods to the delight of
children and adults. Wherever people gather, “I scream, you scream we all
scream for the Ice Cream Truck”!
Oscar Meyer launched the first food truck craze in the mid 1930’s by introducing the “Wienermobile”. This brilliant advertising scheme to sell hot dogs became a beloved feature of parades and county fairs, while making appearances nationwide at hospitals, orphanages and schools, paving the way for the Fun Food of the 50’s to flood neighborhoods to the delight of children and adults. Wherever people gather, “I scream, you scream we all scream for the Ice Cream Truck”!
Today, food trucks offer a veritable selection of moveable feasts. From the sweet simple fare of cotton candy and fried dough to the more sophisticated menus of Mexican, Mediterranean, Italian and Asian Cuisine. The plethora of American Bar B Que Trucks offer flavors as varied as the regions from whence they came and every city’s prized original pizza is sold by the slice on trucks across the country. Food Trucks give us the opportunity to sample foods from around the world while frequently found somewhere close to home.
Holy Taco Tuesday, my heart leaped with joy and skipped a beat at the site of Jamestown’s new Taco Hut Truck during the Whirlybird Festival in Jamestown. For too many years I’ve been deprived of great Taco’s and the legendary Taco Hut Beef & Cheese Burrito, layered with that special secret sauce, so I am extremely pleased to Thank, Amber Mason and Rick Faulknerfor bringing back the time-honored Taco Hut Tradition. The Hut is an important part of our community’s identity and it thrills me to know that Jim’s legacy will continue to be written into the chapters of our local story. The revival of his one-of-a-kind dream made possible by Amber and Rick, will preserve an iconic piece of our city’s history for our posterity. In Lakewood people have been lining up early for the Hut Truck on Taco Tuesday at Group Ther-Happy. They fill the sidewalk, but there is always room for you. For Taco Truck news, current menus and up-coming appearances, find them @ Taco Hut Truck on Facebook.
While delivering the Happy News of The Villager, I met Chef Byron, owner of, The Best of Buffalo by Byron food truck.Hailing from Mayville, Byron slammed onto the Southern Tier food truck scene this summer, cultivating foody fans across the Alleghany region. Having worked at Frank and Tereasa’s Anchor Bar in Buffalo, when I was at UB, I wondered if he too, knew the true story behind the world-renowned Buffalo Chicken Wings. He absolutely did; impressive. It’s like he said, “If you’re going to do regional food right, you have to know the back story”. Byron invited me to take his Beef on Weck challenge when I saw him again at the Big Inlet Brewery for the Bluegrass festival. I did and it was a big win win!
For reviews and to see Bryon’s full menu of Authentic Southern Tier Favorites, or to find the Bright Red Truck at a future event, or for Catering Inquiries, Check him out on Facebook and Yelp @ The Best of Buffalo by Byron.
My next pick is located at 274 East Fairmount Avenue in Lakewood. This stationary food truck known as, Farmer Browns Beef and MOOOOre, celebrated 10 years of fabulous food service and sweet tasting success this year. When I visited for lunch last Sunday, there were many weekly regulars from all over the county. Unfamiliar with the menu I asked the young man working the counter, what I should order. Without hesitation he said I should try the ½ rack of smoked ribs, mac & cheese and slaw, I did and he was spot on. The wings surprised my pallet with a uniquely sweet smokey flavor and the slaw was tasty without being wet. I even liked the mac & cheese.
Jeremy Hirliman, the man with a plan for this family business, executes flawlessly. An original owner, he has built this delightful operation from the ground up. I was extremely impressed by the truck’s cleanliness and the staff’s superior customer service. The outdoor seating area is ample and immaculate.
Currently they serve from 11am-9pm, everyday. Starting on September 1st and until they close in November, they will additionally serve breakfast at 9am.
For more info, Google Farmer Browns Beef and Moooore, peruse their menu and see their ratings.
They can be reached by phone at 716 -490 -5912 or you can find them on Facebook @
Farmer Browns Beef and Moore.