In October 2013, DHI hosted the inaugural Downtown Huntsville food truck gathering with live music, large crowds, and several of the best mobile food vendors in Alabama. What started as a one-night trial soon grew into a full Food Truck Season in 2014. Now the traditional 3rd Friday events bring food truck tastiness to Downtown from May to October each year.
Do you remember some of this early news coverage for the first food truck rallies?
“Downtown Huntsville to Host Largest Congregation of Street Food Vendors Anywhere in Alabama”
Since 2013, the event has grown into one of the most popular culinary gatherings in Alabama as over 40 different vendors have participated through the years. This year, the Food Truck All Stars, presented by ValleyMLS, returns this May with exciting new additions (we’ll share more on that in a future Explorer blog post). Indeed, the food truck culture in Huntsville has expanded beyond Downtown to include Cummings Research Park, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, and a wide variety of breweries and other destinations throughout the Rocket City.
In addition to the tens of thousands of guests served over the last six years of Downtown food truck rallies, we’re especially proud of the fact that several of these amazing mobile food vendors have opened “brick and mortar” restaurants as well. And, while not all of them are located in Downtown, all of them were valuable parts of the Downtown Huntsville food truck experience.
Let’s take a look at these food truck success stories…
Café on Wheels Neon Lily
Many food truck veterans remember the bright orange trailer and tasty Eurasian food from Neon Lily. In February, owner Taylor Liliya became the latest food truck operator to open a storefront as she co-located Neon Lily’s Eurasian Cuisine with Huntsville’s newest brewery, Bowler Hat Brewing Company. Come enjoy pierogi, Siberian pielmemy, pork Taiga nachos and more at her location on US 72!
Fire & Spice
Thousands in Huntsville have enjoyed signature tacos from long-time food truck operators LeAndra and Thomas Poux. In 2017, the couple expanded their unique fusion of old school Tex-Mex and new age Central Texas Barbecue to their restaurant in South Huntsville, allowing their fans the opportunity to get their Fire & Spice fix in a seated setting.
Sugar Belle
Selling their delicious cupcakes from the rear of a converted commercial RV, Sugar Belle could be found at the first-ever Downtown food truck rally in October 2013. After impressing their customers with innovative flavors (along with a few classics) over the next several years, Sugar Belle proprietors Andrew and Lee Judge opened their Jordan Lane storefront in 2015. And, while cupcakes are still front and center, the Sugar Belle store has evolved into a full bakery, a sandwich shop, and a featured stop on the Downtown Huntsville Craft Coffee Trail.
Earth & Stone Wood-Fired Pizza
Tina Ford and Stan Stinson have quickly become one of Huntsville’s most innovative restaurateurs with several different concepts, including barbeque and a self-pour craft beverage space opening soon. Their food industry began with wood oven-fired pizza at Greene Street Market and the early food truck rallies. It was rare for Earth & Stone Wood-Fired Pizza not to be one of the top event sellers each evening with guests travelling from around the region to taste their pizza. Now you can do that 7 days a week at the flagship Earth & Stone restaurant, co-located with Yellowhammer Brewing at Campus No. 805.
Rollin Lobstah
After a trip to the Northeast, Vonda Patterson decided to take the bold step of bringing a lobster food truck to Huntsville. Ever since, Huntsvillian’s have made Rollin’ Lobstah and its Maine- or Connecticut-style rolls one of the most popular food trucks at each Downtown food truck rally. Lobster lovers can now get the “Best darn lobstah rolls this side da ocean” (including an amazing lobster-centric weekend brunch) at the Rollin’ Lobstah restaurant on Airport Road.
Piper & Leaf
With several stores in Huntsville, Piper & Leaf could be found at some of the earliest food truck rallies satisfying attendees’ thirsty palates as one of the tent vendors. Originally operating under another name (can you test your memory and recall that name?), Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea Company has become one of Huntsville’s most popular beverage brands, including their stop on the Downtown Huntsville Craft Coffee Trail at Constitution Park on Gates Avenue.
Big Foot’s Little Donuts
Most vendors had long lines at the early food truck rallies, but the absolute longest was almost always found at a tiny trailer serving tiny donuts. It was hardly a surprise to find lines 100+ people long waiting for a box of Bigfoot’s Little Donuts as a small three-person crew served thousands of mini donut treats. While Bigfoot has retired from the food truck rallies, you can still find their eclectic mix of fried dough goodness at the South Huntsville location on the Parkway!