By Esther Hackleman  |  Caller Times
Festival will be from noon to midnight Saturday.
Line up to the sound of idling engines and sizzling grills at the inaugural Food Truck Festival on Saturday in downtown Corpus Christi.
Fueling the fast food craze that has hit Corpus Christi, the festival will feed street food creations by nearly 40 food trucks to residents from noon to midnight at the intersection of Peoples and Chaparral Streets.
“It’s going to be a food truck explosion,” organizer John Garcia said.
The response from food trucks has been so overwhelming that Garcia said several vendors who could not attend this year have already requested to be part of next year’s celebration. The 36 food trucks serving at the festival are coming from outside the city limits as well. Vendors from Portland, Bishop, McAllen, Alice, Robstown and Rockport are on the roster.
“(The festival) means excitement,” said Elizabeth Carrillo-Gonzalez, owner of Los Antojitos. “I just recently opened my food truck in December. … We’re always creating something new and can’t wait to share that at the festival.”
In addition to the assortment of flavors available, families can have some fun with a ribbon-cutting, live music, a photo booth and a kids zone. Kicking off the celebration will be 21 minutes of music by Selena to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the beloved Tejano singer’s death. Local live musicians will perform between the hot dog, taco and funnel cake eating contests.
“This (festival) is going to open a lot of opportunities,” Garcia said. “Our goal is to make Corpus Christi a fun destination for all families to enjoy.”
Five percent of festival proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House.
Twitter: @Caller_Esther
IF YOU GO
What: Food Truck Festival
When: noon to midnight Saturday
Where: Intersection of Peoples and Chaparral Streets
Cost: Free; food prices vary
Information: www.facebook.com/events/1775372706018811
Fuel for the festival
The street food creations are certain to bring crowds of food truck lovers downtown. Here’s a taste of some of the vendors who will participate in this year’s inaugural festival.
Food truck: Los Antojitos
Owner: Elizabeth Carrillo-Gonzalez
Food style: Tex-Mex
Most popular dishes: Gorditas and corn in the cup
Food truck: Port of Flames
Owner: Moreno family
Food style: Barbeque
Most popular dishes: The Bomb (a chopped brisket stuffed and loaded potato), turkey legs
Food truck: Coastal Street Eats!
Owner: Ashley Parker
Food style: Coastal cuisine
Most popular dishes: Shrimp fajita tacos, South Philly cheesesteak
Food truck: Taquitos Mi Tierra
Owner: Inocencio Lugo Jr.
Food style: Mexican food
Most popular dishes: Tacos asada, tortas
FOOD TRUCKS
Alice Wonderland Cafe
Bigger Burger
Bookoos All-Beef Hot Dogs
Carrie’s Italian Ice & Treats
Coastal Sol Food Truck
Coastal Street Eats!
Dazed & B’Qued
D’Lish Foods
Espetinhos Brazilian Style Food Truck
Fulton Kettle Corn
Green Light Coffee
Huerta Tamales
Iron Piñata
Island Ice Snow
Katy Snack Shack
Kona Ice
Laredo Taco Company
Leticia’s On Wheels
Los Antojitos
Marley’s Good Bites
Mesquite Street Pizza Bus
Mise En Place
Modern Alchemy Fusion Foods
Munchies Grub Bus
Port of Flames
R&B Funnel Cakes
Rainbow Snowball
Slingerz Food Truck
Snack Cafe
Taco Bar Street
Taquitos Mi Tierra
Texas Grub Wagon
The G-Spot
The MIX Grill
The Piggy Pot
Zoe’s Ribs
