The loud chatter of food fanatics, the smell of greasy burgers and barbecue and the pure joy and satisfaction on the food truck lovers’ faces as they milled around the Dixon Gallery and Gardens made for a good “Food Truck Friday†in Memphis.
Although the food-truck trend came a little late to the Bluff City, diverse assortments of trucks now excite “foodies†of all ages and provide business opportunities for enterprising chefs.
“The food truck industry has become increasingly popular over the years because of the convenience of the locations of the trucks and because of the flavorful foods they have to offer,†Keith Paul, the president of Memphis Food Truckers Alliance, said.
The concept of receiving meals on wheels dates back to the early 1800s when vendors sold food from pushcarts and wagons in New York City, then known as New Amsterdam. Popular vendor Oscar Mayer then developed the first portable hot dog cart known as “The Wiener Mobile.â€
Fast forward to seven years ago when the Memphis City Council approved a pilot program to allow food trucks to operate in designated spots around town. Initially, the new ordinance attracted a handful of vendors, but now 25 registered food trucks belong to MFTA.
One reason for the Memphis food truck boom is the low cost of owning one of these businesses. Entrepreneur chefs can start a food truck for as little as $85,000, which is significantly cheaper than the cost of opening a stationary restaurant.
Say Cheese, Central BBQ and Raw Girls are three of the many food trucks stationed in the Memphis area. Say Cheese food truck serves different types of grilled cheese sandwiches, and Central BBQ sells its famous barbecue sandwiches and nachos. Raw Girls, a truck specializing in vegan entrees and desserts, has multiple trucks all around Memphis.
Food truck fanatics can find these food trucks and others at the Food Truck Roundup downtown on Thursdays at Court Square, parked around Muddy’s on Cooper on Saturday afternoons and even on Tiger Lane. Last year’s food truck rodeo on Tiger Lane became one of the largest gatherings of food trucks in one area in Memphis.
Kaitlyn White, a 22-year-old food truck lover, visits Raw Girls in Overton Square frequently.
“I love how Raw Girls is fresh and organic,†she said. “I enjoy what I am eating without having to feel guilty when I eat at a food truck.â€
Raw Girls is not the only food truck specializing in healthy foods in the Memphis area. Millie’s Garden makes fresh salads daily. The owner, Cindy Buchanan, came up with the idea to open a food truck after she was laid off from her previous job — a job where she brought tasty salads that she made at home to her co-workers for lunch.
“I love making fresh foods for customers daily and haven’t regretted it,†Buchanan said.
Grace Hill is a junior nursing major at the University of Memphis and has enjoyed the Say Cheese truck.
“When I first heard about the Say Cheese food truck, I wanted to try it just because the name made me giggle,†Hill said. “Not only did I love the way the food truck looked, but the grilled cheese was amazing.â€
