The Food Truck craze is sweeping the nation! It was only a matter of time before mobile food mania finally hit Lake County. While not as prevalent as in metropolitan areas, you can still find your foodie fix when these trucks make the trip to our area or by hiring them for your next special event. More and more events are popping up every day so plan to add Food Trucks to your summer bucket list!
Food Trucks in Lake County
The key to a successful food truck experience is to scout them out online first. Find out where the food truck will be and when via their website or social media. There are even Facebook groups dedicated to food trucks, check out Volo Food Trucks, for example. If online ordering is available do it! Or decide what you want ahead of time from the online menu and be ready with your order. Otherwise, be prepared to wait. If the lines are any indication, the food should be worth it!
It certainly gives the phrase “off the back of a truck” a whole new (and tastier) meaning. If you’re lucky, you’ll find these Food Trucks serving in an area near you soon:
Taste of Paris – Many of you may already be familiar with Chef Claude’s Restaurant and Bakery in Mundelein, whom we previously featured in our Passport to Flavor series. They also have a mobile catering truck. You have probably seen the converted blue ice cream truck, Chef on Wheels, at various Farmer’s Markets or at Tighthead Brewing Company.
The Fat Shallot – Owned and operated by husband-and-wife-duo, Sam Barron, and Sarah Weitz, The Fat Shallot brings made-to-order sandwiches with a gourmet pedigree. Sam has cooked in four-star Chicago restaurants, a three-star Michelin restaurant in Spain, and has traveled the globe with his wife building their culinary portfolio.
The Slide Ride – We love the stories of entrepreneurial women who trade in their corporate heels to follow their dreams, but we especially love when those stories involve sliders! Owner Nida Rodriguez and her team bring non-traditional twists to the humble slider, dressing things up with flavors like spicy Sriracha Buffalo Chicken, Korean BBQ, or Bacon Baby Burgers.
Toasty Cheese – When someone said “Duck Bacon,” I knew I had to make a special effort to track down the Toasty Cheese truck myself for my own personal visit. Toasty Cheese brings the humble grilled cheese sandwich to a whole new level by pairing it with ingredients such as caramelized jalapenos in their Ragin’ Regan sandwich, grass-fed ribeye in their Big Blue and the elusive Duck Bacon in their Chef’s Choice sandwich.
Mario‘s Cart – Husband and wife Mario and Anita Ortiz are taking their treats to the streets! Together they have over 25 years of experience in the food industry. Mario was born in Mexico and his wife is a 100% Italian New Yorker who now lives in Chicago. Their menu reflects Mexican, Italian, and Chicago favorites like Chile Verde, Sausage & Pepper Sandwiches, Chicken Parm, and Flautas.
Louie B. Fresh Mobile Kitchen & Catering – Wrapping and spinning the freshest food in town like wraps, fresh salads, and hot fries!
Grill Chasers – Time to get fired up! Grill Chasers brings skewers, wings, and wraps to a location near you with delicious sides like Mac ‘n Cheese or Bacon Beer Cheese Fries. Excuse me while I mop up some drool…
Food Truck Events in Lake County
Don’t worry about chasing down a truck. These events tell you where and when to find your favorite trucks. BE sure to check the listings for full details and details about pre-ordering and capacity restrictions.
Volo Food Trucks
Nearly daily at the Volo Village Hall, 500 S. Fish Lake Rd. The schedule for the week is posted every Monday in the Facebook group.
Lake Zurich Food Truck Social
Wednesdays, June 9 – September 29, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Located at the Village of Lake Zurich, 70 East Main Street.
There will be a rotation of food trucks visiting Lake Zurich’s “Block A”, across from the promenade. Admission is free and the event will feature live music.
Wildwood Park District Summer Food Truck Series
June 11, 6:00 – 8:45 p.m., Tropical Chill Hawaiian Shaved Ice and Ice Cream Truck.
June 25, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. The Daily Special Food Truck.
Deer Park Town Center Food Truck Series
Every Third Saturday, June – October 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Food trucks will be located on the road in front of Pottery Barn & Kendra Scott.
Did we miss your favorite truck or fest? Share it in the comments, we will be updating all summer long!
By Loralie
Hainesville
When Loralie isn’t out exploring with her two pint-sized adventurers you’ll often find her in front of her computer plotting to take over the world (or at least Lake County.) She appreciates good friends, good food, expensive shoes and parents who make two lanes in the drop-off/pick-up line at school. Her spirit animal is The Hobbit. She invites you to join her on her quest for unique distractions, diversions and deliciousness in this county we call home.
https://www.facebook.com/events/409600102705588/
Be sure to see all the trucks at Lake County’s Food Truck Frenzy on April 22, 2017 from 12-5 at the Lake County Fairgrounds!
Hi! The Block A – Food Truck Social is actually at 173 W Main Street, across from the promenade! You can follow us on Facebook or on IG to stay up to date!
https://www.facebook.com/blockAsocialLakeZurich/
@blockAsocialLakeZurich
Lucky Burger Food Truck serving 1/2 lb craft burgers, Fresh cut fries and tots out of Mundelein. Our truck visits Volo 3-4 times a month, Park on Park in Mundelein, and various Lake County breweries.