Savory. sweet. spicy. tasty. ...all on wheels

By PAT GARRY Guest Contributor

Some of the best food is found on four wheels. It’s safe to say that we like our food trucks. They’re at our breweries. They’re on the streets. They’re at our events. They’re really everywhere.

We even have our own food truck festivals.

But we’re not complaining. Some of the best local restaurants started out as food trucks, and some of our favorite meals can only be found on fantastic, decorated trucks.

Food trucks are an easy way to get a quick meal without having to deal with fast-food lines and drive-thru lanes. And while food trucks sell a variety of foods, narrowing down which truck is your favorite isn’t easy.

Whether you’re visiting a new city or on the hunt for a new favorite lunch or snack spot in your hometown, sometimes the best freshly made offerings come from these smaller, mobile kitchens. From Korean tacos to mac and cheese sandwiches to bacon truffle fries, these trucks have something for everyone.

But food truck owners can’t just camp out on a street corner and catch a lunch crowd. Food trucks are guided by a litany of rules and regulations that dictate where they are allowed, when and under what conditions. Despite the challenges, food truck owners have found willing audiences in Southern Minnesota, and the scene continues to grow.

Peruse some of the many food trucks accessible in the Southern Scene Minn region. Here are a few for starters.

EVAN’S EATERY New Richland

Daniel Miller and his wife, April, operate Evan’s Eatery food truck out of New Richland, Minnesota. They have a wide variety of folks who come out and get their burgers; from kids, parents, grandparents, blue collar workers, to administrative people, to nurses. Everyone can appreciate a really good burger.

Food trucking in 2023 has really emerged as a legitimate eating option for those who want a little variety and love supporting local.

“When we started in 2018, there weren’t a lot of trucks around, and folks were not aware of what kind of amazing food could come off of a truck. There is a mountain of challenges, from needing dozens upon dozens of licenses for each town you serve in and several different agencies to report to,” said Daniel.

It’s a big job just to change people’s perception of what kind of quality can come out of a food truck.

“When you are a food trucker, you are cook, customer service rep, mechanic, plumber, electrician, accountant, marketing director, and more. among other jobs.This is a very hard profession, and it’s not all good times, but it is very rewarding to see yourself learn and grow,” Miller added.

April and Daniel go to several different events, from breweries, to parking lots, events, and company lunches. They post on Facebook (Evan’s Eatery) where they will be next.

The Millers occasionally travel to Mankato and have plans to visit Albert Lea, Waseca, Owatonna, and other areas. Weekends are generally reserved for fairs, festivals, breweries and special events. As far as the menu goes, Miller says they like to carry the foods that they like to eat when they go out.

These items include bison burgers, chicken quesadillas, waffle fries and onion rings, among other delicious items. Newer additions to the menu include their hamburgers, bacon, sweet and spicy chili, and loaded waffle fries with toppings such as chili, cheese, green onion and sour cream.

“It’s a good way to get your foot in the door,” Miller said, noting the startup for a food truck business was significantly less than a traditional restaurant. He and his wife prefer the mobility as well, as it allows them to bring their food to the customers while attending a variety of fairs, events and parks.

“It’s something we enjoy doing,” he said. “It’s our future plan to do this full-time.” some food items are out of stock. Lately it’s been briskets and Nathan’s hot dogs, so he tries to stock up when he can find them.

“Personally, I love the wide variety of trucks in the area. Imminent Brewing in Northfield has multiple, different trucks every week. I love trying new vendors and get amazed at what these great cooks and chefs are creating in such a small area. I haven’t had any bad interactions with other food trucks at events. I’ve received so much encouragement and advice from other owners. They all seem to be really great people,” DeMann explained.

Troy travels in the southern metro, down to Owatonna area and south to Faribault. The Bingo Pete’s Truck features a variety of smoked foods. The static menu is pulled pork, hoop sausage, bacon cheddar brats, and Nathan’s

BINGO PETE’S BBQ

Northfield

Troy DeMann owns the Northfield-based Bingo Pete’s BBQ truck. The name originated from a competition team Troy was a part of when he lived in Kansas City, which is where he learned to love low and slow BBQ.

“My customers are all shapes, types, and sizes. Everyone loves some good low and slow smoked BBQ food. Don’t come here to get skinny,” said DeMann. According to Troy, the food truck industry in Southern Minnesota is booming.

“I think the status is really good. For our second year in business, we actually have to turn down a little bit of work right now, mostly because it is not my full time job, but I honestly think I could have made the leap this year with how much work we get offered. I think I was the right guy in the right place when we started,” DeMann added.

Troy was invited to some of the bigger events in the area, like the Defeat of Jesse James Days in Northfield, and the traders market in Elko, which is three weekends a year.

As for challenges, DeMann still, at times, goes to his supplier and finds hot dogs. Troy also swaps in a wide selection of special items…from pork belly cinnamon rolls, short rib/brisket smoked cheese burgers, to Texas Twinkies (jalapeño stuffed with multiple cheese and smoked brisket, wrapped in bacon and smoked to awesomeness).

“I also like to just try new things and give samples away to get reactions. I’m still learning a lot as I go. I love engaging customers and getting feedback,” said DeMann.

“I try to keep our Facebook page updated (facebook.

Check

Blake’s BETtor Spread (Waseca based) facebook.com/Blakesbettorspread

Bleu Duck - The Duck Truck (Rochester based) bleuduckkitchen.com/ the-duck-truck

Brat Dogs (Owatonna based) com/MinnesotasOriginalBratDogsfacebook.

Cafe Shawn (Northfield based) facebook.com/cafeshawn

Che Che’s Lunchera (Kenyon based) 507-323-0914, restaurant.business.siteche-ches-lunchera-

Delicious Papusas (Faribault based) 507-491-4168, on Facebook

El Jefe (Faribault based) 507-838-8027, Food Truck El Jefe on Facebook Firebrick Bread Wood-Fired Pizza (Zumbrota based) firebrickbread.com

Gray Duck Concessions (White Bear Lake based) grayduckconcessions. com com/bingopetesbbq). I’d say that’s the best way to keep up with where we will be. In late August, we actually have some great public events coming up and everyone is welcome,” he added. Nearly 50% of DeMann’s business is rooted in private events. In his most recent and biggest event a few weeks ago, he discovered he could serve more than one guest per minute. That’s a lot of goodies in such a short window (bingopetes@gmail.com). 

Journalist-Copywriter-Editor-Feature Writer, Pat Garry applies his skills and experience across Southern Minnesota. Reach out at patgarry@charter.net.

Hammer Q (Dodge Center based) hammerq.com

Heavy Metal Grill (Lakeville based) theheavymetalgrill.com

Jersey Jo’s Philly Cheesesteaks (Rochester based) jerseyjosfoodtrucksfacebook.com/

Johnny’s Smokin BBQ (Le Sueur based) 507-525-3867, jonnyssmokinbbqfacebook.com/

Lola’s (New Ulm based) facebook.com/ Lolafoodtruck

Noris Cuisine (Geneva) facebook.com/ noriscuisine

Sunny Days Comfort Food (Arlington based) sunnydayscomfortfood.com

Scotty’s Whole Hog Barbecue (Northfield based) scottyswholehogbbq. com

Taqueria Michaels (Faribault based) 507-330-4259, on Facebook

The Brick Oven Bus (Northfield based) facebook.com/brickovenbus

The Pelican (North Mankato based) pelicanfoodtruck.com

The Twisted Chicken (Faribault) facebook.com/twistedchickentruck