Cuisine Queen

Where’s The Food Truck?

Cuisine Queen by Paula paula@ocalasgoodlife.com

Downtown Ocala now has a food truck park where it seems there are new vendors weekly. There are so many that “Ocala Food Truck Hub” on Facebook features local food trucks and has almost 4,000 followers! Download the app on Google Play by installing “WTF Where’s The Food Truck?” and look at the options before getting in your car. Because I have been primarily writing about fullservice restaurants for over 20 years, one would think that they are a bit disgruntled to see these trucks moving in. However, if food trucks don’t serve quality food, followers will stop showing up, just like a full-service. Food trucks are also required to pay rent and for the commercial kitchen where they do most of their prep work. They also follow the same regulations and inspections from health inspectors, which can also be seen by the general public.

Stress can run high when things break down in a food truck where there is little room for back-up fryers and fridges. Weather is also a huge factor and can diminish business for hours or days. The food truck business is not as easy or glorious as one thinks!

The top local food trucks/trailers by reviews on Yelp include Big Lee’s Serious About Barbecue, 304-9105, Tom’s Taste of Chicago, (815) 585-2256, Kona Ice, 804-5662, Taqueria Guadalupe, (646) 409-1871, Jimmy’s Philly Cheesesteaks, (833) 454-6697, and Yum Yum Kitchen, 425-0108. Some of these are mobile and some, stationary. For locations, hours and menus, go to menupix.com.

Golden Corral, 690-3020, reopened its doors. General Manager Keith Pangle, who has been with them for over 32 years, says that patrons are again serving themselves but must use the provided gloves at every station and must wear a mask. “We are very strict about gloves and masks,” he says.

In Dunnellon, Gyros King, 547- 6774, is moving from their little deli-size building into the much-larger Carmela’s building on Hwy. 41, very close to the public boat ramp. Big Lee’s Serious About Barbecue Out by Rainbow Lakes Estates, Pavarotti’s Pizza & Restaurant, 522-0025, opened in the plaza at the entrance.

Out in the Forest on East SR 40 in the old Kickin’ Back Cafe, Tony Macarages is opening Pop’s Country Kitchen, 289-4837, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner and specializing in seafood. Breakfast is on Friday and Saturday mornings. Why no after-church Sunday breakfast? “I go to church, too,” Tony replies.

On Sunset Harbor Road by Bird Island, The Anchor, 510-0219, is operating under a soft opening and will be in full swing by April. General Manager and Executive Chef Jeremy Zajac asks patrons to bear with them during the final stages of opening, but the doors are open! They are in the old Fat Daddy’s. He’s working on an outdoor patio and has a full bar with 13 taps.

Storming Crab Boil Cajun Seafood will be opening in the old Ruby Tuesday building on SR 200 after about $20,000 of kitchen renovations. Culvers, known for its ButterBurgers, fried cheese, and frozen custard, will be building a new site next to Bojangles on SR 200 across from the RaceWash Express Car Wash. Growing and healthy food chain Chicken Salad Chick is coming to SR 200 next to Yamato Japanese Steakhouse.

Till next time!