Food lovers had an opportunity to sample tastes from around the world at the fourth annual Food Truck a Palooza at the Monroeville Convention Center.
At least a thousand people turned out for Saturday’s event presented by Good Taste! Pittsburgh.
It featured a more open layout with a greater food selection despite a few less trucks than previous years.
“We tried a new concept,” said Dee Weinberg, Good Taste! Pittsburgh president. “We themed the show this year ‘Around the World,’ and we have lots of global food trucks here and some of the favorite American foods. People are really enjoying it. It’s something different.”
Michael Dick of Wilkins said his favorite dish was gator bites from A Taste of N’awlins. The bites are made from wild alligator dusted with cornmeal and fried, served with a cajun aioli, a Mediterranean sauce.
“I think they tried diversifying the food, making it more ethnic,” Dick said. “I think at an event like this you have to try something different. I’ve never had gator before, so go with that and see how it was. It was pretty much like a cajun boneless chicken wing.”
Dick said there were more barbecue trucks last year, and he hopes to see some of them return next time.
Brent Better of Monroeville chowed down on chicken tacos from La Palapa.
“It’s good quality stuff, good flavor,” Better said. “There are less trucks and bigger aisles. If there’s a line, you’re not trapped.”
The most popular crepe dish at the event came from Pgh Crepes. It featured strawberries, bananas and a little Nutella for a chocolaty touch.
“It’s always been a great show and we love it,” said Regina Adams, co-owner of Pgh Crepes. “We love the organizers, and everything is great. This is the first show of the year. It’s always great to come back for the season.”
Adams said the winter can be a challenging time for food truck operators because they usually serve people outdoors.
“People don’t like to be in the cold waiting,” she said. “It’s really great that we have an opportunity to serve indoors so we have more customers.”
Terry Speal, of Speals on Wheels, said his Philly wraps were very popular, and he sold out of his famous candy bacon. It’s slow cooked bacon served cold with brown sugar, black pepper and other seasonings Speal would not disclose.
The event also featured live entertainment from Miss Freddye and Three Sides, axe throwing from Lumberjaxes, face painting and games.
Monroeville Volunteer Fire Co. No. 6 members once again walked the site repeatedly with carbon monoxide detectors, and enforced other safety measures such as limiting food truck fuel usage to one 20-pound propane tank at a time.
Fire Chief Corye Ramsey said there were no incidents and the area was properly ventilated.
A portion of the event proceeds benefit the fire company. It received at least $2,000 in previous years.
It’s unclear how much the fire company would get this time.
Last year’s Food Truck a Palooza took place in March.
Weinberg said having it in January gives people something to experience after the holidays, and they plan on having it again next January.
