Mobile Baykeeper's annual Bay Bites Food Truck Festival will take over Cooper Riverside Park on July 26. Here, we offer an inside look at all of the delicious eats that will be available from 11 local food trucks. Bon appetit!
1. Bacon My Day
The Bacon My Day food truck sells sandwiches and quesadillas of every variety that are sure to make you squeal. Burgers, pulled pork, chicken and seafood are served in a multitude of ways on buns, with fries and covered peppers and onions or their signature JuJu sauce.
WHAT TO TRY: Try the Foreman (named after food truck chef David Foreman), a corned beef reuben on rye bread with cheese, sauerkraut, bacon and JuJu sauce; the PorkiBelle, a plate of French fries covered in pulled pork, bacon, cheese and barbecue sauce; or the Crazy Crustacean, a sesame bun full of grilled shrimp, bacon, peppers and onions, cheese and JuJu sauce.
2. Bleus Burger
Practice your burger-eating hunch with premium blended chuck, brisket and short rib patties at Bleus Burger. Branded buns overflow with tasty cheeses, crisp veggies and specialty sauces including their signature Bleus Sauce. The truck also offers sharable snack foods like shrimp tacos, quesadillas and loaded fries.
WHAT TO TRY Go for the Highway 61 burger, a 1/3 pound house grind patty with cheddar cheese, bacon, arugula, candied jalapenos, fried onions and tasty barbecue sauce. On the side, order a Golden French Fry Bowl topped with smoked Boston butt, candied jalapenos, gorgonzola cream, pico de gallo and jalapeno lime aioli.
3. Crabby T’s Catering
Crabby T’s fresh options include chicken and pork, varying seafood dishes and alternating cuts of beef along with potatoes, rice dishes, roasted vegetables and side salads. Their truck also offers specialties such as sandwiches, shrimp and grits, seafood kebabs and tempting finger foods like nachos.
WHAT TO TRY Crabby T’s chef Sean Travis suggests the signature Authentic Maryland-Style Crab Cake, featuring three different types of crab meats. Blue crab meat, lump back-fin meat and claw meat are combined with peppers, onions and house seasoning and served on a fresh brioche bun topped with an accompanying creole remoulade sauce.
4. The Crepe Crusader
The Crepe Crusader serves up crepes and more to whet every appetite. Sweet fruits and savory meats fill the menu for options ranging from pork crepes to cheesecake. Not in the mood for a crepe? Have a waffle! Chicken and waffles, waffle sandwiches and tacos round out the menu.
WHAT TO TRY The fan favorite is Jami’s Waffle Monte Cristo with black forest ham and melted smoked Gouda, while the staff opts for the BBQ Pulled Pork crepe with pulled pork, slaw, sauce and special pickles.
5. Grillbillies BBQ Company
Competition-style barbecue is more than a hobby; it’s a lifestyle for the pecan wood grill masters at Grillbillies food truck. The Chunchula-based barbecue team, led by David Clarke and his wife Shelby and daughter Gracie, opened a food truck to share the gospel with a side of smoked meat. Taste the competitive difference with their signature smoked ribs, pulled pork, chicken, Conecuh sausage and tasty sides.
WHAT TO TRY Order the pulled pork nachos: White corn chips are topped with their tender pulled pork and a signature rub, then it’s all slathered in Grillbillies barbecue sauce and nacho cheese.
6. Kraken Catering
Dishes from the Kraken Catering Company’s food truck are seafood-focused with other variations such as specialty meats, Cajun staples, classic dinner plates, savory sandwiches and salads to please every eater. The menu changes with every stop they make, showcasing signature dishes including beef brisket, shrimp baskets and mahi tacos.
WHAT TO TRY Chef-owners Adam and Jennifer Alford recommend the Kraken Fries (pronounced “crack-en”). These crinkle-cut fries are topped with perfectly fried shrimp, crumbled bacon and parmesan cheese before getting covered in a creole cream sauce.
7. Mother Shucker’s
Mother Shucker’s Corn Roasters serves up corn-on-the-cob cooked directly in the husk. The stand-alone trailer can roast up to 250 ears per hour to toasted perfection. They keep it plain and simple, so you can spice up your cobs to your heart’s content.
WHAT TO TRY Nathan McDuffie, owner and operator of Mother Shuckers, prefers a traditional route for his tasty cobs. His choice is the Mexican elote, a freshly roasted ear of corn covered in mayonnaise or butter and then sprinkled with parmesan cheese and chili powder.
8. Puglies Mexican Cuisine
At the Puglies food truck, tasty Mexican cuisine abounds with fresh flavor and funky flare. Their top-selling tacos are stuffed with signature meats such as fajita chicken, shredded beef or carnitas and then piled high with toppings.
WHAT TO TRY Chef and owner Jennifer Welch's top pick is “The Squealer, ” a smoked pulled pork taco dressed with toppings and queso fresco. She admits that the fan favorite, though, is the “Fat Pug” nacho platter piled high with a choice of meat, melted cheese and quintessential nacho dressings.
9. Wemo’s Wings
The namesake wings from West Mobile are sure to add a little kick to your day straight from the streets. With 10 of their 25 sauce flavors available for traditional and boneless wings, there are plenty of options on the spectrum between spice and nice.
WHAT TO TRY Shannon Walters, owner/operator of Wemo’s Wings Street Kitchen, suggests tossing your wings in Buffalo, Honey Barbecue, Lemon Pepper, Buffalo Garlic, Hot Honey or mo-Asian sauce and getting a side of Buffalo Chicken fries. Crinkle cut fries with warm queso cheese, boneless wings, housemade ranch dressing and buffalo sauce are sure to please.
10. Chill Yogurt
Chill's frozen yogurt truck offers three self-serve machines with fun flavors like yellow cake batter gelato and watermelon sorbet, as well as more traditional flavors like chocolate and vanilla custard. Spin your flavors into big cups and top them with candies, fruit or syrup.
WHAT TO TRY Go for the mixes. Yellow cake batter and or-e-yo cookie combine to make cookie cake; chocolate and strawberry make chocolate covered strawberry; and vanilla and watermelon make watermelon-vanilla chill twist.
11. Frio’s Gourmet Pops
Frio’s Gourmet Pops are made with locally sourced fruits, wholesome dairy and organic cane sugar with flavors ranging from sweet and fruity to rich and creamy and every combination in between.
WHAT TO TRY Frio’s founder Andy Harp favors the banana pudding pop with slices of fresh banana and crunchy vanilla cookies, but other fan favorites include tangy key lime pie with fresh limes and graham cracker and sweet orange with freshly squeezed orange juice.
Event Details
When: Wednesday, July 26 // 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Where: Cooper Riverside Park in Downtown Mobile
Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at gate (includes three drink vouchers, food separate)
Host: Mobile Baykeeper’s Young Advisory Council
Live music: Roadside Glorious out of New Orleans
For more information, visit the Bay Bites Food Truck Festival event page on Facebook or email Mobile Baykeeper Development Director Justine Herlihy at [email protected].
Text by Hallie King
