A year ago, the whole food truck thing in Atlanta was a bit more of a curiosity than the phenomenon it’s become elsewhere. We’ve had the stationary Orleagian Snowball truck for some time and in 2010 the King of Pops stand was just getting off the ground. Atlanta Magazine writer Christiane Lauterbach started a blog last fall and wondered aloud why Atlanta hadn’t caught up with the national trend.
The NomNom Truck in Los Angeles - February 2010
I had my pick in Los Angeles last year when driving around and looking for a truck. Regulations in Atlanta have made it a bit more difficult. The Atlanta Street Food Coalition has made it a bit easier for local folks looking to get into the game and navigate the paperwork involved in such a venture. Atlanta even hosted one of the final stops for the upcoming second season of Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race.
The Pickle Truck at Street Food Thursdays in Midtown
Candy from one of my favorite outfits in town, Sugar Coated Radical
My sloppy but delicious lunch - pork sandwich & sweet potatoes from Sweet Auburn Barbecue
These days it’s a lot easier to find food trucks in Atlanta most weekdays during lunch and at special events and farmer’s markets around town. They may not be able to pick and choose their street corners around town on an hour-by-hour basis like their brethren in Los Angeles and Portland, but many private owners and organizations have worked together to find a place for vendors to ply their wares.
One of the largest regular events is Street Food Thursdays, which brings vendors to various locations along Peachtree Street as well as a notable Atlanta chef cooking for the office workers and residents in Midtown. This past week, a farmer’s market component was a part of the action.
Last week's "Pop-Up Chef| was Shaun Doty of Yeah Burger
Inman Park plays host to street food vendors on Wednesdays in the parking lot of Rathbun’s Restaurant. Vendors have previously included the Yumbii and Just Loaf’n food trucks, the Rattletrap coffee van, Jake’s Ice Cream and the King of Pops.
Shrimp po'boy
Rattletrap Coffee Van
Street Food Wednesdays in Inman Park
The scene is constantly changing and updates are made at a moment’s notice. Twitter and Facebook remain the best way to keep abreast of the changes, as well as the Atlanta Street Food Coalition’s own website and blog. I’ve provided a listing below of a selected regular events, but keep an eye on the Interwebs for changes.
This post is also my inaugural post in connection with Scoutmob. If this is your first time at my blog – Welcome! Be sure to keep tabs on Savory Exposure on twitter and facebook. In addition to Atlanta, Scoutmob is available in major cities nationwide.
TUESDAY EVENINGS - Howell Mill Food Park 1927 Emery Street, Atlanta GA 30318
WEDNESDAY LUNCH – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Stoveworks 112 Krog Street, Atlanta GA 30307
THURSDAY LUNCH – Street Food Thursdays & Pop-Up Chef Along Peachtree Street, with large setups at 999 Peachtree Street and the Woodruff Arts Center
FRIDAYS – Street Food Fridays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (possibly evenings in the future as well, check their twitter feed) Atlantic Station 17 1/2 Street, Atlanta, GA 30363
MIDSUMMER MUSIC & FOOD FESTIVAL June 18, 2011 – Candler Park
Herbs de Provence lemonade ( and my crazy barista friend Jordan) at the Rattletrap Coffee Van
