Food Truck Takeover: Battle of the Allstars

It’s time for the first Food Truck Takeover of 2017 and the Jax Food Truck Food Court is starting big! This Saturday, February 4th from 11-4pm, the Battle of the Allstars will be going down at Academy Sports and Outdoors at 11901 Atlantic Blvd! There will be a judged food battle between Jacksonville’s premiere food trucks, a People’s Choice award, an expanded kids play zone, a cash bar, vendors, live entertainment, celebrity judges, and more! You won’t want to miss this kick off event! Bring the whole family, as this is a family and pet friendly event! Without further adieu, below are the Allstars competing this weekend!

The Happy Grilled Cheese: People’s choice for best food truck in all four major Jacksonville publications, The Happy Grilled Cheese is one of Jacksonville’s heavy hitters! Take it cheesy with their Daddy of the Mac and loaded cheese fries. Plus, Pro Tip: you can add mac and cheese to any sandwich if you’re feeling decadent! Our favorite is to add it to the California melt! You’re also not going to want to miss their sweet, decadent, chocolate laden S’mores melt!

Fusion Food Truck: Chef Ashley Amin (winner of top Indian chef in San Diego) brings us the best Indian cuisine in Jacksonville from her truck, proven by being recently named one of the top 50 food trucks in the United States! We highly recommend their award winning banana curry and tikka masala paired with a decadent Thai tea. If sambosas are on the dessert menu, you’ll definitely want to have one or ten! Really, we love everything on Fusion’s menu, so order liberally.

Berndt Ends: This Florida BBQ style food truck came out swinging with bold flavors, low and slow smoked meats, and homemade sauces. They are defining Florida BBQ with their award winning brisket and ribs. Pitmaster Shane Berndt’s 12 years of experience shines through in every dish. Truly, you can’t go wrong with anything off Berndt Ends menu. Even their sides shine all by themselves, don’t miss the dat’l beans and the crak mac (slow smoked mac and cheese)!

Chew Chew: Lobster corndogs anyone? Chew Chew has fused fine dining with food trucking seamlessly. With one of the best food truck menus around, Chew Chew has something for everyone! Try a carnitas burrito, a caprese grilled cheese, General Tso’s tacos, or BBQ sliders with fried jalapenos! This truck is a longtime favorite of Jacksonville foodies. Plus, they were recently named one of the top 50 food trucks in the United States, so you have to celebrate with them!

Hapa Li: This food truck took Jax by storm last year and hasn’t slowed down since. Tender pulled pork, chicken, and their signature spamiyaki burger give us on the mainland a taste of paradise! Specialty items spam musubi and dessert haupia are unique and flavorful and simply can’t be found anywhere else. Your day isn’t complete without living the #hapalife!

Delish Kebabs: You’ll smell these amazing grilled kebabs before you get to the truck! Serving up authentic and award winning Brazilian charcoal grilled kebabs, Delish Kebabs is taking simple food and making it extraordinary. Their bacon wrapped chicken was the winner of the 2014 Food Truck Wars! Don’t miss their yuca fries either. Also, the garlic sauce. OMG the garlic sauce!

Danilo’s Famous Lumpia: It’s called famous for a reason. These Filipino treats are cooked fresh to order every time and are stuffed with beef, vegetables, and spices. Their pancit is phenomenal, and also try their dessert turron too – sweet banana lumpia with your choice of toppings. They’ve even recently started offering their lumpia frozen, so check out their ordering options!

Pie95: If you haven’t heard about this truck yet we aren’t sure where you’ve been. The rustic, smoky flavors of true Neapolitan pizza are the allure to this truck, along with the highly decorated and talented hands behind the pies–Chef Evan Eriksen. Hailing from Michelin starred background, this chef put a true Italian wood fired oven into his trailer and is producing authentic thin crust pizzas with his signature Margheritas, Biancas, Carnivores, Herbivores, and more.

What’s the Catch: Some of the best, most flavorful, and delicious seafood tacos are coming off What’s the Catch food truck. You can find their vintage Airstream at festivals around Jacksonville and beyond, but we are happy to be seeing them more often! We can’t do without their ahi tuna. The best part about What’s the Catch is it’s bringing truly local flavors to the locals – most tacos are inspired by what’s freshly available in Jacksonville.

Seaweeds Maine Lobster Rolls: Who doesn’t love a good lobster roll? Born and raised in Maine, owners Rusty and Judy know how to create them with perfect authenticity. Served on buttery buns, the chunks of lobster meat are plentiful and filling. Whether you want a snack size or a huge meal, Seaweeds will give you your fresh lobster fix!

Blue Pacific Tacos: Award winning tacos including the unique ribeye bulgogi tacos, sriracha beef, and Malaysian satay. Blue Pacific’s bold flavors can’t be found elsewhere! The owner Izzy has travelled the world to hone his culinary skills and brings globe trippin’ flavors to Jacksonville. We think tacos are the perfect food truck rally food, don’t you?

Latin Soul Grille: This truck’s fusion of Latin, Caribbean, Spanish, and BBQ makes for an irresistible menu. Their tender, flavorful chicken thigh tacos and delicious wings are addictions of ours. Their speciality empanadas are made with just as much care! Plus, we think their customer service is some of the best in town. It’s hard not to fall in love with Latin Soul.

Blazin Azn: Bacon fried rice is all we really need to say, but there is SO much more to love at Blazin Azn. Spring rolls, egg rolls, and incredibly tender teriyaki shrimp and chicken are all worth ordering. Plus, they are now featuring sushiritos and a sushi menu on the truck! Chef Charlie loves to surprise us with over the top rally specials too! There’s a fusion of flavors at Blazin Azn so we have faith there is something that everyone will enjoy!

Treemendous BBQ: Voted Best BBQ in Florida at Food Truck Wars, several time People’s Choice Winner, regularly featured on River City Live and News 4 Jax , and nine year brick and mortar veteran with TWO food trucks, Treemendous does not mess around with big flavors! Using everyone’s favorite low and slow technique, this truck offers up mouthwatering turkey, pork, ribs, chicken, and more! Who doesn’t love huge portions of smoked to perfection meats with homemade sides?!

Mama’s Food: Quesadillas, hot sandwiches, rice bowls, and homemade empanadas just like mama used to make. The empanadas are a staple item that you really can’t go wrong with, but we are also never going to turn down their chicken quesadillas. This truck is a veteran of the road and you’ll see why after eating there, you’ll be apart of Mama’s family forever!

A Flying Sausage: This truck has taken off since it opened nearly a year ago (ha, ha)! They’re known for serving breakfast around Jacksonville and recently went to a Breakfast All Day Menu hurray, but for lunch and dinner, if their lamb gyro with lamb sausage, lettuce, tomatoes, and tzatziki is available it’s a winning choice for sure! These handmade, perfectly seasoned, gourmet sausages will have you soaring with happiness! Check out their offered “Flights” of sausage at the Takeovers to try a little of everything!

Mr Potato Spread: Not a single person on this planet can turn down a massive loaded potato. Mr Potato Spread is fulfilling this great need in Jax with over the top potatoes and loaded fries that will carb load you right into heaven. Want it topped with broccoli and cheese? Go for it. Want it loaded down with meat? They’ve got you covered. Want it covered in CRAB BOIL?! Your dreams have come true.

Cuban Fire Grill: Cuban Fire Grill: Cuban Fire Grill: Authentic, slow cooked, homemade cuban cuisine featuring Cuban sandwiches, lechon asado, ropa vieja, and flan for dessert. Their steak sandwich is ridiculously good for all the meat lovers out there! We’re also very appreciative that they serve their Cuban sandwiches with potato sticks, it’s such a nice touch!

El Mariachi Loko: Newcomer to the Jacksonville food truck scene, El Mariachi Loko is upping the street food game with gourmet Mexican tacos, tostadas, quesadillas, pupusas, and more! You can taste that each element is homemade and prepared with exceptional care. Their specials are mind blowing—think grouper tacos with aioli and black bean salsa, spicy shrimp tacos, or mahi! Tacos = life, and El Mariachi Loko is setting the standard!

Joining the Takeover for Sweet Treats:

Cold Calf Creamery: Cold Calf has been named best ice cream in St Augustine for 5 years running. Evidenced by their huge flavor variety and massive portions, we understand why! Plus, it’s Florida, the weather is always conducive to a creamy, decadent sweet treat! An owner and crowd favorite flavor is Cookie Monster : vanilla ice cream with cookie dough and cookies and cream! Also don’t miss their Fruit Chillers which blend sweet sorbet with your soda of choice!

Le Petite Cheri Cupcakery: Who doesn’t love cupcakes? Le Petite Cheri raises the bar with seasonal flavor combinations and fresh toppings. Their desserts are rich and decadent, just how we like them! Also don’t miss their fresh made raspberry lemonade which is the perfect food truck rally treat! They’ve been experimenting with some new treats lately, so if churro sandwiches are on the menu ORDER 100 OF THEM!

Julie’s Sweet Stuff: Cupcakes, brownies, bundt cakes, cookies, and more! Julie’s Sweet Stuff covers the spectrum on treats no matter what dessert you’re craving. The freshest ingredients wait for you too and are proudly “grandkid approved” from the owner’s own taste-testers. I’ve eaten more than my fair share and I always feel like I have a new favorite flavor each time!

 

Front Porch Kettle Corn: Start your food truck rally adventure here for an appetizer! Fresh made sweet and savory popcorn, mouth watering spicy pork rinds, and southern sweet tea. Take home a few containers to snack on later – you will thank us!

Guanabana: This Jax favorite recently expanded from their iconic tricycle to a full truck and the menu grew right along with it! They still integrate their beloved popsicles, but also now offer macaron ice cream sandwiches, fruit bowls, smoothies, and more! If you’re looking for a healthy, delicious, yet indulgent treat this should be on your list!

To stay apprised on all your favorite food trucks including daily locations, new truck openings, and specials, make sure to follow our sister brand @findjaxfoodtrucks on Instagram!