Experiencing Tampa’s first Food Truck rally.

The organizers (and participants) obviously didn’t anticipate the appeal of the Food Truck Rally. The Hyde Park Presbyterian Church’s parking lot had transformed into “opening day for the Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios”– chaotic, hot, sweaty, excited chattering, and loud complaints. I wished for more obvious entertainment, but the background band and music got lots of rest

Through 10 “trucks” (some were stands) the variety of food choices were great… when still available: seafood, sandwiches, cupcakes, drink slushies, Mexican and more were present. Here’s my personal shout-out to the Michele-Faedos Truck. Despite delivering an gooey, ugly crab cake– it was very flavorful with strong spices (was that curry?), lots of breading (giving it a good size for $5), but what really entertained my crew was that lemony sting.

Now don’t throw hubcaps at me– while definitely above the boiled peanuts and falafel carts of New York, I sampled food from five places and believe these food truck foods are the same fad, novelty, and cloth as State Fair food– just without the rides. Foodies? Puh-lease.

I applaud the ability to deliver yummy eats to crowds from a kitchen the size of my bathroom and also understand the potential to instantly bring good food from following a crowd, but are food trucks here to stay? In Tampa Bay… yes… kind of… face it– the city’s design, rules, and flow of people are not ideal, but as long as the owners are smart and continue delivering fast, novelty food, the sheep will be there.