GAYLORD — It took awhile but the food truck scene in Gaylord has found a home and now offers dining options that customers won't find anywhere else.
Nestled in an area next to the Old Spud Warehouse and Kane's Lobster Pot & Bourbon Bar off of South Otsego Avenue, four trucks with distinctive menus form what is essentially an outdoor food court with amenities.
Three of the trucks are owned by Devin Schaedig, including The Digs which has Asian cuisine, Demeter serving Greek favorites, and Smash Daddy's, a handcrafted burger option. The fourth truck, J&T's, is owned by Josh Lehre and is expected to focus on Mexican food.
The trucks opened on the property at the end of April and Trevor O'Connor, who manages Demeter, said business has been steady.
"We've been getting a lot of good feedback. Many of the locals who are used to seeing The Digs (which has been in operation at the location for several years) are happy to see the new concepts that have been added," O'Connor said.
"We want to make it convenient for everyone to come to one stop and choose the food they want. I think families will really like the different options as mom and dad can get what they want and so can the kids," said Jake Madonna, who manages Smash Daddy's.
A few years ago there was some resistance to the idea of food trucks in Gaylord.
Some restaurant owners objected because the trucks are transient and don't pay property taxes on a building like they do. However, a local restaurant owner, Kat Steinbrecher of Kane's, has embraced the concept.
The food truck operators rent space from Steinbrecher.
"We are fortunate to be in this spot. It is so convenient as Johnson's drops off a 500-pound propane tank and Kat has the utilities so we don't have to do much other than focus on providing good food," said O'Connor.
While acknowledging that the trucks do provide some competition, they also attract diners who otherwise may not have come to the downtown dining scene.
"I would say about 60 percent of our customers are local and about 40 percent are visitors to the area. Since school let out we are getting more out-of-towners," said O'Connor. "People will go to where they can get good food. If you don't have good food, you are not going to get customers regardless of location or format."
Besides the food trucks, there are picnic tables, a playground for children and on Thursday nights through the end of August, local bands perform. In an adjacent barn, Steinbrecher operates a cash bar. The trucks are also included in the downtown's social district so adults can carry an alcoholic beverage purchased at a nearby restaurant or tavern into the area in addition to the bar in the barn.
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Madonna said the trucks expect to be busy during Alpenfest week.
"We are all stocked up and eager to see everyone. We are expecting people to come over and hang out here. We will have extra food," he said.
O'Connor said his Greek truck will soon offer lemon rice soup based on the recipe that was featured at the old Sugar Bowl restaurant on Main Street.
The food trucks operate on Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., on Thursday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., on Friday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The trucks are are closed on Sunday and Monday.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
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