Born from the founder’s experiences abroad and named for the fifth taste—the one beyond sweet, salty, sour and bitter—Umami Mobile Eatery (umamifoodtruck.com) has been around since 2012 under the premise that good food can be healthy and inexpensive. Owner Sara Gilman says the custom-built 1971 Avion trailer’s loyal following rests on a simple menu with universal appeal that includes hits like Asian-style sweet chili-marinated pork (or grilled tofu) tacos and a summer special grilled banh mi. Since a workday hinges heavily on weather and location, social media is a food truck’s best friend. Vendors post daily and regulars follow loyally. “We definitely have some Umami addicts who will stalk us,” says Gilman.
BIGS Meat Wagon (bigsbbqsauce.com) owner Joe McQuain will tell you it’s all about making everything from scratch and treating every guest like family. His famous Sloppy Three-Way Grilled Cheese (ground bacon, beef and pulled pork, sloppy Joe-style) and bacon ice cream earned BIGS the People’s Choice Award at the Taste of Fort Collins.
You can’t skimp. People will know, says John De Los Santos. The Austin, Texas native and CSU alum aimed to fill the breakfast taco void in town when he opened Austin Taco (keeptacosweird.com) in 2015. Fort Collins flocks for their huge build-your-own tacos and the “weird taco,” of the month. “Consistency is the key. Both in your quality of food and the locations where you vend,” he says.
The Goodness (thegoodnesstruck.com) has regulars coming from as far away as Casper, Wyoming for house favorites like the slow-smoked pulled pork melt and the Hog Father, a smoked tenderloin stuffed with Italian sausage and herbs, wrapped in prosciutto. Owner Michelle Aldrich bought the existing truck when the founders decided to migrate to Canada last November. She works hard to continue their legacy, making sure to only take on events that align with her truck’s capacity. “People are booking trucks for everything these days—reunions, weddings, graduations and parties,” Aldrich says. “You really have to learn what your truck can do.”
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