If you've been living in a cave for the last 30 years, the phrase “food truck” might conjure up images of a sandwich truck at a construction site or a truck serving greasy fast food on a college campus. Once called roach coaches, food trucks have grown up. Today's food truck are nothing like their ancestors.

There are about 150 food trucks in the Triangle area, offering a huge variety of foods. Most trucks specialize in certain foods just like restaurants do. What do the food trucks offer? Several types of BBQ, hot dogs, hamburgers, gourmet grilled cheese, cheesesteaks, gourmet sliders, deli meats, pizza, Maine lobster, tacos, sandwiches, dumplings, meatballs, and more. There are also trucks specializing in sweets such as cupcakes and cookies, candies, ice cream, yogurt, frozen yogurt, popsicles, cheesecakes, and cakes. There are also trucks offering breakfast foods such as crepes and Belgian waffles. Other trucks offer drinks such as coffee and smoothies.

Foodies will also enjoy the opportunity to taste foods from around the world. Ethnic food abounds. You can try Italian, Korean, Mediterranean, Greek, Middle Eastern, South American, Indian, Asian-fusion, and Chinese delights. Some trucks also specialize in health foods, vegan, and gluten-free offerings.

Discover The Durham Food Truck Revolution!

The best way to see all that food trucks have to offer is to go to one of the food truck rodeos. These are food truck festivals that occur several times during the year. Downtown Raleigh is host to several evening food truck rodeos. Durham hosts its rodeos five times each year at the Durham Central Park in the early afternoons. Locally brewed beer is also on hand. And bands provide the entertainment. With so many trucks in one location, you'll have your choice of culinary delights.

Worried about food safety with food trucks? You needn't be. Food trucks have to pass safety inspections just as restaurants do. With the volume of food they sell, much of it has to be prepared ahead of time. This food cannot be prepared in the home. If must be prepared in food a commissary. The commissary is a place with the right equipment and supplies for food preparation. It is subject to regular health inspections. Often, restaurants will provide this service to food trucks for a fee. Food trucks now also have to post their sanitation-rating cards on the trucks just as restaurants must post them in the restaurants. So you have the ability to avoid any truck with poor or missing sanitation ratings.

In the Triangle area, you will likely find the greatest number of food trucks in Durham. The city openly welcomes food trucks. It has fewer operating restrictions and costs compared to nearby cities. It allows parking on public streets. Raleigh has tougher restrictions and higher costs, and so has fewer trucks. Food trucks have been restricted to private property instead of public streets and were prohibited from certain mixed-use neighborhoods. Pilot programs are starting to change these restrictions. Chapel Hill has the toughest restrictions and highest costs for food trucks. As a result, it has the fewest food trucks in the area.

Upcoming Food Truck Festivals In Durahm, Raleigh, & Beyond

Mark your calendars and check out these great events to enjoy the many great food offerings on these dates!

• August 28 - Fall Greensboro Food Truck Festival in Downtown Greensboro
• September 4 - Labor Day Rodeo in Durham Central Park
• October 9 - Raleigh Food Truck Rodero along Fayettville Street
• October 30 - Halloween Rodeo in Durham Central Park

Embrace The Many Flavors Of The Triangle Region

Food trucks are a great way for chefs to bring new foods to an area without having to incur the huge cost of a bricks and mortar restaurant. They can test out their foods and concepts on the public. If people like the food, the trucks can expand around the country, or the owners can expand into a traditional restaurant. If not successful, the entrepreneur will lose far less money than with an unsuccessful bricks and mortar restaurant. In the meantime, foodies get many opportunities to satisfy their cravings!

The My NC Homes team are not only passionate about food, they're also passionate about helping you buy and sell homes in the Triangle area. If you're looking to buy a home in Durham, Cary, or Chapel Hill, trust them to find the perfect home for your needs and give you a guided tour of everything the area has to offer, from great places to eat to exceptional schools and more. Send them a message or give them a call at 919.659.5173 to learn more.

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