Variety of food planned for West Texas Food Truck Festival in Abilene

“Where do you want to eat out?”

The answer to that frequent family conundrum will be easy on Oct. 6 at the first West Texas Food Truck Festival at Back Porch of Texas. With at least 15 food trucks slated to set their brakes at the outdoor venue, the fare should have universal appeal, even for the pickiest eater.

Abilene-base VIP Custom Events is organizing the festival at the Back Porch, which is north of Abilene near Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway 277. Music headliner for the two-stage festival is Southern rock legend 38 Special. Gates open at 3 p.m. The event ends at 9:30 p.m.

General admission tickets are $19 in advance and $29 the day of the festival. Children 12 and younger are free. Food and beverages cost extra. Alcohol will be available. No coolers are allowed.

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“Our goal is to create not just a concert but an event – an all-ages family-friendly event where there’s great food, great music and great memories,” said Joshua Haynes, vice president of event operations at VIP Custom Events and VIP Sports Getaway.

It is fitting that wafting through the shady setting will be the aroma of smoked brisket, pulled pork and other barbecue options with all the sides from Crooked Creek Meats, Hearts BBQ, Kuzzo’s BBQ and The Pit Boss.

Other possibilities are tacos from Los Reyes Del Taco and Tacolate, sandwiches from Classic Sliders, gourmet hot dogs from Mr. Dog, Southeast Asian food from Hong & Nikki Asian Food and homestyle fare from The Sweet and Savory Side.

The 50s-themed Rolling Retro food truck will serve its signature Elvis and Buddy Holly tacos: the former is smoked pulled pork with chipotle lime slaw, while the later has chicken with jalapeno, cream cheese and black bean corn pico de gallo.

Dessert will be dished by Dad’s Ice Cream, Fox Funnel Cake, Genuine Southern Funnel Cake Company and The Sweet Side. The latter is known for letting customers pick one of five Blue Bell ice creams to be sandwiched between two fresh-baked cookies. A gluten-free cookie is always one of the five choices available.

“We always tell everybody there’s no bad choices. I mean, come on, it’s cookies and ice cream. You can’t go wrong. If that’s the worst decision you have today, you’re doing great,” said Merrideth Young, who has owned The Sweet Side dessert truck since 2015 with her husband, Rick Young. In February they introduced The Sweet & Savory Side truck.

The festival menu for their savory operation is yet to be determined, Young said. but at past events the the Savory Side crew has served a steak sandwich on garlic toast, street tacos and the Chickster, a grilled chicken sandwich with green chili, bacon and honey mustard.

Although this is the inaugural food truck festival in Abilene, VIP has organized outdoor concerts in Lubbock and San Angelo with food trucks as a side dish to the main musical fare, Haynes said.

“We have a great relationship in cities in the surrounding area as well as Abilene, but this is our home, and we definitely wanted to build and brand something in our city,” Haynes said. “Everyone’s a little skeptical and don’t know what to expect. But we have some amazing food truck companies that will be attending the event. They have great followings.”

Young said based on the success of other events at the Back Porch, such as Mark Powell's annual Outlaws and Legends Music Festival, she has high hopes for the Food Truck Festival.

“I just think it’s going to be a really good festival and great for the town, and a great chance to grab some great food,” she said.