By Brittany Rosso
Special to Niagara Frontier Publications
What's better than having a chance to eat food from your choice of over a dozen food trucks in the heart of Buffalo?
It's no secret Buffalo is home to many amazing meals and signature dishes, it's the birthplace of many favorites! Larkin Square has taken the Buffalo food life to the next level with Food Truck Tuesdays. The event made its seasonal debut earlier this month.
Food Truck Tuesdays is a great opportunity for one to get together with friends and family, and explore different foods WNY has to offer from various food vendors. Each event also features live music, a covered seating area with plenty of tables, nearby parking and beverage tents.
Larkin Square is filled with food trucks from all over Buffalo, Rochester and beyond. These food trucks have just about everything imaginable, from barbecue and mac n' cheese, to hot dogs and hamburgers, to subs, pizza, pasta, poutine and even desserts.
One can find many local-favorite restaurants at Food Truck Tuesdays, including Chef's, Pi Craft Pizza, Ted's Hot Dogs and Lloyd Taco Factory. The menu options extend to appeal to people of all ages and desired tastes.
Those who are 21 and older can also show valid ID upon entry to receive a wristband that allows the purchase of alcoholic beverages. Wine and beer are available at the events, including locally brewed and bottled drinks.
Taffy's Milkshake and food truck.
A Ted's hot dog and a Fat Bob's Smokehouse pulled pork sandwich.
Upon arriving at Food Truck Tuesdays, one will be greeted by the smell of delicious foods, the sounds of live music, and the smiles of those who attend. Buffalo remains enthusiastic about this event, as crowds seem to grow and fill Larkinville each year - sometimes with over 1,000 guests each time. It's uniqueness contributes to the Buffalo lifestyle of going above and beyond the ordinary, for just about everything and anything.
"Food Truck Tuesday is the city's most diverse open-air buffet. A rotating cast of mobile kitchens," food critic Andrew Galarneau wrote on the Buffalo News website.
A great part of Food Truck Tuesdays is the amount of available seating. The venue features a large, patio-like space, with a covered roof in case of rain, and plenty of tables and chairs.
The outdoor space also has several picnic tables, and allows for guests to bring their own folding chairs, which is recommended. Guests can also bring their food truck purchases into The Hydraulic Hearth Restaurant & Brewery, Flying Bison Brewing Co. and BFLO Distilling, all located within walking distance on Seneca Street.
Getfried Fry Cafe french fries.
Food Truck Tuesdays is perfect for a quick afternoon dinner break on the way home from work, or it can be a great night out. Whether it's with family, friends or co-workers, many guests enjoy Tuesdays in Larkin Square. Some even make it a weekly stop.
"Food Truck Tuesday has become a fun tradition for my family and I," one attendee stated. "It's convenient and accommodates people of all ages very well. It's really enjoyable to come hang out and enjoy the live music and a meal, especially in the summer after a long, hot day. It's great to not have to wait too long for food, or to have to sit down to dine. It's something we look forward to every year since it came around."
Larkin Square welcomes food trucks of all flavors, backgrounds and cuisine styles to the grounds. The food trucks offer menus with endless options, including Italian, Polish, French, Canadian, Mexican, Thai and American cuisine.
"One of my favorite things about Food Truck Tuesdays is that you can find literally anything," one patron said. "You'll never have to worry about if you will find something you like for dinner, unlike you might at a restaurant. Once you see all of the options, it becomes quite a challenge to pick what you will be having. The options and variety always keep the event unique (and) apart from other local restaurants in the area, and that's one of my favorite parts about it."
He added, "It's really cool to see so many different restaurants, vendors and trucks come out for Food Truck Tuesday, especially some local favorites, and it's great to come together as a community to support these small businesses."
Each food truck offers at least one "healthy option" certified by Independent Health on the menu.
A customer enjoying a Fat Bob's Smokehouse pulled pork sandwich.
The Buffalo News website reported Larkin Links, a mini-golf course designed by artists, will be open to the public during Food Truck Tuesdays.
The venue also changes up the menu and activities according to holidays. In years past, Larkin Square has hosted Halloween-themed food truck nights with lawn games, pumpkin carving contests and menus filled with spooky treats. Costumes were also encouraged.
Food Truck Tuesdays at Larkin Square are truly a one-of-a-kind dining experience for all, regardless of one's age and diet. Food Truck Tuesdays brings Buffalo and surrounding communities together to support small business and to provide people with an enjoyable night of great dining, right in the heart of Buffalo.
The event runs from 4:30-8 p.m from May until Octoctober, and welcomes up to 28 trucks each week.
Children of all ages are welcome, however, pets, smoking and outside food and beverages are strictly prohibited.
Most food trucks do accept multiple forms of payment, including debit and credit cards, but it is always a good idea to have cash on you in case you come across a cash-only food truck.
Food Truck Tuesdays events are held under most weather conditions, however, attendees can stay up-to-date by visiting the Larkin Square website for any cancellations. Weekly food truck lineups are also posted on the website at
https://bit.ly/2r1Dds8.
KeyBank presents JL Fulks band live at Food Truck Tuesdays.
Free parking is available streetside and in the Larkin Development Group lots that are located next to the venue. Extra convenient parking is also available for a cost of $5 in the ramp directly beside Larkin Square beginning at 5:15 p.m.
Uber has partnered with Food Truck Tuesdays to offer new riders a ride to the event up to the cost of $15. Riders can use the code FOODTRUCKTUES through Uber to receive the discount as stated on the Buffalo News website. Ridesharing is encouraged, and besides, one won't have to drive through the traffic or search for parking.
It is a good idea to arrive promptly, if possible, to avoid traffic, long lines and difficulty finding avaiable parking. Traffic typically begins to pick up around 5 p.m., as people begin to fill Larkin Square.
Food truck lines all vary. If your favorite restaurant is a hit, you will definitely want to arrive early.
"Service is generally quick, and the food wait doesn't often take longer than approximately five to sevent minutes," one attendee said.
These Larkin Square events are free to attend and sponsored by Independent Health and KeyBank.