Sioux City's Food Truck Fridays to wrap up its ninth summer season (2024)

SIOUX CITY — Jackson Renken was a fanatic for frankfurters while his buddy Owen Mauch preferred a weiner that was battered in cornmeal before it took a deep-fried bath.

The boys -- both third grade students from Siouxland Christian School -- were at Food Truck Fridays with their respective families.

Jackson's mom Maggie Mauch said it was an end-of-summer-treat to take the kids out to lunch.

"When you have plenty of picky eaters, having plenty of options is definitely a very good thing," she said with a laugh.

Downtown Partners event coordinator Elizabeth Stewart said variety is one of the strengths of Food Truck Fridays which is wrapping up its ninth season Friday at Pearl Street Park Seventh and Pearl Street.

"Every week, you have between 8 - 10 food truck options," she explained. "You can potentially get a meal, a drink and a dessert all from different places. You get Asian food, Mexican food and all-American smash burgers all in a nice, outdoor setting."

All season long, Food Truck Fridays has been a go-to for downtown workers and famished foodies.

As for the food trucks themselves, some are regulars while others relative newcomers.

In some ways, Heartland Coffee & Nosh fits in both category.

While the Sioux City-based food truck has been involved with Food Truck Fridays since the very beginning, it is now owned and operated by veteran restaurateur Corey Larkin.

"I bought Coffee & Nosh about a year-and-a-half ago," he explained. "I've made a few tweaks on the coffee and latte side while making more changes on the food menu."

That included the food truck's "Nosh Bowls." One option is the "Throwback Bacon" (three slices of Pecanwood- smoked bacon, two fried eggs, Heirloom potatoes, Feta cheese and a truck-made Mango Jalapeno sauce) while another is an "Urban Farmer" (diced grilled chicken and bacon, Harvest Rice Blend, Heirloom potatoes, salsa, cheddar cheese and a truck-made Ranch dressing).

There are even Nosh Bowls for vegans, vegetarians and people on a Keto diet.

"We can turn any of the bowls into a burrito, plus the portion sizes are huge," Larkin said. "We want to give people their money's worth."

Stewart said that's one of the major selling points of Food Truck Fridays.

"People like the novelty of trying something new but they also like value," she said.

Another thing Food Truck Fridays diners enjoy is the laidback surroundings.

"Pearl Street Park is such a nice place in the summertime," Stewart said. "We have new awnings to provide some shade as well as outdoor tables."

Don't be surprised to see special features for people attending Friday's season ender.

"We want to say thank you for all of the people who've been attending Food Truck Friday this season," Stewart said. "Plus we want to get people excited for next year."