Boston’s first ever food truck festival went down at the SoWa Open Market yesterday and early word is mixed. Though the food unanimously won raves (with special praise being lavished on Speed’s Hot Dogs and the “seriously addictive” caramel/chili popcorn from Food Truck Nation), Chowhound posters and bloggers alike complained about the long lines, which topped an hour. Filbelly’s and M&M; Ribs ran out of food. Not to say “we told you so” but…dude, we told you so.
Perhaps the most controversial point, however, came from blogger Carolyn Grantham, who reported that “I hadn’t come for stalls. I wanted trucks. Problem was, there were only six actual trucks.” Organizer Christine Liu counts at least nine, but tells us that “There was no misrepresentation at all at what was to be at the fest — it was a celebration of all mobile vendors, so anything with wheels (including carts and trikes) were welcome. we opened it to everyone who liked to participate and asked for nominations for at least a month.”
Despite the quibbles, folks seem optimistic for next year’s festival. “I’m sure they will improve the fest over time, and I really hope they reconsider the time of the year – dead of summer in a parking lot is just plain gonna be hot. Spring or Fall might be more appealing,” writes one Chowhound, and even Grantham concedes that “Do we just have to give the concept a little more time, and allow an idea that’s fully formed in other parts of the country to develop at a gentle New England pace? I hope that’s what it is, and that Boston’s second annual Food Truck Festival will be a bigger success.”
