Virginia-Highland Residents Give Thumbs Up to Food Truck Craze

In what seems like a cross between a street fair for foodies and a mobile food court, Virginia-Highland Food Truck Wednesdays continues to draw crowds of residents each week.

Hungry diners can walk up and order from about 10 different food trucks parked in the lot at 841 N. Highland Ave., across from .

Just a few of minutes of waiting and they can enjoy some neighborhood favorites: King of Pops popsicles, southern inspired gelato from Honeysuckle, fries with imaginative dippers at The Fry Guy, cheekily named red velvet cupcakes at Yum Yum Cupcake, Korean inspired classic favorites at Yumbii, all types of sliders at Slider U, pulled pork and brisket at Sweet Auburn Barbecue, Chihuahua dogs at The Pup Truck and carne asada tacos at Tex’s Tacos.

“If you’re driving by you can just stop and pick up the food,” said Derrick Hunt while sampling a carne asada taco for the first time.

"It's good," he said between bites.

Convenience, cost and atmosphere were among the most popular reasons for stopping.

Although the concept may be relatively new to Atlanta, it’s an easy one to grasp.

Ray and Ashley Peng, self-proclaimed foodies who have sampled the eats at food trucks in NYC, enjoyed all of Slider U’s sliders.

“It’s great. It’s nice to have a social place to hang out and eat some food,” Ray Peng said.

The event kicked off June 22 and will continue indefinitely, just as long as there are no catastrophes, said Jordan Baer, Main Street Parking Representative. Main Street organizes the weekly event.

After a recent overhaul, Baer said the company hopes to familiarize Atlanta with their new brand.

“The idea is to be involved. We’re trying to be outside of the box.”

Participating vendors make a donation to the Kyle Pease Foundation in order to join in.

Baer can’t choose a favorite but said that Yumbii’s nacho fries and the carne asada tacos from Tex’s Tacos are a big hit.

“It changes. Sweet Auburn Barbecue has the best barbecue in the city, but last week I had to get those nacho fries from Yumbii’s.”

Donna Cline, co-owner of The Pup Truck said the venue is a great alternative to dealing with the current permitting issues trucks have been having with the city.

“This is introducing the concept to people,” she said.

Her most popular “dogs” include the Chihuahua dog, a jalapeno and shredded cheese explosion of flavor, and the Bulldog, a chili dog with cheese and onions.

Jamie Weinsier-Gruber brought her bulldog, Dorsey Gruber along for a treat from The Fry Guy.

“I think it’s a great new place for people to socialize. It gives the opportunity for people to try a lot of new things.”

Dorsey agreed.

“The Fry Guy is awesome.”

Check out from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. or later at 841 North Highland Ave. Free parking is available behind the trucks in the back of the lot.