/Mississippi’s Gulf Coast opens it arms and palate to the food truck revolution

Mississippi’s Gulf Coast opens it arms and palate to the food truck revolution

L.A. is the U.S. food truck capital, as you would expect. Austin, Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington D.C. are close behind. Oxford, Jackson and Starkville were the original incubators of this state’s food trucks culture. But now, you can find food trucks and trailers from Tupelo and Biloxi. The Gulf Coast is the fastest growing region. You can find everything you need, including fried chicken, burritos and tacos. The menus change constantly as new ideas are presented by chefs. While some trucks and trailers are permanent, others attend festivals. However, almost all of them post their daily locations on Facebook or another social media platform. Ocean Springs is the most active on the Coast, but Biloxi and Pascagoula have active trucks, Long Beach, Pass Christian and Long Beach all have them, and many more are possible. There are many types of food trucks. A basic truck costs about $50,000. Some trailers cost a little more, while smaller carts such as the ones you’ll see along major streets are much more affordable. Custom-made trucks are possible for as high as $200,000. Although the truck is expensive, the custom-made trucks can cost as much as $200,000. True Wings has been open for a year now and has a large following in Ocean Springs and Biloxi. True Pasley, the owner and chef of True Wings, had his truck made by Russel Concessions, Lucedale. Pasley’s grandfather owned a Cleveland-based soul food restaurant. A food truck was always his dream. Pasley sells chicken, waffles, and fried chicken wings. He recently started a taco business with his very popular fried chicken taco. He serves his chicken with nine different sauces. It draws crowds everywhere he goes. Beach Dawgs sells all-beef hot dogs from a New York City-style cart. They are most commonly found at the corner Jeff Davis Avenue and Highway 90 in Long Beach. It is far from the push carts you used to see in major cities. It is made of shiny chrome and has gas burners to heat the water baths, water tanks, a bun steamer, and can be pulled behind your family car. It’s worth trying the Onion Lovers hot dog. It is made with chopped sweet onions and pickled Vidalia onions. Chef in a box is located in Pascagoula near Ingalls Shipbuilding. Jennifer Babcock, who has always been a chef all her life, has always dreamed about owning a food truck. This is a common trait among food truck owners. You can expect long lines at lunchtime as everything she sells are fresh. Her top sellers include the Juicy B Burger, which has cheese, pulled pork and fried jalapenos on top of a beef pat. Tacos, nachos and po-boys make up the rest of her menu. MacDaddy’s Creole Kitchen, a new arrival from Houston Texas, is making quite a stir. Brian McDoughle’s Chevrolet truck is custom-fitted and as fancy as any food truck. His po-boys and catfish platters, boudin balls, and jalapeno poppingpers have been well received. On weekends, you can find this truck at the Greenhouse in Porter. Ocean Springs’ newest arrival is The Big Pig. The award-winning truck serves some of the finest barbecue around. This one-acre lot, located across from the Walmart Family Market on Washington Avenue will soon house several food trucks, music on weekends, and family games. Despite the popularity of food trucks, some restaurants and cities are still resisting this change. Food trucks are said to be cheaper than brick-and-mortar restaurants because they can avoid startup costs. However, city ordinances restrict where and how food trucks may park. While it is clear that food trucks must be regulated, few restaurants have anything to worry about. Many agree that food trucks can be used for people who are on the move. This is not a dining experience like a restaurant. There are many options for food trucks along the Coast.