Not just a passing fad, food trucks have Google-mapped their way to the North Fork and are serving up food that’s fresh, local, authentic, hip, convenient and hot in a single quick and tasty dining experience. According to “Food Truck Nation”, 2019 food truck industry revenues are expected to be in excess of $2 billion — a 300% increase since 2014. Food truck growth is even outpacing overall commercial foodservice, such as restaurants, at a growth of 5.4 percent versus 4.3 percent.
Here on the North Fork, food trucks don’t just fulfill a diner’s whims, but present a viable solution for North Fork wineries, tasting rooms, breweries and farm stands which don’t have access to full kitchens which can serve up alcohol-absorbing fare. Food trucks plug right into that need, parking at roadside farmstands or finding a parking spot at any of the local winery/brewery establishments which dot the North Fork landscape. Not to be outdone, some local restaurants have jumped on this mobile trend, establishing their own satellite food truck restaurants with limited, more casual or fun menu items.
The trend, however, is not without its naysayers. The Town of Southold held a special town board meeting earlier this year at which the issue of food trucks was raised. Some members of the wine industry voiced concerns that wineries with food trucks would be cited over zoning issues. The discussion centered around whether or not food trucks — a retail use — should be allowed on certain parcels zoned for agricultural or residential use. At the meeting, Southold Town Attorney Bill Duffy stated that he believes that there are between 15 and 20 food trucks operating in Southold alone. This meeting was a follow up to the Town’s crackdown on food trucks during the summer of 2018.
For now while the food truck issue is open for debate, foodies can find some of the best culinary experiences the North Fork has to offer. Here are five of our favorites:
The North Fork Food Truck
57225 Main Road, Southold
The mobile version of Southold’s famous North Fork Table & Inn, the North Fork Food Truck can be found in a corner of the restaurant’s parking lot. Among other delectable options, the menu includes lobster rolls and fried chicken sandwiches. The truck is open for lunch every day between 11:30 am and 3:30 pm. The food truck can also be booked for private parties within a 25 mile radius of Southold.
www.northforktableandinn.com/foodtruck
8 Hands Farm Food Truck
4735 Cox Lane, Cutchogue
8 Hands Farm is a family-owned sustainable farm featuring Icelandic sheep, heritage chickens and Tamworth pigs. Their food truck, run by chef spouses Carly and Jonathan Copeland, offers delicious farm-to-table options including egg sandwiches on brioche buns for breakfast or beef empanadas, BBQ pork sandwiches or fried chicken sandwiches for lunch. Serving farm fresh breakfast and lunch Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Take a seat at one of the picnic tables under the umbrellas to enjoy your meal with a view of the 28 acre farm. Open Thursday to Sunday between 11:30 am and 3:00 pm.
Noah’s on the Road
13050 Oregon Road, Cutchogue
Chef Noah Schwartz has taken his award-winning Greenport restaurant on the road in a silver 1964 Airstream camper. During the weekends, you can find the truck serving its famous swordfish tacos and crispy risotto balls stuffed with Catapano Dairy Farm goat cheese at different wineries across the North Fork, including Lieb Cellars in Mattituck every Friday night from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm!
www.facebook.com/noahsontheroad.com
Rolling in Dough Pizza Truck
308A Main Street, Greenport
Greenport’s upscale Brix & Rye Bar has taken its yummy, gourmet pizza out and about the East End in their fully-restored 1943 K-6 International Harvester truck. This is a roving wood-fired pizza oven, complete with a sound system, retractable awning and an espresso machine. Primarily for catering parties, you can sometimes find this truck at local fairs or charity events.
For Goodness Cakes Co. Baiting Hollow
Delivering delicious and unique baked goods, sisters Sam and Sydney have taken their passion for all things sweet and are baking the world a better place. Often found parked at the roadside stand for Fox Hollow Farm (on Sound Avenue in Baiting Hollow), the menu includes jumbo stuffed macarons, edible chocolate chip cookie dough in a cone and signature cupcakes. You can order specialty items as well.
