1. Chicken Shack Express
Wherever you see this food truck, there will be a line of devoted foodies waiting for their dose of original “Smack Ya Mama” seasoning and fried lemon pepper okra. The seasoning is flavorful without being hot. Family-owned and operated, their chicken is a favorite on the festival scene. ChickenShackEx.weebly.com/
2. La Tapatia Taqueria
A “tapatia” is a woman from the Mexican state of Jalisco, and Guadalajara native Maria Garcia serves up the most authentic street tacos, burritos, tacos and tortas this side of the border. Find them daily at 2013 Columbia Avenue in Franklin, evenings until 11pm at 1137 West Main Street. Order ahead by calling 919-434-3918
3. Rooster’s Texas Style BBQ
After former NFL player Rooster Beane signed with the Dallas Cowboys, he tasted his first legit Texas brisket and was hooked. He and his Texan wife, Lori, cater four stadiums, private events, and serve up authentic barbecue chicken, brisket, pulled pork and cobblers, and sides like cowboy beans and smoked corn from their Franklin food truck at 1902 Columbia Avenue.
@roosterstxbbq
4. R&C’s Ocean Dive
Get your fill of some of the best fried seafood in Mid-TN by heading to this truck run by Ray Lewis, Jr. and his wife Crystal. Try their catfish, whiting, hush puppies, shrimp po’boys and krabby cakes with their special “Oh Boyyyy” sauce. Check their Instagram @randcsoceandive to see where they’ll be this week.
5. Gramma’s Hands Sweetery
Bernard and Monique, a married couple, named their food truck after the grandmothers who taught them how to bake, Miss Agnes and Miss Gladys, aka “Gigi.” Visit Grammas-hands.com to order desserts online or find out where they’ll be serving their cobblers, southern banana pudding and their famous “good good” cinnamon rolls.
6. Mac’s Kettle Corn & Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
Nothing is more fun at a festival than hand-popped kettle corn, fresh squeezed lemonades and now that the air is cooler, gourmet hot chocolates. Fall and winter flavors include caramel corn, white chocolate kettle corn and hot chocolates flavored with oreo, peanut butter cup or salted caramel. Visit @macskettle on Instagram and look for the truck at local holiday fairs.
for the famished
1. Cousins Maine Lobster
This franchise food truck company started by two cousins from Maine is now in 25 states, including four trucks in Tennessee. Lobster is sourced directly from Maine and served Maine style – cold with mayonnaise – or Connecticut style, warm with melted butter. East coasters can also get their Maine food fix with whoopie pies and Maine Root sodas. Find them at CousinsMaineLobster.com
2. The Red Byrd Coffee Shop
“It’s All About Joy” is the motto of this Leipers Fork coffee & community gathering spot. Housed in a trailer featured on DIY’s “Tiny House, Big Living,” owner Sadie Shaw-Brooks and husband Kyle Brooks are the welcoming committee for their neighbors and visitors to the Middle Tennessee countryside. Sadie trained at a coffee school in Oregon, where coffee is an art form. Try her “Campfire,” a toasted marshmallow, cinnamon and Dutch chocolate latte, and get your fall joy on.
TheRedByrd.com
3. Sausfries Hot Dogs & Fries
“Sausfries” short for “sausage and fries,” serves up Latin-style quarter-pound sausages loaded with every fixin’ you can imagine, including the “Brooklyn Bridge” with bacon-wrapped sausage, sauerkraut, pickles, dijon mustard and ketchup. Loaded fries come topped with sausage or other meats, like the “Nashville Style,” with hot bites chicken, pickles, queso fresco, garlic sauce and pink sauce. They also offer vegan options. You’ll find the truck in several Nashville locations during the week. Visit Sausfries.com
4. Blue Monkey Shaved Ice
This local style of Hawaiian “shave ice” is just as refreshing as the ubiquitous treats from the islands, with flavors like “pog” (passion fruit, orange, guava), watermelon basil, and Georgia peach. Ice cream and snow cream can be added, just like the islanders do it.
You'll find them in the Target parking lot on Mallory Lane and in other locations, check BlueMonkeyShavedIce.com for their schedule.
5. Delicias Colombianas RR
The “RR” stands for owner Ruth Rico, native of Colombia and purveyor of the sought-after “arepa,” a traditional corn cake topped with slow-cooked meats, cheeses, vegetables and/or avocado. Empanadas come in five flavors including a sweet one with guava and cheese, and the “Picada” contains just about everything: plantains, chorizo, blood sausage, empanada, chicharron, yuca, yellow potatoes, arepita and ribs. DeliciasColombianaRR.com
6. Ellie’s Old-Fashioned Doughnuts
This favorite Franklin Farmers Market truck was founded in 2010 by Danny Tassone from Upstate New York, an area where doughnut makers hone their craft over generations. Whether you want an original sugar/cinnamon or a fall pumpkin doughnut, you should definitely dunk it in a cup of piping hot Ellie’s Organic Coffee. The old-fashioned cake doughnuts are made fresh on location at local festivals, and you can also enjoy “Sweet Babies,” their take on the mini doughnut. @elliesdoughnuts.
