It’s hard not to notice the significant boom of food trucks that has happened in Mesa County in the last several years. A far cry from even 5 years ago when fast food and fine dining were the only options. They have become so popular that even private businesses and local festivities are asking for food trucks to participate in their events.
Everywhere you look there is a plethora of options to tempt your taste buds! You could try a new one every day for a month and still have more to select from. The atmosphere is fun, and the food is amazing. I haven’t had an unpleasant experience yet. Just prepare to stand in line because everyone else thinks they are delicious as well!
Sally Wilkerson, an avid food truck fan, commented “Anytime you want to try anything new in Grand Junction, you need to go to a food truck because the sit-down restaurant options are limited and expensive. Unfortunately, fast food is almost as expensive as regular restaurants and quickly becoming boring. I like having a huge selection to choose from. Nothing gets boring that way. If you want something that is great tasting and inexpensive, food trucks are the way to go.”
Location doesn’t seem to be a problem either. If there is a parking lot, there is a food truck…or 5. Any time of day there is something to choose from. Many just serve breakfast, but even more serve lunch and dinner. Social media is a wonderful way to follow your favorite food trucks to find out where and when they will be open for operation. Wednesday and Friday nights tend to be when you will be able to find a large amount of them together in one place. Be careful though, you might have a really tough time making up your mind!
Will Blanco, and his mom, Carlota Blanco are the owners and operators of La Pupuseria Food Truck. They have been in business since 2016. Their food truck is one of the first to start in the valley. Will is a veteran who served in the Marines 2001-2005, and Carlota has been making homemade deliciousness for more than 30 years.
They serve Salvadorian and Mexican food which is unique here on the western slope and is highly requested. People from Aspen, Craig, up valley, and all over the western slope come here just for their food. Their specialty is Pupusas. A homemade gluten-free tortilla that they stuff with meat, cheese, beans, and jalapenos. They have different combinations of fillings to choose from. They are to die for.
When Will was asked why he started La Pupuseria he said “After the Marines, I came to CMU and pursued a business degree. When I graduated with that degree I opened a business. The reason we opened a food truck was for me to spend more time with my mom and to build something together. We have built a family business that we are very proud of. We started in the parking lot of BG’s Convenient store on North and 29 Rd. Tom Mingus gave us a chance. He helped us break into the market. So many people in the community know us from there.”
Will and Carlota have worked hard and have learned a lot with their company. This is an accumulation of 30 years of cooking. Carlota started making food for people out of her home. Word got out and one thing led to another. La Pupuseria has taken on a life of its own. This is a family business. Everyone has helped in one way or another. “This is how we teach our kids to work hard and how the business is run.”
Will said the reason he loves doing this is because he gets to share his culture with the community. “In our culture, sharing a meal is sharing love to another person. We love our customers and seeing them smile and enjoying our food makes it worthwhile.”
Will and Carlota are one of many who have had a dream and made it a reality. The food truck industry is thriving, especially here in western Colorado. And for those of us who have ventured out and tried something new, we are the ones who are benefitting!
Whatever your craving is, Mesa County has exploded with delicious options in the form of food truck cuisine. Give them a try and you will understand what all the hype is about. Not only do you get amazing food, but it also supports local businesses and provides a sense of community.
“In our culture, sharing a meal is sharing love to another person. We love our customers and seeing them smile and enjoying our food makes it worthwhile.”
Will Blanco, La Pupuseria Food Truck