Saugerties Food Truck Festival: Platter of Hudson Valley’s Best Mobile Restaurants
Going out on a Friday night always comes down to one question: where should you go to eat? For those in the Saugerties, New York area on Oct. 13, there were numerous options just steps away from each other.
The Saugerties Food Truck Festival was a successful showcase of local talent the Hudson Valley has to offer. Food trucks lined the road in Cantine Memorial Field, creating a smorgasbord of culinary choices from burgers to mac and cheese to empanadas.
Food trucks have become increasingly popular in the United States in the previous decade. The social media boom, mixed with layoffs in the restaurant industry due to the recession, created the perfect time and opportunity for food trucks to become a viable business. Food truck-dedicated events are now a common occurrence.
For the food vendors themselves, the flexibility allows them to engage with many different communities as demand and opportunities fluctuate. Food truck festivals are a great time for the auto-restaurants to engage with customers and get their name out.
For Jamie Quinones, working on the La Ruta Del Sol truck selling empanadas and other Latin American cuisine staples with no store, they focus on going to festivals all across the Hudson Valley.
“Once you’re in the business and start doing it, people will tell you different spots and events to go to,” said Quinones when asked how they heard about the Saugerties event.
While food options were aplenty, that was not the only thing you could browse for. Cooper’s Daughter Spirits, a woman-owned farm distillery, was selling their various bourbons, whiskeys, vodkas and liquors. The distillery also frequents food festivals and similar events; depending on the theme, it could be the only vendor selling liquors or one of many.
“I love to interact with the people [you meet at these festivals],” said Ashley Linters, who was working at the Cooper’s Daughter stand. “I love the people I work for, so I love to sell their product.”
The mix of food, drink and music created a fun atmosphere for those who came out, enjoying the best of what food truck festivals have to offer.
“I really like being able to walk along the row and have so many different foods to try,” said Chris Del Vecchio, a Dutchess County local.
Among the previously mentioned options, the Saugerties Food Truck festival hosted vendors specializing in french fries, ice cream, Mediterranean food, vegan cookies and more.
Food trucks are abundant across the Hudson Valley due to the region’s potency for fresh produce, zealous restaurants, and revolving tourism. The mobile nature of the business makes it a gratifying experience for everyone involved.
“Things are always changing, and it’s never repetitive,” said Quinones. “You’re your own boss, so you can do things and go places [when you want to].”
