Review: Bedford residents flocked to city’s first-ever food truck fest

by Terry Eddington of Food Truck Connection

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We go to a lot of food parks. This one was special because of the high number of first-timers who came out.

BEDFORD — What do you get when you invite five completely different food trucks, the Lone Star Camaro Club, and a DJ to a local strip center parking lot in Bedford for a free summer event? Apparently, you get a population hungry to find out what this burgeoning dining movement that involves eating audaciously good food served from a truck is all about! At least that’s what happened Saturday night at the Bedford Meadows Shopping Center when the first-ever food truck event in Bedford drew hundreds of eager and curious diners to the center.

The featured attraction was the trucks: Yes! Tacos, Crazyfish (sushi), Gepetto's Pizza Truck, Good Karma Kitchen (vegan/vegetarian), and SlushWorks (frozen iced drinks). And what is totally awesome is that the idea started with Chris Leavell, Brad DeYoung, and Fred Hopkins -- the owners of the Bedford Meadows Shopping Center -- who recognized the draw that food trucks bring and how that exposure benefits all the tenants in the center. What a progressive position to recognize that food trucks and brick & mortar establishments can work together for the benefit of both!

I go to a lot of events and pop-up food parks, but what really stood out tonight was the number of first-timers who came out. I overheard people from 6-60 who were having their first food truck experience.

Even Leavell, who helped put the event together, had never eaten at a food truck. And would you believe that he and his partners ate at every single truck?

Mayor Jim Story, who stopped by to support the event and see what it was all about, tried out the food. I even spotted him leaving with food to take home.

Leavell reports the event was to give back to the tenants and to bring more attention to the newly-renovated center. But just as importantly, the event was a success for everyone involved. The owners made a $1,000 donation to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in honor of the event. The Bedford Animal Shelter was invited to promote pet adoptions and seek support for their community work.

The trucks had a great night, with two of them selling completely out of food. Danny’s Celtic Pub was celebrating its grand opening, and the kitchen sold completely out of food. Anthony Resio, owner of Italian Sub Shop, says he thought it was a great success for everyone there.

The Lone Star Camaro Club brought out their cars for everyone to enjoy, and Randy Ro Entertainment provided music.

Mr. Mayor, I believe the people of Bedford have spoken: Please listen to the people, support your local retailers, and invite the trucks back to Bedford!

The owners told me that they plan to bring the event back the last Saturday of each month. They’re already planning the changes needed to make it even better – tables in the center and more room between the trucks to accommodate the people.

You can find out more about upcoming events at Bedford Meadows at the Legacy Alliance website or you can check back at Food Truck Connection for an update for the next Bedford Food Truck Festival.

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