Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Food truck owners recommend their favorites
For many Las Vegans, there’s never been a better time to visit a food truck. As traditional restaurants struggle with changing rules on occupancy, party size and reservations, the valley’s hundreds of mobile eateries offer diverse cuisine in a drive-up setting that limits face-to-face interactions and eliminates the need to spend time indoors. Moreover, the variety of dishes being served out of truck windows is more expansive than ever.
So what’s good?
The Review-Journal recently spoke to four local food truck operators about the challenges they are facing in 2020 and how they are responding. We also asked them for details on finding their trucks and for some recommendations on others that are worth a visit.
YourPanadas
Follow chef Jonathan Batista’s YourPanadas truck at @yourpanadas and facebook.com/yourpanadas.
Signora Pizza
Follow Floriana Pastore’s Neapolitan street food truck at facebook.com/ SignoraPizzaTruck and @signorapizza. The website, signorapizza.com, is expected to launch before the end of the year.
Cravin’ Creole
Those who want to try Will Staten’s Louisiana cuisine can check out the “calendar of events” section at cravincreole.com/ calendar.
The Cake Wagon
Trish Nuckles’ truck operates primarily as a private, event-based concept, but she says patrons can also “find us in small food truck gatherings around the valley from
time to time.” Custom orders can be made at thecakewagon.com. Follow @thecakewagonlv, facebook. com/thecakewagon.
CHEFS’ PICKS Trish Nuckles
AlphaDawg: “AlphaDawg is known for their amazing hot dogs, but my favorite (dish) is their killer
cheesesteaks and fries!” @alphadawg_lv
Poppy’s Quesadilla:
“Veterans in the food truck game, and if you’re lucky to spot them out, they’ve got a variety of delicious and creative options. My favorite is the pulled pork quesadilla — and street tacos when they’ve got
them.” @poppysquesadillas, poppysfoodtrucks.com
Jonathan Batista
The Cake Wagon: “Chef Trish Nuckles is an amazing pastry chef who launched a unique dessert truck that makes customizable sweets on the spot with a creative twist on the classics and attention to detail. @thecakewagonlv, facebook.com/thecakewagon, thecakewagon.com
El Tamalucas: “Saul is putting out great food, the business is family owned and operated, but most importantly they built a following the right way and are becoming well-known around town.” facebook.com/ ElTamalucas, @eltamalucas
Floriana Pastore
Chopperz Roadside Grill: “Chopperz is a family business. Chef Steve Bacchetta worked as a chef in several casinos and last year decided to move to a food truck business. His grilled gourmet sandwiches are yummy.” facebook.com/ ChopperzRoadsideGrill, @Chopperzroadsidegrill and chopperzroadsidegrill. shopsettings.com
Raging Tacos: “Raging Tacos is owned by two friends with a passion for food who started this adventure last year. They are already popular (thanks to) fresh, good ingredients.” facebook.com/ RagingTacosLV, @ragingtacoslv, ragingtacoslv.com
Will Staten
Tastee Temptations: “They serve carnival/ fair-type desserts. From shakes to funnel cakes, they’re something unique.” facebook.com/ tasteetemptationssd, @tasteetemptations, tastee-temptations.com
Maize Street: “The operators bring Cuban and South American/ Latin flair to the valley, which is different than just regular street tacos. You can never go wrong with a great Cuban sandwich!” @maize.st, maizest.square.site