The food truck social events are one of Lake Zurich’s newest – and quite popular – offerings, and continue on Wednesdays through August, with menu changes weekly but a constant draw for diners.
This summer’s series includes 13 events at Henry J. Paulus Park in the northwest suburb.
The Wednesday menu changes to keep food truck offerings fresh, said Marisa Boynton, special events recreation supervisor at the Lake Zurich Office of Park and Recreation.
Food Truck Social events were scheduled for June, July and August, running 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
This is the third year of the series and was started at the suggestion of a volunteer and community member, “who was very passionate about food trucks and passionate about bringing the food trucks to Lake Zurich,” Boynton said. “Throughout the summer, we get over 2,000 people.
The Office of Park and Recreation took the reins after the first year to coordinate the event On July 24, the three featured food trucks were the Happy Lobster Truck, Kona Ice and Little Rock Stock Cafe of Wauconda Best Truckin’ BBQ truck.
“We try to not do the same trucks together, we usually have two savory trucks and one sweet,” Boynton said.
Paulus Park as a preferred event location, “is very visible on Rand Road.
“We get a lot of traffic from the beach goers and also traffic from our summer camp,” Boynton explained. “It’s a great sense of community.
“Paulus Park, it’s the crown jewel of our parks here, it is a beautiful location and to be able to offer this amenity, to have this all in one location for our community and our residents, we’re happy to be able to do that,” Boynton said. “It does scream summer.”
July 24 was the first time Helen Meier, of Park Barrington, had food truck fare and it was her first time visiting Paulus Park.
“I’ve never tried a food truck before,” Meier said. “I’m a novice.”
Meier’s choice that evening was the Happy Lobster Truck with its popular lobster seafood fare, including a lobster grilled cheese sandwich.
“I’m from the East Coast so I’m very anxious to try a food truck,” Meier said.
The Yglesias family, of Lake Zurich, comes to the event as regulars. They typically sit on the back of their black pickup truck to nosh on food truck fare. Barbecue was the July 24 meal choice for the children.
“Paulus Park always has a lot going on, we love coming here for the food trucks,” said Tony Yglesias, who accompanied his two children. “It gets us outside, sit in the back of the truck and eat and enjoy it.”
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.
