6 new-ish food trucks worth finding in Milwaukee
Food trucks aren't the novelty they once were. The fleet is bigger, and it travels farther.
They now gather beyond Milwaukee in suburban locations, sometimes for lunch, more often for dinner (see accompanying listing). It's generally easier to find food trucks — although Cedarburg this year prohibited them from public streets, restricting them to private property.
But food trucks come and food trucks go — into and out of existence, that is, not just parking spots. The lineup is different every year. Have a look at some of the trucks and carts out and about this summer:
Drift
This stylish trailer's menu takes its cues from New Zealand, where owner Rachel Hawken lived. From the espresso bar come flat whites and other coffee drinks; the heated case holds hearty meat pies and breakfast pies; the flaky crusts are superior and the fillings flavorful, such as the mince pie's juicy chopped beef ($8).
Other baked goods include New Zealand's Afghan biscuit, a chocolate cookie holding caramel-like crunchy bits that's frosted with chocolate ganache and crowned with a walnut half ($3.50). Drift also sells scones ($3.50) and tea, plus carbonated drinks from Australia.
Usually parked Tuesday through Friday for breakfast and lunch at 330 N. Broadway, Drift also hits special events. Keep tabs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; the full menu is on the website, driftmke.com.
Foxfire
Foxfire is the truck for a killer fried-chicken sandwich. It's perfection — super-crisp breading that doesn't budge from the moist meat. It's topped with mayonnaise and pickles, and nestled in a buttery toasted bun. It's the constant on the menu, while other items by chef Bryan Phillips (previously of Le Rêve in Wauwatosa and other restaurants) change regularly. Lately, the grilled cheese sandwich is made of brie that melts into roasted tomatoes and ramp pesto ($8).
Phillips and co-owner Maggie Reid always offer a vegan or vegetarian item, recently a bean-filled pupusa and curtido ($4), the Salvadoran cornmeal patty and slaw. An array of hot sauces stand at the window for any doctoring customers want to do, right next to a bouquet of summer's flowers.
Foxfire can be found outside Burnhearts bar, 2599 S. Logan Ave. in Bay View, most Sunday afternoons. For its schedule, see Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Chillwaukee
Chillwaukee's exceptional frozen pops are richly flavored with seasonal fruit, herbs, cocoa and other tasty ingredients. Collin Wallace pedals a trike-cart and peddles inspired pops such as strawberry with basil and peach with thyme, outstanding combinations made by him and Danielle Dahl. (The creamy but vegan sea salt chocolate pop is a must-try, too.) Pops are $3 apiece, and packs of six or 10 are available.
Chillwaukee is at the Saturday morning Cathedral Square Farmers Market and Wednesday afternoon Westown Farmers Market at Zeidler Union Square, among other places. Keep tabs at chillwaukee.com, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Lumpia City
The Filipino snack of lumpia, like a slender egg roll, traditionally holds pork, carrot and onion. Lumpia City, though, is all about bending tradition. Owners Alexa Reyes and Samantha Klimaszewski fill what might be a food that's unfamiliar to diners with familiar American fare.
Recently, that included macaroni with five cheeses and shredded chicken with poblano pepper and corn. The lumpia (three for $6, six for $10) are expertly made, tightly rolled and fried just right. Dipping sauce choices include cilantro-lime mayo, sweet chile and sour cream.
Reyes and Klimaszewski brought the trailer from San Diego, Alexa's hometown, to Milwaukee, Samantha's hometown, opening it in May.
Lumpia City will be at the Sugar Maple bar, 441 E. Lincoln Ave., from 2 to 8 p.m. Sundays in August; the full calendar and menu are at lumpiacity.com. It's also on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The Fatty Patty
Using halal meats, the Fatty Patty specializes in burgers — specifically, double or single patties on brioche buns, oozing melted cheese, like the Gloppy ($7.99), a double with American and Swiss cheeses, turkey bacon, pickles, mayo and lettuce.
Owner Amir Rasuli's truck also sells vegetarian sandwiches ($5.99) — a black bean patty or fried eggplant — as well as grilled chicken sandwich, gyros and sides such as seasoned fries and onion rings.
It's sometimes posted at N. Water St. and E. Wisconsin Ave. for lunch and late night. Find its location on Facebook; also at thefattypatty.com.
Gypsy Soul
Robyn Smith’s food truck, based near Lake Geneva and new to Milwaukee this year, weaves vegan and gluten-free items into its menu, along with some organic ingredients. Besides sandwiches, there are items like vegan nachos, a salad or wrap, plus smoothies. The Free Bird ($14) is a substantial mound of beer-braised chicken, corn salad, kale, queso fresco and Alabama white sauce on a cheddar-jalapeño corn cake.
Large smoothies, like the Berry Acai Blast ($8) with blueberries, strawberries, acai berries and other ingredients, can be made into a bowl with fresh fruit and granola for $3 more.
The truck hits music festivals and cities throughout southeastern Wisconsin and food truck roundups in suburban Milwaukee; keep up on Facebook.
FOOD TRUCK ROUNDUPS
A sampling of roundups where food trucks can be found this summer, aside from farmers markets, festivals and the usual lunch spots:
The Rock'n Food Truck Rally is 4 to 9 p.m. every Thursday through Sept 28 at the Rock Sports Complex's umbrella bar, 7900 Crystal Ridge Drive in Franklin. The event has live music, and the bar sells drinks.
The Traveling Food Truck Tour will be making stops in West Allis and Oak Creek through summer. It's at the West Allis Farmers Market, 6501 W. National Ave., from 4 to 9 p.m. Aug. 23 and Sept. 6 and 27. It will be in Oak Creek at Drexel Town Square, W. Drexel and S. Howell avenues, from 4 to 9 p.m. Aug. 2 and 30 and Sept. 20.
Food Truck Days will have its last gathering of the year from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 17 in the parking lot at Wauwatosa City Hall, 7725 W. North Ave.
And in Milwaukee, Street Eats takes place from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday July 28 and Sept. 15 at the Third Ward's Catalano Square, off E. Menomonee St.