Food Truck Rally Comes to Dearborn Friday, July 20
The “Food Truck Rally” comes to Dearborn Friday, July 20.
The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Dearborn and the West Dearborn Downtown Authority will host the first of three food truck rallies planned for this summer.
The first event, sponsored by Westborn Market, will take place Friday, July 20 from 5 – 9 p.m. in Lot C, just behind Pizza Papalis and west of Monroe Street.
Patrons can expect 8-10 food trucks selling gourmet fare directly from their “kitchen-on-wheels.”
Committed food trucks include Franks Anatra, Concrete Cuisine, Treat Dreams, Ned’s, Mack Shack, El Guappo, PPC, and Jacques Tacos. On average, food items are priced between $4-$7. Patrons can enjoy live music, as well.
The Dearborn Chamber says that thanks to the Michigan Mobile Food Truck Association, food truck rallies are becoming very popular in the region with events scheduled regularly in Royal Oak, downtown Detroit and Ferndale, among others. Future events will be held August 24 and September 21 from 5 – 9 p.m. in downtown West Dearborn.
Food trucks experienced a boom just as the economy started to decline in 2008. Restaurateurs who were hesitant to drop serious cash on launching a restaurant turned to mobile trucks as a less expensive way to sell food in a down economy.
While one might think these food trucks could hurt the taxpaying restaurants in the area, the Dearborn Chamber claims that existing restaurants experience an upswing in revenue by proximity to these rallies.
“We think this will be an exciting and unique way to bring families downtown on Friday evenings for food, fun and entertainment,” Jennifer Giering of the Dearborn Chamber said in a prepared statement. “These community events have a tremendous economic impact on surrounding businesses with the first event in Ferndale attracting 1,500 people, many of which patronized local bars and restaurants after the event.”
July 19th, 2012 at 9:44 am
Sounds like a lot of fun. The Chamber is trying to add and attract people to the city. Friends have been to NYC and said that they are innteresting venues. I hope this is a successful event for our city
July 20th, 2012 at 10:45 pm
place was packed, wish I could have gone…I hope this is a weekly event, have hit these in chicago and california mnay times…great food!!
July 21st, 2012 at 8:27 am
This was a great event,a true pleasure to see the real neighbors / residents of Dearborn enjoying themselves. This new venue could prove to be a great success for the West End Businesses and the trouble plagued parking problem.Music & great food what a concept! The Chamber of Commerce did their home work on this one. Great job !
July 22nd, 2012 at 7:29 am
Post script. An awesome event that brought residents and friends together for fun in Downtown West Dearborn. The parking was easy and the meter cops left people alone, as far as I know. Bring this back next year with more trucks and more variety. It’s nice to see people smile and have a good time.
July 22nd, 2012 at 9:44 am
Its about time our Chamber Of Commerce did something besides sitting on there rear ends. Try some more of these innovative things because Dearborn residents deserve them.
July 22nd, 2012 at 2:44 pm
It was a great event, but they need to find a bigger space. I have suggested that next year we utilize our parks and bring the food trucks to Levagood, Ford Field and Ford Woods…plenty of shaded seating areas and would allow even more people to enjoy this great experience!
July 23rd, 2012 at 7:49 am
missed it but I’ll goto the one on August 24th. Seems like when the city does something like this, or the “block party”, TONS of people come out. they should recognize this and do more of them. there was LOTS of wonderful foot traffic up and down michigan avenue that night
July 24th, 2012 at 11:25 am
They are in different lots in August and September!
August 23rd, 2012 at 8:26 am
Had to call the Chamber to find out where tomorrow’s food truck rally is this time. Couldn’t find it anywhere else. It’s on Newman, between the two parking structures this time.