Bacon jalepeno grilled cheese sandwiches, rice balls and braised beef and sauerkraut pierogi are just some of the dishes expected to be on the menu during Lake County’s first Food Truck Frenzy April 22 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake.
“It is going to be cool.” said Wendy Petera, board member and past president of the Exchange Club of Grayslake, which is running the event as a fundraiser.
The club works on projects to prevent child abuse and promote American patriotism. It also gives out annual scholarships to Grayslake High School students.
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Petera said, “I am very excited about the food truck frenzy because I think it brings a truly unique event to Lake County. People all across the area can come out and taste and enjoy all different kinds of foods. All these trucks have followings on Twitter and Facebook and people follow them wherever they go.”
At least 15 food trucks will be at the outdoor family friendly event, which will also feature a DJ, activities for children and hourly 50/50 raffles.
It’s perfect timing, said Petera, because it’s being held the same weekend as the Camping World RV Show at the fairgrounds, and both events are free.
Petera said she’s especially interested in Mother Wilma’s and Toasty Cheese, both of which are coming to the event.
Mother Wilma’s is all about marshmallows, she said. “And I love marshmallows.”
Toasty Cheese calls itself a mobile food eatery and offers gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches among other items. On top of the cheeses, which could be Gruyere or any of a number of kinds besides the traditional cheddar, foodies can add duck bacon or grass-fed rib eye steak, to name a few unusual options.
Petera said she’s particularly fond of a toasted cheese sandwich made with brie and pears.
Petera said the Exchange Club came up with the idea of the fundraiser because, “There really isn’t any kind of big food truck event in Lake County. People are really enjoying going to them to taste something different, and a lot are bringing them in for their weddings.”
Before arranging the event, the club did its homework, posting its plans to a Facebook page to gauge interest. “Seven-thousand people responded they were interested or wanted to go,” Petera said, and that convinced food trucks across the area to sign on.
Petera said she loves the names of the food trucks, for example, Bop Bar and Happy Lobster. “How could you not want to visit Happy Lobster?” she said.
Others include Crave Bar, Best Truckin’ BBQ, Yum Dum, Taste of Paris, Pierogi Wagon and Kate and Jan Hotdogs.
“Hot dogs aren’t just for kids anymore,” Petera said.
Petera said her first food truck experience was when she was at a brewery in Milwaukee. “They didn’t’ sell food, but they told us if we went a block down the road, there would be three or four food trucks, and that we could bring the food back.
“They had an Asian food truck, a hot dog/hamburger food truck, a barbecue truck and another one was dessert. I had the Asian food. It was good.”
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Lake County Food Truck Frenzy
When: Noon-5 p.m., April 22
Where: Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road, Grayslake,
Tickets: Free
Information: 847-979-0091; www.exchangeofgrayslake.org
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