Author’s Note: I first came to the first Columbus Food Truck and Cart Fest in 2011, which you can read about here – https://ohiofestivals.net/48-columbus-food-truck-and-cart-fest-august-26-2011/
Actually, when did they drop “the Cart” in the name?
Due to that experience of long lines and craziness, I tried to get there at a slightly off time this year, arriving at 4:30.
It’s actually a great time to attend.
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I returned to the Columbus Commons on a Friday afternoon…
…finding the vendors set up…
…and plenty of festival goers eating under an umbrella.
The Columbus Food Truck Festival was in full force!
First thing that I noticed…
…was that there were more food trucks and vendors than the last time I was here…
...over 3 times more (there were nearly 70 compared to 20 in 2011)…
…offering Greek food…
…tacos…
…Indonesian street food…
…schnitzel…
…and dessert.
Along with the beer trucks, they lined up along the Commons border…
…even circling an area off to the side…
…and a parking lot I entirely missed (which is what I get for not bringing my map with me….argh!).
Although many of the trucks had menus up by the order/pickup windows…
…many still put stand menus out for when the crowds made it harder to read the ones on the truck.
One thing to mention is that, if you wanted to try a food truck for the first time, there was the possibility of a varied or special menu for the festival (I was really hoping to try their bone-in hot chicken)…
…so it was good to either have a backup plan or be spontaneous in your eating.
Going down the middle of the Commons were two rows of vendors…
…and they sold soap…
…jewelry…
…apparel…
…and funky birdhouses.
They even offered valuable tours through Columbus’s food scene (Columbus Food Adventures).
Early birds were able to stake a place with lawn chairs…
…or a tent…
…and enjoy the musical entertainment up close.
What knows?
You might even catch a wedding party crashing through…
…to get their photos taken at the carrousel.