Food Truck Friday lunches back in Pasco on April 1

The farmers market shelter in downtown Pasco will be buzzing with business in just a week as food trucks converge for the second season of Food Truck Fridays.

The Pasco Specialty Kitchen is again organizing the weekly gathering of mobile food vendors. Six to eight food trucks are expected to be on hand for the first day of the season on April 1.

“We’ve been looking forward to it since the end of last season,” said Jenny Nguyen, co-owner of Fresh Out the Box, one of the regular vendors from the first season.

Much about the weekly event is staying the same.

The hours still are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and each truck will offer a $4.95 special.

But there are some special promotions and other ideas in the works, said Marilou Shea, director of the specialty kitchen, and she’s also looking for other veteran or new food trucks to join in as the season progresses.

“I’m just thrilled and excited we’re going to be back,” she said.

Shea and other officials with the Downtown Pasco Development Authority said last year’s inaugural 33-week season went well — $95,000 in gross sales, more than 10 jobs created and securing catering and other events for vendors.

Efforts to strengthen the event continued through the winter with a food truck entrepreneur program to help newcomers establish themselves and deepen the pool of food trucks available.

The first Food Truck Friday event of 2016 will see the return of Nguyen’s Fresh Out the Box and fellow veterans Jiggy’s Bacon Burgers and Backyard Grub.

They’ll be joined by newcomers Snowie shaved ice of West Richland, baked goods and desserts by Two Chicks and hot dog vendor Doggie Style Gourmet. A few other food trucks could also be on hand, Shea said.

Frost Me Sweet, known for its cupcakes and restaurant in central Richland, plans to participate later this spring, she added.

And Food Truck Friday favorite and Pasco’s own Swampy’s BBQ is to make some special appearances at various points during the season.

Nguyen said Fresh Out the Box will offer some new menu items this year but also will have some customer favorites, including pineapple pork tacos, Asian-seasoned Gyros and the much-loved burritos.

Jiggy’s will debut a taco burger as its special on April 1, and Hawaiian and Italian takes on its bacon burgers are being developed. And they’ll still be offering a punch card loyalty program.

“And we plan to honor punch cards from last year,” co-owner Peggy Warren said in a release. “I expect we’ll be handing out a lot of free bacon burgers in the first few weeks.”

The Pasco Farmers Market is at Fourth Avenue and Columbia Street downtown. Seating is under a shelter but outdoors, so dress for the weather.

This story was originally published March 26, 2016 at 8:46 PM with the headline "Food Truck Friday lunches back in Pasco on April 1."