The Perfect Night at the Food Truck Invasion at Abacoa!

Sometimes The Best Plan to Have is No Plan

It was a last minute idea.  Sometimes those are the best.  No plans to go wrong and no expectations that usually set you up for disappointment.  It was a hot Florida summer day with kids home from school and no camp in session.  I was exhausted and the idea of starting to cook dinner was less appealing than running a marathon.  Then I remembered!  I heard something about a food truck invasion that comes to Abacoa every 2nd Friday of the month.  No cooking, endless food choices and eating on the grass.  Perfect!!!

The event started at 5:30 and the lines of foodies formed immediately!

Kids Just Love a Picnic

Within 5 minutes of making the decision, we had our car packed with chairs and a blanket for the kids impromptu picnic and we were on our way.  A 10 minute car ride and easy parking was a great start.  When we got there at 6:30 pm the event was already in full swing so we set up our little picnic home base on the grass by the amphitheater and we decided to split up, boys one way girls the other.  We agreed we would all get something different so we can taste as much as possible :)

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions....

My daughter Kaylee and I set out to make some hard decisions.  The medley of scents that were wafting through the air and the passing people holding such different, delicious looking food made our decisions all the more difficult.  But then something caught my eye.  Being from the Northeast, I immediately zoned in on the colorful truck, Lobsta Rollin.  For those of you who have never had the pleasure of enjoying a lobster roll, let me put it simply.  Huge chunks of freshly steamed tender Maine lobster on a warm soft hot dog bun.  It was served in the classic red and white checkered paper dish with Cape Cod chips.

My cherished lobsta roll- yum!

The great graphics that caught my lobster seeking eye.

Did You Say Chicken & Waffles?

My daughter's decision was somewhat on the other end of the spectrum.  While in automatic pilot mode towards the lobster, my daughter pulled me out of my zone to point out the happy people chowing down on baskets of chicken and waffles.  Now let me explain.  This is obviously not a NY comfort food.  We recently went on a food road trip with our dessert blogging friend, Betsy Cohen to review a small local joint, Bay Bays Chicken and Waffles, where we were introduced to this classic combo.  I know, I know- fried chicken and waffles, so not me, but I thought if all 4 of us shared we could justify the obvious outrageous calories.

Chicken and red velvet waffles with maple dipping sauce.

Food Junkies truck that served the forbidden combo :)

Every Man for Himself

Kaylee and I finally made it back to our home base with our prized food selections.  The boys were yet to return.  We dug into each other's dishes and started enjoying.  The boys finally made it back through the building crowds of food carrying happy people.  My husband Jay was proud to have found his classic love, a nicely built burger.  When I asked which truck he decided to try he unfortunately could not remember blaming the crowds, lines and being in charge of a rambunctious 4 yr old boy.  A little much to handle :)  Although I can't vouch for where this came from it came with salt and vinegar fries and was enjoyed by all of us.

The classic burger on an unusually good bun.  Can any food truckies identify this as their creation?

Not Having to Confine Kids to a Restaurant Table- Priceless

After we devoured our awesome food we sat back and enjoyed the scene.  We weren't the only one's who had the great idea to attend this foodie heaven.  We bumped into a bunch of friends we knew and got to catch up.  The kids ran in the grass playing tag with some other children they just met.  It always amazes me how easily and naturally kids can connect.  Over a game of tag or chasing the floating bubbles in the air from one of the vendors.  It must have to do with their lack of inhibition and the general mindfulness of living in the moment kids are blessed with.  We could all use more of that!

The kids worked off their food while my hubby and I enjoyed some entertaining people watching.  Then the inevitable question came up- what can we get for dessert?  I knew that was coming and I was prepared!

The size of the ices that were served would blow your mind!

Dessert in Florida- Something Cold and Sweet

We're a big frozen yogurt family so I knew our dessert choice would have to be somewhat in that direction.  Although the ices from Zombie Ice were impressive- as big as my son's head impressive, I was eyeing something else.  Cold Stone ice cream had a truck there but that is something you could get anytime.  I was distracted by a tuck that had the longest line on the street.  Hip Pop's handcrafted gelato bars- yum :)

My first time trying this amazing treat with the cool name :)

Chocolate and Nuts- No Better Combination

Kaylee and I headed over to brave the long line.  While we took turns waiting in line the other went to the front to make the very hard decision of the combinations we were going to pick. The way it works is you choose your gelato flavor, what it is dipped into and then what is is covered with.  I went with the Nutella gelato, dipped in semi-sweet chocolate and covered in hazelnuts.  Kaylee decided she would create one for Jay and herself since they have the same taste in food- the more chocolate the better.  Chocolate gelato, covered in milk chocolate and dipped in Oreos.  My son is some how missing the chocolate gene, vanilla gelato, while chocolate and rainbow sprinkles- so weird!!!

Hip Pops- a family run truck.

Kaylee and I ran back to our picnic area as fast as we could so the heat of the FL summer night would not melt our creations before the boys could see their beauty.  As you see, my didn't last the walk back without a small taste:)

Our gelato masterpieces!

Last Friday Night

We finished our cold treats and said our goodbyes to some friends we met.  We packed up our chairs and blankets and made our way back through the crowds to our car, fully satisfied in our bellies and souls.  The Food Truck Invasion comes to Abacoa every second Friday.  We already have plans to return next month with some friends who have yet to experience this awesome family event.  As Katie Perry says, "Last Friday night, do it all again!!!!!!".  Thank you Abacoa for creating such an amazing event :)

Farewell for now, but not for long.........

For more information, please visit their website at:

http://www.foodtruckinvasion.com/abacoa/