Monster food truck bash 'Trucktoberfest' set for Oct. 28

The added trucks should rein in the huge lines that formed at the first food truck bash last month at the Lilac Mall. (Rochester Voice file photo)

ROCHESTER - You might say Food Truck chef and impresario Chris Kozlowski is doubling down for his next food truck event, a monster "Trucktoberfest" bash with a Halloween theme scheduled for Oct. 28 at the Lilac Mall.

Kozlowski confirmed the event with The Rochester Voice on Tuesday, adding this one will have double the trucks to ensure lines are much smaller than last month, a major complaint among the some 3,000 eventgoers, and more than double the seating capacity for patrons.

"We listened to the people and made some changes based on various issues," Kozlowski said.

As a result, the former owner of Dover's Chop House and now owner of food truck Crescent City Kitchen said he has confirmed 13 trucks will be on hand, including two dessert trucks and a lemonade truck. There will also be an expanded beer garden from Blue Mermaid Catering.

This Food Truck Fest will boast a Halloween flair, with prizes for the spookiest getups.

Another issue many had with the August event was the lack of seating, which Kozlowski said has also been addressed with the addition of more tables and chairs.

Kozlowski said most of the trucks that were there last month will return including his Crescent City Kitchen, Soul Patrol, Dueling Chef Smoking Grill and Mediterranean Chez Rafiki.

New trucks include Curbside Appeals, Blue Mermaid World Grill, The Fuse Box, Clyde's Cupcakes and Wheely Great Lemonade.

Other nonfood vendors include: Studio2Go video game truck, Seacoast Pop-up clothing truck, Granite State Growler Tours truck and Squirrelcat Designs Face Painting & Body Art. Papa Gino's and Hannaford will be out selling food and drinks, too.
There will also be live music and a Rochester Opera House play skit.

He said culinary options will abound, including pizza, Mexican, Cajun, barbecue and much more.