'Gnarly' new food truck is literally on another level near Erie's Bicentennial Tower

If you've been near the Bicentennial Tower at Dobbins Landing on Erie's bayfront recently, you might have noticed a food truck on top of the upper public access area.

Tim Sedney, who owns Hidden Harbor which operates the Bicentennial Tower — along with multiple other businesses and attractions around Lake Erie — wanted the public access area of the tower to see more foot traffic.

With the use of a crane, Sedney and his business partner Gary Liebel decided to hoist up a food truck. The new food truck is called Gnarly Knots.

Gnarly Knots will be serving sandwiches on a pretzel bun, along with other items including baked pretzel knots, beer cheese, chips and mac and cheese. They will also offer catering options.

“We wanted something unique and different from all our other restaurant venues,” Sedney said. “So, we came up with different types of fun pretzel 'sammiches.' We went with a caricature, surf-style theme and all sandwiches served at Gnarly Knots are all made on pretzel sandwich buns.”

The food truck will operate year-round with a starting date targeted around Memorial Day weekend and more permanent hours in June.

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Gnarly Knots will be staying stationary at the second-floor landing while operating on the same hours as the tower, which is open 10 a.m. through 9 p.m. daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Hours change from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily in September before switching to 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on just Saturdays and Sundays from October through April.

How did a food truck get up there?

The main question likely from passersby: How did a mobile kitchen weighing more than 6,000 pounds get up to a level that has no vehicle access?

Elise Marshall, manager of the Bicentennial Tower, told the Times-News that the vehicle was hoisted by crane over the left side of the railing.

The food truck was lifted by J. Thomas Crane Company.

“We hope that the addition of Gnarly Knots food truck to the Erie area provides a fun and interesting way to serve up delicious pretzel sandwiches,” Sedney said. “Whether you're on the go, stopping in for lunch or relaxing at the Bicentennial Tower enjoying the views of Presque Isle Bay, we have something guaranteed to be a hit at Gnarly Knots.”

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You can learn more about Gnarly Knots by visiting their website or call 814-490-0339.

Contact Nicholas Sorensen at nsorensen@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Gnarly Knots food truck nearly open at Dobbins Landing's second level