From pizzabirria and Korean corn dogs, here's what you can find at Fox Valley's most popular food trucks
From egg rolls to freeze-dried treats, there's a lot to discover in the Fox Valley's food truck scene.
The Fox Valley Food Truck Association comprises a number of food trucks travelling in the northeastern Wisconsin and Fox Valley region, serving rallies, parties, community picnics and more.
This year, the association features 31 trucks of different kinds of cuisine including Greek, Mexican, Asian, barbecue and ice cream.
The public can find these trucks from 4 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday, April to October, at a food truck rally, where a number of them gather in the WG&R Furniture parking lot, 3810 W. Wisconsin Ave.
"We're into creating a family fun, clean and safe environment for food trucks to serve food and get exposure," Kyle Fritz, president of the Fox Valley Food Truck Association, said.
We asked Fritz what some of the association's most popular trucks and dishes are this year. He highlighted these seven stops:
Diablo's Taco Truck
Diablo's Taco Truck is a Mexican-themed food truck that carries a short menu of classic dishes. They've been operating for the past three years.
The daily menu includes: tacos, Mexican or American Style; burritos, "Diablos XL" burritos; quesadillas; Diablo nachos; Mexican corn; Mulas, a dish that usually consists of a crispy tortilla filled with chunks of grilled meat, cheese, and salsa or guacamole topping, although the fillings may vary; and beverages like sodas and water. All of the food items come with an option to add steak, pastor, chorizo, carnitas, chicken, ground beef or lengua, which is beef tongue.
The most popular dishes include the trending quesabirria tacos; a taco stuffed with cheese and birria meat, usually goat meat, served with consomé, the liquid the birria meat cooks in which is used for dipping, and pizzabirria; two 14-inch flour tortillas stuffed with cheese and birria and served with consomé.
Owner Alejandro Morales said a salsa bar set up outside the truck makes it unique compared to other taco trucks. Customers can help themselves to mild, medium or hot salsa, pico de gallo and other toppings.
Diablo's has two food trucks that can be found in different locations around the Fox Cities. One is often at the BP gas station at 911 W. College Ave. in Appleton. The second truck, new this year, travels to different locations throughout the area.
For more information on open times and locations, customers can visit Diablo Taco Truck's Facebook page at facebook.com/diablostacotrk.
4 Schmidts and Giggles
This family-owned food truck first started in July 2020 and since then, its success and popularity has given owners Tina and Steve Schmidt many opportunities. In 2022, they made the switch from part-time to a full-time business, and in April this year they launched a new food trailer.
The food truck offers award-winning barbecue options. It was named a finalist in the Best of the Valley awards every year since 2021 and was also accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
The Schmidts, alongside their sons Riley and Wyatt, work and do all of their food catering on the food trailer.
The menu includes signature pulled pork, chopped brisket and chopped chicken sandwiches as well as ribs, pulled pork and chopped brisket by the pound, as well as other specialty dishes and sides.
A full schedule of public events can be found on its website 4schmidtsandgigglesbbq.com
Hot Biddy's
New to the food truck rally this year, Fritz said Hot Biddy's has picked up a lot of momentum with visitors — at three months old, it has already acquired a decent fan base.
The food truck offers different Nashville fried chicken dishes, such as a crispy chicken sandwich, chicken tenders, a Biddy bowl and a Biddy breakfast that comes with fried chicken and waffles. The sandwiches and tenders are served with signature Biddy sauce, which is a combination of mayo, ketchup, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce and other spices.
The most popular dishes, according to owner Aaron Cole, include the Biddy bowl — a bowl of crinkle cut fries, chicken, slaw, pickles and Biddy sauce — and the Biddy sandwich: a crispy chicken thigh served on a brioche bun with slaw, pickles and Biddy sauce.
A number of sides are also available including cheese curds, mac and cheese and fries.
Customers are given the option to choose the heat levels on their chicken: naked, mild, medium and blistering Biddys.
Cole said because there are few other restaurants dedicated to Nashville fried chicken, otherwise known as hot chicken, his food truck stands out against his competitors.
Hot Biddy's services areas throughout the Fox Valley region and beyond, including Green Bay, De Pere, Greenville and more.
A schedule of events and appearances can be found on its Facebook page, facebook.com/HotBiddysfoodtruck.
On the Fritz
Fritz also started his own food truck: On the Fritz started as a hot dog stand serving food to patrons on the Appleton streets after bar close, but eventually became a fully fledged food truck.
About six years ago, after he was invited to join the FVFTA committee, Fritz decided he wanted to sell more than hot dogs and snacks. He felt it was the perfect time to start his own truck.
His family-owned truck offers "comfort food with a twist," with a menu full of dishes like burgers, hot dogs, chili cheese dogs, salmon sandwiches, chicken tenders, shrimp and more.
The most popular and highly requested food item, Fritz said, is the award-winning, hand beer-battered, deep-fried cheese curds. In fact, it's what his truck his best known for.
The truck posts daily on its Facebook page,facebook.com/OnTheFritzConcessions, updating customers on where and when to find the truck.
Zoua's Fresh Egg Rolls
Zoua's food truck first opened in 2018 and offers popular Asian food cuisine including pad Thai, crab Rangoon, chicken fried rice, stuffed chicken wings and Boba drinks with a large range of flavors. It also offers daily specials.
One of the newest food items on the menu is a unique Korean corn dog. Owner Zoua Ior said it is a half mozzarella and half hot dog on a stick, battered in corn meal and fried, then sprinkled with sugar, ketchup and honey mustard.
However, it is best known for its egg and spring rolls. Ior said her egg rolls are so popular because they are handmade with lots of love.
The truck is based in Oshkosh but can be found throughout the Fox Valley region and beyond.
Daily posts about the locations and hours of operation can be found by searching "Zoua's Fresh Egg Rolls" on Facebook.
Vincent's Smokehouse
Vincent's Smokehouse is another popular barbecue food truck offering a number of signature dishes.
The daily menu includes pulled pork and chicken, with the choice of a sandwich or just the meat, Frito pie, "Sweet Cheesus" loaded mac and cheese, and sides. Occasionally, the truck will offer additional specialty dishes.
Customers raved about the pulled pork and chicken sandwiches on the Facebook reviews, noting the large portions that the truck serves.
A weekly posts on Facebook lets customers know where it will be stationed throughout the week, but customers can also find live updates at vincentssmokehouse.com.
Tria's Frog Treats
Tria's Frog Treats has the honor of being Wisconsin's first freeze-dried food truck. It offers a number of different freeze-dried candies that can be purchased in person or even ordered online.
The freeze-dried candies on offer include Airhead bars, Airhead bites, Charleston Chews, Jolly Ranchers, Lemonheads, Nerd Clusters, peach rings, Skittles, Starburst minis and more.
The uniquely designed food truck and products bring in a lot of customers, but it is its mission to save the frogs that really helps it stand out among the rest.
All tips go to support the Save the Frogs organization to save frogs all over the world by providing education and habitat rehabilitation.
Customers can find weekly locations and hours of operation on its Facebook page, facebook.com/triafrogtreats.
Reach Jelissa Burns at 920-226-4241 or jburns1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @burns_jelissa.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Fox Valley Food Truck Association says these are most popular vendors
