Diverse dining: Food truck festivals in the suburbs offer tasty options

Food truck season is rolling back into the suburbs, bringing with it a full lineup of outdoor festivals packed with bold flavors and local favorites.

From taco trucks and BBQ pits to gourmet desserts and global street food, these events turn parks and downtown streets into open-air dining destinations.

With live music, family-friendly activities, and plenty of chances to try something new, food truck festivals are one of the easiest — and most delicious — ways to make the most of spring and summer weekends across the region.

Des Plaines Food Truck Round Up

Listen to live music, shop from local artisans and enjoy dinner from a variety of food trucks during on the first Food Truck Round Up event, hosted by the city of Des Plaines.

The events will be 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, at Rosemary S. Argus Friendship Park and Conservatory, 395 W. Algonquin Road; Tuesday, July 21, at Metropolitan Square, Metropolitan Way and Market Street; and Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Library Plaza, 1501 Ellinwood Ave. Limited picnic table seating is available, and attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets.

• On May 19, enjoy music by Whiskey Mil, bubble activities and more. Additional seating is available in the conservatory courtyard. Portable restrooms and indoor facilities will be available.

Get handmade goods, treats, and more at the artisan and community booths from Always Love Being, Galactic Crafters, Hot Otter Sauce, The Pretzel Place, and SPEAK Des Plaines.

The food truck lineup includes: Culinary Gangster, Churros Y Chocolate, The Hawaiian Food Truck by Tiki Terrace, Frozen Dreamz,, Kori's Koop, Panzi'z and Pinoy Grill. Menu items available for purchase include smash burgers, chicken wings, pot stickers, fish tacos, grilled cheese, egg rolls, pancit, panzerotti (calzones), frozen slushies, ice cream, and fresh squeezed lemonade. Kori's Koop is offering vegetarian options of their grilled cheese and fries. Most trucks will accept cash and card, but please note that Panzi'z only accepts cash (no debit or credit cards).

The parking lot entrance is on Kolpin Drive off Algonquin Road and overflow parking will be available at Friendship Junior High's parking lot.

The food truck lineups for the next two events will be coming soon. On July 21, draw on the chalk wall while enjoying live music by Griffin Crowder beginning at 5:30 p.m. On Aug. 18, attendees can join in yard games, and listen to the 28 Days Duo beginning at 5:30 p.m.

For information, visit desplainesil.gov/events.

Lake County Food Truck Festival – May 22

The Lake County Food Truck Festival returns to the Lake County Fairgrounds on Friday, May 22. It will feature a wide variety of food trucks serving up everything from savory meals to sweet treats. There will be plenty of live music and entertainment to keep the whole family entertained.

It will be noon to 9 p.m. at the fairgrounds, 1060 E. Peterson Road in Grayslake. Buy a parking pass for $10 per vehicle (save $2 when you buy online). Admission gives you access to the food trucks, beer garden, entertainment for all ages, and live music by Acousticatz and the Dixon Bandits.

The food truck offerings include:

• I Love Grill & Lemonade Polish Bistro Truck (Polish platter, pierogi, jumbo grill Polish sausage, potato pancake, sausage & pierogi combo, bigos stew hunter; I Love Grill & Lemonade Cheese Wheel Pasta (cheese wheel pasta, Parmegiano Reggiano, pasta Alfredo, spaghetti, ravioli, cream Italian iced caffe, canoli), Johnny Boys Mini Donuts (fresh made Lil Orbits, mini donuts, fresh squeezed lemonade), Julio’s Tacos (tacos, quesadillas, burritos, tamales, quesabirrias, elotes), La Michoacana Premium (Mexican snacks: corn, ice cream, Popsicles, flour rings, hot Cheetos with cheese, steak Doritos, baked potato), Little O’s Frozen Treats (frozen custard, Dole whip, mini donuts, frozen lemonade, slushies), Mouthful of Grace (empanadas, Puerto Rican rice, jibaritos, tostones, papa rellenas), and My Funnel Truck (fresh funnel cakes).

• Pizzeria Deville (homemade wood fired pizza, wood fired wings, wide selection with gluten-free and vegan options), Smash’em Up (smash burgers, loaded fries, egg rolls), Smokie Boyz BBQ (brisket, pork, chicken, ribs, sausage, mac and cheese, beans, cornbread, creamy slaw, banana pudding), The Boba Lady (milk tea, smoothies, boba drinks), The Happy Lobster (lobster rolls), The Lumpia Lady (lumpia, BBQ skewers, pancit noodles, lechon), Tievoli Pizza Truck (wood fired pizza), Travelin' Toms Coffee (frappes, iced and hot lattes, refreshers, ice tea, lemonade, cappuccinos, hot chocolate and more).

• Wild Fries Food Truck (loaded fries), Wisconsin Style Barbecue (smoked beef brisket, smoked pulled pork, mac ’n cheese, buffalo mac ’n cheese, loaded walking taco), Zhel's Kitchen & Catering (pancit, palabok, lumpia, halo halo, barbecue chicken and pork skewers), Bella's Kitchen (enchiladas rojas, enchiladas verdes, elotes, pambazoz, aguas frescas, gorditas), Big D's Hotdogs (Chicago style hot dogs, polish sausage, brats, walking tacos, elote Mexican street corn), Brother’s BBQ (pulled pork sandwiches, beef and brisket, Nashville hot chicken, macaroni and cheese, cheese curds, fried pickle chips, waffle fries), Chicken Palace (micheladas, fresh fruit water), and Cousins Maine Lobster (lobster dishes).

• Culinary Gangster (gourmet burgers, chicken sandwiches, loaded fries), Da Local Boy (Mochiko chicken, Huli Huli, poke, Aloha mixed plate), Georgia’s Food on the Go (Creole food, New Orleans-style food), Girl’s Got Balls (risotto balls), Grayslake Dog n Suds (Texas burgers, Coney dogs, fries, mac and cheese bites, chicken strips, root beer floats, root beer), Grub-n-Go (Puerto Rican cuisine, hamburgers, hot dogs, grubby sandwich, jibarito sliders, fried plantains, fries), Happy’s Badazz Marketing (Bavarian pretzels)

Stop by some of the retail vendors including Besties Permanent Jewelry and Creations, Chef Heatley's Artisan Hot Pepper Farm, Chocolate Moonshine Co, The Licorice Guy Old Fashioned Licorice, L&W Crystals, Matt Hatter Timeless Hats, MJD Apiary Milwaukee WI, Sherwood's Fabulous Fudge, Tasty Tumblers, and To Di For Baked Goods.

For information, visit lcfairgrounds.com/foodtruckfestival.

North Aurora's Cuisine at the Crossroads – May 22

Enjoy street eats from over eight of the area’s best food trucks and enjoy live DJ entertainment, with a view of the Fox River during the fourth annual North Aurora's Cuisine at the Crossroads from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 22, at Riverfront Park, 25 E. State St. in North Aurora. Some on-site seating will be available.

The food truck lineup includes: Burrito Xpress (Mexican), Chopsticks (Asian), Happy Lobster Chi (lobster rolls), My Funnel Truck (lemonade shakeups, funnel cakes), Pizza Delle Api (deep dish pizza), The Hawaiian Truck, The Polish Shack.

General admission is free with ample free parking. Cash and credit available at most vendors. This event is outdoors with large grassy areas for guest seating. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets. RSVP via EventBrite.com so they have a headcount to plan accordingly for enough trucks.

For information, visit the event Facebook page.

Woodstock Food Truck Festival on the Square – June 6

Get ready for one of summer’s tastiest traditions. The Woodstock Food Truck Festival rolls into the historic square on Saturday, June 6. At least a dozen food trucks will line the square serving everything from gourmet street eats to hometown favorites.

It will be 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 6, on the historic square on West Van Buren. There will be live entertainment and a beer tent.

Admission is free for this family-friendly event. For more information, visit the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce’s website, realwoodstock.com.

Montgomery Street Eats Festival – June 12

The food trucks return for the fifth annual Montgomery Street Eats Festival on Friday, June 12. It will be 5 to 9 p.m. in Montgomery Park, along River Street in downtown Montgomery, with views of the Fox River. There will be plenty of shade, open space, and a playground for foodies of all ages to enjoy the day.

Sample food and beverages from more than 10 of the area’s best food trucks and enjoy live DJ entertainment and a vendor village featuring local businesses.

General admission is free with ample free parking. Cash and credit available at most vendors. This event is outdoors with large grassy areas for guest seating. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets. RSVP via EventBrite.com so they have a headcount to plan accordingly for enough trucks.

For information, visit the event Facebook page.

Huntley Food Truck Frenzy – July 18

Huntley’s Food Truck Frenzy returns for its third year from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Park District REC Center, 12015 Mill St. in Huntley.

The annual event will feature 30 food trucks, vendors, a kids zone and more. Jam along to live music from Industrial Drive and this year’s headliner, 7th Heaven.

Diverse food trucks will be serving up a delectable array of cuisines. From sizzling barbecue and wood-fired pizza to tantalizing Hawaiian dishes and creamy mac n’ cheese, there’s something to satisfy every craving.

Indulge in specialty coffee, savor the rich tastes of American classics, and delight in the bold spices of Filipino and Mexican fare. Explore the vibrant tapestry of Latin and world cuisines, lose yourself in savory poutine and crispy fries, and treat yourself to lobster rolls and funnel cakes. Afterward, dive into some ice cream and other sweet treats.

New this year, purchase a Food Truck Frenzy cup and receive $1 off each drink at the Huntley Park District bar throughout the event (pop and alcoholic beverages).

RSVP via EventBrite.com. Visit the Huntley Park District Facebook event page for more information.

Other food truck events around the suburbs:

Lisle Food Truck Socials: 4:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, June 3-24, in Commuter Lot B, 1001 Burlington Ave., Lisle. Food trucks and live music. bensidounusa.com/lislefoodtruck/.

Food Truck Thursdays: 4:30 p.m. to dusk Thursdays, June 4 through Sept. 3, at Jens Jensen Park, 486 Roger Williams Ave., Highland Park. Food trucks and live music in the Ravinia District. Free. enjoyhighlandpark.com.

Groovin’ in the Grove Food Truck Fridays: 4-10 p.m. Fridays, June 12, July 17 and Aug. 14, at Sugar Grove Public Library, 125 S. Municipal Drive, Sugar Grove. Food trucks. Bring a lawn chair. sugargrovechamber.org.

Hanover Township Fall Food Truck Festival: Times TBA, Thursday, Sept. 17, at the township, 250 S. Route 59, Bartlett. fallfoodtruckfest.com.