Hit the Road
The tastiest food trucks, trailers, and carts to track
Written by Anush J. Benliyan
Fess Parker Winery recently introduced the MOBILE BUBBLE SHACK, a moveable version of its charming Bubble Shack in Los Olivos. The converted 1969 Fireball trailer serves up Fesstivity sparkling wines—Sta. Rita Hills blanc de blancs, brut rosés, and blanc de noirs—by the glass or bottle on the grounds of the winery on Saturdays and Sundays. Los Alamos farmer Carla Malloy stocks her mobile ELDER FLAT FARM stand with organic produce like artichokes, heirloom tomatoes, swiss chard, pomegranates, and melons, as well as gorgeous blooms (including edible flowers), fresh eggs, and Sideyard Shrubs. Check her Instagram to know when she’ll be parked at Bell’s next. Malia Christensen and Makena McGinley are the sisters behind the adorable vintage mobile bars you might have spotted around Santa Barbara and the Central Coast. THE PETITE FLEET of transformed trailers and mail cars are perfect for parties, pouring delectable libations—wine, bubbly, beer, and handcrafted cocktails—and nonalcoholic beverages like lavender lemonade kombucha. For your next java fix, stop by the pint-size NEIGHBORS COFFEE CART, parked in front of Global Eye and Four Brothers Wine in Los Olivos. The electric mini coffee truck focuses on Central Coast roasters like Dart Coffee Co. and Dune Coffee Roasters. Chef Clark Staub’s new FULL OF LIFE FLATBREADS truck—a refurbished 1952 Chevy cab-over—offers a mobile version of the beloved Los Alamos eatery, firing up fresh artisanal breads and flatbreads loaded with locally sourced ingredients like whole-milk mozzarella, roasted mushrooms, and caramelized onions. Also available for “field bakes” for private events, the Full of Life truck will be cooking up a storm this fall, with a schedule of ticketed dinners, including “In the Heart of Harmony,” Table & Vine Supper Club’s family-style meal in the tiny town of Harmony (September 30), and an Outstanding in the Field dinner with Lompoc’s Ampelos Cellars (November 1). And don’t miss Nicholas Priedite’s moveable feast behind Bell’s in Los Alamos at his eponymous PRIEDITE BARBECUE pop-up. The budding pit master is celebrated for his modern take on old-school brisket, ribs, house-made ranchero sausage, and pulled pork, all of which he smokes over local oak.
Photographs by Elder Flat Farm, Collin Dewell; the petite fleet, Lacie Hansen, Neighbors Coffee Cart, Sara Prince; Priedite, @troxphotos (John Troxell).
