ILLUSTRATIONS BY CAT KAHNLE
Summer is the perfect time to hit the road in the Pioneer Valley and taste your way through our mobile food scene. Whether you’re exploring one of the great museums in Springfield or taking a walk across the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls, there’s great food to be had from a variety of food trucks and trailers. Some of these businesses have brick-and-mortar restaurants you can check out, and others can be found roaming the Valley—many of them year-round! The best way to find the current location of the businesses below is through their social media and websites. Try them all and check them off as you savor summer throughout the Valley!
CAPTAIN JACK’S ROADSIDE SHACK
Instagram: @captainjacksroadsideshack
Find Captain Jack’s Roadside Shack serving up heaping platters of fried seafood and lobster rolls next to River Valley Coop in Easthampton during the summer. During the winter, you can find his trailer in the parking lot.
CARAVAN KITCHEN
A roaming sandwich trailer serving paninis crafted with artisanal bread. They pride themselves on their fresh and healthy ingredients.
CROOKED STICKS
Handcrafted ice pops in a wide range of unique flavors often made from local fruit. Find owner Julie and her staff on her freezer trike at festivals, farmers markets, and events throughout the summer.
EL CHAPINCITO
Authentic Mexican and Guatemalan food in Wendell, Orange, Greenfield, and Northfield. Enjoy tacos, birria, burritos, quesadillas, and more.
CLIFF’S SMOKING BACKYARD BARBECUE
Cliff’s offers Southern barbecue on the go. Find them at local fairs, festivals, and breweries serving racks of ribs, pulled pork, and smoked chicken.
COCINA LUPITA
Cocina Lupita is a family-owned and -operated El Salvadoran food trailer. Find them in Turners Falls (even though their social media handles say Greenfield, they’ve closed that location!) slinging tacos, pupusa, pastelitos, and more.
CRAVE
Brick & Mortar: 285 High St., Holyoke
cravetruckma.com
Crave serves up modern Puerto Rican food using fresh, local ingredients. Try the mofongo—mashed green plantain filled with meat of your choice.
CRAZY AREPAS
Instagram: @crazyarepas
Crazy Arepas is a family-owned business that specializes in arepas, a Columbian and Venezuelan flatbread sandwich featuring a variety of meat and cheese fillings.
CRÊPES NANOU
Sweet and savory crepes, made with fresh and seasonal ingredients, served from an adorable converted horse trailer.
THE FARMERS’ DAUGHTERS
Find on Facebook
If you’re exploring events at the Cummington Fairground or the Worthington area, be on the lookout for this apple fritter trailer.
GINGER LOVE CAFE
Instagram: @gingerlovecafe
Filipino street food. Find them vending at festivals throughout the region this summer and popping up in the winter at Jake’s in Northampton. Keep an eye out for the food truck park they’re opening in Easthampton this June.
MOHAWK GRILL
Find this truck serving authentic Palestinian foods like falafel and shawarma in Great Falls Tuesday through Saturday.
PATCH BURGER
Instagram: @patch_burger
Find this smash burger pop-up serving classic thin burger patties, smashed and griddled until crispy, alongside chopped cheese and smoked wings at Four Phantoms Brewery in Greenfield.
PUSH FOR JOY
Push for Joy is a specialty espresso cart popping up at local farmers markets and events in the Valley. They specialize in locally roasted high-quality coffee.
THE SAUCY MAMA
Brick ‘n’ mortar location: 1 Cooper St., Agawam
The Saucy Mama serves up classic Italian foods like meatball parm grinders and fried risotto balls. Check out their brickand- mortar location in Agawam for even more options.
SWEETERA & CO
Instagram: @sweetera_413
Satisfy your sweet tooth with milkshakes packed with flavors and piled high with treats. Sweetera also offers bubble waffles and smoothies.
THAI CHILI
Owner Supicha Hillenbrand grew up in Bangkok, Thailand, and now serves up “spicylicious” Thai fusion food and flavors from around the world from her food trailer.
VLAD’S PIZZA
Instagram: @vlads_pizza
Vlad’s Pizza offers hand-tossed Italian wood-fired pizza made from quality ingredients.
WAKE THE DEAD DONUT
wakethedeaddonuts.com
Combine a love for donuts and the Grateful Dead and you’ve got Wake the Dead Donuts. Find them serving up mini donuts at festivals and concerts.
WICKED TWIST
Enjoy soul food with a New England twist. You can even pick up a jar of their Razzle Dazzle spice blend from their truck. Find them parked in Chicopee.
YJ CATERING
Instagram: @yj.catering.ma
A family-owned Puerto Rican food trailer and catering business. Find them this summer at farmers markets and breweries in Springfield, Westfield, Longmeadow, and East Longmeadow.
