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Dozens of food trucks rolled out to the New York State Fairgrounds on Saturday to share their diverse dining options at the annual Syracuse Food Trucks Foodie Fest. From Greek gyro to Italian ice, the festival brought cuisines from across the world to central New York, along with some local favorites.

The Syracuse Food Truck Association organized the event, which is their last of 2023. Every truck offered at least one item that cost $5 or less, so that customers were able to sample as many of the trucks as possible.

Rory Poole, the owner of the Saltin’ the City food truck, said the event was a good way for foodies in the region to have a place to meet and share their passion in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

“I come really to see the people, and I was hoping to get the name out. Today’s not really about making the money for me,” Poole said. “I think it’s good for people to be able to have someplace to go take your kids.”

Saltin’ the City sells chicken spiedies, a dish that originated in Binghamton, NY. To make the spiedies, he marinates one-inch chunks of chicken for several days before grilling them on a skewer. Poole is originally from Elmira, near Binghamton, and chose to serve spiedies because of the local connection.

Poole has been a cook for more than 25 years, and currently works as a cook manager for the Syracuse City School District during the week. He operates the truck on weekends and described it as a passion project.

“This is my peace of mind. I do it all day long,” Poole said.

Other vendors included Elm Street Taco, a horror-themed Mexican truck with images of classic slasher movie characters painted on its side, and Oompa Loompyas, which specializes in a Filipino dish called lumpia.

Syracuse alum EmmyJo Mallia visited the fair with her friends and ordered from Leo’s Donut Factory, a truck that fundraises for animal charities. Leo’s sells donuts, cider and coffee out of their purple truck with dog-themed decals. Their truck raised money for High Rollers Club, an organization that helps provide wheelchairs to families that own dogs with mobility issues.

Alexander Zhiltsov | Contributing Photographer

Due to the lively festival atmosphere, many visitors said they planned to return to the event in the future. For vendors and visitors alike, the event has become a Syracuse staple.
Alexander Zhiltsov | Contributing Photographer

“They’re really good, but there was a lot of sugar on them. Like, mountains,” Mallia said.

The Artisan Village, a large indoor space for vendors to sell homemade jewelry, kitchenware, beef jerky and more, was available to visitors as they entered the festival gates.

One of Mallia’s friends, Sam Harrison, purchased a large sculpture of a fish made by local artist Terrie Dignean of Bernhards Bay Redneck Windchimes, who had a booth at the festival. Dignean incorporates reclaimed wood, such as driftwood, into her artworks to give each one a unique look.

“Whenever I’m at water, I’ve got a bag and I am picking up pieces of wood. Everywhere I go,” Dignean said. “I never know what I’m going to do, I just start throwing things together and that’s how they come out.”

In addition to the artisan booths, the fair offered live music from Evan Fairchild, Joe Whiting Band, Prime Time, Jes Sheldon & The Stewards of Sol and Sophistafunk. Near the front gate, the Witchy Women of the Finger Lakes were present to greet new faces, dressed in black and purple costumes.

The Witchy Women are an organization that performs to raise money for domestic violence survivors. They were at the event throughout the day, raffling off a broomstick on-stage before the headlining performance.

The main pavilion had bounce houses, face paint and video games for young attendees, and a Batman impersonator made his rounds around the fair talking to visitors.

Sean Fluaitt, who was at the event representing Indigo Creek Candles, also had a booth in the artisan area. He enjoys traveling to the Syracuse area for events at the fairground due to its atmosphere.

Fluaitt and his wife are both Army veterans who live in Black River, selling her handmade candles together for the past four years.

“My children are grown and this is a retirement plan,” Fluaitt said. “We’ve done this event for the last couple years. My wife’s familiar with people that are down here and we do a lot of Syracuse stuff down here on the fairgrounds.”

That festival atmosphere is what keeps truck owners, artists, musicians and other vendors coming back for more. Poole, the owner of Saltin’ the City, said that while he had only done one previous Food Truck Fair, he was looking forward to coming back again.

“Hopefully I’ll see everybody at the fairgrounds next year at the New York State Fair,” Poole said. “Just make sure everybody knows that I’m the chicken spiedie man.”

Published on September 24, 2023 at 11:19 pm