Food trucks battle for tastebuds in 4th annual Saskatoon war

The Food Truck Wars have started in Saskatoon.

The battlefield? 20th Street from Avenue C to Avenue F.

The weapons? Burgers, waffles, grilled cheese, falafel and more.

The first casualties?

“Could be the people that eat all this stuff,” said Robert Hodgins, owner of Mean Green Ice Cream Machine.

“It won’t be me, or at least I hope not.”

More than 20 food vendors have set up as part of the fourth annual event, which has relocated from the Sutherland area to Riversdale.

The three-day-long event features a SIGA Food Truck Wars Flavour Challenge, where a panel will judge entries from each of the food trucks to name their favourite dessert, beverage and entree.

The food trucks, meanwhile, are taking the term “war” and applying it to some friendly competition.

“We are going to win it, all the way,” said Sharon Grady, co-owner of Poor Gary’s Grub Truck.

“We told Rebel Melt and Dapper Dane that ‘cheese is out and the pork is in.'”

According to several food truck owners, the two grilled cheese specialists were the ones to beat.

Rebel Melt owner Marla Mullie takes the target on her back as a compliment.

“They just want us to lose so we can’t enter!” she said.

All joking and friendly competition aside, the group of vendors are excited for the opportunity to come together and provide a fun event for Saskatoon.

“We get a lot of exposure because a lot of people can’t be at the locations we’re normally at,” Grady said.

“Here it’s a centralized location in the heart of downtown, and it’s an awesome event.”

The Food Truck Wars also feature a variety of craft vendors and stores along the street are holding special sales over the weekend.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.