A food truck park is coming to Orlando this Summer called A La Cart Orlando thanks to Orlando natives April and Dustin Williams. It is set to open this Summer in the Milk District at 615 Irvington Ave, just behind 7Bites restaurant.
The couple moved back to town from Redmond Oregon specifically to execute this project. In Redmond the two were school teachers... and frequent patrons of food truck park in their town.
A food truck lot is a plot of land with multiple trucks open 7 days a week with bathrooms, seating areas and parking for cars. The trucks change out on a regular basis so there's always variety. It's a community gathering spot accented with other features like live entertainment and alcohol.
"We saw this model on the west coast and fell in love with it. My husband and I regularly disagree on food," says April. So, having multiple trucks at one spot was perfect for the couple. "We just thought 'Hey wouldn't that be a great thing to have in our hometown orlando?'"
A La Cart Orlando will be the Orlando area's third food truck park. The first was Winter Park Food Truck Stop at 1127 N. Orlando Ave; the second was World Food Trucks in Kissimmee at 5811 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway. World remains open while Stop is closed.
The project is in the permitting stage with the city. The home on the property that's been there for 60 years has already been demolished April said. The couple has another meeting with permitting this week. "We don’t expect the build out to take too long," she told us.
They're shooting for a summer opening.
One of many topics the couple is discussing with the city is how the leases for the food trucsk will work. "We’re meeting with the planning and permitting groups and figuring out what's best for the City, for us and for the truck operators."
As for guest experience, "Our goal is to provide consistency for guests and for trucks." They want to build a place their customers know will be open and ready every day.
The project will consist of 5 parking spots for trucks, a covered pavilion with seating for 60-70 people, an outdoor courtyard and 2 bathrooms. It will also feature a bar serving craft beer, wine, cider and cold brewed coffee.
Foodie parents will appreciate one very special feature: a designated kids play area. April said the addition of this feature came from her own experience being a foodie (and drinky!) parent. "Our friends are aging but that doesn’t mean we don't want to go out and get good food and hang out." A space for kids to play gives parents the chance to, well, play as well.
The couple will work together at the business when the lot is completed, but each will also have a few specific responsibilities. April will handle the social media and food truck management while Dustin will handle the beer. "He’s a little bit more knowledgable with the beer than I am. Don't tell him I said that!"
The trucks will be curated and chosen based on quality of food, size of the truck (it’s a smaller lot), quality of presentation and social media presence. April says, "One of the great things about (food truck lots) is there’s a joint marketing effort. Maybe someone goes there to see their favorite food truck then they see another one (they've never seen or tried) and then try something new."
The lot will have 15 designated spots for cars which meets the city’s recommendations. April says there aren't many on-street parking spots.
Hours will be 7 days a week, 11:30am-10pm Sunday thru Wednesday and 11:30am-11pm, Thur thru Saturday
Hours will be 7 days a week, 11:30am-10pm Sunday thru Wednesday and 11:30am-11pm, Thur thru Saturday
We have a proposal - Yes the Mills50 district has food trucks at bars and Quantum Leap Winery's weekly food truck event, OBT has the city's original food trucks fronting several commercial buildings nights and weekends, Kissimmee has a food truck park, every office complex and big event in Lake Eola Park has food trucks...
But now within a 1 mile radius you've got 1 daily food truck lot, 1 weekly food truck event and 2 monthly food truck events. So, The Daily City proposes for your approval that this area casually be known as Orlando's Street Food District. What do you think?
- A La Cart Orlando - every day 11:30am-10pm S-W, 11:30am-11pm R-S
- Tasty Takeover - every Tuesday 6-10pm, 2424 E Robinson St. - 10 trucks in a parking lot behind several popular "hipster" bars serving great liquors next to PBRs.
- Kona Food Truck Luaus - 3rd Saturdays 5-9pm, 3505 E Colonial Dr 10 food trucks in a large parking lot. Bring chairs.
- The Daily City Food Truck Bazaar - 2nd Sundays 5-8pm, 3505 E Colonial Dr - 10 food trucks in a large parking lot. Bring chairs.
