The Back Lot, Mobile's first food truck court, opened Friday afternoon. Though the opening date was a couple of months later than originally planned, Adam Cowart of Core Hospitality Advisers in Birmingham, who developed the new space on Joachim Street in downtown Mobile, said "it's worked out great."

He couldn't have asked for a better day weather-wise, with not a cloud in the sky and the temperature topping out at about 75 degrees in the middle of the day. And as weekends go, this is one of the most action-packed, with downtown Mobile hosting LoDa Artwalk on Friday night as well as SouthSounds Music and Art Festival's three-day celebration.

Cowart and his wife, Julie, who is expecting their first child in August, spent the day putting finishing touches on the site, including putting together three picnic tables and hanging string lights on the pergola made of cedar posts. Both of them wore gray T-shirts sporting The Back Lot's logo. (The couple will raffle off more of the shirts over the weekend.)

On Friday afternoon, four food trucks were lined up and ready to go, including Crepe Crusader, the newest arrival on Mobile's food truck scene, which offers crepes and waffles; Smokin' Gringos, which specializes in tacos, burritos and quesadillas; and two trailers from Corinne's Rolling Kitchen.

Charlie Welch, who owns Corinne's, said he is "real excited" about The Back Lot. "When I found out they were having this, I immediately called Adam," he said.

In one of his trailers, he sells snow cones, soft-serve ice cream and milkshakes. In the other, he offers chicken wings, chicken fingers and chicken sandwiches. "Our motto is, if it clucks in the barnyard, we've got it," he said.

Formerly a banquet chef at the Mobile Convention Center, Welch is used to feeding a crowd. He bought his first food truck 12 years ago and boasts that, according to the Mobile County Health Department, he has operated his food truck longer than anyone else.

"I've been rolling ever since," he said. His business has been so successful that he's working on a third food truck now, he said.

He loves the idea of plugging into a power source at The Back Lot, and having access to water. "Having something stationary beats having to go out and find somewhere to work in the slow time," he said. "This is what I do."

After this weekend, The Back Lot will be open Tuesday through Friday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. "We'll add more shifts after we get our bearings," said Cowart.

The food truck court is located directly behind the new Hilton Garden Inn on Bienville Square. The space is carved into the hotel's parking lot, between Dauphin and St. Francis streets.

The daily schedule can be found at www.thebacklot-mobile.com.