on on tacos

On-On Tacos' Jason Claunch. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- On a recent windy afternoon, On-On Tacos' Jason Claunch is standing outside his food truck in a Books-A-Million parking lot when he says, "Folks will come track us down. I'm surprised by the response to our food sometimes."

A major response indeed is expected for the Street Food Season Kickoff, set for 6 – 9 p.m., Friday, April 18 at A.M. Booth's Lumberyard, 108 Cleveland Ave.



Sixteen food trucks, including On-On Tacos, will be set up both in the parking lot and inside the downtown venue, where there will also be live music from acts including Rocket City Jazz Orchestra, Big Spring Jazz Band and Rocket City Latin Band. Admission is free. A.M. Booth's Lumberyard is located in the Meridian Arts & Entertainment District, a 10-acre district with event-friendly open-container laws.

Examples of menu items and prices from all 16 food trucks are below. Featured ingredients range from barbecue brisket to tofu to red bell pepper to fresh lobster to mini-donuts to bacon. The ventures operate out of disparate vehicles including a converted

mid-80s Revcon commercial RV, 14-foot trailer and hotdog cart.

Non-profit organization Downtown Huntsville, Inc. has organized three previous Street Food events – two last fall and one in February in Quigley Arts & Entertainment District. The Street Food debut drew an estimated 1,200 or so people.

And that one featured only three food trucks.

"I think what people are realizing," Downtown Huntsville Inc. CEO Chad Emerson says, "is the idea of the old fashioned food truck that goes around to construction sites and sells sandwiches and other non-fresh goods, that has changed, that many food trucks now are artisans at what they do. Many of the items are cooked to order right in front of you."

Other Street Food 2014 events will follow, every third Friday from 6 – 9 p.m. through Oct. 17, Emerson says. The next is a May 16 Battle of the Food Trucks, which will feature awards given out for highest total sales and highest sales of one item.

Badd Newz BBQ

Pulled Pork Sandwich ($5), Smoked Pulled Turkey Sandwiches ($5), Hamburgers ($4), Cheeseburgers ($4).



Read our dining review of Badd Newz here.

Bigfoot's Little Donuts

Four types of made-to-order mini-cake donuts): Cinnamon & Sugar ($3 per dozen), Honey & Graham Cracker ($3 per dozen), Powdered Sugar ($3 per dozen), a to-be-determined Gourmet Option ($3 per half-dozen):

Brain Freeze Mobile IceCream

Variety of Blue Bunny brand products including Ice Cream Sandwiches, Whole Fruit Bars, Big Dippers ($1.50 - $3.00).

Crave Heat

Molé Tacos ($8 for two), Carne Asada Fries ($6), Fish Tacos ($7 for 2), Chicken Burrito ($8).



Read our dining review of Crave Heat here.

Dallas Mill Deli

Chicken Salad Sandwich ($5.25), Hamburger ($5), Club Sandwich ($6.50), Strawberry Pretzel Salad ($3.75).

Earth and Stone

Event Specialty Pizza, BBQuelicious ($6 for half of 10-inch pizza), Greene Street Pizza with mozzarella provolone blend, fresh baby spinach, baby Portobella mushrooms, red onion, red bell pepper, Kalamata olives ($6 for half of 10-inch pizza), Smoked Pork Loin Sliders ($8 for two sliders and one side), Veggie Lover's Tortilla Melt ($8 with side of hummus), BBQ Nachos ($8)



Read our dining review of Earth and Stone here.

Food Fighters Bustaurant

Smoked Brisket Tacos ($7 for two), Big Country Loaded Brisket Fries with barbecue brisket, brown gravy, cheddar cheese ($7).

I Love Bacon

Grilled Bacon Mac, a sandwich on sourdough filled with mac-and-cheese, bacon and cheddar ($7.99), The Elvis, grilled bacon, banana, and peanut butter on sourdough ($6.99), Major Lazer, lettuce wraps with coconut rice, black beans, Jamaican jerk-marinated and double smoked bacon, cilantro and pineapple sauce ($7.25). Pork Belly Cantina Tacos with braised pork belly, cilantro, fresh citrus slaw and sriracha sour cream ($8.49).

Neon Lilly

Siberian Pelmeni Plate, dumplings stuffed with ground pork and beef, with spicy sauce, fresh herbs ($7.75), Polish Golabki Plate, cabbage rolls abundantly stuffed with ground turkey and beef and rice, with tomato sauce ($6.50), Kielbasa, house-made pork sausage on a hoagie with choice of three toppings, two sauces ($6.75).



Read our dining review of Neon Lilly here.

On-On Tacos

Your choice of smoked chicken, pulled pork, chili butter shrimp, or house made chorizoon Tacos ($7 for two) and Nachos ($7).



Read our dining review of On-On Tacos here.

Peppered Pig

Chicken Wings with sriracha aioli, smoked pepper tomato sauce, blue cheese celery slaw ($10), choice of Cherrywood Smoked Pork Loin or Marinated Seared Mahi, with chimichurri, jasmine rice, toasted naan bread, tzatziki sauce and tomato cucumber salad ($15).



Read our dining review of Peppered Pig here.

Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea Co.

Locally blended iced tea by the quart in hand painted mason jars ($8, refills $4), and teas flavors with include Front Porch Special, with spearmint, jasmine, and Earl Grey, a "caffeine free fruity tea" and a "surprise flavor."

Rocket Dogs

Hot Dog, 100 percent beef ($3), White Hot, pork and veal ($4), Chili Cheese Dog ($4), Veggie Dog ,tofu ($4), available condiments include 11 locally and regionally produced slaws, relishes and other toppings.

Rocket City Expresso

Espresso, Cappuccino, Lattes, available in mocha, caramel, vanilla, etc. (Up to $3.50, will blend and ice any drink for 25 cents extra) Blended Frapps, available in mocha, caramel, vanilla, white chocolate mocha, etc. ($3.75). Variety of teas ($1.50), Fruit Smoothies ($3.75).

Rollin Lobstah

Connecticut Lobstah Roll, warm fresh lobster tossed in melted butter, seasoning, toasted bun special seasoning ($11 with chips), Maine Lobstah Roll cool fresh lobster, lemon mayo, seasoning, toasted bun ($11 with chips), Mac & Cheese Bacon Lobstah Bites, fried ($7 for four).

Sugar Belle Cupcakes

Red Velvet with cream cheese frosting, Mint Julep, Chocolate Salted Caramel and Chocolate Stout ($3 per cupcake, $5 for two).



Read the story behind Sugar Belle Cupcakes here.