The rumors are, sadly, true: the thriving East Side Drive In trailer food park on 1001 East 6th will be closing, with the lot going under development by the end of May.

“It wasn’t a surprise to us,” says Gabe Rothschild of the Love Balls Bus. “We knew the change was coming and all of the trailers have joined together in a community to help each other find the next spot.” While Gabe may be sad to leave the food court community, he hopes to retain several of his loyal customers while expanding his business base at their new location by a bar.

The food trailers are slowly making their way out to their next destination. Two trucks have already moved, leaving six behind. Jason Rodis of Mati Greek Trailer has a slightly different perspective on the move.

“It seems like [the East Side] is where all the foodies congregate,” says Jason, with fingers crossed his new location will be equally fun and successful.

“I’m going to stay in a trailer park setting as opposed to moving my business to a bar,” Jason says. In fact, three or four of the trailers in the lot with him now are considering signing a lease together. Jason is invested in staying on the East Side.

“It seems like [the East Side] is where all the foodies congregate,” says Jason, with fingers crossed his new location will be equally fun and successful.

Mati Greek Trailer is the only Greek trailer in Austin, and Jason comes by the recipes honestly, being 100% Greek. “Even my step-dad is Greek,” he laughs. The burger is likely his best-seller featuring ground beef, garlic and herbs stuffed with feta cheese inside a fresh boullio roll topped with tomato and onion and served with tzatziki.

The Love Balls Bus will soon be parked at the 29th Street Ballroom this coming June. “The (East Side) Drive In had it’s own pull and was a great starting point for us to get a name, but it was always our plan to have our business next to a bar. It’s great bar food,” Gabe shares.

Gabe and his wife Sao are taking the opportunity to head back to Japan, where the couple originally met, for the month of May. He anticipates the Takoyaki, their current best seller, will reign in popularity at their new location as well. Inside the fried savory pancake, the Takoyaki love ball, are chunks of octopus with scallions and pickled ginger. On the outside? Kewpie mayo, aonoir (powdered seaweed), bonito flakes and Japanese sauce.

As always, the best way to find the trailers is to stay tuned to their social media messages on facebook and Twitter. Bits and Druthers as well as Pig Vicious have already relocated. In addition to the Love Balls Bus and the Greek Trailer, you’ll want to find Pueblo Viejo, Firefly Pies, the Vegan Yacht and Danny’s BBQ elsewhere this summer.

Already miss them? Look for updates from the trailer food chefs of the East Side Drive In on their social media pages or check www.trailerfooddiaries.com.