Tracy Schuhmacher

@RahChaChow

As the food truck season begins to decelerate, two new trucks are gearing up for next spring. Boxcar Doughnuts and Jeremiah's Tavern recently made trial runs of new mobile operations and are booking events.

The Boxcar Doughnuts mobile operation is a 1974 Airstream trailer that has been converted for serving food. Owner John Ebel said he chose the trailer so that it can be towed by any vehicle, avoiding shutdowns from engine issues. He also liked that it was shaped a bit like a train car, in keeping with the boxcar theme.

"The retro design is something we really love," he said. The trailer will be wrapped with graphics consistent with the Boxcar Doughnut shop, which is working toward a November opening at 127 Railroad St., near the Rochester Public Market.

The Boxcar Doughnuts trailer made its debut at the Clothesline Festival in September, offering a preview of the imaginative, scratch-made creations to come. Fruity Pebbles cereal doughnuts were coated in a cereal milk glaze and scattered with Fruity Pebbles cereal. A rectangular maple bacon bar was topped with a maple glaze and a strip of bacon.

"It was amazing. We sold out," Ebel said.

Ebel also owns Glen Edith coffee, which has two locations: 44 Elton St., in the Neighborhood of the Arts, and 23 Somerton St., just off of Park Avenue. Until the Railroad Street shop is ready for production, doughnuts are being made on Elton Street. They are sold at both Glen Edith locations on Fridays and Saturdays.

"That’s allowing us to get better at making them," Ebel said.

Glazed, powdered sugar and cinnamon and sugar flavors are in the current rotation; apple cider doughnuts will available at the coffee shops soon. More creative flavors and vegan doughnuts will be saved for the shop.

The doughnut trailer will participate in food truck events next year. Ebel said that couples planning weddings have shown an interest in hiring the truck to serve doughnuts as snacks during dancing.

Jeremiah's Tavern recently took delivery of a large food truck that has a full-service kitchen including four fryers, a flat top cooking surface and a grill.

Jeff Reddish, who has owned Jeremiah's Tavern for the past 10 years, expects the truck to expand its business catering to weddings, backyard barbecues, corporate events and fundraisers.

Jeremiah's has three locations: 1104 Monroe Ave., 2200 Buffalo Road in Gates, and 2164 Fairport-Nine Mile Point Road in Penfield. Reddish said he's been eyeing the food truck idea for a while.

"It's obviously a fast-growing segment of the food business," Reddish said. "I've always been intrigued by it. I think it's a nice way to get our name out there."

The Penfield location will serve as the commissary, where food will be prepared for cooking. The food truck menu will include many items served at the restaurants: wings, boneless wings, wraps, plates and more.

"It's really tailored upon what you want," Reddish said.

Reddish does not expect the truck to make the rounds for downtown lunches, but it will participate in next year's festivals and rodeos.

The Jeremiah's staff gave the truck an hourlong trial run last week; Reddish called the experience "great, excellent."

Papa Gig's plans exit

Meanwhile, the owner of one of Rochester's early food trucks is putting his truck and its contents up for sale. Richard Gigliotti launched the Papa Gig's food truck in 2013, when the city had just four spots designated for food trucks downtown. It specializes in Italian fare and Utica specialties.

He said the business has grown every year, even as the competition has increased.

“That impacts on all of us," he said. "But I look at it this way — I’m not a young guy and I’ve been around — the more trucks, the more selection for people. If they’re going to make it, they are good.”

Gigliotti, 67, is retiring in part because he needs surgery on his hip.

"I’m going by the wayside because I’m getting tired," he said.

Where are the food trucks?

The last food truck rodeo of the Rochester Public Market will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, Want to get your favorite food truck fare before they shutter for the winter? Go to wherethatfoodtruck.com. You'll find Tweets from all of the area's food trucks, who regularly post their locations.

TRACYS@Gannett.com