Delta County Historical Archives photo The Nels Larson popcorn truck on Ludington Street, circa 1950.

Karen Rose Wils

ESCANABA — Food trucks are the ultimate summer treat.

When it’s too hot to cook, too nice to stay indoors, and too busy to shop for groceries, a food truck is the perfect answer.

The Delta County area is fortunate to be the home of several fantastic food trucks.

How about some fresh squeezed lemon aid on a muggy mid-August afternoon? Or a smoked brisket sandwich after biking or boating all day? So do some loaded French fries smothered in cheese, barbecue and green onions sound good right now?

Back in my younger days, food trucks were found mainly on the U.P State Fair’s grounds. Norm’s fries with a tangy dash of vinegar, cotton candy, and a cinnamon-coated elephant ear were some of the favorites. Baby sitting and paper route earnings bought quite a few caramel apples too.

Back in the 1970s, food trucks were few and far between. A person thought of big city venders selling hot dogs, corn dogs and burritos, when they thought of food trucks. My mother often warned us not to eat too much food from these mobile restaurants because it may be too greasy, or spicy and we might end up with a belly ache.

Well, let me tell you, food truck specialties have come along way over the years. Street venders were once thought of as quick economic, meals for the busy working man, single folks or young on-the-go people.

Today, truck dinning is posh. Eating a pulled pork sandwich or munching down freshly caught and fried whitefish with some chips and a cold drink, sitting on a comfy lawn chair, is a perfect way to enjoy a family meal.

Mobile food service has a long history in our country. We all remember reading about the famous “chuck wagons” of the frontier days. Charles Goodnight invented the chuckwagon in 1866. Pulled by horses, out west chuckwagons brought food to hard working cowboys and loggers.

Serving coffee, beans, salted meats and lots of sourdough biscuits, chuckwagons were America’s first food trucks.

In Escanaba we had popcorn vending trailers on Ludington Street back decades ago. The smell of hot, buttery popcorn was enough to lure children from three to eighty-three years old to the wonderful snack food.

Food trucks are popping up in more places than ever. From big festivals and concert parks to breakfast burritos sold along a rural highway, food trucks fill a delicious service for our community.

I’ll bet you could find some next week at the fair. Bon appetit.