Food Truck Fest: 6 Meal Mobiles To Check Out

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Now in its fifth year, the annual Food Truck Festival at Arlington Park race track has become a showcase for rolling restaurants around the Chicago area. This year's event, which runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 7, will feature more than 20 food trucks, as well as live music.

With such a wide variety of menus, it might be hard for attendees to make up their mind on what dishes to sample. That's why Patch has picked a few of the meals on wheels that people should definitely try while they're at the fest.

From grilled cheese to lobster rolls, these six food trucks shouldn't be missed at Saturday's event (the food truck lineup is subject to change, according to Arlington Park):

1. The Cajun Connoisseur

What's on the Menu: South Sider Kyle C. Kelly — the Cajun Connoisseur — offers a variety of po' boy sandwiches, ranging from chicken breast and jumbo shrimp to lobster and king crab. But Kelly's food truck is probably best known for its Signature Sixx Seafood Gumbo, which includes jumbo shrimp, deshelled crab, lobster, salmon, whitefish and crawfish. Customers can also order it with or without pork andouille sausage.

More Info: Go to The Cajun Connoisseur's website.

2. Cheesie's

What's on the Menu: Grilled cheese might be simple comfort food, but that doesn't mean it can't be spectacular. The food truck for Cheesie's Pub & Grub subscribes to that philosophy. Diners can stick with the no-frills Original — American cheese and Merkt’s cheddar cheese on Texas toast — or try something more adventurous like The Tenderizer — cheddar, mozzarella, hot sauce, bacon, fried chicken tenders and Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce on Texas toast.

More Info: Go to Cheesie's Pub & Grub's website.

3. Chicago Pizza Boss

What's on the Menu: Pizza, of course. But it's the kind of pizza you eat like a boss. (C'mon, you were expecting that Lonely Island reference, weren't you?) This mobile pizzeria offers made-to-order, thin crust pies that use a variety of fresh ingredients, including Cuputo mozzarella made from Wiscon Milk out of Melrose Park. And yes, it's all right to live in the Chiago area and still enjoy pizza that isn't deep dish.

More Info: Go to the Chicago Pizza Boss website.

4. Da Lobsta

What's on the Menu: The lobster roll might be a New England staple, but that hasn't stopped Da Lobsta from introducing this hot seafood sandwich to hungry Chicagoans. The food truck serves half-pound and one-pound Maine lobster rolls, as well as Da Monsta Roll, which is made with lobster, crab, shrimp, truffle mayo and iceberg lettuce, topped with garlic butter and served on a footlong bun.

More Info: Go to Da Lobsta's Facebook page.

5. Fat Shallot

What's on the Menu: Recently ranked No. 19 among the 101 best food trucks in the country by national food website The Daily Meal, Fat Shallot is arguably one of the best known meals on wheels in the city. Its grilled cheese — made with Muenster cheese, sautéed spinach and caramelized onions on sourdough — caught The Daily Meal's attention, but the truck also serves a buffalo chicken sandwich — fried chicken tenders tossed in chipotle buffalo sauce on an egg bun with blue cheese sauce and celery salad — truffle fries and spicy sesame fries worth checking out.

RELATED: Fat Shallot Makes Best Food Trucks In US List

More Info: Go to Fat Shallot's website.

6. Yum Dum Truck

What's on the Menu: The truck touts itself as serving homestyle Asian fare with its selection of steamed dumplings and baowiches. Some customers, however, might want to make a complete meal out of Yum Dum's sides, which include kimcheesy rice balls — cheddar jack cheese, house kimchi, jalapenos and scallions topped with jalapeno sriracha mayo and cilantro — and sriracha pecan fudge brownies.

More Info: Go to Yum Dum Truck's website.

Fifth Annual Food Truck Festival: The Basics

When: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 7. Gates open at noon.

Where: Arlington Park race track, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights

Cost: Park admission is $8 online or $10 at the gate.

More Info: Go to the race track's website for a complete lineup of participating food trucks.

Image via Fat Shallot