If trying out a few new food trucks is on your Pensacola area bucket list this summer, we have five new options to help you cross it off.
The range of new restaurants roaming Escambia and Santa Rosa counties will take your tastebuds around the globe. From New Orleans style snowballs to Southern Cuban sandwiches, Hawaiian lunch plates to Italian style pizzas and Texas style birria crunch quesadillas, there’s something for everyone.
Food trucks are mobile and subject to change location. Be sure to follow each restaurant’s social media pages for up-to-date hours and locations.
Lei Traders
Opening date: June 2024
Location: 17288 Perdido Key Drive
Facebook: Lei Traders
Details: From the makers of Bluefin Poke and Eurasian Bistro comes Lei Traders, bringing the best of both restaurants to Perdido Key area. The Bluefin part of the concept will bring some of the poke dishes including plate lunches similar to what is found in Hawaii, as well as fresh lobster rolls. On the Eurasian Bistro side, there will be a scaled version of the Pensacola location’s menu, including bahn mi sandwiches, garlic noodles, fried rice, egg rolls and other Vietnamese snacks. Perfect for a day out at Johnson Beach or after a trip to the Flora-Bama, Lei Traders has what you need to refuel. The food truck is planning to celebrate its grand opening on June 29.
Birria Babes
Opening date: April 2024
Location: 8495 Navarre Parkway
Facebook: Birria Babes
Details: Birria Babes is run by two Texan sisters serving “authentic TexMex Blends that you will not find anywhere else locally,” Birria Babes wrote in a statement. “We are often told that our flavors are very different than anything else offered in this area!” They are your go-to-gals for all things birria, shredded pork and beef dishes. Some of their specialties include their signature birria tacos, their birria crunch quesadilla, elote and sopapilla cheesecake. They also offer a variety of specialty beverages, including fresh fruit agua frescas and horchata.
EinSwine
Opening date: June 2024
Location: Varies, but The Farm on 6404 Mobile Highway has been a regular spot
Facebook: EinSwine
Details: Born from the brain of a longtime Pensacola Country Club chef Bradley Hamblin, Hamblin set out on his own culinary journey a few months ago alongside his wife, Alana Hamblin, to concoct an experience of premium Southern cooking and barbecue.
"He does the recipes, I at least came up with the name," Alana Hamblin teased. "And I do the desserts."
While they offer an impressive menu on the food truck, they offer an even more expansive menu for catering events based off Bradley Hamblin's 25 years of experience in the industry. Some of the food truck staples will likely be connected to the smoked meats, like the Southern Cubano with pulled pork, pork belly, Swiss cheese, pickles and yellow mustard, or the Brisket Melt with chopped brisket with caramelized onions, barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese and applewood smoked bacon. However, the menu goes far beyond the barbecue, including Southern classics like a chicken and sausage gumbo, cheesy pulled pork croquettes, boudin spring rolls and a pecan smoked hummus. Are you hungry yet?
Short Fuse Pizza and Italian Kitchen
Opening date: January 2024
Location: Emerald Republic Brewing, 1414 W. Government St.
Facebook: Short Fuse Pizza
Details: Short Fuse Pizza opened with the guidance of a former pizza and brewery owner from Pittsburgh. Originally an homage to Italian American foods, such as pizza, sandwiches and desserts, they have since expanded a bit for a few more snacks that pair well with beverages from Emerald Republic Brewing. The menu pushes the envelope when it comes to creative recipes packed with flavor, like the Elote Pizza with white sauce, roasted corn, bacon, jalapenos, cilantro, cojita cheese, lime and crema fresca drizzle, or The Peach Pit, a seasonal pie topped with fresh basil, mozzarella cheese, crispy bacon, red onions, thinly sliced fresh peaches, drizzle of honey and a splash of sweet peach juice on top. Short Fuse goes beyond the pizzas, and also serves up a variety of specialty sandwiches, like the Gusto Celeste with sweet and spicy pepper jelly, salami, capocollo, sweet ham, provolone and mozzarella on ciabatta bread.
Cheri’s Snow Cones and New Orleans Snow Balls
Opening date: March 2024
Location: Truxtop Food Court, 2541 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Facebook: N/A
Details: Cheri’s is an affiliate of Hot Spot Barbecue, focusing on New Orleans style snowballs stuffed with ice cream and topped with sweet cream. The truck does also offer nachos and pizza, but the snowballs are the main focus. There are a wide variety of flavors, including wedding cake, Blue Hawaiian, cookie dough and wild strawberry, along with specialty combinations such as Bart Simpson, Bahama Mama, strawberry cheesecake and Ocean Breeze. If you’re looking for a cool and creamy summer treat, this is it!
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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola area food trucks: 5 new options to add to your bucket list
