Inside Town’s Meal Wagons
For a town that, like its residents, is always on the move, it was only a matter of time until food trucks hopped on the road to satisfy the post-adventure cravings of locals and visitors alike. Whether they’re parked at a special event or based around town, local food trucks are bringing a world’s worth of culinary options to the Yampa Valley. Here’s a list of some favorite spots to grab a quick snack, drink or full meal without stepping out of the summer sunshine.
Q Live Crew BBQ
Q Live Crew is Steamboat’s go-to place for authentic, local barbeque. The food truck offers brisket, pulled pork, chicken teriyaki balls or the fan-favorite pork sundae, each fresh and slow cooked for up to 14 hours. The business has won multiple awards for its barbecue in competitions, and took third place in the Best of the Boat barbeque category. “You can’t compete with the nostalgia of somebody who has a place back home,” pitmaster Dean Montgomery said. “If I can create some nostalgia and some consistency, that’s great.” Q Live Crew offers catering and can be found at the Steamboat Springs Farmers Market and Steamboat Free Summer Concerts.
Mountain Berry Bowls
While you can catch Mountain Berry trucks rolling throughout Colorado, Idaho and Montana, its staple ingredient of açai comes from as far as Central and South America. Each menu item offers a different variation on the açai smoothie bowl, with superfood toppings ranging from granola to blueberries to bee pollen. “It’s just an awesome meal or snack that’s gluten free, dairy free, all natural and we source as many local ingredients as we can,” says owner Lindley Lynch. This summer, Steamboat’s Mountain Berry truck owner David Hughes will be extending the hours of operation, which means more chances for a refreshing treat. Catch it at the Farmers Market, Free Summer Concerts and Boat Yard food truck court. It offers catering as well. mountainberrybowls.com
Skull Creek Greek
Skull Creek Greek’s “Wagon-A-Go-Go” is more than just a food cart. Serving up traditional Mediterranean fare, including Greek gyros, salads, falafels and more, it’s a converted 1930s sheepherder’s wagon, which can be booked for catering and has its own electricity and water holding tanks. It can be found at the Farmers Market, Free Summer Concerts, and other special events around town. A popular choice among locals, the wagon has been voted best food truck in the Best of the Boat competition for eight years in a row. “We’re planning on getting it out more of the year,” says company owner Jason Partobi, who featured it at Winter Wondergrass. “We’re carrying on the tradition of serving great food at fun events and working with awesome people.” skullcreekgreek.com
Cooking Until the Cows Come Home
A list of local food trucks wouldn’t be complete without a business that honors the Yampa Valley’s ranching roots. Saddleback Ranch operator Cara Iacovetto offers freshly baked comfort foods like pies, cinnamon rolls and mac ‘n cheese from “Bessie,” her mobile restaurant. “I specialize in pies and I’m kind of known locally as the ‘Pie Lady,’” Iacovetto says. “Baking a beautiful and delicious pie is a bit of a lost art nowadays, so it makes me happy to see the smile on customers’ faces when they take home one of my pies.” Catch Bessie at the Farmer’s Markets in Steamboat and Hayden and at various events throughout the summer. Iacovetto also will be cooking at the Moffat County Fair and the Meeker Sheepdog Trials, as well as offering catering and online orders. cookinguntilthecowscomehome.shop.
Mountain Tap Mobile
What’s not to like about mobile brews and ‘zas? Mountain Tap Brewery takes its show on the road with its custom-built mobile trailer equipped with a wood-fired oven and crafted to look like a Yampa Valley barn. Available for private events only, it serves up pizzas, appetizers, desserts, and handcrafted beers. “We don’t have space to accommodate all the private party requests we receive at our brewpub during the summer,” says co-owner Wendy Tucciarone, adding they’ve served small family gatherings on up to wedding celebrations for 100, and as far away as the Wyoming border. “It’s really taken off in the past few years—we provide the food, handcrafted beer and friendly staff to help you and your guests enjoy your mountain experience.” mountaintapbrewery.com
Jamerican Joe’s
Jamerican Joe’s brings a taste of the Caribbean to the Yampa Valley with a menu offering a fusion of American, Mexican and authentic Jamaican dishes. “People love the food, vibe and energy,” says owner Joseph Richardson. “When you come around me, you’re going to feel the Caribbean vibes, the good music and all of that.” When not serving at the Farmers Market and various other events, it’s parked outside the Yampa Valley Brewing Co.’s Hop House located at 1125 Lincoln Ave. “I respect my customers because they’re the ones that keep me going and without them I wouldn’t be where I am now,” Richardson adds. “I want to grow bigger, and it solely depends on my customers.” Hint: try the chicken curry, jerk pork and beef.
The Boat Yard
Can’t decide? The Boat Yard downtown is a new, family-friendly outdoor gathering space that utilizes rotating food trucks, a riverside location and open event space to bring the community together. With room for up to five food tucks, it can be utilized for concerts, weddings, fundraisers, reunions and more, including private functions. Vendors this summer include Mountain Berry Bowl, Tie Dye Cones, Mobile Burgers; and El Bajio. theboatyardsteamboat.com
