All is Set for Murrieta Food Truck Fest

The names are catchy and the menu items tempting.

The city of Murrieta had to get special permission to hold its first food truck festival Saturday at Town Square Park, but that did not deter organizers.

Currently, Riverside County is the only in Southern California where food trucks are not permitted to operate. The county has banned the mobile vendors for decades over concerns about public health, Lake Elsinore-Wildomar Patch recently reported.

However, the county allows food trucks—which are becoming ever popular among families and foodies alike—for special events.

In June, crowds flocked to the city of Riverside's 2nd annual Food Truck Festival. The food trucks were parked in a fenced off area at Third and Market streets, and by most media accounts the event was well attended. On Oct. 6, Pechanga also hosted a food trucks festival.

Murrieta was required to obtain a health permit for its premiere event, city Special Events Coordinator Laura Frasso told Patch. The permit allowed them to book between 10 and 20 trucks; their line-up Saturday includes 15 trucks.

Vendors slated include Chubby's Food Truck, Bitchin' Burgers and Slow Cal BBQ. Many hail from San Diego.

Because it was foreign territory for city, Frasso said they contracted with a company that has experience in organizing food truck festivals.

All the vendors were vetted, she said, and must adhere to Riverside County health and food service standards. (A pdf of frequently asked questions about the Murrieta Food Truck Fest is attached to this article.)

The Murrieta Food Truck Fest takes place from noon to 5 p.m. at Town Square Park, near City Hall, the Police Department and the Senior Center off Jefferson Avenue and Juniper Street.

Admission is $10; the proceeds go toward purchasing equipment for the city's Youth Center.

Frasso said items needed for the Youth Center, which is being constructed at California Oaks Sports Park, include a pool table, TVs and video game consoles.

Food at Saturday's event must be purchased separately.

Additionally, BrewLigion is hosting a beer garden at the event for an extra charge. Guests must be 21 or older to enter the beer garden.