Love is in the air this February with lots of events: the Florida State Fair opens, Wine Weekend in St. Petersburg kicks off, the country celebrates Superbowl Sunday...and did we mention the upcoming food truck rallies?! February 14th is the second Thursday of the month, meaning our monthly Downtown Lakeland Food Truck Rally falls on Valentine's Day! Alongside a display of 20 food trucks in the park, we will be setting out tables with linens, chairs, and will have a romantic playlist set on our mobile DJ truck - perfect for a fun, tasty and nontraditional date night. If you're looking to celebrate Saint Valentine over lunch instead, check out our daily locations page for the food trucks serving near you. Whether you plan to trek out to a truck forever alone or with a date you're sure to walk away with some awesome food. Need another reason to love on food truck dates this month? We've got three more reasons why.

1. Food trucks are a unique alternative to a restaurant. Bring a blanket or some chairs and set up camp at a cozy location to spend some personal time with your significant other (or friend or dog!) You can dine in a more intimate setting rather then a crowded restaurant, buzzing with other couples. Not to mention you'll avoid any awkward interruptions from wait staff. Food trucks provide sauces, disposable silverware and containers that make for an easy clean up and transportation to your "campsite." Food trucks also help you skip the long wait for a table, and avoid fighting for a reservation in advance. Menus are posted for easy access, and the turn time for food is excellent! There's no wait for individual courses to come out or waiting for your check, you can do a simple grab-and-go then set up for an intimate evening.

2. The eats are cheap, convenient and varied. You want BBQ and she wants Vietnamese? You can have both! Most trucks also offer dessert options, sides, and appetizers allowing you to create your own food sampling. Serve up a three course meal with a food truck (or three different food trucks!) You can walk up to the truck and get some quality eats without having to pay $30 each for an entree, as the average main course on a food truck runs about $10. Food trucks also tend to serve larger portions (think of a burger and fries) or smaller sampler portions you can order such as freshly made individual tacos.   

3. There's food for everyone! Do you have a picky eater with you? What about a vegetarian? Food trucks are flexible and willing to help out if your party has some diet restrictions. If a food isn’t disclosed as being vegetarian friendly feel free to go up to the truck and talk to the person at the window. More than likely, they will be able to help you out or make a recommendation! If you are opting to visit a location with just one truck, you can call ahead to ask about the menu. If you’re at a food truck rally just move on to the next truck to see what offerings they have! Are you on the keto diet? You can easily order sandwiches without the bun and skip the carbs. Many food truck menu items can also be ordered without toppings to conform to your date’s hatred of pickles. The possibilities are endless, don't hesitate to speak up!

Have you always wanted to attend a food truck event, but weren't sure what to expect? One of our most popular events is the monthly Downtown Lakeland Food Truck Rally in Munn park. Here, we are answering some of our most frequently asked questions regarding this event!

1) What is a food truck rally?
A: A food truck rally is a gathering of food trucks in a public space, where the community is encouraged to come check out a variety of cuisines and socialize. It's a great way to try something new, while supporting local small business owners!

What's it like to attend a food truck rally? Below we’ll cover everything you need to know to enjoy your visit!

Come prepared: While most trucks accept credit and debit cards, we recommend bringing some cash in case it's needed for parking, or in the rare event that technology fails us and the trucks are not able to accept plastic (we will admit there are only a few events nowadays where trucks aren't allowed to accept debit and credit cards).  

Check which food trucks will be on site in advance. If you want to plan ahead, check our events calendar for alisting of food trucks that will be on site at that particular event. You can even peruse their sample menu to get an idea of what dishes you would like to try, and pricing prior to arrival. (Menus at each event are subject to change!)outdoors. Depending on the event, you will be standing and milling about where the trucks are parked, seated (potentially on grass) or at tables. Dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather and the venue, and during the summer it may help to bring a hat and sunscreen. If you know the rally is taking place in a park, such as our monthly downtown Lakeland Rally, feel free to bring a beach chair or blanket to enjoy your meal picnic-style. While most events will continue rain or shine, the food trucks are almost always parked. more than just food! Whether it be live music, a 5k, a Tampa Bay Lightning watch party, a fundraiser for a school, the food truck events are set up for you to be entertained and to enjoy yourself. Your best bet is to plan on attending events that align with your interests.