"Buffalo's best dinner party": Food Truck Tuesday returns to Larkin Square for 11th year

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Live music, family fun activities, drink and of course -- food.

There's a lot for the community to enjoy at Larkin Square as Food Truck Tuesday returns for another summer of serving up the cuisines of Food Trucks from all over.

"Tonight is what I like to call, 'Buffalo's Biggest Dinner Party' and it's the 11th season of Food Truck Tuesday, so it's like a holiday in Buffalo," said Leslie Zemsky, the vice president of Larkin Development Group. "There's always a variety of main course options and then some dessert trucks so we try to mix it up every week, so there's always something fun and new to try."

Every week they will have around 20 food trucks that will park in Larkin Square, and they will have a rotating variety of trucks throughout the summer.

At every truck, there's a Independent Health certified "Healthy Option" that will be labeled with an Independent Health sticker on the menu.

"The healthy option on the menu has been analyzed by a dietitian, meets our guidelines, which means it's lower in calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium," said Brianna Wallenhorst, community nutrition program administrator with Independent Health. "Try it, don't be afraid, a lot of people might think healthy options don't taste good but the chefs put a lot of effort to make sure they are enjoyable options that you want to try again."

If you're looking to try something new, there are a lot of unique foods to try at the "Mad Sauce" truck. From stuffed turkey legs, to turkey wings, and even cookie butter wings, owner Jamel Humphrey said he and his family will come up with sauce ideas, and he makes it work.

"I used to barbque a lot, and I got bored with regular BBQ sauces, and my first sauce was the 'Henny BBQ', and went from there," said Humphrey. When asked how many sauces does he have now, he laughed, "I couldn't even tell you that."

Humphrey said he is returning to Larkin Square after being away for a few years, and that it's nice to be back and to see the neighborhood is growing.

"It's definitely growing it's nice, I got a few buddies with restaurants in the area, it's definitely growing and becoming a lot more nice and fun," said Humphrey, "We get to come here, with our fellow food truck owners, and operators and a ton of people come out and eat great food, and you get to see smiling faces out here."

Zemsky said they're noticing a lot of people heading back into the offices after the pandemic, and people moving into the neighborhood, which is helping attract more businesses to set up shop in the neighborhood.

"It's definitely a rising tide lifts all boats, so there's a feeling of hey, come and try mine, it's not competitive it's very collaborative in our business neighborhood here." said Zemsky, "For the neighborhood, we have a lot of new small retail businesses so for them, it's also a big night and a chance to open their doors so we encourage people to enjoy Larkin Square, but take a walk around the neighborhood."

Food Truck Tuesdays will run every Tuesday through Aug. 27, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit their website here.