From empanadas to mini doughnuts, Korean barbecue to walking tacos, the quarterly Food Truck Rodeo had something to satisfy any craving a Durham resident could have.

On Nov. 3, 36 food trucks and four breweries packed into Durham Central Park for the final Food Truck Rodeo of 2024. Tables offering face painting and fall themed crafts were set up in the center of the park, with live music performed throughout the day. Rodeos also took place in April, June and September.

Erin Kauffman, executive director of DCP, said selecting which trucks participate at each rodeo is like a puzzle. 

“It has to have the draw of like, there’s an empanada truck, and there’s a pizza truck, and there’s a burger truck, and there’s a slushy truck,” Kauffman said. “We try to make sure that there’s lots of different cuisines for people to try to kind of keep it interesting.”

The only requirements for vendors to participate are that they are located within 50 miles of Durham and are a mobile vendor. Kauffman said  DCP typically receives about 150 applications at the beginning of each year and works with vendors to ensure that they can all attend at least one rodeo. 

Bull City Burger and Brewery has been participating in the rodeos since the brewery was founded, said Seth Gross, owner and chief eating officer.. The restaurant used to participate in all four rodeos each year, but they now only attend 2 or 3 in order to give opportunities to other vendors amid recent food truck growth in the Triangle.

Gross said  his business benefits from the exposure gained at the rodeos.

“People love the beer and they ask, you know, ‘Where do I go?’” he said. “We tell them we also sell burgers, grass-fed beef burgers, and we tell them it’s right up the hill.”

Bon Appétit named Durham “America’s Foodiest Small Town” in 2008, and the mobile culinary scene has only expanded since Durham relaxed  food truck regulations in 2011. 

“I think food trucks are really versatile,” Kauffman said. “You never know what you’re gonna get, but usually it’s gonna be pretty good.”

Gross said the unique concept of a variety of food trucks together in one location attracts a diverse crowd from across the city. 

“I think my favorite part of the rodeo is seeing the community–kids and dogs, all walks of life,” he said. “The rodeo attracts everybody, Black, white, Asian, straight, gay, everything, and I love seeing the fabric of Durham, all the different people that are there.”

Kauffman said  the main goal of the rodeo is to provide free programming in the park for all to enjoy. 

She added that she’s also proud of the composting program that has been implemented since she stepped into her role 10 years ago. The food trucks serve food in compostable containers and volunteers monitor waste bins  to help attendees sort between trash, compost, and recycling. 

DCP’s Food Truck Rodeo will return in 2025 and will provide plenty of food, fun and free entertainment for Durham residents.