SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The annual Syracuse Food Truck Battle in Chevy Court at the New York State Fairgrounds came back for its third year this spring on May 13 from 11:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. with special headliner, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness.

The Food Truck Battle featured 50-plus trucks, being Central New York’s largest gathering of food trucks, and the winners of the festival were announced on Syracuse Food Truck Association’s Facebook last night.

The food trucks came together for a friendly competition to win the coveted Judge’s Choice & People’s Choice Awards, and a new award this year: the Most Creative/Unique Entry.

A portion of ticket sales also helped benefit Helping Hounds Dog Rescue and Erin’s Angels.

The winners of the 2023 food truck battle are:

Peoples Choice Savory: Bold Coast Lobster Co.

syracuse-food-truck-association-battle-winners-4
Judge and Boxing Champion Christy Martin, Event Organizer Bri Petrocci and Kate George, Bold Coast Lobster. Courtesy of Syracuse Food Truck Association

Peoples Choice Novelty: Blueberries & Lace

syracuse-food-truck-association-battle-winners-3
Judge and Boxing Champion Christy Martin, Event Organizer Bri Petrocci and Olivia Orlando, Blueberries & Lace. Courtesy of Syracuse Food Truck Association

Judges Choice Savory: Callé Tropical

syracuse-food-truck-association-battle-winners
Judge and Boxing Champion Christy Martin, Event Organizer Bri Petrocci, Event Committee Member Larry Pankow from Byblos and Nelson & Odalys Negron, Calle Tropical. Courtesy of Syracuse Food Truck Association

Judges Choice Novelty: Melt

Most Unique/Creative: Melt

Judge and Boxing Champion Christy Martin, Event Organizer Bri Petrocci and Rebecca Farruggio-Secreti & Don Farrington, MELT. Courtesy of Syracuse Food Truck Association

There were over 50 other food trucks that competed in the battle offering low-cost samples. The entire list is provided below.

The following 55 food trucks competed in the Battle:

  • Byblos – Fried Meat Pies (Sambousek)
  • Toss & Fire Wood-Fired Pizza – T&F x Mamacitas: Birria Pizza
  • Birdsong Cafe – Frozen Hot Cocoa with W’oissant Dunkers
  • PB&J’s Lunch Box – Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip Tots
  • Cue-Dogs – Chicken Tender & Fries
  • Carvel DeWitt – Carvel Famous Soft Serve with Crunchies
  • Petit Nosh – Bread Bowl Scramble with Herb Oil & Crispy Ham
  • The Baked Potato Express – 1/2 Corn on the Cob with Butter
  • Limp Lizard Road Show – Smoked Turkey Slider
  • PhokOuttahere – BX Summer Roll
  • Leo’s Donut Factory – Fruity Pebbles Donuts
  • Wrap N Roll – 1/2 Chicken Caesar Wrap
  • Shaved Ice Factory – Blue Raspberry & Cherry Battle Ice
  • Ma & Pa’s – Deep Fried Cookie Dough
  • The Spud Shack – Flamin Hot Cheeto Cheese Fries
  • It’s A Utica Thing – Utica Meatball
  • MELT – Blackberry Italian Cream Soda
  • Baja Cali Taco Co. – The PCH (Fish Taco)
  • Herlihy Smokehouse & Grill – Shamrocks
  • Exhale Cafe & Bakeshop – Lemon Lavender Haze Cake Cup
  • Morgan’s Cereal Bar – Stikn Chikn
  • Muzzi’s D’Italia Ice – Cookie Monster Ice Cream Sandwich
  • Congo Box – Grilled Lamb Chops
  • Oompa Loompyas – Pinoy Arancini Bites
  • Theo Petros Greek Food Truck – Tzatziki Teaser
  • Anthony’s 19th Hole – Beef on Weck (1/2 sandwich)
  • Fair Deli – Reuben Empanada
  • The Angry Pig BBQ – Chopped Brisket & Cheddar Tots
  • Liehs & Steigerwald On Wheels – Pepperette
  • Mamacita’s – Pina Colada Mofongo
  • Wolf’s Patio Pizza – Cheese Pizza Slice
  • Yum Yum Shack – Mac & Cheese Egg Rolls
  • Hughie’s House of Hotcakes – The Hughie Sampler
  • Macarollin Food Truck – Buffalo Chicken Mac
  • Ali Baba Food Truck – Chicken Rice Bowl with One Falafel Patty
  • Ji-woo’s Korean Seoul Food – Sweet Bop
  • Blueberries & Lace – Blueberry Iced Coffee
  • Silver Street Road Kettle Corn – 100% NYS Maple Syrup Flavor Kettle Corn
  • Henry’s Hen House – Jerk Chicken
  • Baga Bowls On The Go – Fruitopia Flight
  • Driftwood BBQ & Catering – Cherry Smoked Chicken Wings
  • Barlow’s Concessions – Dough Balls with assorted toppings
  • Calle Tropical – Philly Cheesesteak Empanada
  • Elm Street Tacos – Birria Dippers with Consume
  • Oh Crepe & Waffles – Churro Waffle
  • Bob Barker’s – Southwest Tots
  • Skippy’s Ice Cream – Ice Cream Dream
  • Bold Coast Lobster Co. – Bacon Wrapped Scallop Pop with Blueberry Compote
  • Via Napoli Express Inc. – Pizza Montanara: Fried Authentic Neapolitan Pizza
  • Food Rescue Food Truck – Pyro Piggy Chips
  • The Bacon Bomb – Bomb Nachos
  • Kiki’s Authentic Greek Food – Loukoumades – Honey Balls, Greek Fried Dough
  • D&G’s Mac and Cheese – Gold Standard
  • Johnny Gee’s BBQ & Catering – Baked Beans
  • PK Thai Food – Chicken Satay

For additional fun between tastings, Harvey’s Garden Activity Zone was open with Cornhole and a Hula Zone. The event also included a KidZone with family fun events for the kids all day.

Battle goers also got to explore Artisan Village which featured over fifty local artists and crafters inside the Science & Industry building. Wildflowers Armory partnered with the SFTA this year to celebrate handmade vendors with a whole section packed full of some of favorite local makers.

The following vendors were featured at this year’s Food Truck Battle:

  • Kingsley Street Artisan Soaps
  • Earthquake Spices
  • Johanna Wall Jewelry & More
  • Farm Girl Honey
  • Cryptoon Goonz
  • Annie Jo the Peach
  • Allie B. Creates
  • Artwork By Barry Lee
  • Hilos de Vicky
  • Carter + Clay
  • Sunny & Blue Tie Dyes
  • Cardinal Signs
  • Flower Skate Shop
  • Thompson’s Treasures
  • Ann’s Midnite Creations
  • MB_Customizations
  • gypsy girl designs
  • Daphne Designs
  • Paint and Pen by Lori
  • Liza Coco Art
  • Moonlight Mystic Treasures
  • Fox Den Gallery
  • Forever Sage Boutique
  • The Stitch Witches
  • SYC Maille
  • Sugar Dust Art
  • KJL Woodcrafts
  • Junkologistsgoods
  • ThreeCcreations
  • NEINO Fab
  • Keeping it personal
  • Maris’s Fabric and Fiber
  • A craft away from crazy
  • Sloppy Kisses
  • The Seabees Grandson
  • Rachel’s Custom Creations & Gifts
  • Waggley Wear
  • Maslin’s Guardens
  • Golden Grrls Creations
  • Painting By ME
  • Michelle DaRin Jewelry
  • Ash, Oak & Thorn, LLC
  • Jenuine’s Gems
  • Just Bead It
  • Lazy Cat Creations
  • Indigo Creek Candles
  • It’s A Twist & A Dye
  • Woodpecker Turnings
  • Brew Chew Beef Jerky
  • Stay Golden Soy
  • Whip My Butta Organics
  • Kristy Andrews Design “The Bag Lady”
  • The Gritty Sisters Soapery, LLC
  • Pets Bring Joy Pet Supply, LLC
  • Pocketbooks & Pages (Outdoors)
  • Walking Miss Daisy Pet Accessories (Outdoors)

Musical guests played at Chevy Court Stage

food truck battle NYS Fair
Photo provided by the New York State Fair

In addition, American singer-songwriter, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, was this year’s headliner at the Food Truck Battle which featured a whole lineup of musical guests throughout the day.

Those guests included the following:

  • Just Joe: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • My So Called Band: 12:50 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
  • Fondu: 2:10 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.
  • Brownskin Band: 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Hard Promises: 4:50 p.m. – 6:05 p.m.
  • AWARDS PRESENTATION: 6:35 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
  • Michigander: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness: 8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.