Food Truck Fight:  ‘I’m here for all the food’

East Moline was a foodies’ paradise on Saturday, July 20. That’s because more than a dozen food trucks served a wide variety of tasty snacks and drinks there during the annual Food Truck Fight at The Rust Belt, 533 12th Ave. The event, which has been held in Bettendorf the past two years, attracted thousands […]

East Moline was a foodies’ paradise on Saturday, July 20. That’s because more than a dozen food trucks served a wide variety of tasty snacks and drinks there during the annual Food Truck Fight at The Rust Belt, 533 12th Ave. The event, which has been held in Bettendorf the past two years, attracted thousands of people to the new venue.

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Bobby Ray Bunch, the event’s owner and organizer, said he decided to move the event to East Moline because The Rust Belt offers a unique feature – both indoor and outdoor space for the Food Truck Fight. About 13 food trucks served up  treats in a fenced off parking lot outside The Rust Belt, while the crowd had the option of going inside the building to eat and listen to music in a cool space. “This gives people the opportunity to sit inside in the air conditioning and still go outside to the food trucks. … There are few other places in the Quad Cities that can offer this,” he added. The indoor space also featured a bounce house for kids, alcoholic drinks for the adults, a few vendors telling the crowd about their services and a place for attendees to vote for their favorite food truck. Hibachi Time of Dubuque, Iowa, was crowned the 13th Food Truck Fight champion. The business, which had a long line outside of its truck for much of the day, was busy serving up tasty food, such as Hibachi chicken, shrimp, spicy chicken and salmon. Some of the appetizers included crab rangoons, pork egg rolls and chicken gyoza. “Your love for our food and dedication to our journey have made this achievement possible. We couldn't be more grateful for each and every one of you. Your enthusiasm and loyalty inspire us to keep serving up the best hibachi around,” Hibachi Time leaders wrote on their Facebook page after winning the Food Truck Fight. Since its first year in 2017, Food Truck Fights have been held in LeClaire; Aurora, Colorado; Galena, Illinois; Muscatine, Iowa; Bettendorf and now East Moline. The events are operated by BRB Live, a Quad Cities based event production company. BRB Live produces a wide range of events year-round in a variety of locations. “Working with the organized team at The Rust Belt has helped us streamline our event production and focus on bringing the best event possible to the Quad Cities. Our team is especially excited for a fresh lineup of trucks – it’s truly anybody’s game,” Jacquelyn O’Briant, co-owner of BRB Live and co-producer of  theFood Truck Fight, said in a news release. In addition to Hibachi Time, other food trucks were also busy feeding customers at the event. For instance, the Backyard Smoke ‘N truck had at least 20 people in line at one point during the opening hour of the event. Another truck, Koppes Kreations of Cascade, Iowa, served up a wide variety of cupcakes and other sweet treats. “We’re serving up desserts. So, we’re going to get busy later today. … But, so far, it’s been going great,” said Nikki Steffen, owner of Koppes Kreations, during a short break in the action. Some of the other participating food trucks included the Cedar Valley Fish Market, Shaa-Bo’s World, Girl+Food, Flavor Train, Little O’s, Bub’s Grub, Mi Oaxaca, Mahala Sweet Treats and Backyard Smoke ‘N. Each truck seemed to have a long line of fans. One of those food fans was Kathy Doyle of Moline, who was at the event with her grandson, Harrison Faust, 6. “I’m here for all the food. … We just came from the bounce house and wanted to get some treats,” Ms. Doyle said as her grandson enjoyed a shaved ice treat from the Mahala Sweet Treats truck. A short distance away, Miley Sampson of Silvis was enjoying some snacks she got from the Backyard Smoke ‘N truck. “So far, I think the barbeque chicken is my favorite,” she said. But, it seemed the champion truck – Hibachi Time – had the most fans of the afternoon. “I just had the shrimp hibachi (at the Hibachi Time food truck). I think we’re going to try the fish next,” said Jan Graham, East Moline, one of the many food fans at Saturday’s event.