Glendale Food Truck Roundup: A summer celebration of food and community
If you are looking to switch up your food routine this summer, you definitely need to check out the Food Truck Roundup at Glendale Regional Park. Located at 1235 W 1700 S, the Food Truck Roundup kicked off April 23rd and will run every Thursday evening throughout the summer from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
This event highlights a variety of food trucks from across the Salt Lake area, giving local vendors an opportunity to serve great food while introducing the community to new flavors and experiences. It’s truly a win-win for both the food trucks and the neighborhood. For food lovers like myself, this is the perfect way to discover a new favorite dish or hidden gem.
In the mood for some Italian food? Bacio D’Italia has you covered with authentic Italian cooking — they’ve got the classics Americans know and love, plus some Italian street food dishes not normally seen on this side of the Atlantic. Co-owner and founder Francesco Martinelli grew up in the southeastern Italian town of Mola Di Bari. Photos by David Ricketts.
The first food truck I tried was an Italian concept called Bacio D’Italia, which translates to “Kiss of Italy.” Opened in 2023, Bacio D’Italia specializes in authentic Italian cuisine through catering and their mobile kitchen. Co-owner and founder Francesco Martinelli grew up in the southeastern Italian town of Mola Di Bari, where he developed his passion for Italian cooking before bringing those flavors to Utah.
As soon as you walk up to the truck, you’re greeted with incredible aromas coming from the kitchen. Chef Tony took the time to explain the concept and share the care that goes into each dish. One standout recommendation was the Penne Vodka with crispy chicken. The vodka sauce had a rich, flavorful blend of tomato, cream, and parmesan with just a slight kick of spice. The crispy breaded chicken added a perfect crunch that balanced beautifully with the soft pasta and creamy sauce.
Another standout was the Cacio e Pepe, a savory pasta dish featuring black pepper with parmesan and pecorino cream sauce over spaghetti. They also serve panzerottis, an authentic fried calzone-style street food popular in Bari, Italy. Filled with mozzarella, sauce, and meats, these are definitely worth trying if you stop by.
For those who love the taste of Asia, you have to try Happy Tummie. This food truck blends Japanese dishes like chicken katsu with flavorful Thai-inspired sauces that transport your taste buds around East and Southeast Asia. The menu may be small, but everything Happy Tummie serves is packed with flavor and made fresh in-house. Photos by David Ricketts.
The next truck I visited was Happy Tummie, a Japanese-Thai fusion truck that absolutely lives up to its name — I certainly left with a happy tummy. Founded in 2022 by Chef Nicholas, Happy Tummie was born after he left his job as a shopping mall general manager to pursue his dream of cooking up delicious food. Today, the business operates several food trucks and has quickly built a loyal following.
The menu may be small, but everything served from the truck is packed with flavor and made fresh in-house. Happy Tummie blends Japanese dishes like chicken katsu and fried chicken with flavorful Thai-inspired sauces that bring everything together. I highly recommend the combo special, which allows you to choose two proteins from options like grilled teriyaki chicken, Japanese fried chicken, tempura shrimp, fried fish, soft-shell crab, or tofu. Meals come served with rice and salad, making them both filling and affordable.
I ordered the combo with grilled chicken and Japanese fried chicken; both were excellent. What really took the meal over the top were the sauces, especially the roasted garlic ginger aioli and the Thai sweet and spicy sauce. If you are searching for fresh, flavorful fusion cuisine, Happy Tummie is definitely worth a visit.
After a hearty meal, you’ll need something sweet to finish off the night. In that case, try Gnarly’s Island. Founded by Mike after he lost his job, this food truck specializes in Dole soft serve (often called “Doll Whip”) and Butter Beer — a nonalcoholic drink made famous by the Harry Potter books and movies. Photos by David Ricketts.
The final stop of the evening was a sweet one — as you could probably expect. This time, I stopped by Gnarly’s Island, a food truck specializing in Dole soft serve (often called Dole Whip). Owner Mike opened Gnarly’s Island in 2021 after losing his job and deciding to start something new. Thankfully he did, because this was one of the most refreshing desserts I’ve had in a long time.
Dole soft serve is dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and packed with bright fruit flavors. Gnarly’s offers flavors including pineapple, mango, lemon, lime, orange, raspberry, cherry, watermelon, and pomegranate. I tried a pineapple and strawberry twist, and it was incredible — creamy like soft serve but bursting with fresh fruit flavor. It was sweet, tangy, and refreshing all at the same time.
Gnarly’s also serves butter beer, a creamy butterscotch soda made popular by Harry Potter. Whether you’re looking for dessert, a refreshing summer treat, or a dairy-free alternative to traditional ice cream, Gnarly’s Island absolutely delivers.
The Glendale Food Truck Roundup is more than just a place to grab dinner. It’s a celebration of local business, culture, and community. Whether you come with your family, friends, or just an appetite for something new, there’s a good chance you’ll leave with a new favorite food truck.
So if you’re looking for something fun to do this summer and don’t want to heat up the house cooking dinner when it’s already hot outside, head down to Glendale Regional Park on Thursday evenings to experience an incredible variety of food, make connections with other community members, and celebrate all that the Westside has to offer.