Gulf Breeze welcomes first round of food trucks to new food court. What's on the menu?

The food trucks are rolling in, the gyros are hot and the iced lattes are cold.

Gulf Breeze’s brand-new food truck park on 2541 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Truxtop Food Court, is ready for summer.

Truxtop owner Luis Camero is hoping when locals are hungry on their way home from work or vacationers are fueling up for a day at the beach, the Truxtop will be their destination. He said the idea was inspired by the move he and his wife, Shelly Camero, made to Gulf Breeze about nine years ago, and their love for laid-back outdoor dining.

“We're big culinary people. We love to travel, we love to eat — we also love to eat outdoors. So, when we started sort of looking around this area, we noticed that there was a need for outdoor dining. To be able to go with a big group and everybody can sort of get what they want,” Camero said.

Alex Camero works to drum up customers on the open day of the new Truxtop Food Court in Gulf Breeze on Thursday, May 26, 2023. The new food truck dining spot is on Highway 98, just past the Naval Live Oaks reservation.
Alex Camero works to drum up customers on the open day of the new Truxtop Food Court in Gulf Breeze on Thursday, May 26, 2023. The new food truck dining spot is on Highway 98, just past the Naval Live Oaks reservation.

Looking for a bottomless mimosa spot? Brother Fox may be Pensacola's hottest new brunch spot. Gourmet menu has the business packed.

Belmont-Devilliers launches market: Belmont-Devilliers launching monthly market with handmade local goods

After about a year of hands-on work on the property, which was lying idle as an empty field and retention pond before Camero repurposed it, the park served its first lunch and dinner crowd on May 25.

Now, the Cameros want to use the food court to invest in their neighborhood community.

Which food trucks are parked at Truxtop right now?

Camero contracted three “core trucks” for about a year-long residency in the court, with an extra space available for rotating trucks. For Memorial Day weekend, he used the vacant spot to host lobster roll experts Cousins Maine.

When hand-picking what trucks would secure the first spots, he looked for established fan-favorites. It was also important to him to create enough variety that the businesses didn’t have to compete and customers could have options. Here are the three he has locked in:

Greek’s Catering and Events

Greek’s has built an empire around Pensacola for its signature Mediterranean favorites. It’s the place to cool off with a light Greek salad and fresh squeezed lemonade, order a handheld lamb gyro on the run, or have a family dinner over a Hercules Platter, which is a choice of protein or vegetarian options served with salad, rice pilaf, fries, toasted pita and tzatziki sauce.

Waffle Boutique

Waffle Boutique not only shines for its sweets, like the photo-ready Strawberry Tres Leches bubble waffle cone, but it also delivers on a variety of savory options for a dinner or lunch. These include the waffle dog, pizza waffle or chicken and waffle. The truck also offers a variety of “boutique drinks” including hot coffee, cold brew, espresso baked beverages and house-made hot and iced teas.

Hector’s Mexican Grill

The owners of Gulf Breeze fan-favorites Taco Rock and Buenos Dias Café are taking their traditional Mexican cooking on the road with their food truck concept, Hector’s Mexican Grill. Camero said the menu will be similar to Taco Rock’s current offerings and will provide a Mexican culinary experience that is an extension of the restaurant. Some of these items will include slow-cooked quesabirria tacos, charbroiled chicken burrito bowls and refreshing aqua frescas and Mexican Cokes.

Jacob Bertan prepares to chow down on a tasty dessert from the Waffle Boutique food truck stationed at the new Truxtop Food Court in Gulf Breeze on Thursday, May 25, 2023.
Jacob Bertan prepares to chow down on a tasty dessert from the Waffle Boutique food truck stationed at the new Truxtop Food Court in Gulf Breeze on Thursday, May 25, 2023.

Truxtop’s second phase coming later this year

Camero has been working on beautifying the land over the past year leading up to opening day. This includes clearing out the brush, planting plenty of trees and getting the gravel lot prepared for the truck stations.

In the coming months, he plans to build additional canopy seating area and add yard games for groups to enjoy when they visit.

The zen nature setting surrounding the location was a major selling point for Camero, with hiking trails right in the food court’s backyard, peaceful ambiance and frequent bird sightings.

Luis Camero opens the Truxtop Food Court in Gulf Breeze on Thursday, May 25, 2023. The new food truck dining spot is on Highway 98, just past the Naval Live Oaks reservation.
Luis Camero opens the Truxtop Food Court in Gulf Breeze on Thursday, May 25, 2023. The new food truck dining spot is on Highway 98, just past the Naval Live Oaks reservation.

He hopes that the new back seating area will be a place where people can escape, eat some good food and enjoy time in the outdoors.

“The beautiful thing here is — look at our backdrop. It's surrounded by trees and the National Seashore, the Naval Live Oaks is our backdrop. We've got trails that people can walk. So, they can eat, the kids can run around and get some fresh air, the adults can relax,” he said. “It becomes more of an event rather than just a place to go get something to eat. It becomes a destination to unwind a little bit.”

Hours are subject to change in the parks opening stages, but Camero plans to maintain an 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily schedule. Updates and information can be found on the Truxtop Food Court Facebook page.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Truxtop Food Court opens in Gulf Breeze with Greek, Mexican and more