Hungry? Here's where to find food trucks in Livingston County this summer
Looking to grab a bite on the go?
Livingston County is home to numerous mobile food trucks area foodies can find at festivals and events or just in a parking lot beside the road.
On the move in Livingston County
One Pinckney-based food truck making its way around the area is Hallboy Barbecue, often centrally located at 8071 Grand River Ave. in Brighton.
The truck, owned by Jeff Hall and Dan High, serves up southeastern-style pulled pork, pork ribs, pulled chicken and classic barbecue sides. The duo began their business in the spring of 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic.
"We did cooking competitions for years before we ever started up this barbeque thing," Hall said.
He said when they first opened, they were both working full time in different jobs, but about two months ago they quit their jobs to pursue the food truck.
Getting a taco fix
For your taco fix, check out Peace Love & Tacos in Brighton, a father-and-son business, located at 8340 Grand River Ave., near the BP gas station. They are open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., all week.
Their tie-dye painted trucks are hard to miss and can be found at different events this summer in Livingston County. The truck, which started as an ice cream truck in 2017, according to co-owner James Duty, transformed into a taco truck after his father and co-owner Michael Duty returned from a Texas vacation.
James Duty said the duo doesn't do street tacos, but uses a fry bread shell, popular in Texas. He said his dad spent two years perfecting how to make it.
"That's kind of our niche," Duty said.
James Duty, who came from a sales background, admits he thought his dad was crazy to open a taco truck, but he joined in on the business side of things in 2020.
"I didn't really anticipate ever being in this line of work, but once you get into it it's just a lot of fun. I go to the events," he said.
A cheesy family effort
For those craving specialty macaroni and cheese, check out Two Brothers BBQ Mac Shack, founded in 2021 by a Brighton family, parked at Duey's throughout the week.
"Barbecue's always been my hobby," owner John O'Brien said.
Previously, O'Brien worked as a refrigeration mechanic, but during the COVID-19 pandemic he lost his job. His sons, Alexander and Jacob Cova, came up with the idea for a mac and cheese truck with barbecue on top.
The family can be found throughout the county, as well as at Food Truck Fridays in Pinckney all summer long and on select days at NautiMi on the River.
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Additional food truck offerings
Food trucks can be found at Brighton Art and Music Festival on Aug. 5 and 6, in downtown Brighton at 217 W. Main St.
Howell
Throughout the summer and beyond, locals can visit Howell's Sunday Farmers Market, hosted by the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. now through October, the market is adjacent to the historic Livingston County Courthouse. A variety of food trucks can be found there each week.
Additional Howell events include:
Rock the Block from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, on June 1, July 6 and Aug. 3 in downtown Howell, will feature food trucks, including Tony's Dogs.
Art in the Garden, at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Saturday, June 4, at Howell Summit Gardens, located at 219 N. Walnut St., will include Great Lakes Baker, Tony's Dogs, Kona Ice, Harvest Kettle Corn and Ice Box Ice Cream Bars.
On the second Tuesday of the month in downtown Howell is Food Truck Tuesdays each week from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., now through September in front of the historic Livingston County Courthouse.
The June 14 vendors are expected to include Fire & Rice, SUP Dogs, Great Lakes Baker, Tamale Rose and Tony's Dogs. Tony's Dogs can be found during the week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and sometimes Saturday parked at ACE Hardware on Grand River Avenue. Vendors range from musubi (onigiri style rice ball) handcrafted stuffed and topped with a combination of Asian Hawaiian flavors, specialty hot dogs, authentic west coast Mexican to baked goods. Other dates include, July 12, Aug. 9 and Sept. 13.
The July 12 vendors are expected to include From Scratch, Hero or Villain, Kona Ice, iWhoa! Tacos, Fortune Cooking and Great Lakes Baker. That days foods will include Mediterranean, sandwiches and sides, Asian fusion cuisine, elevated tacos and shaved ice and baked goods.
Food trucks can also be found at Howell Balloonfest, also known as Michigan Challenge Balloonfest on June 24-26 in downtown Howell. As well as, at Howell Melon Festival on Aug. 10-14 in downtown Howell.
Pinckney
Locals can find food trucks during Pinckney Art in the Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 4-5 in the Putnam Township Square in downtown Pinckney.
NautiMi on the River, located at 9260 McGregor Road, will offer different food trucks per day now through July including, Jamaican Spice, The DLoft, Two Brother's BBQ Mac Shack, DC Novelty Eats, PBJ's BBQ, Fresco Mexican, Sanich Union and Sabor Latino.
Throughout the summer, once a month, locals can enjoy the Pinckney Farmers Market in the Pinckney Community Garden, located at 135 W. Main St. During June-August, the market will coincide with Food Truck Fridays in the Putnam Township Square.
Food Truck Fridays are from noon to 8 p.m. June 24, July 15 and Aug.19. The farmer's market will be from 3 to 8 p.m. June 24, July 15, Aug. 19 and Sept. 23.
Fowlerville
Fun in the Ville from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 11 in downtown Fowlerville is expected to feature some food vendors.
Additionally, food trucks can also be found at Fowlerville Family Fair on July 25-30, at Fowlerville Family Fairgrounds, located at 8800 W. Grand River Ave.
Hamburg Twp.
The Smoke Doctor in Hamburg Township, with a storefront located at 5589 M-36, has a food truck. The 24-foot food truck travels the Pinckney, Hamburg, Brighton and Howell areas, and is at various community, and sporting events.
MORE: The 'Smoke Doctor' is in: New BBQ eatery in Hamburg Township survives pandemic, launching food truck
Additionally, food trucks can be found at Hamburg Family Fun Fest on June 15-18, located at 10411 Merrill Road in Whitmore Lake, including Rise & Grind, a local coffee truck from Pinckney.
Hartland
Habz Top Dogz, which makes gourmet hot dogs, can be found at Hartland Farmer's Market, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Saturday now until October, located in Rural King parking lot at 10400 Highland Road.
Otherwise, they can be found from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ward's Do-It Center, located at 6458 E. MI State Road 36 in Hamburg Township.
Contact Livingston Daily reporter Patricia Alvord at palvord@livingstondaily.com about news coverage.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Food trucks offer mobile foodies chance to explore eating options
