The Great Food Truck Race, a reality TV series that premiered in 2010, has been a favorite among foodies and fans of competition shows alike. The program, which airs on the Food Network, features a group of aspiring food truck owners competing against each other to win a cash prize and a food truck. Over the years, the show has launched the careers of many successful food truck owners, and some have even gone on to open their own restaurants. In this article, we’ll take a look at where some of the food trucks from The Great Food Truck Race are now.
Season 1: The Original Food Trucks
The first season of The Great Food Truck Race premiered in 2010 and featured seven food trucks competing against each other. The winner of that season was Grill ‘Em All, a food truck from Los Angeles that specialized in gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.
Grill ‘Em All: The Season 1 Winner
After winning the first season of The Great Food Truck Race, Grill ‘Em All went on to become a successful food truck in the Los Angeles area. The truck was owned by Ryan Harkins and Matthew Chernus, two friends who met while working at a restaurant in Los Angeles. Grill ‘Em All was known for its creative grilled cheese sandwiches, including the “Melted Pot Roast” and the “Thanksgiving Turkey.”
Today, Grill ‘Em All has expanded to include several locations in the Los Angeles area, including a restaurant in the Alhambra neighborhood. The restaurant offers a wide variety of grilled cheese sandwiches, as well as other comfort food classics like burgers and salads.
Season 2: The Rise of The Lime Truck
The second season of The Great Food Truck Race premiered in 2011 and featured eight food trucks competing against each other. The winner of that season was The Lime Truck, a food truck from California that specialized in Mexican cuisine.
The Lime Truck: The Season 2 Winner
After winning the second season of The Great Food Truck Race, The Lime Truck went on to become a successful food truck in the California area. The truck was owned by Daniel Shemtob and Jason Quinn, two friends who met while working at a restaurant in California. The Lime Truck was known for its creative Mexican dishes, including the “Lime Shrimp” and the “Carne Asada Fries.”
Today, The Lime Truck has expanded to include several locations in the California area, including a restaurant in the Costa Mesa neighborhood. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Mexican dishes, including tacos, burritos, and salads.
Season 3: The Dominance of Seoul Sausage
The third season of The Great Food Truck Race premiered in 2012 and featured nine food trucks competing against each other. The winner of that season was Seoul Sausage, a food truck from Los Angeles that specialized in Korean BBQ.
Seoul Sausage: The Season 3 Winner
After winning the third season of The Great Food Truck Race, Seoul Sausage went on to become a successful food truck in the Los Angeles area. The truck was owned by Chris Oh, Ted Kim, and Yong Kim, three friends who met while working at a restaurant in Los Angeles. Seoul Sausage was known for its creative Korean BBQ dishes, including the “K-Town Burrito” and the “Spicy Pork Tacos.”
Today, Seoul Sausage has expanded to include several locations in the Los Angeles area, including a restaurant in the West Hollywood neighborhood. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Korean BBQ dishes, including sausages, tacos, and burritos.
Season 4: The Rise of Aloha Plate
The fourth season of The Great Food Truck Race premiered in 2013 and featured eight food trucks competing against each other. The winner of that season was Aloha Plate, a food truck from Hawaii that specialized in traditional Hawaiian cuisine.
Aloha Plate: The Season 4 Winner
After winning the fourth season of The Great Food Truck Race, Aloha Plate went on to become a successful food truck in the Hawaii area. The truck was owned by Adam Richman, Lanai Tabura, and Shawn Felipe, three friends who met while working at a restaurant in Hawaii. Aloha Plate was known for its creative traditional Hawaiian dishes, including the “Loco Moco” and the “Kalua Pig.”
Today, Aloha Plate has expanded to include several locations in the Hawaii area, including a restaurant in the Honolulu neighborhood. The restaurant offers a wide variety of traditional Hawaiian dishes, including plate lunches, laulau, and shave ice.
Season 5: The Dominance of The Middle Feast
The fifth season of The Great Food Truck Race premiered in 2014 and featured nine food trucks competing against each other. The winner of that season was The Middle Feast, a food truck from Los Angeles that specialized in Middle Eastern cuisine.
The Middle Feast: The Season 5 Winner
After winning the fifth season of The Great Food Truck Race, The Middle Feast went on to become a successful food truck in the Los Angeles area. The truck was owned by Keith Simpson and Chris Cohen, two friends who met while working at a restaurant in Los Angeles. The Middle Feast was known for its creative Middle Eastern dishes, including the “Falafel Wrap” and the “Shawarma Plate.”
Today, The Middle Feast has expanded to include several locations in the Los Angeles area, including a restaurant in the West Hollywood neighborhood. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Middle Eastern dishes, including falafel, shawarma, and kebabs.
Season 6: The Rise of The Guerilla Grill
The sixth season of The Great Food Truck Race premiered in 2015 and featured eight food trucks competing against each other. The winner of that season was The Guerilla Grill, a food truck from Los Angeles that specialized in gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.
The Guerilla Grill: The Season 6 Winner
After winning the sixth season of The Great Food Truck Race, The Guerilla Grill went on to become a successful food truck in the Los Angeles area. The truck was owned by Michael and Donna, a husband-and-wife team who met while working at a restaurant in Los Angeles. The Guerilla Grill was known for its creative gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, including the “Brie and Fig Jam” and the “Grilled Cheese and Pear.”
Today, The Guerilla Grill has expanded to include several locations in the Los Angeles area, including a restaurant in the Alhambra neighborhood. The restaurant offers a wide variety of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, as well as other comfort food classics like burgers and salads.
Season 7: The Dominance of The Waffle Love
The seventh season of The Great Food Truck Race premiered in 2016 and featured eight food trucks competing against each other. The winner of that season was The Waffle Love, a food truck from Utah that specialized in gourmet waffles.
The Waffle Love: The Season 7 Winner
After winning the seventh season of The Great Food Truck Race, The Waffle Love went on to become a successful food truck in the Utah area. The truck was owned by Adam Terry, Jared Terry, and Steve Terry, three brothers who met while working at a restaurant in Utah. The Waffle Love was known for its creative gourmet waffles, including the “Strawberry Basil” and the “Chicken and Waffles.”
Today, The Waffle Love has expanded to include several locations in the Utah area, including a restaurant in the Salt Lake City neighborhood. The restaurant offers a wide variety of gourmet waffles, as well as other breakfast classics like pancakes and omelets.
Season 8: The Rise of Big Truck Tacos
The eighth season of The Great Food Truck Race premiered in 2017 and featured eight food trucks competing against each other. The winner of that season was Big Truck Tacos, a food truck from California that specialized in gourmet tacos.
Big Truck Tacos: The Season 8 Winner
After winning the eighth season of The Great Food Truck Race, Big Truck Tacos went on to become a successful food truck in the California area. The truck was owned by Eduardo and his team, who met while working at a restaurant in California. Big Truck Tacos was known for its creative gourmet tacos, including the “Korean BBQ Taco” and the “Baja Fish Taco.”
Today, Big Truck Tacos has expanded to include several locations in the California area, including a restaurant in the Los Angeles neighborhood. The restaurant offers a wide variety of gourmet tacos, as well as other Mexican classics like burritos and quesadillas.
Season 9: The Dominance of Sassy Soul
The ninth season of The Great Food Truck Race premiered in 2018 and featured eight food trucks competing against each other. The winner of that season was Sassy Soul, a food truck from Tennessee that specialized in Southern cuisine.
Sassy Soul: The Season 9 Winner
After winning the ninth season of The Great Food Truck Race, Sassy Soul went on to become a successful food truck in the Tennessee area. The truck was owned by Tiffany and her team, who met while working at a restaurant in Tennessee. Sassy Soul was known for its creative Southern dishes, including the “Fried Chicken and Waffles” and the “Shrimp and Grits.”
Today, Sassy Soul has expanded to include several locations in the Tennessee area, including a restaurant in the Nashville neighborhood. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Southern dishes, including fried chicken, shrimp and grits, and biscuits and gravy.
Season 10: The Rise of The Breakfast Club
The tenth season of The Great Food Truck Race premiered in 2019 and featured eight food trucks competing against each other. The winner of that season was The Breakfast Club, a food truck from California that specialized in gourmet breakfast dishes.
The Breakfast Club: The Season 10 Winner
After winning the tenth season of The Great Food Truck Race, The Breakfast Club went on to become a successful food truck in the California area. The truck was owned by a team of friends who met while working at a restaurant in California. The Breakfast Club was known for its creative gourmet breakfast dishes, including the “Stuffed French Toast” and the “Breakfast Burrito.”
Today, The Breakfast Club has expanded to include several locations in the California area, including a restaurant in the Los Angeles neighborhood. The restaurant offers a wide variety of gourmet breakfast dishes, as well as other brunch classics like pancakes and omelets.
Season 11: The Dominance of It’s a Wrap
The eleventh season of The Great Food Truck Race premiered in 2020 and featured eight food trucks competing against each other. The winner of that season was It’s a Wrap, a food truck from California that specialized in gourmet wraps.
It’s a Wrap: The Season 11 Winner
After winning the eleventh season of The Great Food Truck Race, It’s a Wrap went on to become a successful food truck in the California area. The truck was owned by a team of friends who met while working at a restaurant in California. It’s a Wrap was known for its creative gourmet wraps, including the “Chicken Shawarma” and the “Veggie Delight.”
Today, It’s a Wrap has expanded to include several locations in the California area, including a restaurant in the San Diego neighborhood. The restaurant offers a wide variety of gourmet wraps, as well as other Mediterranean classics like falafel and hummus.
Season 12: The Rise of Mac ‘n’ Cheese
The twelfth season of The Great Food Truck Race premiered in 2021 and featured eight food trucks competing against each other. The winner of that season was Mac ‘n’ Cheese, a food truck from California that specialized in gourmet macaroni and cheese.
Mac ‘n’ Cheese: The Season 12 Winner
After winning the twelfth season of The Great Food Truck Race, Mac ‘n’ Cheese went on to become a successful food truck in the California area. The truck was owned by a team of friends who met while working at a restaurant in California. Mac ‘n’ Cheese was known for its creative gourmet macaroni and cheese dishes, including the “Lobster Mac” and the “Bacon Mac.”
Today, Mac ‘n’ Cheese has expanded to include several locations in the California area, including a restaurant in the Los Angeles neighborhood. The restaurant offers a wide variety of gourmet macaroni and cheese dishes, as well as other comfort food classics like burgers and salads.
Conclusion
The Great Food Truck Race has been a launching pad for many successful food trucks over the years. From Grill ‘Em All to Mac ‘n’ Cheese, these food trucks have gone on to become household names in the culinary world. Whether you’re a foodie or just a fan of the show, it’s exciting to see where these food trucks are now and how they’ve expanded their businesses.
What happened to the winners of The Great Food Truck Race?
The winners of The Great Food Truck Race have gone on to achieve great success in the food industry. Many have expanded their food truck businesses, opening multiple trucks and even restaurants. Some have also appeared on other food TV shows, further increasing their visibility and popularity. For example, the Season 1 winners, Grill ‘Em All, have opened a successful restaurant in Los Angeles and have been featured on other TV shows such as Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.
In addition to their culinary pursuits, some winners have also written cookbooks and launched their own food products. For instance, the Season 3 winners, Nonna’s Kitchenette, have written a cookbook featuring their favorite Italian recipes. Others have used their winnings to give back to their communities, hosting cooking classes and donating to local food banks. Overall, the winners of The Great Food Truck Race have used their experience and exposure to build successful careers in the food industry.
Which food trucks from the show are still operating?
Several food trucks from The Great Food Truck Race are still operating and serving delicious food to customers. Some trucks, like the Season 2 winners, The Lime Truck, have become staples in their local food truck scenes. Others, like the Season 5 winners, Tikka Tikka Taco, have expanded to multiple locations and offer catering services. Many trucks can be found at food festivals and events, where they showcase their unique cuisine and interact with fans.
To find out which food trucks are still operating, fans can follow their favorite trucks on social media or check out food truck festivals and events in their area. Many trucks also have websites and online ordering systems, making it easy for customers to track them down and enjoy their food. Whether you’re a fan of the show or just looking for some great food, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Have any of the food trucks from the show opened restaurants?
Yes, several food trucks from The Great Food Truck Race have opened restaurants. For example, the Season 1 winners, Grill ‘Em All, opened a restaurant in Los Angeles, which serves a variety of burgers and other American classics. The Season 3 winners, Nonna’s Kitchenette, opened a restaurant in New Jersey, which features their favorite Italian dishes. Other trucks, like the Season 5 winners, Tikka Tikka Taco, have opened restaurants in multiple locations, offering a wider range of menu options.
Opening a restaurant can be a natural next step for successful food trucks, as it allows them to expand their menu and offer a more traditional dining experience. Many trucks have found success in this transition, using their experience and exposure from the show to attract customers and build a loyal following. Whether you’re a fan of the show or just looking for some great food, there are plenty of restaurants opened by food trucks from The Great Food Truck Race to choose from.
Can I still watch The Great Food Truck Race?
Yes, The Great Food Truck Race is still available to watch on various platforms. The show airs on the Food Network, and new episodes are typically broadcast on Sundays. In addition, past episodes can be streamed on the Food Network website and on various streaming services such as Hulu and Amazon Prime. Fans can also purchase individual episodes or seasons on platforms like iTunes and Google Play.
For those who prefer to watch on-demand, the Food Network also offers a range of clips and highlights from the show on their website and social media channels. This is a great way to get a taste of the show and catch up on some of the most memorable moments. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering the show, there are plenty of ways to watch The Great Food Truck Race.
How do I apply to be on The Great Food Truck Race?
To apply to be on The Great Food Truck Race, interested food truck owners can submit an application through the Food Network website. The application typically includes a written questionnaire, a video showcasing the truck and its cuisine, and a series of photos. The application process usually opens several months before the start of filming, and applicants are typically notified if they have been selected to participate.
In addition to the application, potential contestants may also be required to participate in a phone or video interview with the show’s producers. This is an opportunity for the producers to get to know the applicants and their trucks, and to assess their suitability for the show. The application process can be competitive, but for those who are passionate about food and willing to take a risk, it can be a great opportunity to showcase their talents and build their brand.
What is the prize for winning The Great Food Truck Race?
The prize for winning The Great Food Truck Race is $50,000, which is awarded to the winning team at the end of the competition. This prize money can be used to help the winning team expand their food truck business, pay off debts, or invest in new equipment and marketing. In addition to the cash prize, the winning team also receives a feature on the Food Network website and social media channels, which can help to increase their visibility and attract new customers.
The prize money is awarded to the team that accumulates the most money throughout the competition, which typically consists of a series of challenges and cook-offs. The team with the highest total at the end of the competition is declared the winner and receives the $50,000 prize. This prize money can be a game-changer for food truck owners, who often struggle to make a profit in a competitive industry.
Have any of the contestants from The Great Food Truck Race gone on to open their own food TV shows?
Yes, several contestants from The Great Food Truck Race have gone on to open their own food TV shows. For example, the Season 2 winners, The Lime Truck, have hosted their own cooking show on the Food Network, which features their favorite recipes and cooking techniques. Other contestants, like the Season 5 winners, Tikka Tikka Taco, have appeared as guest judges on other food TV shows, sharing their expertise and providing feedback to contestants.
In addition to hosting their own shows, some contestants have also written cookbooks and launched their own food products. For instance, the Season 3 winners, Nonna’s Kitchenette, have written a cookbook featuring their favorite Italian recipes. Others have used their experience and exposure from the show to build successful careers as food consultants and culinary experts. Whether it’s hosting a TV show, writing a cookbook, or launching a food product, many contestants from The Great Food Truck Race have gone on to achieve great success in the food industry.