New Gulf Breeze food court opens with first two food trucks, more to come
The first round of food trucks have rolled into Grab-a-Bite Food Court & Bar, Gulf Breeze’s newest food truck park.
Here’s everything we know about the new food court.
Where is Grab-a-Bite Food Court & Bar located?
Grab-a-Bite Food Court & Bar is located at 5260 Gulf Breeze Parkway across the street from neighboring food truck park, The Eatery. The two food courts are under different ownership and each offers a unique variety of food and beverages for lunch and dinner.
Is Grab-a-Bite outdoors only?
The Grab-a-Bite Food Court & Bar will be unique for the Gulf Breeze area due to its combination of both indoor and outdoor restaurants. While the food trucks will be parked outside, the climate-controlled interior will feature an indoor restaurant called Deli Dudes, a beer and wine bar, and an indoor ice cream shop. The indoor portion of the park is anticipated to open in the beginning of the year, while the trucks began setting up on Friday.
Which food trucks will be at Grab-a-Bite Food Court & Bar?
If you’ve been around the block sampling Pensacola’s fan-favorite food trucks, you may recognize a few familiar faces bringing their second, or even third, locations to the Gulf Breeze food park. Here’s a run-down of vendors so far:
Food trucks that opened Friday:
Meat Candy BBQ
Meat Candy BBQ founder Ryan Hayes has watched his business surge in sales this past year as he transitioned from being a backyard barbecue aficionado to a professional pitmaster. Hayes likes to call his style “Pensacola barbecue” because of the unique flavors derived from the wood-powered fire that fuels his smoker and signature sauces and rubs.
One of the truck’s most unique menu items, the homemade maple bourbon pork belly burnt ends, are part of how the food truck earned its name after his young daughter affectionately named the sweet and tender burnt ends “meat candy.” Other popular menu items include the brisket, pulled pork, chicken and ribs that can be served as a sandwich or plate. Hayes also suggests not sleeping on the sides, like the "almost-famous" coleslaw, which are handmade with their own signature recipes.
“We’re looking forward to getting a permanent place established where people from all over can come and have the Panhandles’ best barbecue along with some of the best food trucks and people that the Pensacola area has to offer,“ Hayes told the News Journal. “This is an exciting step for everyone and brings something new to the area offering indoor seating and beer and wine options! There will be options for everyone in the family!”
Meat Candy BBQ is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Link to Facebook page: The Meat Candy BBQ
Read the full story here: Still looking for your go-to barbecue spot in Pensacola? This may be the one.
Jumping Lomo Peruvian Food Truck
Jumping Lomo Peruvian Food Truck picked up steam last December when adding a permanent location inside of Pensacola’s food court, The Garden. Now, owner Ronnie Gonzales and his wife, Jessica, are expanding to add a location at the Grab-a-Bite Food Court full-time.
The two started their business to redefine the area’s expectation of Latin American cooking by giving an authentic taste of Ronnie's home country of Peru.
The Gulf Breeze menu will remain the same as the Pensacola location, including fresh ceviches, Peruvian entrees, pasta, sides, salads and desserts. Some of the signature dishes include the food truck’s namesake, the Jumping Lomo, made with stir-fried steak, chicken, shrimp or mushrooms accompanied with onions, tomatoes, yellow peppers and served with jasmine rice and French fries. Another excellent option is the chaufa, a Peruvian fried rice, prepared with sesame oil, soy sauce and oyster sauce.
Jumping Lomo Peruvian Food Truck is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.
Link to Facebook page: Jumping Lomo Peruvian Cuisine
For up-to-date hours of operation, check each restaurant's Facebook page linked below, as hours are subject to change and sell-outs.
Read the full story here: Pensacola food court The Garden is getting a tasty new tenant this February
Restaurants/shops opening in January:
Turtle Roll Homemade Ice Cream & Shaved Ice
Turtle Roll will have an indoor location inside the Grab-a-Bite food court, in addition to their truck location across the street at The Eatery. However, the grand opening date is still undetermined.
Turtle Roll owner Charlene Cook, a graduate of the Scoop School frozen dessert training school in St. Louis, Missouri, has become an expert in breaking down the science behind the ice cream, such as finding just the right amount of air and fat in each ice cream dish. Cook sources all of her premium ice cream from Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe, which uses its own creamery in Mobile, Alabama.
These come in a variety of 20-plus specialty flavors, including seasonal king cake, mint chocolate chip, cookie monster, chocolate cookies and cream, cotton candy and a Creole praline, which is comparable to a butter pecan, pistachio and turtle cheesecake. The shop also accommodates dietary needs with no sugar added, dairy free and vegan options.
Those looking to add a little more flare can transform their ice cream flavor into a hand-spun milkshake, sundae or signature vertical banana split.
Turtle Roll offers ice cream by the cones and cup, and also a line of shaved ice that comes in 24 different flavors.
Link to Facebook page: Turtle Roll Homemade Ice Cream & Shaved Ice
Read the full story here: Four new food trucks brace for opening day in Gulf Breeze, joining new outdoor food court
Deli Dudes
With a grand opening slated for Jan. 6, the makers of Pensacola’s popular Sauce Boss Burger Co. are planning a new restaurant inside of the Grab-a-Bite Food Court. Their latest concept, Deli Dudes, will focus on handcrafted soups, salads and sandwiches, per the restaurant’s Facebook page. Sauce Boss Burger Co. is headed by Eli and Tori Cook, who have won Pensacola over with their specialty, hand pressed Waygu burgers made with locally sourced meat from Costello’s Butcher Shop, and matching sauces prepared fresh in the truck daily with their business, Sauce Boss.
Deli Dudes will be the couple’s third concept, as they were among The Eatery’s first round of food trucks, and still have a truck there, in addition to a permanent location at Pensacola’s The Handlebar at 319 N. Tarragona St. Menu offerings vary at each location, but some of Pensacola’s most popular orders include The Handlebar, a patty melt with two smash patties on Craft Bakery Black Garlic Market sourdough topped with parmesan and Monterey Jack cheese, PBR-brined pickles and 196 sauce, and the classic Downtown Double, made with two waygu smash patties, double cheddar cheese skirt and choice of sauce, per the restaurant’s website.
Link to Facebook page: Deli Dudes
How much longer until the indoor section of the food park is open?
The food park passed its final inspection with Santa Rosa County planning inspections on Oct. 30, according to a letter from Jason McLarty, the Santa Rosa County Development Services Center Planner III. Everything is good to go on the county’s end, and now the food court is awaiting approval from the Florida Department of Health, according to Santa Rosa Planning and Zoning Director Shawn Ward.
The best way to find updates and information about Grab-a-Bite Food Court & Bar is to follow the Grab-a-Bite Food Court & Bar on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Grab-a-Bite Food Court & Bar debuted its first food trucks on Friday
