No crowds, little planning, and plenty of fresh air: A food truck picnic might as well have been invented to accommodate the days of social distancing.
Our North Fork favorites are still pulling up across the area at breweries, farms, and other scenic spots perfect for a destination meal al fresco. Almost all of the trucks will cater a private gathering, too (just check New York state guidelines on what’s safe).
Below, our updated guide on where to find North Fork food trucks this summer, what to order, and where to picnic nearby.
For a romantic Provençal picnic on Shelter Island
Date night (or afternoon) isn’t dead, and there’s nothing more romantic than a hand-selected plate of cheeses, fresh-sliced ham and a baguette. Located next to Shelter Island Seafood at 87 North Ferry Road, King Andrew Cheese carriage offers a variety of domestic and international cheeses, along with expert advice to help find one to your taste. The mobile cheese shop also has scones, crackers and cookies, so you can go straight from wagon to table— all you need to bring is the rosé. Take your picnic to nearby Wades Beach (permits required for vehicle parking at this time, so you might want to bike there).
For an egg sandwich surrounded by actual chickens
8 Hands Farm, at 4735 Cox Lane in Cutchogue, serves breakfast and lunch every Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am – 3 pm, farm to truck style. Its menu features breakfast classics as well as lunch specials featuring rotating items that show off their farm-fresh products like grass fed beef, chicken and their famous eggs. Take a seat at the socially distanced picnic benches and enjoy your brunch as chickens run around your feet. Make sure to grab a chocolate chip cookie before you go—this is one of our favorites.
For a taste of the new North Fork Table and Inn
This much anticipated food truck and restaurant re-opening has lived up to the expectations. The North Fork Food Truck’s classic menu—think lobster rolls, griddle burgers, salads, and corn dogs—allows the North Fork Table and Inn chefs to show off their talents without taking things too seriously. There’s also plenty of outdoor tables for the whole pod. Parked outside the North Fork Table and Inn at 57225 Main Road in Southold, the truck is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:30 am -7:30 pm.
For a poutine pop-up and a beer
The Eat Me, Drink Me Truck is popping up all around the Island. Though its burger has won awards, the truck usually pulls up with much more than juicy, griddled patties, including the likes of lobster rolls, poutine and sometimes tacos. Find Eat Me, Drink Me at breweries and similar venues throughout the summer. Stay up to date on upcoming pop-ups on their Instagram page @eatmedrinkmetruck.
For bbq and killer mac and cheese
Meat’s Meat BBQ truck keeps it simple, but insanely juicy. Their limited menu covers all the bbq flavors you’ve been craving, with brisket that stands up to the best of them. The jalapeño bacon mac and cheese is not to be missed. They’ve popped up several times this summer at Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. in Peconic—keep your eyes on their Instagram, @meatsmeatbbq, to see where they’ll be next.
For a grown-up summer camp vibe
North Fork Cooks is the mess hall we wish our camp had. The food truck at 411 First Street in Greenport (around the corner from to sister restaurant First and South) is open daily from 12pm – 4 pm with a rotating menu of seasonal entrees and veggie-centric salads. The dishes are exactly what we’re looking for on a warm night at summer camp—plus at this camp, they have cocktails. Find a picnic bench in their backyard setting and relax.
For farm-to-taco creations at a historic Shelter Island farm
Mattitaco’s menu is pure North Fork, featuring local seafood and collaborations with nearby purveyors, farmers and producers. Its On The Road food truck, housed in a converted Airstream trailer, features plates that combine seasonally farmed ingredients and adventurous flavor combos like bacon lobster tacos, crab nachos and farm to taco veggie options. Seasonal and daily specials are always worth adding to your order. The airstream is making a recurring appearance at Sylvester Manor’s Foodie Fridays; keep an eye on their Instagram, @foodtruck_ontheroad, to stay up to date on other events.
For the private pizza party of your dreams
Rolling in Dough Pizza, the food truck from the folks behind the 1943 Pizza Bar and Brix and Rye cocktail bar, has built a devoted following for their pizza featuring hyper-local ingredients. The truck has put the brakes on public events at this time, but is still available for private catered events on the North and South Forks and Shelter Island. Or DIY a pizza picnic by ordering a pie and a to-go drink from the take-out window at 1943 Pizza at 308D Main Street in Greenport and find a bench by the pier as you watch the ferries go by.
And finally for dessert…
For Goodness Cakes Co. makes some of the most imaginative (and picture worthy) cookies, cakes and all sweet treats in between. Their colorful dessert truck—usually found parked at Rottkamp’s Fox Hollow Farms at 2287 Sound Avenue in Baiting Hollow—offers a rotating roster of treats that might include home-made cosmic brownies, jumbo cookies, oatmeal cream pies, and “churro tots” with toppings of your choice. Open Thursday – Sunday from 12 pm – 5 pm or until they sell out, which they often do. Follow on Instagram @forgoodnesscakesco for menus and updates.
