As Merced’s food truck scene grows, quality and variety is key

As the City of Merced’s food truck scene continues to grow, customers say food truck vendors provide a convenient alternative to traditional restaurants while bringing additional dining choices to the community.

Atwater resident Tim Flores, 52, works in Merced and recently stopped at the Power Subs food truck located in the Valley Eats food truck park near the intersection of Olive Avenue and Highway 59. He said the lot is a good addition to the city’s food truck scene, even if it may lead to an increase in traffic congestion near the busy intersection.

“I love cheesesteaks,” said Flores. “I just wanted to come over here and try it. Hopefully it’s good. I’m one of those guys where I try it, I like it, I come back,” he said.

Customers agree that when it comes to the various food truck vendors and offerings, quality and consistency is key.

“I don’t like going to get a taco one day and I got gristle, and the next day, it’s great,” he said, noting that quality and consistency issues will keep him from returning to food trucks.

Flores said he keeps coming back to food truck because of the convenience and the hard work food truck owners put into their business. .

“That’s why I like to support the small businesses,” Flores said.

Still, Flores said he would like to see more cuisine options beyond tacos, burritos and sopes.

“I’d like to see a pupusa truck around here,” said Flores.

Flores said he would also like to see more food trucks with seafood options. Even though seafood offerings may demand a higher price, Flores said that he doesn’t mind paying more if the quality is good.

“If it’s good quality, I don’t mind paying $18 for a shrimp cocktail, if it’s good,” he said.

Payment flexibility is also important to Flores, as he noted that it seems fewer people carry cash.

Winton resident Jessica Sanchez, 30, also said she welcomes the addition of more food trucks to the city, especially with the recent opening of the Valley Eats food truck park. Sanchez, who recently placed an order from the Taquizas El Chuyito food truck on the Courtesy Rent a Car property, said she enjoys trying the various food truck offerings and finds them to be convenient during the work day.

“It’s really convenient to come down here, grab something to eat real quick and head back to work,” Sanchez said.

She too said the quality and variety of offerings from the food trucks in Merced is important to her, saying the quality of the food that she has tried is about the same quality as that of a standard brick and mortar restaurant.

“I have yet to find a spot that I’m not going to return to,” said Sanchez.

She said she feels the food truck prices are fair and when it comes to ordering from the various food trucks in the city, she thinks it’s important for people to keep an open mind and be willing to try new things.

“Try new things and you never know, you might come across something that becomes a favorite,” she said.

Neftali, 25, of Merced, recently visited the Gorditas Cali food truck on the Courtesy Rent a Car property. He said that while he used to visit the food truck two to three times a week when he first learned of it, he now orders from the truck about once a week. He said the spot is convenient for him as he works down the street. Neftali said he likes to try the various specials that are offered and has also tried other food trucks that location as well as ones at the new Valley Eats Food Truck Plaza.

“They have some good places,” said Neftali of the Valley Eats location. “There’s a truck there that sells different waters, like Mexican waters I guess. Those are good too.”

Overall, Neftali said he thinks it’s great that more and more food truck locations are popping up around Merced, but hopes for more variety.

“I would say there’s a lot of Mexican food, taco trucks,” Neftali said. “I would love to see different varieties of food. That would make it a little bit better. But it’s good. You know, more food, more variety, more choices.”