Merced food truck plaza has expanded. Here’s what you’ll find

Tucked behind the 7-Eleven at the intersection of Highway 59 and Olive Avenue in Merced is a colorful collection of brightly painted food trucks and picnic tables. The air at the plaza carries the smell of grilled carne asada and onions, although there are a wide range of flavors and cuisines on offer.

The Valley Eats Food Truck Plaza has grown a lot since the Merced Sun-Star last reported on it in June 2025. The owners of the lot, Sunee Dola and Goldy Aulakh, said they received a lot of applications from vendors interested in setting up at the new food truck court.

Now, the spot has eight food trucks daily, along with a shaded dining area, a restroom and small parking lot.

The lineup of trucks includes delicious snacks, meals and desserts that are sure to hit the spot whatever you might be craving.

First in the plaza is Bingsu Bliss, a truck offering bingsu, a popular Korean shaved-ice dessert. It advertises “Indian, American, Mexican & Asian flavors available” and does not disappoint when it comes to fusion cuisine. The bingsu options include a “Mangonada” with a mango base, pieces of mango, bursting boba, chamoy drizzle and tajin.

Behind Bingsu Bliss are more food trucks:

• Racks “R” Us Ribs,
• El Rincon
• E&C Mexi Teriyaki
• Antojitos Sinaloa
• Curry Me Up
• Smash Bros Burgers
• Krepe Dog Gourmet Hot Dogs.

Lavon Wallace, the owner of Racks “R” Us Ribs, said cooking has long been his passion and is now his full-time job.

Wallace said his most popular plate is the combo, which includes mac and cheese, cornbread, tri-tip steak, ribs, and a soda for $20. The truck also offers chicken wings, sandwiches and loaded fries.

At Krepe Dog, hot dogs are only one of the many toppings loaded into buns. The menu includes an Elote Dog with bacon, grilled corn, grilled onion, cotija cheese, crema and chili powder. The Hot Cheeto Dog is wrapped in bacon and topped with grilled onion, nacho cheese and hot Cheetos. There is even a Veggie Dog made with organic Italian veggie sausage layered with grilled onion, bell peppers, avocado, ketchup and parsley.

One reason many people like food truck plazas like this one is the possibility of combining flavors from various parts of the world, or going with a group and being able to each get something different.

At Valley Eats, many people combine entrees, snacks, and desserts from the different trucks to sample a wide variety of flavors.

The plaza now has a small dining area, with options for metal picnic tables in the sun or shade. As the summer brings hotter and hotter temperatures, Valley Eats Food Truck Plaza will be a tasty and affordable option for outdoor dining.

This story was originally published March 20, 2026 at 3:30 PM.

Aysha Pettigrew

Merced Sun-Star

Aysha Pettigrew is the economic mobility reporter for the Merced Sun-Star and a California Local News fellow. Prior to this role, Pettigrew worked as an administrator for the UC Berkeley Investigative Reporting Program.