40 | APRIL 27 • 2023 I t’s spring, and food truck season is in full swing. The eye-catching vehicles are a popular feature at weddings, bar mitzvahs, graduations, birthday parties, corporate events and private events at people’s homes. They roll up to offer a twist on lunch, dinner, dessert and even drinks. “I would say the demand is very high for food trucks, ” says Tal Sasson, owner of food truck The Pita Post, which serves up modern Mediterranean food, taking items popular in the Middle East such as chicken schnitzel and adding new sauc- es and flavors. Sasson started The Pita Post in 2013, back when there were fewer than 10 food trucks in the Metro Detroit area. Since then, a slew of new food trucks have come rolling onto the scene, with some adapting their businesses to meet the ongoing and largely seasonal demand for them at celebrations. “People think it’s a very good alternative to having someone catering their food and delivering, where it will sit cold in boxes. It’s more convenient, that’s for sure, and people seem to like it, ” he says. Food trucks mostly service outdoor events, but they also work in closed venues, placing the food trucks nearby. Some closed venues even have exhaust and ventilation systems so trucks can drive right in. Sasson recommends calling before the season starts — usually around January ahead of an April to November season — to reserve. “ As much ahead is always the better option, ” he says. “Because the more popular food trucks are going to book sooner. ” Celebrants considering having a food truck at their event need to ask questions first, Sasson explains, including checking to make sure the food truck can accommodate their Food trucks are becoming a more popular way to feed guests. Step Right Up! KAREN SCHWARTZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER COURTESY TAL SASSON The Pita Post in Downtown Detroit continued on page 42 2023 Antonio’s & Roman Village Restaurants invite you to join them for 2023 Special Events hosted by 501C-3 organization “Keeping our promise for a better tomorrow.” The Rugiero Promise Foundation helps individuals, of all means, bringing hope and the promise of a better tomorrow. Please visit the Foundation website at www.rugieropromise.org TIRIAMO AVANTITM We are Growing & Moving to the Beautiful ICON on the Detroit Riverfront for the Charity Event of the Year! The Icon - Detroit 200 Walker St, Detroit, MI 48207 Presented by Rugiero Promise Foundation Get your table now and be an ICON in supporting Diabetes research. The Icon - Detroit Casino Royale 2023 Saturday, October 14th Event Chair Dominic Moceri Benefitting the Michigan Medicine at University of Michigan For sponsorship or information visit rugieropromise.org Featuring Las Vegas style Gaming by Casino Wild and Music by Detroit’s best! All locations - unless specified. For details on each event visit www.antoniosrestaurants.com Mark Your Calendar CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DAY SALUTING OUR VETERANS “In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed the Ocean Blue…” Order any entrée on the menu and pay $14.92. Dine-in only, tax and gratuity not included, some exclusions apply. All past and present U.S. military receive 50% off lunch or dinner. Beverages and gratuity are not included, U.S. Military ID is requested, (dine in only). A donation will be made to Veterans Outreach Project of Southeast Michigan. Monday, October 9th Saturday, November 11th Veteran’s Day BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH FESTA DEL GELATO Receive a FREE GELATO when you dine with us, lunch, or dinner. Month of October Pizza boxes will be sporting pink. $2 will be donated for every Large Pizza sold! Benefiting “Dynami Foundation” Supporting research, treatment and prevention and survivorship programs. In memory of Fernanda Santioni and all our loved ones who battle this disease. June 26th – July 2nd (Canton and Livonia locations only) (Dining room only) Restaurant Closed July 3 and July 4 FEAST OF ST. ANTONIO Donate what you can and enjoy a FREE lunch buffet from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., or order off the regular priced menu from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Antonio’s locations only) A portion of the proceeds benefits the Capuchin Soup Kitchen and Gleaners Community Food Bank Join us as we Celebrate 30 years of giving back and helping organizations feed hungry families in our community. Join us Tuesday, June 13th CELEBRATING ITALIAN OPERA COME IN AND DINE AT ANY LOCATION AND SUPPORT ITALIAN OPERA AT DETROIT OPERA WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26th is ITALIAN OPERA DAY at Antonio’s & Roman Village A portion of proceeds from each restaurant will be donated to DETROIT OPERA. Direct donations will also be accepted at all locations or online at rugieropromise.org. BENNY NAPOLEON’S CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE 15th ANNUAL LUNCH SANTA! Saturday, December 2nd (Canton) Saturday, December 3rd (Dearborn Heights) Reservations will be taken after November 1st by calling: For Canton Call Samantha at 734-981-9800 For Dearborn Heights Call Brandon at 313-278-6000 Tickets: $28 per person, Children 3 and under $12. Tax (6%) and 6%) Gratuity (20%) will be added Each Guest is required to required to bring an unwrapped toy or make a donation or make a donation and toys will be purchased to be benifit Benny Napoleon’s Christmas Toy Drive November 26th – December 3rd In memory of late Sheriff Benny N. Napoleon and his ongoing friendship to Antonio’s we continue his work to provide every child a Christmas! Please DROP an unwrapped toy at any Antonio’s location and it will be donated to Wayne Goodfellows “No Child Without a Christmas” antoniosrestaurants.com rugieropromise.org 501C-3 organization ST. ANTONIO Join us as we DEL GELATO FREE GELATO “In 1492, Christopher Columbus Saturday, December 2nd (Canton) DF-GCI1044556-01