It’s almost as though food trucks were made for Disney’s Fort Wilderness campground. No doubt – we sorely miss the days of River Country, the petting farm, and $15 per night campsites. But damn good food on wheels has a way of making a lot of things A-okay again. I dare say the food trucks are the single most bougie addition to Fort Wilderness this entire century

Just look how nicely they snuggle in the Settlement area, adding all kinds of twilight-hour magic that has been missing since Pioneer Hall’s Hoop Dee Doo closed at the beginning of the pandemic.

Most of the time, the food trucks are only around on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the Fort’s Trail’s End Restaurant usually closed during that time. These are outside food trucks (not Disney). So the food is generally pretty spectacular and priced about right. For example, Cilantro’s famed Cuban Quesadilla is just $12. 

Are they here to stay?

Food trucks aren’t a completely new thing at Fort Wilderness, as one or two have been seen from time to time. And these are different than the Disney-owned retro Chuck Wagon that usually sits by the Campfire Show.

But the Fort Wilderness Food Truck Roundup is really on a whole ‘nother Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah level. All we can do is really hope they continue long after the pressures of the pandemic have lessened, and things begin to seem “normal” again. 

Only tuesdays and wednesdays?

Well, they seem to show up on Tuesdays and Wednesdays more than any other time. But sometimes it’s Thursdays. Or Fridays. And other times, during holidays, it may be on the weekend or several days in a row. Occasionally, they appear at the Campfire Theater instead of the Settlement. Start time is typically between 4 and 5:30 pm and they pack up around 9:30 or 10 pm. Confused yet?

Let’s just hope they keep coming back.

What’s the best?

Even when there are only five or six trucks, the menu choices can be overwhelming. Here are a few of the most popular items from some of the trucks that seem to make regular appearances:

• Cilantro Urban Eatery – This one is also a Disney Springs regular known for tacos, burritos and similar fare with fresh ingredients. Lots of creative bowls and vegan options, but pork tacos are the Tuesday-night dinner winner for me.  
• Pizza-A-Cone – Pizza ingredients in a cone-shaped crust attract a long line of kids for the novelty factor. As if eating weren’t already fun enough.The pizza cones are filling and what one would expect, but the frappes are the real reason to stand in line. 

• Toasted Grilled Cheese & Burgers – This truck takes off on the fad of grilled-cheese-gone-wild. There’s lots of cheesy choices, but I like the less-heavy, princess-ish Fig & Goat cheese. Skip the burgers, but say yes to the skinny truffle fries – I’d walk barefooted from the Outpost for these.
• Carousel’s Soft Serve Icery – Dairy-free soft serve that people actually seem to adore. We haven’t tried this one yet, but their social media is delicious in itself. 
• The Naked Cupcake – Locally-owned adorable cupcake truck let’s you customize your creation. Everything is so cute and pink that if Barbie had a food truck, this would def be it.  It can be a bit inconsistent in quality, but when it’s good, it’s mind-blowing. 

Halloween Cupcakes from The Naked Cupcake Food Truck at Fort Wilderness Campgrounds (👀 the foot cupcake AKA the Zombie Graveyard) pic.twitter.com/y1ROz7crP8

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) October 25, 2021

• Apps Food Truck – Curious name and lackluster social media. But the Latin-inspired generally cuisine makes up for it. Stick with flavor-infused classics like the Arepa Con Pollo instead of the burgers.
• 4 Rivers Smokehouse  – This is a hipster brick-and-mortar Florida chain known for its brisket and sauces. Go for the brisket sandwich or sliders and a side of mac & cheese. Unlike some fabulous BBQ places, their sides aren’t an afterthought. 

  Brisket Sandwich From 4 Rivers Smokehouse!! 😍🍖👌 #Orlando #Foodie pic.twitter.com/6odmptRqgt

  — Orlando Foodie News (@OrlFoodieNews) October 28, 2018

   
• El Cactus Azul – Standard, unsurprising Mexican fare but the hidden gem is the green sauce. 

one last tidbit

Save some room in your meal plan for the food trucks. Although I love to cook in our RV (usually a rented one with a nice, large kitchen), I’ll buy fewer groceries on our next trip this year. After two nights of food truck date nights (we couldn’t resist), we had waaay too many groceries.

Related: Trail’s End is Finally Back in the Saddle – But Without It’s Show-Stopping Fried Chicken