Coming to the Barclays Center plaza area this Saturday: food trucks

I wrote April 9 how the promised greenmarkets and holiday fairs had not yet come to the Barclays Center plaza, just promotional activities.

Now, after eight months of operations, there's some movement. Arena Community Affairs Manager Terence Kelly, speaking at a meeting of the 78th Precinct Community Council, said the arena would start hosting food trucks once a month, beginning this Saturday, June 1, from 11 am to 5 pm.

He said it was an "excellent opportunity to do a test" of the space, though he didn't specify whether the trucks would be placed on the plaza or in the adjacent lay-by lanes. He said the event would be run by the same promoters who run the Grand Army Plaza food truck rally, though the number of trucks would be fewer.

More information about the effort, he said, would be issued this morning.

I bet this will get the arena more publicity than its leaking bass.

Updated, with coverage

From the New York Observer, Barclays Center to Host Food Trucks for the First Time:

The food trucks are coming! The food trucks are coming!
Daily News Plaza outside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn will host an array of Brooklyn-based food trucks this summer for some good eats and treats.
Barclays Center, its developer, Forest City Ratner Companies, and the NY Food Trucks Association have partnered to bring Brooklyn food trucks to the plaza Saturday June 1, July 6 and September 7. The food truck grub and bistro-style seating will be available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The trucks participating offer a wide range for tantalizing flavors from savory Korean BBQ at Kimchi Taco Truck to sweet ice creams and desserts at the Treats Truck. Other food trucks include Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwiches, Mamu Thai Noodle, Frites’N’Meats and Thai Mobile.
Forest City Ratner Companies made some big promises about eight months ago to bring greenmarkets, holiday fairs and other promotional activities, but as The Atlantic Yard Report noted, it was slow going. The food trucks are the first step in keeping those promises, with this weekend being “an excellent opportunity to do a test” on the space, Arena Community Affairs Manager Terence Kelly said. (Cause who doesn’t love trucks that emit tastiness rather than harmful toxins? Oh wait…)
“New Yorkers love food trucks, and some of the best are from Brooklyn,” said MaryAnne Gilmartin, president and CEO of Forest City Ratner Companies, in a news release. “We are thrilled to have these local favorites at the Daily News Plaza bringing Brooklyn residents and visitors some savory and sweet treats to enjoy.”
The Observer is pumped Ms. Gilmartin and company started off with the tasty promise. See you at Frites’N'Meats!

From the New York Post, Top Brooklyn food-truck vendors coming to Barclays Center’s public plaza
(note how they avoid saying "Daily News Plaza"):

It's the Barclays Center foodie experience -- but outdoors and without having to shell out bucks for tickets to a Nets game or concert.
The arena, which scored rave reviews for tapping many of Brooklyn’s top restaurants to supply its grub, is now bringing top borough food-truck vendors to its main-entrance plaza at Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues.
Food trucks and bistro-style seating will be featured outside the arena beginning this Saturday and return July 6, and September 7. The feeding frenzy will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Barclays Center is about bringing Brooklynites together to share a memorable experience,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Barclays Center and the Brooklyn Nets. “As guests of Barclays Center know, food is an essential part of our venue experience. Now, we are excited to offer a delicious culinary selection on the … plaza.”
Since Barclays Center opened in September, the plaza has long been eyed to hold outdoor events. Among the earlier ideas arena honchos have said they’d consider are greenmarkets and seasonal fairs.
***
Participating food trucks for Saturday as described in a press release are:
* Kimchi Taco Truck (@kimchitruck): This popular Korean BBQ food truck offers traditional fresh kimchi bowls as well as street food classics,including tacos, burritos and -- a culinary first -- the Tofu Edamame Falafel Taco.
* Treats Truck (@TheTreatsTruck): For a sweet break in the day, 2008 Vendy winner the Treats Truck serves up a variety of different cookies, brownies, cakes, donuts and more, including caramel crème sandwich cookies, pecan butterscotch bars and ice cream cone cupcakes.
* Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwiches (@CoolHausNY): As the weather gets warmer, everyone’s favorite Coolhaus build-your-own ice cream sandwiches will be available with their creative flavors and delicious cookies.
* Mamu Thai Noodle (@MamuThaiNoodle): From Pad Thai to boat noodles,the family-owned and operated Mamu Thai Noodle truck brings Thailand street food to [the] Plaza.
* Frites’N’Meats (@FritesNMeats): Frites’N’Meats dishes out some of the tastiest Burger & Frites to be had in NYC. And while those are the stars of Frites’N'Meats, they are by no means the only players. Everyday you can find tasty Soups and Homemade Dessert Treats.
* Taim Mobile (@TaimMobile): NYC’s best falafel hits the road with Taim Mobile’s falafel and smoothie truck. It’s Tel Aviv street food with a gourmet twist!

From Gothamist, Food Trucks Roll Up To Plaza Outside Barclays Center Saturday

Because you can never have too many food trucks, Brooklyn's Barclays Center is flagging some down for the plaza outside the arena this Saturday, as well as two more Saturdays this summer. The trucks will be there from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 1st, July 6th, and September 7th, and Barclays will also be putting out tables and chairs in the plaza for your dining pleasure. According to a Barclays' rep, the trucks this Saturday include:

Kimchi Taco Truck (@kimchitruck): This popular Korean BBQ food truck offers traditional fresh kimchi bowls as well as street food classics, including tacos, burritos and -- a culinary first -- the Tofu Edamame Falafel Taco.
Treats Truck (@TheTreatsTruck): For a sweet break in the day, 2008 Vendy winner the Treats Truck serves up a variety of different cookies, brownies, cakes, donuts and more,including caramel crème sandwich cookies, pecan butterscotch bars and ice cream cone cupcakes.
Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwiches (@CoolHausNY): As the weather gets warmer, everyone’s favorite Coolhaus build-your-own ice cream sandwiches will be available with their creative flavors and delicious cookies.
Mamu Thai Noodle (@MamuThaiNoodle): From Pad Thai to boat noodles, the family-owned and operated Mamu Thai Noodle truck brings Thailand street food to Daily News Plaza.
Frites’N’Meats (@FritesNMeats): Frites’N’Meats dishes out some of the tastiest Burger & Frites to be had in NYC. And while those are the stars of Frites’N'Meats, they are by no means the only players. Everyday you can find tasty Soups and Homemade Dessert Treats.
Taim Mobile (@TaimMobile): NYC’s best falafel hits the road with Taim Mobile’s falafel and smoothie truck. It’s Tel Aviv street food with a gourmet twist!

A Tofu Edamame Falafel Taco Bowl followed by a stellar Coolhaus ice cream sandwich? That's our kind of Saturday.

From the New York Daily News, Food trucks coming to Barclays Center three Saturdays this summer: Even opponents of the no-rent trucks support the weekly street food event. Local trucks will include Kimchi Taco Truck and the Treats Truck.:

The Barclays Center is getting in on the food truck craze.
Starting Saturday and continuing two more times this summer, the arena’s Daily News Plaza will host locally based trucks from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The offerings include: Kimchi Taco Truck, a Korean take on the Mexican standard; Treats Truck, famous for its caramel crème sandwich cookies; Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwiches, a build-your-own ice cream treat machine; Mamu Thai Noodle, a family-owned and operated truck; and Taim Mobile, a gourmet falafel and smoothie truck.
"We are always excited to find new places to showcase our cuisine," said Phillip Lee, the owner of Kimchi Taco and Kimchi Grill restaurant on 766 Washington Ave. near the arena.
Visitors will be able to chomp down their food at bistro-style tables and chairs set up throughout the plaza, which is in front of the arena.
"It brings attention to downtown Brooklyn and showcases some of the finest food that's available on four wheels," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.
The food trucks were even welcomed by a traditional opponent.
"Having the food trucks on private property is much better than having the Wild West when trucks are parking directly in front of brick-and-mortar restaurants," said Andrew Rigie of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, a restaurant umbrella group.
The organization has been pushing for legislation that would bar food trucks from parking directly in front of restaurants.
The Barclays Center event mimics a popular food truck rally held Sundays at Grand Army Plaza in the fall.
Residents in downtown Brooklyn were excited about their new chance to chow down outside.
“When I don’t cook, I go to the truck,” said David Polk, 38, as he bought lunch from a gyro truck in front of Borough Hall.
The main inhabitants of the arena, the Brooklyn Nets, didn’t survive the first round of the playoffs. Perhaps humble pie is on one of the trucks’ menu.