The national trend in gourmet food trucks has taken Fort Worth by storm. On Thursday, the city's second food truck park opens on North Main Street.
On Wednesday, Charlie Flores and his family put the finishing touches on Cowtown Chow Down, an old used car lot turned food truck parking lot.
"I'm very excited and it's a dream come true for me and my family," Flores said. "I wanted this to be something that Fort Worth could be proud of."
Family has played a big role in the project, his 13-year-old son came up with the name.
"We all laughed, we thought it was the silliest thing," Flores said. "And as a couple of days wore on, it just made sense."
Flores has some lofty goals for his park.
"When they talk about visiting the food park, instead of referencing Austin, Texas, they'll start referencing North Fort Worth," Flores said. "And talking about 'in Fort Worth they did it right.'"
A notion that doesn't seem all that far-fetched to those in the food truck business.
"I think we're going to have the next Austin here in a couple years," said Garland 'Goose' Geeslan, owner of Sassy Hot dogs. "And this is where it's at, people are looking for different food and that's what we have."
Cowtown Chow Down supports say the location, right between downtown and the Stockyards, will be a recipe for success.
"Even with the economy the way it is, this is going to be fantastic," Geeslan said.
The park will be open seven days a week and has parking for cars and bicycles. Mayor Betsy Price, among others, is expected at tomorrow's grand opening.
Flores is also looking for musicians to start offering entertainment at the outdoor venue.
Visitors can find out which food trucks are scheduled to be at the park on any given day and learn more about the food they offer on the Cowtown_Chow_Down website.
