A food-truck trial at Seaworks in Williamstown has been extended until the end of August after drawing up to 600 people each Friday night in July.
Last Friday, even before trucks started serving at 5pm, people were steadily trickling in from outside Hobsons Bay.
A Ringwood resident said she followed food-truck festivals, while a St Kilda resident said he was catching up with his sister from the west so they were trying the Seaworks trucks.
Rosanna Dias from Point Cook said she was in a nearby park with her daughter so decided to check it out.
“If it’s a regular thing we probably will come every Friday for sure,” she said.
The trial was initially meant to be for Fridays in July with five trucks and a cart – La Revolucion, Senor Churro, White Guy Cooks Thai, Toasta, Smokin’ Barrys and the Brulee Cart.
The Pirates Tavern – a small non-food pub behind Seaworks – has changed its opening hours from 6pm to 5pm to complement the food trucks.
Toasta vendor Rebecca Feingold said people were travelling some distance to enjoy the Seaworks trucks.
“We’re all pretty overwhelmed with how well it’s been going – it’s really fantastic,” she said.
Last Friday, four new vendors were on hand – Jay’s Yogurt, Greek Street Food, Round the Way bagel burgers and Hawaiian Grill.
Seaworks executive officer Pauline Hobbs, who is preparing a report on the trial for Hobsons Bay council, said many families were attending.
“We’ve been doing some research and the big thing is the food – the quality and the selection of food – and the atmosphere,” she said. “They are really loving the atmosphere.”
Williamstown Chamber of Commerce president Laura Nardo said traders would prefer people supported bricks and mortar businesses that struggled to survive, especially during winter.
Ms Hobbs said about 70 per cent of people interviewed said they were coming to Williamstown specifically for the food trucks and wouldn’t have otherwise dined in Williamstown.
