B

It is most likely true that you have seen a truck set up in a parking lot selling fresh, meals made to order. That’s because food trucks are the new eatery trend in the U.S.

The Lakeway area is no stranger to delicious food sold from the window of a vehicle housing ovens, grills and other cooking materials.

Grill Billy Smoke, a BBQ food truck and catering business, is known for its smoked BBQ around the Morristown area.

Bill Hall who is the owner of Grill Billy Smoke discusses the reality of owning a food truck.

“My food truck has been open for 6 years and I have seen the struggles of other food trucks,” he said. “A lot of people get into it and don’t realize the work that goes into it and the highs and lows.”

“The sad part is most of the food trucks around here have some of the best food you’ll ever eat because the person who owns it is cooking the food and pouring their passion and love into the food and are blessing the community with their talents, but everyone thinks that they’ll just park their truck on the side of the road and people will flock to them and that’s not the reality of this business.”

“I have been blessed to have the outpouring of support of the community, but I just wish all the food trucks in the area had the same amount of support and love that the community has shown us.”

This desire is what led him to found the Five Rivers Food Truck Fellowship, a group of food truck owners that will connect trucks all over the Lakeway Area, and host the Eat-N-Greet event that brought more than 10 food trucks to Lowe’s parking lot.

Hall has great appreciation for Lowe’s and its support in allowing him to set up in its parking lot.

“Prior to COVID to set up a truck at Lowe’s you had to go through a third party and pay a large fee. Well, after the pandemic Lowe’s got a new vice president and he changed the rules and all of the sudden food trucks were welcomed at all the Lowe’s I’m aware of,” Hall said.

“We’ve been setting up at Lowe’s for a while now and it has the largest space available. We are so thankful for their support in allowing us to show up each week and sell our goods to the area.”

Another food truck taking on the Lakeway Area serves a variety of famous sandwiches, with a homemade twist.

The Panini Hotspot, owned by Jerry Broyhill, has been selling a variety of freshly made sandwiches since the fall of 2022.

Among the sandwiches offered are the El Fuego a sandwich consisting of mayo, ham, Muenster cheese, sautéed red bell peppers, cream cheese, and pepper jelly; the Homewrecker a 8 in all beef Polish Sausage panini with gouda cheese, Dijon mustard, peppers, and onion; and the Muff, a version of the New Orleans sandwich the Muffalleta

Lee is excited at the support he’s received since opening his truck.

“This is amazing, I have no words,” he said. “I’m just really shocked because we were not expecting this outpour of support.”

“It’s been an awesome start for our little food trailer so far. We keep going because of all of our customers and we can’t say thank you enough.”

For sweet and savory, The Donut Theory, a gluten free restaurant and food truck, is sharing its donuts and chicken tender combo with the Lakeway area.

The business was created by husband and wife duo, Laura and Daniel Crawford, who then handed off the business to its current owner Dustin Cochran in March of 2022.

The two were sad to part ways with the business, but were excited to pass the torch to Cochran.

“After a LOT of prayer and processing and consulting, Daniel and I have decided that it is time for us to truly prioritize our marriage and our family, and take a step back from running a business,” Crawford said.

“I’m just so excited for Dustin Cochran as he works towards his dreams, creates more jobs, and makes a major impact.”

“We are so proud, humbled, excited, to have taken over The Donut Theory,” Cochran said. “We look forward to continuing to sell 100% Gluten Free and Celiac Safe foods.”

Not only are the donuts gluten free, it also sells gluten free chicken tenders and mac and cheese. It is dedicated to ensuring all tenders are made to order.

Its daily donut flavors include: classic, chocolate sprinkle, pumpkin chocolate chip, pumpkin spice, apple and red velvet.

Its storefront location is located at 333 W Depot Ave in Knoxville, but its food truck can be found all over the Lakeway Area.