There are dozens of food truck festivities happening around the city weekly and monthly, all of which present the opportunity for a fun foodie date night. Here are a few tips for making the most of a this trendy happening...

1. Get there early – these events attract hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people and the lines can get pretty long. Do yourself a favor and get there right when the event starts.

2. Bring a chair – seating is typically scarce at food truck events so be sure to bring your own fold up chairs or a blanket if you plan to attend a park-side event like the one at Lake Lily, Maitland.

3. Bring a sense of adventure – one of the biggest reasons food trucks have reached craze status is because the food is far from your ordinary hot dog and hamburger fare. Expect to see some fairly inventive dishes, usually reasonably priced. Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and try something interesting.

4. Bring some cash – while most of the food trucks have the ability to process debit and credit cards, you never know when technology might crash. Bring some cash, just in case, and make sure it’s in smaller bills to make it easier for the food truck people. Expect to pay around $6 - $10 per meal.

Here are a few of the best date night food truck events:

Maitland Food Truck Pod
Every Wednesday from 6pm - 9pm
Lake Lily 701 Lake Lily Dr. Maitland, FL 32751
This small weekly food truck has only about 6-8 trucks, but the pretty lakeside locale and the less busy vibe make it a favorite for couples. Be sure to bring a blanket. 

Tasty Tuesday in the Milk District

Every Tuesday from 6pm-10pm
2432 East Robinson St, Orlando, FL
This is another smallish event (6-8 trucks), but the location in the Milk District means you can head out for a beer afterward at one of a handful of eclectic watering holes in the neighborhood.

Orlando Food Truck Bazaar at Fashion Square Mall

Typically the 2nd Sunday of each month behind the Orlando Fashion Square Mall on Colonial Drive (behind Dillards)
Presented by The Daily City, the Orlando Food Truck Bazaar is one of the biggest and most widely attended food truck events in the Central Florida area. Definitely do not forget your fold up chairs as there is basically nowhere to sit at this location.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: For Kristen Manieri, date night isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Married with two small girls, she’s come to realize that Saturday night is probably the only time each week that she and her hubby can actually have a meaningful, uninterrupted and alert conversation. A freelance writer and author of the book, Great Dates Orlando, Kristen founded her blog, Great Dates Orlando, in 2007 to not only share fun and romantic date night ideas with other local couples, but to keep herself accountable to a regular date night.