The world's largest food truck rally is happening in Tampa.
Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn rang the dinner bell to announce the official start to the “World's Largest Food Truck Parade and Rally.” Generation Food Trucks promoted the event for months and they snagged the title.
Despite some rain, 99 trucks participated in a parade Saturday morning that ended at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
"I want to be known as the foodie capital and the king of the food truck movement," said Mayor Buckhorn.
It seems Tampa is always in competition with Miami over food. Miami held the record for the largest Cuban sandwich and Tampa took that away. Then, Miami set the record for the world's largest food truck parade in April, and Tampa took mark away Saturday.
Miami's rally attracted 62 trucks.
"The hardest part will be breaking the record next year," said Jeremy Gomez, the event organizer. "We've set the bar pretty high. We'll have to do, like, 120 or 150 next year."
The trucks opened for business at 11 a.m.
"I don't want to pick something and then get down the road and go ‘oh man that's what I wanted,’" said Teresa Rojek, first time food truck customer.
Vendors served up everything from lobster sandwiches to Thai barbeque chicken and even food considered to be "other worldly!"
"It's amazing. I had no idea I would ever have an opportunity like this. “Generation Food Truck” really did an amazing job and I'm just happy to be a part of it," said Andrew Seely of Suncoast Food Trucks in Manatee.
Vendors hope the attention and support of the rally will put all of Tampa Bay on the map when it comes to good food and world class trucks.
"Our hair was standing up when the mayor was speaking about how amazing this opportunity is," said Seely.