Georgia Perimeter College Newsroom

Hana Hamad shows off her lunch selection from the Wheely Grilly truck that makes regular appearances on GPC's Alpharetta Campus. (photo by Bill Roa)

So many choices: Hana Hamad tries to decide what to eat from food truck menu. (photo by Bill Roa)

John Siler buys ice cream from the Queen of Cream food cart at Alpharetta Campus. (photo by Bill Roa)

Food trucks come to Alpharetta Campus

by Kysa Anderson Daniels

The eating is getting good at Georgia Perimeter College’s Alpharetta Campus, thanks to a smorgasbord of new dining options.

Until this year, faculty, staff and students there pretty much were limited to a sandwich trailer and vending machines in terms of on-campus food choices.

But beginning early this semester the first of nine colorful food trucks, many bearing creative names, began wheeling onto the Alpharetta Campus in an effort to fill a void.

“Alpharetta is the only campus we have that doesn’t have facilities built for dining services,” says Derrick Turner, head of GPC’s Auxiliary Services. “So this was our way to get some type of variety on the campus.”

Turner solicited approximately 100 vendors through the Atlanta Food Truck Coalition. In the end, nine submitted bids to provide services at Alpharetta Campus. What they offer should satisfy a wide range of palates.

The Blaxican truck is scheduled to make its GPC-Alpharetta debut on Feb. 4. Turner says Blaxican is a blend of soul and Mexican food. One of their more popular dishes is a burrito made with slow roasted BBQ pork, refried black-eyed peas and Mexican brown rice.

Campus-goers already have gotten a taste of offerings from Wheely Grilly, Incredible Falafel and On Tapa the World, which specializes in tapas-sized cuisine. The other trucks are Linkz Express, Scratch Cuisine, Urban Taali, Philly Connection and Spiedie Zone.

A couple of dessert trucks also are in the mix. Queen of Cream features freshly-made ice cream, and King of Pops offers specialty popsicles.

“I think it’s going to be very positive for us,” Turner says, also noting that his office has received early feedback giving the food trucks thumbs up.

The food trucks run on a rotating schedule each Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Schedules have been posted on Alpharetta campus bulletin boards, in the vending room and at the main lobby front desk.

What others are saying

I personally think it's a great idea to have food trucks especially since we did not have many options at the Alpharetta Campus. I have only bought food once from the food truck, but I look forward to trying the different types of foods offered. I also like how each day there is a different variety of choices from the previous days. I think one thing that I might add is samples of the food. Before a student wants to buy something they have never tired, they should be able to try it. I hope this continues. Best of luck!!

Fabulous idea! Students can enjoy choice and also interact. Newton would be happy to have some food trucks visit us also!