Corndogs and other street treats will be available at Sioux City's ninth annual Food Truck Fridays (2024)

SIOUX CITY — Call it truth in advertising: The Corndog Company's Epic corndog is absolutely "epic."

What else can you call a quarter-pound all-beef footlong hot dog that's been hand-dipped in a freshly-made cornbread-style batter before being drizzled in ketchup, mustard and honey?

"Honey is the key," Diego Ruiz explained. "Everybody loves our honey."

Ruiz, along with his mom Rita Lopez, is the Sioux City franchisee for the Utah-based Corndog Company chain of food trucks.The Corndog Company is just one of the food trucks participating in Food Truck Fridays, a tasty summertime tradition in downtown Sioux City.

Returning for a ninth year, Food Truck Fridays will begin its season from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday at Pearl Street Park on the corner of Seventh and Pearl Street which will be the destination for many of area's best food trucks, every Friday through Aug. 30.

Like the Corndog Company, Killer B's BBQ, Daga's on Wheels, the Smash Food Trailer, Malli's on Wheels, Taqueria El Buen Gusto, the Leaf Grill & Wokery, Diamond Thai, Coffee & Nosh, 2 the Macks, Antojitos Dona Carmen, Mader Mader and Good Food Company will be regulars for 2024.

Downtown Partners executive director Ragen Cote said attendees may see additional food trucks added to the mix on certain weeks.

"Over the years, Sioux City Food Truck Fridays has not only been popular with the public, it's also played a pivotal role in fostering a vibrant local food truck scene," she explained.

In large part, that's due to the wide variety of foods available at the event.

"Where else can you get Asian food, Mexican food, burgers, corndogs and barbecue all in the same vicinity?" Cote asked.

The eclecticism has made Food Truck Fridays a popular destination for downtown workers, famished foodies as well as families with picky eaters

"From the very start, I knew we'd get plenty of city employees and office people as regular attendees," Cote added. "I'm always happy to see how many moms and dads bring their kids here every week."

Given that the events run during the heart of the summer, there's been some issues with heat in the past. Beginning this year, attendees will have some extra protection from the hot summer sun.

"We are installing a shade structure in the center of the park to help with seating as well as overall shade in the summertime," Downtown Partners event coordinator Elizabeth Stewart explained.

A newcomer to both Downtown Partners and Food Truck Fridays, Stewart said she is looking forward to becoming a connoisseur of food truck fare.

And that includes the selections offered at The Corndog Company.

In addition to the aforementioned Epic footlong corndog, the Corndog Company also has the Mini Corndog (featuring a one-eighth pound all-beef frank), a Cheese Bomb (made with cheddar, pepperjack and mozzarella cheeses) as well as deep-fried Oreos, Snickers and Milky Way candy bars.

"It's a full meal," Ruiz said. "Once you have an Epic or a Mini, people would like a Cheese Bomb as an appetizer and a deep-fried dessert as a sweet treat."