Food trucks have a a sort-of cult following, and so do the fests in the city.
Now, a locally developed app is launching with a mash-up of both, throwing some of the most popular food trucks in the city in one place to celebrate its launch.
The idea for the NOMAD app started when co-founder and President Ellen Gugenberger and her husband, Walter, were living in Washington, D.C.
“There are several hundred food trucks registered in D.C.,” said Gugenberger. “People rely on them because a lot of people take public transportation. The trucks always presented a great opportunity for something different every day.”
But food trucks come with a different set of challenges. By nature, they’re mobile and move around to different spots in the city. Sometimes there’s a line outside a popular truck, and people have short lunch breaks. Food truck owners often don’t have the space for multiple devices or manpower to run multiple apps on their trucks.
NOMAD hopes to solve those problems for truck owners and customers.
“Users will be able to see which trucks in the area have NOMAD, and which trucks they’ll be able to order through,” she said.
Customers can look a menu items on their phones, see what’s sold out, order their food and then get notifications when its ready. Once you get to the truck, you’ll be able to skip the line and pick up your food.
The official launch day is Nov. 2, and a fest at Champions Square that afternoon is planned to help get customers and trucks together using the app.
“We wanted to demonstrate that people didn’t have to sit and wait in a line for the food trucks,” Gugenberger said. “Instead, they can play tailgate games. They can listen to a great band. They can buy drinks from Champions Square. Whenever they’re ready to eat, they can place their order and just go back to having a great time.”
Ten food trucks are planning to come downtown for the fest, including Diva Dawg, Freencheeze, La Cocinita and South in Ya Mouth. Best of all the fest admission is free. Click here for more information about the fest and the full list of trucks attending.
