Food Truck Fridays set to return in March as city seeks vendors

Behind every small food truck is a mighty source of inspiration, according to Jacklin Lopez, owner of Albuquerque food truck A+ Creperie.

For Lopez, her inspiration came from tragedy. In 2019, she lost her daughter, Alexis, to a drunken driver. Using money she received from a lawsuit tied to her daughter’s death, she decided to launch a venture that would double as a tribute.

“She was the most sweetest and compassionate and loving kid,” Lopez said, stating that a food truck that sells sweet treats seemed like a good fit.

“I thought, ‘You know what? This is a good chance to invest in something that will always be a memory,’” Lopez said. “So every time I come out and I see the food truck parked outside at home, it always tells me to never give up.”

Lopez is one of several local food truck owners who hope to showcase their offerings in the city’s Food Truck Fridays event series, slated to kick off in Downtown Albuquerque in March.

The event, created in 2022, will bring together dozens of local food trucks every Friday between March 13 and Oct. 30, except for June 19 and July 4. The trucks will set up on Third Street at the Civic Plaza from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Through the event, the city aims to “give our local food truck vendors an opportunity to share their amazing culinary creations with the city,” as well as reinvigorate Downtown, said city Economic Development Department spokesperson Sara Mannal.

The city is accepting vendor applications now through Feb. 13. The majority of applicants are typically approved to participate and participation is free, Mannal said.

Last year saw less participation than usual, with just over 30 vendors — a drop from 55 in 2024.

Mannal said she’s not sure what contributed to the decline, but is hopeful this year will yield a greater turnout, with 15 applications in so far.

Cibo and In Pizza We Trust are some of this year’s returning applicants, while A+ Creperie is a first-time applicant, Mannal said.

Lopez’s truck, which opened in 2022 and features a halo and a heart around the “A” in A+ Creperie, sells crepes, waffles, mini pancakes and a croissant-waffle hybrid called a croffle.

If selected, Lopez hopes the event will provide her food truck with exposure and networking opportunities amid a season she said has been characterized by increased competition and economic uncertainty.

“It’s been a struggle,” Lopez said. “So I think it’s good. It’s a time to get known and get to know other food truck vendors as well.”

Kylie Garcia covers retail and real estate for the Journal. You can reach her at kgarcia@abqjournal.com.