You can’t be all things to all people, but Union 12, 7563 E. Lincolnway Road, near the line separating Allen and Whitley counties, is trying. It’s a part reception hall, part wedding venue, and part pop-up food truck park.
“We do anything from weddings to corporate events to birthday parties and anything like that,” event and marking manager Courtney Hile said. “We have public events, we do sip and shop events, and we just hosted our first adult prom.”
By thinking outside the box, Union 12 has created a unique resource for the area.
“We just brainstormed as a team and thought of things that would bring in different crowds,” Hile said. “Something that isn’t being done in the community or to honor people.”
Now in its third season, their Wednesday evening summer food truck festival stretches to Aug. 16.
“We have food trucks, a live band, an open bar, shopping vendors, and theme nights through the summer,” Hile said.
From 5:30-9:30 p.m. every Wednesday, a half-dozen trucks or so park at the property. I’m told each week has a different collection of trucks. There will always be a dessert option or two.
That includes nights specifically designed for first responders and teachers. They even engage kids with events devoted to superheroes and pets. One night is set for family portraits.
Hile says what happens is a rich cross-section of personalities and local vendors
“My favorite part is having a community event that everyone can come to. It brings out different people because of the different theme nights.”
Visit Royville for food trucks, music at teds
Speaking of food trucks and live music, teds beerhall’s Food Truck Thursday is off to a strong start, running through Sept. 14 in Royville. That’s a little sliver of land around Coldwater and Union Chapel roads.
Coming up at teds, 12628 Coldwater Road, on June 1 will be Basketcase supplying music at 6:30 p.m., while Alto Grado, Banh Mi, Flora & Lilly, One Love, The Brown House, Whip & Chill, and Who Cut the Cheese food trucks are slated to be there.
Enjoy food while helping animals
In Albion, Black Pine Animal Sanctuary’s Hot Summer Nights will bring food trucks together from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, June 2.
Enjoy great entertainment and food and benefit programs for rescued and rehabilitated animals.
Ivy Tech food truck begins operating June 6
Ivy Tech Community College’s Grasshopper Food Truck begins its summer schedule June 7 and continues through July 27 at its North Anthony campus.
Operating from the north parking lot — that’s the one facing Coliseum Boulevard — lunch is served Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The truck is open for dinner Thursday evenings from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Rise ’n Roll gets national attention
It’s hardly a secret how good Rise ’n Roll Bakery doughnuts are. We’ve been chowing down on them for quite a while.
Now, they are getting national attention from The Underground Donut Tour, which scouts the best doughnuts in the country.
Hot off the presses, the 2023 “America’s Greatest Donut” campaign awarded the bakery chain in nine of 22 categories with the cinnamon caramel doughnut as the overall fan favorite. The bakery also won top honors for the greatest cake doughnut (red velvet), greatest cream-filled doughnut (Boston cream), greatest jelly-filled doughnut (old fashioned), greatest unique flavor doughnut (mocha), greatest unique topping doughnuts (crunch delights), and greatest yeast doughnut (cinnamon caramel).
By the way, you can grab a free cinnamon caramel doughnut on National Doughnut Day, Friday, June 2.
Rail Experience set to depart in Angola
The Indiana Rail Experience gets into full swing this summer with several food-oriented excursions.
The schedule includes the Donuts and Dad’s Train and Summer BBQ Train on June 17 and the Ice Cream Train June 24 and July 16. There are also excursions including wine and chocolate and wine and whiskey.
Trips depart from Angola Depot, 611 W. Maumee St.
Off the Eaten Path is the Whatzup weekly column that covers Northeast Indiana’s restaurant and food news. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.
