Denver’s food truck tradition, Civic Center EATS, kicked off its 2023 season Wednesday with mobile food options from burgers to Korean street food to frozen yogurt through mid-September. 

Civic Center EATS, presented by alternative weekly newspaper Westword and the nonprofit Civic Center Conservancy, brings food trucks to Civic Center Park in Denver every Wednesday and Thursday.

Tristian Peters, 27, of Chicago, and friend Julia O’Beirne, 20, of Virginia, enjoyed burgers from Super Smash Burgers food truck, and really appreciated the free fries the owners gave out as they closed. 

“We just did a tour of the capitol and the guide said this was going on today,” Peters said. 

Super Smash owners Mathew Yamali and Joshua Mitchell debuted the new truck Wednesday. 

“This is just a great event,” Yamali said. “Today was exceptionally busy.” 

They like coming to the event for not only the food sales, but the networking opportunity with the other truck owners. It’s Yamali’s fourth food truck in 10 years. 

Their spirits were only dampened slightly when a man stole their tip jar and sprinted off. 

“I saw him hovering around, and was actually going to offer him some free food,” Yamali said. 

Food trucks will come to the center of the park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Sept. 14. 

The conservancy is also bringing back Civic Center EATS for ALL, supported by Denver-based Barefoot Public Relations, which implements a pay-as-you-are-able program, according to the release.

The program’s goal is to make Civic Center EATS more accessible by removing any cost barriers. 

The program also allocates funds to small, BIPOC-owned businesses to waive food truck application fees, according to the website. 

Those interested in the EATS for ALL program can scan the QR code at the Civic Center Conservancy table at EATS and pay what they are able via mobile device, according to the conservancy website. There is also a cash option and an option for those unable to pay day-of. 

Those interested in donating to the EATS for ALL fund can scan scan a QR code at EATS or use an online form to make a donation to the program. 

This year, a grant from Bank of America will provide workforce development for homeless youth, according to the release. 

The grant supports the conservancy’s partnership with Urban Peak to employ young people ages 16-24 in set-up, custodial and tear-down positions for EATS. 

The grant also supports a partnership with Youth on Record, an organization that “designs and implements strengths-based, music-centered programs intended to equip young people from historically under-resourced communities with the skills needed to find success in life,” according to their website. 

Through this partnership, EATS will book talent, live sound production support, performers, and management training for youth. 

EATS will also have a three-stream waste management system and water conservation efforts through support from Delta Dental of Colorado. 

The event features “Denver’s best mobile restaurants,” according to a Barefoot news release. 

Wednesday’s food trucks include the following. 

• Big Apple Bodega: “Home of the Chopped Cheese” serving New York City-inspired food 
• Flavor of Tabasco: “authentic Mexican cuisine”
• Gyros King
• KOCO: Korean street food
• Que Desmadre: Latin American, Mexican
• Saucy Chops: “Everyone’s Classic Favorites doused with scratch made sauces that elevate any cuisine”
• Super Smash Burgers Co.: “…the best, juiciest smash burger, while keeping it simple”
• Tacos with Altitude: brings the “flavors of their home town Oaxaca”
• The Brutal Poodle: “tasty eats and mean drinks”
• The Rice Guy: Asian-style food

To see the full Civic Center EATS schedule and food truck lineup, visit civiccentereats.com 

Denver Gazette City Editor Dennis Huspeni contributed to this story.