Buddy’s Chicken, Go Philly among food trucks headed to downtown this summer

Lunchtime in Tacoma gets an upgrade every Tuesday from June to September when food trucks will fill Theater Square for Bites on Broadway.

A core group of trucks will rotate through the dates, but two plan to anchor the lineup almost every week: Go Philly Cheesesteaks & Wings and La Cocina de Jalisco. That means meaty sandwiches and lemon-pepper fries, juicy birria and consomé and aqua fresca are on tap nearly every Tuesday in the heart of downtown.

Hosted by the Downtown Tacoma Partnership, which also manages the Tacoma Farmers Market, think of it as an extension of the lunch crowds that fill Broadway on Thursdays. That team will also bring a patio to the plaza — as in, tables and chairs with umbrellas to enjoy a “comfortable outdoor lunch space,’ said communications director Gaby Kinner.

As the FIFA World Cup gets underway, you can also test your soccer skills in an interactive installation the organization has planned for Broadway on Tuesdays and Thursdays as part of “Kick It Downtown.”

The collection of trucks will differ slightly through the weeks, with some recurring characters and some fresh ones.

In addition to Go Philly and La Cocina, opening day features Buddy’s Chicken & Waffles, serving owner Buddy Brown’s crunchy, expertly seasoned tenders in original and spicy versions, in baskets and on sandwiches, and Shinebox Hot Dogs.

Then on June 9, Starvin Marvin will be ready to grill some hot dogs in styles of Chicago, Coney Island and a PB&J, paired with loaded mac and cheese. Just A Pizza My Mind, which opened a drive-thru pizzeria in Milton last year, will offer its playful wood-fired pizzas.

On June 16, Tin Hut BBQ will have its brisket, pork, sides and more.

Here’s a rundown of the June lineup:

• June 2: La Cocina, Go Philly, Buddy’s, Shinebox
• June 9: La Cocina, Go Philly, Just A Pizza My Mind, Starvin Marvin
• June 16: La Cocina, Go Philly, Buddy’s, Tin Hut BBQ
• June 23: Go Philly, Just A Pizza My Mind, Shinebox
• June 30: La Cocina, Go Philly, Buddy’s, Tin Hut BBQ

The Bites on Broadway series launches June 2. You can keep tabs on each truck’s happenings on their Instagram pages and on StreetFoodFinder, a food truck app. Downtown Tacoma Partnership will post updated lineups for July, August and September as they’re confirmed.

Food-truck events have really ramped up this summer in Pierce County. You can find a few trucks at TAPCO’s main branch, 6312 19th St. W., on Thursdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and at Clint Steiger Park in Pacific on Fridays for the same lunch time slot.

Look out also for the Downtown Tacoma Block Party on Sunday, Aug. 2 — a big event with lots of food, a beer garden, live music, kids activities, a makers fair and more in the same location.

Bites on Broadway - Downtown Tacoma lunch

• Where: Theater Square, 9th and Broadway, Tacoma, downtowntacomapartnership.com
• When: Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• What: food-truck lunch with patio-style seating on the plaza
• Who: rotating group of local mobile restaurants — schedule varies, follow instagram.com/downtowntacomapartnership for updates