Food trucks add to Cavaliers Fan Fest ambience

Pardon the alliteration, but the Fan Fest in Gateway Plaza for Game 3 of the NBA Finals on June 6 featured four food trucks offering some fine fare.

Fan Fest is the event staged by the Cavs in the plaza outside Quicken Loans Arena when the team has a playoff game at home. It gives fans who don’t have tickets an opportunity to bask in the postseason atmosphere.

For people who do have tickets, Fan Fest is a place to stop and listen to some live music, enjoy participatory games and hang out before making their way into The Q.

Whether you have tickets to the game, Fan Fest also is a place to grab a bite and a beverage before the opening tip.

Food trucks have been a staple at Fan Fest since the event was launched for the 2015 playoffs. There usually are six food trucks arrayed in Gateway Plaza. Because the Indians and Milwaukee Brewers played a day game on June 6, the side of the plaza nearest Progressive Field was barricaded.

That left room for four food trucks for the Game 3 Fan Fest — Fire Truck Pizza Company, Barrio, Swensons and Slyman’s.

Fire Truck Pizza Company, based in North Royalton, offered eight-cut pepperoni and cheese pizza for $10. Pizza chef Jason Carpinella said the company has three retired fire trucks modified with the ovens and a fourth soon to be placed in service.

“These are real fire trucks,” he said.

The pizza has thin crust and bakes for two to two-and-a-half minutes in an over maintained at 900 degrees.

At the average Fan Fest, the company will make upward of 300 pizzas.

“It’s always crazy busy here,” Carpinella said, smiling.

Business was steady to brisk at the other three food trucks deployed for the Game 3 Fan Fest.

Barrio is the popular Cleveland restaurant specializing in tacos that has branched out into the suburbs, including Willoughby and Lakewood. Tacos sold out of the foods truck are priced at$4 apiece and three for $10.

Tiffany Myroniak of Sagamore Hills was one of Barrio’s satisfied customers at the Game 3 Fan Fest. She said she’s a big fan of Barrio and Fan Fest, which she often attends with her husband and their two children.

Swensons is the Akron-based drive-in chain that features its trademark Galley Boy Burger and milkshakes. Visits to Swensons in Fairlawn are a favorite off-season guilty pleasure for an Akron native named LeBron James.

Swenson’s server Abby Ross joined six fellow servers in taking orders from Fan Fest attendees. Galley Boys are priced at $4.50. Milkshakes are $4.

“We always seem to be busy at Fan Fest,” Ross said.

Slyman’s is the renowned delicatessen that specializes in corned beef sandwiches and other deli favorites. In addition to its home base on Cleveland’s near est side, Slyman’s has satellite locations in Orange and Independence.

The bill of fare in Slyman’s food truck includes corned beef, pastrami and turkey sandwiches as well as Reuben and melt sandwiches using the same meats. Prices range from $9 for a half-sandwich combo (with fries) to $16.50 for a full-size Reuben. Other sandwiches and sides are on the menu, too.

Beverages are for sale at two beer kiosks and a kiosk featuring Pepsi products.

If you spy a green kiosk bearing the name of Huntington Bank, be advised it is not an ATM. It’s a promotional vehicle offering free pens and ice cream.

Expect more of everything highlighted above at the Game 4 Fan Fest on June 8. The event begins at 5 p.m.

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