Jul 21, 2016

HMSHost Serves Up Rustic Eats at Empire Roadside BBQ Food Truck on the New York State Thruway

Innovative dining experience satisfies summer road-trippers’ BBQ cravings

NEW BALTIMORE, NY — Perfect for the summer travel rush, global restaurateur HMSHost has introduced a new food truck to serve motorists and families road-tripping on the motorways. Empire Roadside BBQ, located conveniently at the New York State Thruway’s New Baltimore Travel Plaza at milepost 127 northbound and southbound, is sure to satisfy every traveler’s hankering for BBQ.

Given the growing infatuation with the food truck phenomenon, HMSHost introduced Empire Roadside BBQ, its second food truck on the motorways, following the successful debut of its popular Road Hog food truck last summer at the Delaware Welcome Center.

Parked right in front of the plaza’s main entrance, travelers can’t miss the Empire Roadside BBQ truck with its eye-catching orange font and elaborate imagery reminiscent of New York City. The truck’s vibrant design brings a bit of local New York right to the guest—with elements like the Statue of Liberty and New York skyline—and appeals to travelers’ senses by including phrases that relate to the food offerings. Guests can enjoy their meals and unwind in the outdoor seating area provided.

Empire’s menu hits all the bases when it comes to classic rustic BBQ. The truck offers a selection of succulent meats packed with flavor including the grilled beef brisket, fiery smoked kielbasa, pulled pork, and pulled chicken offered in the form of a sandwich, BBQ bowl, or wedge salad. On the side, travelers can indulge in the creamy sesame ginger slaw, bread and butter pickles, or robust dirty tots. Empire’s chefs are serving up these bold dishes with big flavors from 10:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. seven days a week.

“HMSHost strives to deliver quality culinary options while putting a creative twist on the typical dining experience found in travel venues, so we’re thrilled to be able to expand our food truck offerings even further,” said HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Amy Dunne. “We are thankful to the New York State Thruway Authority for partnering with us to open this new BBQ inspired food truck.”

Food trucks have experienced booming popularity with quaint food vendors on wheels attracting hoards of hungry customers on the move with their charismatic personalities and unique, rustic cuisine. This innovative dining concept turned simple local vendors into iconoclastic city attractions amongst acclaimed street-side spots. Food trucks bring a lasting personal connection to the customer unlike the archetypal brick and mortar dining establishment, and this down to earth quality is exactly what HMSHost wanted to bring to motorways travelers.

With the creation of Road Hog and Empire Roadside BBQ—as well as its food trucks at Los Angeles International Airport, a rotating concept currently featuring local favorite Border Grill, and Montréal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport, created internally by HMSHost’s expert chefs inspired by Montréal street food—HMSHost is the leading force behind bringing this beloved dining craze to travel venues. Food trucks have opened the gates to a completely new, innovative world of travel dining full of opportunities that have the potential to revamp the traveler’s dining experience and deliver the accessibility and variety they desire. The sky is the limit!