Dig in With Graver: A Tale of Two Food Trucks

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

I don’t know whether it’s a blessing or a curse that there’s a new hot dog truck permanently parked a few blocks from my apartment.

JDoggs opened on July 13 at 420 Perry Highway in West View and will operate from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, at least throughout the end of the summer.

On July 15 — National Hot Dog Day — I braved the heat and walked down the street for the lunch special: two dogs, a bag of chips and a drink for under 10 bucks. I ordered a pair of Pittsburgh Doggs topped with onions, pickle, ketchup and mustard. Simple, classic and delicious.

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

Next time I’ll diversify with a West View Dogg (BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese and bacon) and the signature BIG J Dogg (Coney Island-style chili sauce, cheese, a pickle spear and onions) or go for one of their fresh hand-pressed burgers, an Italian sausage sandwich or a cheesesteak.

The food truck’s owner and namesake is Jay Lang, who also runs the brick-and-mortar business on the property, 3 Rivers Sign & Lighting.

Take this as a sign that you should go eat a hot dog.

PHOTO BY KRISTY GRAVER

Pizza my heart

If I’m not eating hot dogs, there’s a good chance I’m stuffing my face with a slice of pizza.

Fireside Pizza Co., a mobile business I discovered at last summer’s Great Pennsylvania Tomato Festival in Mars, could use more support.

In May, a drunk driver struck the food truck. Although no one was seriously injured, the trailer sustained significant damage, forcing the business to halt regular operations until repairs can be made.

Since the driver’s insurance company won’t cover the cost, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help owner Joshua Luchesa and his family raise $9,000 and get back on the road.

The mechanic hired to make the repairs is located a mile from Stick City Brewing Co. in Mars, so the Fireside trailer will serve pies outside of the taproom July 18 and 19 before being towed to the garage. The pies are baked over oak-fueled flames at a lower temperature and for longer than a traditional Neopolitan, which gives the crust a nice crunch.

PHOTO BY SARAH LOCKLIN

Luchesa plans to be up and running again by this year’s Great Pennsylvania Tomato Festival, which Stick City will host on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 2 to 8 p.m. In addition to Fireside pizza and other tomato-based food and beverages, attendees will find produce from Brenckle’s Greenhouses and live music from the jam band Coozie from 5 to 8 p.m.

I think Mars should paint its famous spaceship red for the occasion and call it a Flying Saucer.