In cities from Los Angeles to New York, chefs are mobilizing in an exciting effort to elevate street eats to the next level.

Many of these social media savvy mobile food trucks have developed urban followers that meet them at daily designated roadside curbs, or in the increasingly popular food truck courts where customers can choose from vendors serving everything from comfort foods to fine dining selections, not to mention dessert.

The Downtown Development Authority, Downtown Shreveport Development Corporation, Citizens National Bank and Committee of One Hundred are presenting our community a chance to join in the experience with PopUp 3 – Shreveport Common Foodie Fest. On Nov. 3-7 during lunch hours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner hours from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., PopUp 3 will highlight several food trucks in a PopUp Court at the corner of Common and Crockett featuring outdoor seating, music and more.

Plus, according to the DDA’s website “Across the street at Central ARTSTATION, the engine room will be transformed into Central EATSTATION and will be populated by purveyors of many different food-related items. It will also house indoor seating and be a location for lunchtime and after-work cooking classes and food-related demonstrations of all types.”

Monday night the stage at EATSTATION will feature Poetry PopUp performances. Tuesday night Art PopUp will celebrate the opening exhibition of New York artist, Earl Barnes’ shotgun house series. Wednesday night is All About Food with cooking demonstrations. Then Thursday evening the new Central ARTSTATION sculpture, “Art the Dalmatian,” will be unveiled.

“This is our third PopUp event. After the first event in the Red River District and the second event in the Central Downtown Business District, we have discovered that people love them, but the draw is the food,” Liz Swaine, executive director of the DDA, said. “A vibrant food culture just helps everything else.”

She said what enhances the PopUp experience is bringing them close together, creating a vibrancy that makes everyone happy.

Already a Shreveport food truck aficionado? This event will feature your favorites, along with a few new vendors. Let’s sneak a peek at just a few items they will offer in the PopUp Court:

Cliff and Julie’s Place, these newly retired and inspired owners will serve Ribeye Steak sandwiches, Obscene Cheeseburger Sliders (you get two!), grilled shrimp on a stick, and more.

Geauxsicles freezes over 18 flavors of gourmet ice pops, including their new no-sugaradded Geaux Low line made with Truvia.

Grill of the Dead may slay you with their Wings of Mass Destruction and Zombie Bite sausage sandwiches, but it’s their specialty burgers like The King Lives – fried banana, peanut butter and bacon burger that I’ve heard so much about.

Jester’s Catering will spice things up serving Cubano sandwiches with Mojo dipping sauce; New Orleans Style Roast Beef Po’boys with debris gravy and Jester’s tangy mayo; chipotle sweet potato, spinach and black bean tamales with sweet adobo sauce; and so much more.

La Michoacana will serve up their popular Mexican tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas and tamales.

Lilah’s Deli & Bakery is a local favorite in store or on wheels. It’ll be a delight to see which among their Indian curry dishes and gourmet grilled cheeses they prepare.

Missing Link will grill gourmet dogs. While Beer Brats, Bacon Cheddar Cheese Dogs and Veggie Dogs are tempting, the Chorizo con Huevos Dog (yes, that’s topped with chorizo and a fried egg) looks like a must try.

T.D. Express is sure to be a swimming success offering their popular fish and shrimp tacos and crawfish pirogues.

Across from the PopUp Court inside Central EatStation there will be more food vendors:

Baked will bring the fresh baked taste of Northern Italy with delectable items like soups, seasoned breads and Galettes in spinach and ricotta cheese or eggplant Parmesean.

DaBayou Cajun Seasoning, a certified Louisiana product, will feature rubs and spices that “is sure to make you wanna Zydeco dance.” As their tag line says, “Don’t let this flavor get bayou!” Fleur de Crème churns out homemade ice creams using fresh all natural products and many regionally sourced ingredients. Get in line to try flavors like Port City Peach, Roasted Strawberries and Crème, and Caramel Macchiato with espresso and Dove chocolate.

Twisted Brownie is known for specialty flavors red velvet, rum raisin, coconut and mocha walnut. Sounds like these last two vendors make a great pairing.

There are so few days to enjoy so much fun; you won’t want to miss even one. As the DDA continues its efforts to promote revitalizing downtown, maybe this mobilizing event will catch on and become a vibrant addition to our foodie culture.

Lynn Laird is a writer, fine artist and self-professed bon vivant living in Bossier. With “Flair for Cooking,” she seeks out interesting ingredients and techniques to help make everyday meals just a touch more fabulous. She can reached at [email protected].