A half-dozen food trucks are congregating at Fairplex each Thursday this summer through August, an event called Food Truck Thursday. It happens from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The best part is, admission and parking are free. The entrance is at Gate 1 on McKinley Drive west of White Avenue and the Sheraton.

A friend and I met there last Thursday. The trucks were After School Special (a chef’s takes on kids’ food), Gourmet Genie (falafel, fish tacos), Brats Berlin (sausages), George’s Greek (gyros, chicken) and Shave It (shaved ice).

I had a meatloaf burger ($8) and NuGrape bottled soda ($2.50) from After School Special and a gyro from George’s ($7). The meatloaf (with queso fundido) was amazing. My friend had a falafel wrap ($6) and fish taco ($3.50) from Gourmet Genie. His wrap was bigger than a burrito. And he had a mac ‘n cheese “cupcake” ($4) from After School Special, which he really liked.

They set up shaded tables near the trucks, a nice touch. People were there, but the people-to-food-truck ratio was low enough that you didn’t have to wait long in line. The food trucks seem to be changing weekly. I’ll be going every Thursday I can. Nice idea, Fairplex.