Festival Food: Top 3 favorites

There’s something special about those colorful caravans of perfectly fried or sugared treats that appear at every festival. You are out in the world, having new experiences and exploring new sights, and there, in the middle of your adventure, is just the thing you needed. The thing you forgot you needed until that very moment: food. And not just food, but a little take-out window on wheels, as if it was made specifically to meet you out on your adventure. 

The Tulip Time festival in Holland, MI is one of the wonderful times in which you can have this experience. Food trucks can be found popping up next to some of the best tulip viewing areas. The foods they offer are rare treats and most people don’t have the time or appetite to appreciate every kind. It can be hard to decide what to get. Here are our top 3 favorite food truck treats and some reasons we think they should be your first choice too.

#3: Lemonade- It takes a lot of walking to see all of the tulips in Holland. A sip of freshly squeezed lemonade provides much needed refreshment. They usually come in big green cups with fat pink straws to add to the fun! There may be a lot of ice to go with it, but there is still a good amount of lemonade and the cold drink can be a welcome surprise on a hot day.

#2: Fries- Often found right downtown on 8th street during Tulip Time, these fries are a wonderful savory snack. They come in two different sizes and are surprisingly filling. Good with or without cheese, these food truck fries are long, thin, and well flavored.

#1: Fat balls- This food truck treat surpasses all the rest! These sweet, deep fried balls of dough can usually be found near Centennial park during the festival. They are inspired by the authentic Dutch treat, Oliebollen, meaning “Oil Balls” or, as translated by the food truck, “Fat Balls.” Oliebollen are most frequently served in the Netherlands to celebrate the New Year and have raisins or apple chunks baked into the dough. At Tulip Time, however, the food truck slices them open and serves them with your choice of chocolate or vanilla custard, apple pie filling, or lemon curd. They are a delicious food that you can really dig your teeth into. If you only want to splurge on one special food for Tulip Time, follow the heritage of the town and the festival and get a Dutch fat ball.