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Voters declare this food truck to be the best in Northern Colorado

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/16 .. d-truck-to-be-the-best-in-northern-colorado.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, October 16th 2025 at 15:09 GMT by Fort Collins Coloradoan
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Jersey Cowboy Claims 2025 Coloradoan Food‑Truck Bracket Title, Bringing East Coast Pork Rolls to Fort Collins

The hot‑dish scene in Fort Collins reached a new height on Saturday, October 16, when Jersey Cowboy—a food truck that has been turning heads since it rolled into town in 2022—claimed the top prize in the 2025 Coloradoan Food‑Truck Bracket competition. The event, held at the bustling Union Street Market, drew over 3,000 visitors, a dozen competing trucks, and a lively crowd of foodies eager to sample the city’s most celebrated street‑food offerings. Jersey Cowboy’s signature dish, the East Coast Pork Roll, proved to be the crowd‑pleaser that tipped the scales in its favor.

The Bracket Competition: A New Way to Rank the Best

The Coloradoan Food‑Truck Bracket, launched last year, was designed to give local vendors a chance to compete in a structured format, with each round determined by live crowd voting. The tournament begins with eight trucks—selected by a panel of culinary judges for their creativity, menu diversity, and community impact—competing in a single‑elimination bracket. After each match, attendees vote via a dedicated mobile app, and the winner moves on to the next round. In 2025, the competition featured an expanded roster that included the popular “Salsa Street” truck, the vegan‑friendly “Garden Grub,” and the renowned “Brew‑Bites” that pairs craft beers with bites of flavor.

Jersey Cowboy’s journey through the bracket was a masterclass in consistency. In the first round, they faced off against the local favorite, “The Rustic Wagon,” and edged out their opponent with a 52% share of the votes. In the semi‑finals, they squared off against “Salsa Street,” a truck known for its bold Latin flavors, and secured a narrow 53% margin. The final showdown pitted Jersey Cowboy against the veteran truck “Brew‑Bites,” a partnership of artisanal brews and gourmet burgers. Despite the latter’s reputation, Jersey Cowboy’s pork rolls won the hearts—and stomachs—of the crowd, clinching a 58% vote share and earning the coveted title.

East Coast Pork Rolls: A Flavorful Twist on Tradition

At the heart of Jersey Cowboy’s victory lies its East Coast pork roll—a variation of the classic New England pork roll, locally known as “Taylor’s pork roll” or “Taylor’s pork.” The dish draws inspiration from the pork roll’s savory, smoky profile while incorporating regional ingredients that appeal to the diverse Palouse crowd. The truck’s pork roll is made from a blend of ground pork, paprika, and a secret mix of spices, then slow‑cooked and sliced thinly before being served on a toasted bun with a generous topping of melted cheddar, caramelized onions, and a drizzle of a proprietary tangy mustard sauce.

In an interview with the Coloradoan’s food correspondent, Jersey Cowboy’s founder, Maria Reyes, explained that the concept emerged during a trip to Boston, where she fell in love with the pork roll’s comforting familiarity. “When I came back to Colorado, I wanted to bring that nostalgic flavor to my community,” Reyes said. “I experimented with different spice blends and local ingredients until I landed on the recipe that’s now a staple at our truck.”

The pork roll’s popularity is also tied to its versatility. On the menu, Jersey Cowboy offers it as a stand‑alone sandwich, a filling for breakfast burritos, or a topping for loaded fries. The truck’s social media feeds have featured a series of “Pork Roll Hacks” videos that demonstrate how to pair the dish with local craft beers, a partnership that aligns with the food‑truck culture’s emphasis on community collaboration.

Community Impact and Future Aspirations

Winning the bracket not only boosts Jersey Cowboy’s visibility but also opens doors for future expansion. The Coloradoan reports that the truck’s owners plan to apply for a permanent food‑truck license in downtown Fort Collins and to host a pop‑up dinner series in partnership with local breweries. They also intend to bring the East Coast pork roll to neighboring towns such as Loveland and Greeley, creating a new regional food identity that blends East Coast comfort with Western ingenuity.

The event itself was organized by the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Coloradoan’s “Food Truck Spotlight” series. The chamber’s director, Carlos Martinez, emphasized the importance of supporting local entrepreneurs. “Food trucks are the lifeblood of our city’s culinary diversity,” Martinez said. “This bracket format provides a platform for vendors to showcase their creativity and connect with our community.”

Beyond the Bracket: A Growing Food Scene

Fort Collins has long been celebrated for its craft beer scene, and the food‑truck bracket adds another layer to the city’s culinary tapestry. The event highlighted the city’s ability to nurture a vibrant food ecosystem that rewards innovation and community engagement. Local food‑truck vendors such as “Garden Grub” and “Brew‑Bites” celebrated their participation, promising to keep pushing boundaries with seasonal offerings and farm‑to‑table ingredients.

The Coloradoan’s coverage of the bracket also touched on the environmental aspects of food trucks, noting the importance of sustainable sourcing and waste reduction. Several participating trucks announced that they use compostable packaging and partner with local farms to source organic produce. The bracket’s organizers plan to incorporate a “Green Truck” award in the next iteration to honor those who excel in sustainability.

The Road Ahead

With its victory in the 2025 Coloradoan Food‑Truck Bracket, Jersey Cowboy has cemented its place as a staple of the Fort Collins food scene. The truck’s East Coast pork roll, a dish that bridges culinary traditions and local innovation, will continue to captivate new and longtime patrons alike. As the city’s food‑truck community expands, the bracket format will likely remain a key driver of culinary excellence and community cohesion.

For more details on the event, including the full bracket standings, recipe insights from Jersey Cowboy, and an overview of the other competing trucks, readers can visit the Coloradoan’s “Food‑Truck Spotlight” page and the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce’s food‑truck initiative website. These resources offer an in‑depth look at how the city’s dynamic culinary culture thrives on competition, creativity, and a shared love for good food.