Rhinelander, Wisconsin | April 22
April 22nd turned out to be one of those perfect Northwoods spring afternoons—blue skies, warming sunshine, and the irresistible smell of food trucks lining the grounds at Nicolet College in Rhinelander. The Food Truck Rally, paired with Nicolet’s Earth Day Sustainability Fair, made for a well-laid-out, welcoming event that offered both great eats and thoughtful conversation.
Let’s get to the food—because that’s why most of us were there.
Jake’s Mobile Café (Hazelhurst, WI)
Jake’s Mobile Café was an absolute standout, and for good reason. If smash burgers are your thing (and really, why wouldn’t they be?), this truck is a must-visit.
Two burgers rose well above the rest:
The Maple Bacon Smash Burger
This beauty features two perfectly seasoned smash patties topped with bacon, Swiss cheese, fried onions, and an absolutely insane bacon aioli that ties it all together. Sweet, savory, rich—this burger hits every note.
The Western Burger
Again, we start with those same two smash patties, because Jake’s doesn’t mess around. Add pepper jack cheese, onion rings, bacon, and a sweet BBQ aioli, and you’ve got a burger that eats like a full experience.
Pro tip: Get them as doubles. No hesitation, no regrets. The meat is high quality, seasoned perfectly, and clearly cooked by someone who understands restraint as much as flavor. WHY NOT?!?!?!
These burgers were easily among the best I’ve had at any food truck rally—full stop.
Shank N Shig BBQ (Rice Lake, WI)
Next stop was Shank N Shig BBQ, who made the trip over from Rice Lake. I’ll admit right away—I’m still not 100% sure what the name means, but after meeting the owners, I’m pretty sure that’s intentional.
By the time I arrived around 4:30 PM, they were running low on inventory (always a good sign). Still, I managed to assemble what I consider the foundation of any legitimate BBQ operation:
- Pulled pork
- Baked beans
- Coleslaw
- Mac & cheese
- Cornbread
Overall, the flavors were solid and satisfying—comfort food done right. The pulled pork was tender, the beans had depth, and the mac & cheese delivered that creamy richness you hope for.
That said, I’ve got to be honest: the coleslaw was the weak link. High disappointment in the food-service-grade slaw department. BBQ deserves better, and I hope they upgrade that component in the future.
The real win here, though, was getting a chance to chat with the owners as things wound down. Both have a sharp sense of humor that clearly dabbles in Mel Brooks territory—my kind of people. That vibe was sealed when I received a Shank N Shig “THE KOOZIE.” If you’ve seen Spaceballs, you know. Enough said.
The Venue & the Vibe
Nicolet College was an excellent host. There was plenty of indoor seating available inside the theater hall, which made enjoying food comfortable and accessible. In addition, the Earth Day Sustainability Fair featured a variety of informational booths that were thoughtfully spaced and easy to navigate.
I genuinely learned a lot wandering through the exhibits, and the integration of food, education, and community made the event feel purposeful rather than just another pop-up gathering.
Final Thoughts
Great food, friendly people, smart layout, and near-perfect weather—it’s hard to ask for more. The Food Truck Rally at Nicolet College delivered on every level and showcased the best of what local and regional vendors have to offer.
All in all, it was a beautiful afternoon at a great location—and one I’d happily attend again.