MANSFIELD — Sadie Stewart remembers when her food truck was one of the only Richland County trucks serving Inkmates a few years ago.
The owner of Mad Meltz, Stewart said 2024 marks her team’s fourth year at Inkcarceration. Richland County’s Athena Gyro Express and Grunt Grub also set up at the festival this year.
Food trucks hailing from Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati round out the food options.
“I loved when we had more local people come that we already knew,” Stewart said. “We made friends with the other truck owners and get to see them once a year.
“All of our team has an insanely good time.”
Stewart said Inkcarceration is one of Mad Meltz’s busiest weekends of the year. The team is on site for about 14 hours each day.
“It’s so insanely busy compared to anything else we do,” she said. “We have to stock up on everything in advance, and there’s a lot of mental organization and everything.”
Stewart said she’s noticed the afternoon and early evening are when the truck has the most orders. Pizza grilled cheese has been her top seller of the weekend.
“Our first year we had a super small truck, and we upgraded to this trailer by our second year,” she said, “which was so much better.”
Stewart has a team of about six people helping throughout the festival weekend. She said some have alarms set before their favorite bands are set to play.
Ben Stewart, Sadie’s husband, said he was looking forward to hearing Hollywood Undead, one of Saturday night’s headliners.
“That’s what I listened to in high school,” he said. “I can’t wait to see them.”
Inkcarceration triple Grunt Grub’s customers compared to other events
Grunt Grub, based in Mansfield, set up at Inkcarceration for the second year in 2024.
“It was pretty comfortable the first year, so we just got into that groove,” said co-owner Jennifer Baker.
“My favorite part is talking with people. I love asking them where they’re from because we get answers from all over.”
Baker said Grunt Grub serves about 750 people per day during Inkcarceration weekend. She estimated other events would bring in 200 to 300 customers.
Baker said the truck’s basic burger and loaded fries are the top sellers.
“I haven’t really had a chance to even listen to bands, but it’s been fun,” she said. “I think it’s cool that this is in our backyard. It’s cool that Mansfield is the attraction and destination.”
