Five years ago, the Food Truck Battle on the Yellowstone kicked off its first event with around 20 food trucks. Over the past few years, the food truck festival has exploded. For 2023, over 60 food trucks and mobile food vendors participated, making it the largest Food Truck Battle to date. It's quite likely the biggest food truck festival in the state.

Just over 6,400 hungry fans attended this year, according to Wade Austin with the Breakfast Exchange Club of Billings. The club organizes the event, with proceeds benefitting various non-profit veterans groups in the Billings area. The Food Truck Battle on the Yellowstone has raised over $165,000 in just five years and that number will climb substantially when final figures are in for this year's battle. Gate admission, beer sales, and 10% of all food truck sales contribute to the final tally.

Here are the winners in each category.

Credit: Opa Grill, used with permission
Credit: Opa Grill, used with permission
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Best Sandwich - Opa Grill

Is a gyro a sandwich? Who cares! Opa Grill is one of my favorite food trucks in Billings and the judges agreed, giving them the top spot in this category.

Photos by Michael Foth, TSM
Photos by Michael Foth, TSM
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Best Taco - Crazy Taco MT

Crazy Taco has been on a roll lately. The humble food truck also took the top spot at the Tacos and Tequila competition earlier this summer at The Depot. If you see this food truck out and about, do yourself a favor and get his tacos in your mouth. Crazy Taco MT also took Runner Up for Overall Winner. 

Photos by Aloha Coffee and Higher Grounds, used with permission
Photos by Aloha Coffee and Higher Grounds, used with permission
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Best Drink - Tie between Aloha Coffee and Higher Grounds.

All that delicious food can make a person thirsty. And the warm August temps surely helped Aloha Coffee sell a ton of those delightful-looking shave ice treats. The judges came to a tie in this category, splitting honors with both of the fantastic coffee shops.

Credit: Luscious Layers, used with permission
Credit: Luscious Layers, used with permission
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Best Burger - Luscious Layers

I've yet to try Luscious Layers, but now I'll make it a point to check them out the next time I see their truck. The burger category can be challenging and we congratulate them on taking the win in this division.

Credit: Red Bear BBQ, used with permission
Credit: Red Bear BBQ, used with permission
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Best BBQ - Red Bear BBQ

BBQ is an art and the folks at Red Bear seem to have their craft dialed in, taking the top spot in a crowded category.

Credit: Crav, used with permission
Credit: Crav, used with permission
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Best Asian - Crav

Like the sign on the side of their truck states, "Real. Good. Food." Good enough for them to cinch the #1 title for Best Asian food. They also scored 3rd Overall. Nice job!

Credit: Fingers & Fries, used with permission
Credit: Fingers & Fries, used with permission
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Best American - Fingers & Fries

Everybody loves chicken fingers and french fries, and these guys have been getting glowing reviews around town lately. The judges panel at the Food Truck Battle on the Yellowstone agreed, giving them the top spot for Best American.

Photo by Billings Best Yogurt, used with permission
Photo by Billings Best Yogurt, used with permission
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Best Dessert - Billings Best Yogurt on the Go

Huge congratulations to Billings Best Yogurt. They won Best Dessert AND they were the Overall Winner, based on judges scores! 

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Canva
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People's Choice - It's Roasted.

I was unable to attend this year, so I don't know if It's Roasted won for their tasty Mexican street corn, or those delicious barria tacos they serve, but whatever it was, the crowds loved them. It's Roasted also won People's Choice at MontanaFair this year, so you know they're on to something good.

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