Making dreams come true: Taylor Concessions to work at Field of Dreams

   Dreams of tenderloins and other fair-related food items are coming true this week at the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, courtesy of Preston Taylor and Taylor Concessions.

   The Monticello-based company, which operates the well-known fire truck that has been converted into a food truck, was chosen to be one of the concession operators at the Field of Dreams, for both the Cedar Rapids Kernels Minor League Baseball game Aug. 9, and the Major League Baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs Aug. 11.

   On Saturday, Taylor learned that his food truck’s services will also be needed for the Aug. 12 game between the USA Patriots and the Field of Dreams Ghost Players.

   Taylor, 29, was contacted by Aramark, a national food service company, through a concession friend of his.

   “They contacted me because they wanted some Iowa food (at the baseball games),” Taylor said by phone from his truck last week, during a break in concession sales at the Mississippi Valley Fair in Davenport.

   “So I told them what I had, with the tenderloins and fries and all that good stuff, and they said that was good for them. They also wanted some fair food, like funnel cakes and bacon cheesy fries. But the pork tenderloin was the number one thing they wanted.”

   Aramark representatives visited, and were happy with what they saw.

   “They loved the truck,” Taylor said. “So they’re going to make it a showpiece there at the Field of Dreams, to make sure everyone sees it.”

   Taylor was planning to have about nine people working during the games to keep up with what was certain to be heavy demand.

   “They wanted me to have four cash registers going at the same time,” he said. “The fire truck will be the kitchen, and outside will be the ordering part of it, so it’s not so crowded on the inside of the fire truck.”

   Taylor and his wife, Abby, took over Taylor Concessions from his father Blake Taylor three years ago. Blake had operated it since 1995.

   “I kind of just grew up in it,” Preston said.

   The truck travels to about 30 events a year, he said, including five fairs.

   “Maybe next year I’ll be at the Iowa State Fair,” he said.

   Asked what else he wanted to add, Taylor said: “If you’re able to, come and find us at the fire truck and we’ll be happy to serve you.”