Copperas Cove celebrates 143rd birthday with opening of Taste of Cove

By LYNETTE SOWELL 
Cove Leader-Press 

One event on Saturday in downtown Copperas Cove celebrated two occasions: the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Taste of Cove Food Truck Park, and Copperas Cove’s 143rd birthday. 
Taste of Cove food truck park is located on Avenue E, between the Copperas Hills Food Mart and RNC Construction. The park is open daily, but the food trucks will set their own hours of operation. 
Trucks include Sporty Dogg, which sells a variety of hot dogs with special toppings like Carolina slaw, bacon and blue cheese, chili and cheese; as well as a chili bowl, Carolina BBQ sandwiches, Frito pie and more. Sporty Dogg will be open Friday from 5-10 p.m., Saturdays from noon until 10 p.m., and Sundays from noon until 6 p.m. 
Hits the Spot Authentic German Food is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, and 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and serves up schnitzel plates and sandwiches, bratwurst, currywurst, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and sides.
Bless Hands Caribbean Food did not have hours posted on the truck, so it is best to call (254) 370-1239 to verify if they are open, or simply show up. They offer a variety of curries, jerk chicken, vegetarian plates, peas and rice, and sides like steamed cabbage, plantains, and mac ‘n cheese.
Another truck, Lil Baghdad, has not yet set up in the park but will be there around April 1.
On Saturday, the atmosphere was festive as attendees lined up at the trucks to purchase food. All trucks sold out of their food on Saturday, with park owner Tasha Roberts proclaiming the day a success. 
Parking is available in downtown Copperas Cove, but it is advised not to park in front of open businesses. 
Along with Roberts and her family, city officials including Copperas Cove city councilman, Mayor Pro Tem Fred Chavez was present, to read the proclamation celebrating Copperas Cove’s 143rd birthday. 
Of the park, Chavez said it would end up being a regular spot for people to grab a bite to eat downtown. It is a short walk from the library and offices nearby. 
Copperas Cove chamber of commerce President Silvia Spires was on hand, as were chamber of commerce Ambassadors, to help Roberts to cut the ribbon and officially celebrate the opening of the park. 
Roberts was also presented with the park’s first dollar for being open for business. 
“We thank you and we appreciate your investment, and we wish you nothing but success,” Spires told the Roberts family. 
A jubilant Roberts thanked the community for its support. 
“It has been a long time coming. We started this project in 2020, and the pandemic of course pushed a few things back, but we were going to persevere regardless. We wanted to bring something nice to the city,” Roberts said. “My husband and I have been a valuable part of this city for 11 years. We own Babies ‘N Things right down the street, so we can stand at the park and look at the store, or stand down the street and look at the park. We wanted to bring something that we thought would bring value to the families of Copperas Cove and there is (a food truck park) in Killeen, and now we have our very own here in Copperas Cove.” 
Also present to celebrate on Saturday were members of the Copperas Cove Historical Society, who congratulated the Roberts. Society president Joyce Hauk shared that the society is bringing back the heritage festival in October and they are also working with the city on Allin House, to create a Heritage Center for the community.