When it comes to planning children’s birthday parties, parents often look for a celebration that offers something different. In part, to help their event stand out from the crowd and also to make the day extra-special for their child.

Here’s an idea that mixes entertainment with a meal – hire a food truck! The sheer difference and excitement of the food truck will resonate with the kids as well as any adults that are partying with you.

Hot Dog

Mobile cuisine has had a growth spurt as of late. The concept was even the focus of Chef, the 2014 feel-good movie about a head chef that quits his restaurant job to operate a food truck to reconnect with his true passion for food and his family.

Although the traditional roadside hot dog truck has been around since the late 1800’s, today you can hire your own hot dog truck to make your party doggone good.

For your special event, not just any hot dog will do. Fortunately, the landmark Walter’s Hot Dog Stand in Mamaroneck has two trucks that can bring their famous hot dogs, fries and homemade ice cream right to your door. The family-owned business that was started in 1919 added food trucks when the younger generation decided it was time to take the stand on the road. Designed to mimic the nationally registered historical landmark pagoda design of the Mamaroneck location, Walter’s food truck can feed your crowd of 25 to 200 for a birthday, wedding or corporate celebration. Want to see the truck in action and try these world famous hot dogs? Check the Hot Dog calendar of events on their website to find out where the truck will be making a public appearance. The truck has made appearances at local farmers’ markets, charity events and any number of fairs and festivals.

Pizza Please

Don’t just bring in a couple of pizzas for the crowd. Add some real pizazz to your event by having Pizza Luca drive up in their 1952 Chevy flatbed truck, custom-fitted with a wood-fired oven. The professionally trained pizzaiolo, Dean Medico, serves up handmade authentic Neapolitan pizza using high quality, fresh ingredients including San Marzano tomatoes and buffalo milk mozzarella.

Each pizza is made by hand and then cooked for 90 seconds in the 900-degree oven to create a pizza with a raised edge crust and thin center. The menu can also include salads, antipasti and dessert. There is an extended menu that is available seasonally.

Melty Goodness

Even the kid who shuns most food will usually eat a grilled cheese sandwich. The Melt Mobile offers a modern take on this traditional comfort food.

Their creative menu includes the Original Melt with Vermont cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella and gruyere on country white bread and other gourmet variations including the Pork-U-Pine (with chesses and pulled pork), the Meatball 3 Cheese Squeeze (with chesses and meatballs in marinara) and the Insanewich (a 6 ounce Angus burger with bacon). There’s also a Fluffernutter or a Cheesecake Melt for dessert.

Build a Burger

When the Pow! Burger Truck arrives decorated with comic book-like artwork popping off every inch of the vehicle the kids will go wild.

Let them build their own burger as they select either a double or single burger with tons of toppings including the standard and some a little more outside the box such as guacamole, chipotle mayo and barbeque sauce. There’s also sweet potato fries, cheese fries, chili, soup and milk shakes.

For the less adventurous kids they even offer a Pb-N-J and the classic hot dog.

I Scream for Ice Cream

It isn’t exactly a food truck, but it comes pretty close and it’s especially delicious. Penny Lick Ice Cream is served from a push cart equipped to keep ice cream frozen even on the hottest of days.

Culinary Institute trained chef Ellen Sledge, serves up homemade ice cream featuring old-fashioned fresh ingredients: heavy cream, cream-lined whole milk, eggs and sugar. The ice cream is available in pints, cups, push-up pops (great for kids), sandwiches and cakes. There are the classic flavors, vanilla bean, milk chocolate and mint chip plus seasonal favorites including Drunken Pumpkin, Blackberry Mint, Roasted Strawberry and their popular Ethiopian Macchiato.

Invite Penny Lick to your party and they can create a custom menu your guests will long remember. Check their web site for the locations they will be visiting or stop by their new storefront in Hastings-on-Hudson and check out the ice cream there.

Jean Sheff is co-publisher and editor of Westchester Family and a certified food enthusiast.