From left, Hava Bite owner Stefan Pena, bartender Amber Meredith and Troy Bybee, Pena’s uncle and owner of the Hava Bite Sushi food truck pose for a photo behind the establishment’s bar. Photo by Greg Moberly.
LAKE HAVASU CITY — Lake Havasu City’s two food truck courts are relatively new and busy carving out their own respective niches among the city’s varied dining options.
Hava Bite, 2894 S. Jamaica Blvd., came first – opening in late May 2025. Oasis Eateries, 201 Swanson Ave., followed with its opening in July. Both are ready to serve hungry customers looking for more alternatives.
Stefan Pena, owner of Hava Bite, views his operation as more of a neighborhood hangout.
“We’re more of a local spot, away from the bustle,” said Pena of his location which is next to a gas station and residences. “We’re more utilitarian – people can pop in and pop out.”
Oasis Eateries is more in the heart of what could be considered restaurant row with fine dining of La Vita Dolce and The Foundry mixed in with fast food fixtures like Arby’s, McDonald’s and Red Robin along that stretch of Swanson Avenue. All of those establishments benefit from their high visibility off of State Route 95 and being a mere hop, skip and a jump from Lake Havasu.
“Every week, we’re getting a little better (with the business),” said Oasis Eateries owner Rudy Candito.
Both food truck courts are still working out some of the kinks in their operation and making sure people know that they are a local dining option.
“Our first summer, nobody knew we were here,” Candito said. But that has changed, and the recent comfortable weather conditions have helped that, he said.
Both food truck court owners want a certain consistency in what is available for their patrons and some trucks that have more of an interest in leaving for local events have departed from both courts.
“This is a cohesive spot,” Pena said. “We want it to be semi-permanent for the truck and have them not pulling in and out (of the court).”
Stability of food options at the court allows the trucks to build their following, Pena said. Specifically, he said Wolfie’s, a Hawaiian barbecue food truck, has developed such a following at Hava Bite.
Both court owners want a mix of options. For instance, Pena said he wants one pizza truck, one taco truck and one barbecue truck.
Oasis Eateries currently only has two trucks – LeRoy’s Pork ‘N’ More barbecue and The Mystery Machine.
“I don’t want carnival type food trucks,” Candito said. Maybe a food truck that offers Chinese cuisine would work well, he said, but added he’s not wedded to getting any type of ethnic food.
Candito said he likes the idea of three trucks at his location even though the spot can have up to four trucks. He also offers up his own menu of tacos, mac and cheese, loaded fries, nachos and barbecue sandwiches.
Hava Bite typically has seven trucks at the site including Hava Bite Sushi and Monch food truck which have been at the location since the beginning.
For more information on the two food truck courts, search for their sites on Facebook and Instagram.
Greg Moberly
