South by Southwest brings in big bucks for food trucks

South by Southwest helps musicians get discovered  and, it brings a lot money to the city. This benefits food trucks big time. Much of their profits come when tourists flood the streets of downtown Austin.

You can call it the Black Friday for food trucks.

“Black Friday, yeah of course. It's packed. We love it,” Jose Martin, manager of Llamas truck, said.

The crowds of South by Southwest bring in adrenaline rushes and big bucks for food truck vendors in downtown Austin. Just take Martin's word for it.

“It’s pretty busy, pretty crazy, but it's awesome,” Martin said.

The Llamas food truck has been open for three years, but this is martin's first time running it during Austin's biggest event of the year.

“They come over and they love our food. We have the best beef tenderloin in town,” Martin said.

Just down the way on 6th street, Pete Patterson is cooking some hot dogs. He's been selling hot dogs at this location for two years now.

“We've got a good following. People want to see us here. So we go, that's why we do it.,” Patterson, owner of The Dawg Haus, said.

Each year, South by Southwest gives them a significant portion of money. He says the influx of tourists in addition to the locals is why. As packed as it can get this time of year, he says it's all worth it.

“It's good for the numbers. It's kind of crazy, but you kind of have to be here,” Patterson said.

With the rain that came in tonight, Patterson's and other food truck sales could very well be affected.

“Last year it killed us. It knocked us down about 50 percent,” Patterson said.

For some, it has no effect at all.

“We have loyal people that will come whether it's rain or shine or whatever,” Martin said.

Rain or shine, it's clear that food trucks will do all they can to get their share of sales, during a time when the spotlight is on Austin.