Lumos & Nox is a specialty beverage business focused on handcrafted lemonades, run by the delightful duo Dominic and Nikki. They launched their venture in 2023 as a way to work together on something fun and meaningful and they’ve truly created something magical.

As avid Harry Potter fans, Dominic and Nikki drew inspiration from the Wizarding World to bring creativity and whimsy to both their drink names and flavors. Their imaginative menu and enchanting presentation make every sip feel like a spellbinding experience.

Their best-seller, The Rubeus, is a strawberry lemonade with edible glitter. It’s a crowd favorite, familiar, fruity, and irresistibly fun. When I asked about their personal favorites, Dominic shared his love for The Lumos, a mango lemonade with edible glitter that strikes the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Nikki, on the other hand, is all about Unicorn Blood, a floral-forward lemonade with hints of lavender also complete with edible glitter.

I had the pleasure of visiting their stand and trying three of their signature lemonades: The Lumos (mango lemonade), The Nox (blackberry lemonade), and The Patronus (blue cotton candy lemonade). Each was freshly squeezed on the spot and absolutely delicious. The balance of sweetness and tartness was spot on, and you could really taste the freshness. The Lumos stood out as my personal favorite—the mango flavor paired beautifully with the lemon, and the shimmering golden color made it look like liquid sunshine. A refreshing, creative twist on a summer classic!

Lumos & Nox delivers a truly magical experience from the aesthetic of their setup to the flavors and creativity behind every drink. Their passion and attention to detail shine through, making every interaction feel special.

Would I recommend them? Absolutely! Not only are the drinks fantastic, but Dominic and Nikki are just as wonderful. Their warmth, joy, and genuine care for their customers create a welcoming, uplifting atmosphere. If you’re looking for a whimsically refreshing lemonade, Lumos & Nox is a must-visit.

Check out their website to see where they’ll be next. They also do private events if you’re looking to add a little magic to your next gathering!

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So what is so special about this place? Well, they smoke their meat overnight and make their own sauces. I know what you’re thinking, “Aren’t they a food truck? How can the smoke their meat on a truck?” Well, the answer is simple; they built their own truck with accommodations for smoking meat!

I got the brisket, which was delicious! When you take a bite, the meat falls apart nicely. You know your BBQ is nicely smoked when your meat is super soft, and it was! They really took their time to give you quality food. I also had a pulled pork sandwich. The pulled pork was drizzled in BBQ sauce. It was super simple but delicious!They use their own BBQ sauce, which tasted really awesome because it did not taste like ketchup. Don’t get me wrong, I love ketchup, but I don’t think BBQ sauce should taste like ketchup, or else we would just call it ketchup. This BBQ sauce was truly second to none!

So, would I recommend this place? The answer is a resounding yes! I can see how much the put into their food. Now I can see why their pull pork, ribs and wings always sell out. Not only was the food good, but their customer service was superb! Next time you are in the mood for some amazing BBQ and awesome people, check out Babz BBQ.

The Dish:

Buffalo Chicken quesadilla: $8

We’re from Buffalo, so the second we hear “buffalo chicken,” my friends and I instantly perk up. But this Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla from The Great Foodini is not simply your run-of-the-mill shredded chicken breast with hot sauce and some blue cheese dressing on the side. This quesadilla was, firstly, not shy on the shredded chicken. Secondly, it had just the right amount of blue cheese crumbles, an excellent complement to the hot sauce. But perhaps our favorite part of this tasty quesadilla was the crisped tortilla shell – perfectly toasted on both sides!

recommendations:

• When you order a quesadilla, eat it while it’s hot so that you can fully experience the toasted tortilla shell!
• Ask for some extra hot sauce to mix into your blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Website: www.thegreatfoodinifoodtruck.com

The Dish:

Blueberry greek yogurt gelato: $5

After a night of taking pictures at Larkin Square on Food Truck Tuesday, I’d had my fill of savory dishes and wandered around with a sweet tooth. As a self-proclaimed gelato expert, I obviously didn’t need to look any further than Sweet Melody’s Artisan-Crafted Gelato. I have to say that I was beyond tempted to order my usual heaping cup of stracciatella, but I decided to branch out and try out the blueberry greek yogurt gelato. My first thought when I tasted a spoonful: “THIS TASTES LIKE CHEESECAKE!” The greek yogurt gelato was creamy and satisfying while still maintaining a refreshing quality thanks to the occasional swirls of blueberry.

recommendations:

• Even if you don’t consider yourself a greek yogurt fan, try the blueberry greek yogurt gelato when you’re looking for a creamy treat.
• If you’re looking for something even more refreshing, try a frozen Loganberry. Sweet, ice-cold, and reminiscent of summer days at Crystal Beach!

Website: www.sweet-melodys.com

THE DISH:

LOBSTER MAC: $9

The group that I wandered around Food Truck Tuesday with immediately gravitated towards the Macarollin Food Truck, as we saw several event attendees walking around enjoying a sizable portion of macaroni and cheese. We were also all in unanimous agreement that the Lobster Mac had to be the dish that we tried. Made with fresh Maine lobster knuckle and claw meat, lemon-scented goat cheese, chives and shallots.

Unfortunately, in the world of macaroni and cheese, many dishes wind up entirely overcooked and mushy. I’m almost always bracing myself for this possibility when I order mac and cheese at a restaurant or food truck. Fortunately, Macarollin apparently has mastered the art of cooking up perfectly al dente portions of their specialty. The Lobster Mac had just the right amount of bite, cheesy flavor, and tender, buttery pieces of lobster meat, all topped with satisfyingly crispy breadcrumbs.

recommendations:

• Eat it while it’s hot!
• Bring a couple of friends and order a few different items off of Macarollin’s diverse menu. The group that I was with wished that we had stuck around for more.

Website: www.macarollin.com

The duo has got everyone in WNY wondering, “Where’s Lloyd?”

The Dish:

BRAISED BEEF TACO: $2.59

Served on a 5-inch soft corn tortillas, Lloyd’s tacos come in the perfect packaging for munching on the street. You select the protein: braised beef, roasted pork, grilled chicken or stewed organic black beans, and Lloyd’s piles on the rest. The finished product is a warm, fresh taco with crisp shredded cabbage, cheddar jack cheese, chimichurri and roja sauces, cilantro and a lime wedge.

Grade: A

GRILLED CHICKEN BURRITO: $6.89

Order a burrito at Lloyd’s when just a few tacos won’t be able to satiate your hunger. All burritos come on locally-made flour tortillas, and again, you select your protein. After they’re stuffed full with rice and beans, cheddar jack cheese, shredded cabbage, chimichurri and roja sauces, burritos from Lloyd’s are a rich experience in fresh, local flavor.

Grade: A

TRICKED OUT BRAISED BEEF NACHOS: $6.89

After choosing your protein, Lloyd’s all natural corn chips are piled high with homemade queso, roja sauce, sour cream, fresh jalapeños, tangy pickled red onions and cilantro. This dish is perfect for sharing with a group, but don’t invite too many of your friends- these nachos are addicting.

Grade: A

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Ask the ever-friendly Lloyd’s employees to add the pickled red onions to anything you order.
• Fill up a to-go sauce cup with Lloyd’s homemade Rocket sauce- an impressive, spicy combination of tomatillos and chiles.
• Don’t let the line that forms in front of Lloyd’s intimidate you. It’s worth the wait.

Website: whereslloyd.com