Joe’s Diner in Eagle Farm, Brisbane hosted its first truck meet last weekend – and there are already plans for more.
The owners, Steven and Cherie Karagiannis, have been hosting car and bike meets for the past five years, and recently decided to branch out to trucks.
Steven told Big Rigs: “The first truck meet was definitely a success, we had about 60-70 trucks.
“The feedback has been amazing, they all loved it and they want more!
“We are planning to make it a twice-yearly event now. We’ll be doing one in the first half of next year, probably around March/April, and then again in September/October.”
Karagiannis said the truck meets are a chance for truckies to socialise with their colleagues and friends and enjoy some family fun.
“It’s just a place for people to catch up, have some food, listen to some music and admire the trucks. I’ve got a local guy called Rami, he plays the guitar and sings.
“We are very family-oriented, we have the police here as well to help keep everyone behaving and respecting the place and road rules.”
Family business Joe’s Diner first opened its doors in 1993, primarily to feed the staff of G James Glass and Aluminium and other businesses in the Eagle Farm and Pinkenba industrial area of Brisbane.
In 2018, Karagiannis and his wife bought his parents out and have been running the place ever since.
“The diner was always busy, but the car and bike meets have been great for getting the word out even more and just elevating the business to the next level.
“We’ve gotten quite well known for them, and a truckie called Chris Doosey, and Leon Manzelmann who runs Brisbane Truck Meets, approached us and asked if we’d like to do a truck meet.
“I’m always up for new things, so it just went from there and it’s going well. We’re all looking forward to the next one.”