What started as a simple food truck park seven years ago has transformed today into the 9,000 square foot venue Events Behind the Fence at 403 EATS in Tomball.

403 EATS is a food truck park and live music venue that hosts weekly events at 403 E. Main St. Founded by husband and wife duo Michael and Gretchen Fagan, the idea came to Gretchen in 2016 during her tenure as Tomball Mayor.

“She put together a food truck extravaganza seven years ago, and 25 food trucks showed up at the Depot and 9,000 people showed up,” Michael said.

From the success of this event, an idea was born.

“Basically the house at 403 E. Main St. was for sale. It was right next to our insurance office,” Gretchen said. “We bought it with really no idea of what to do with it. Then just one day food trucks kind of popped up. Mike’s reply when I mentioned it was ‘Let’s put our money where your mouth is’ and it began.”

403 EATS currently has four food trucks, with plans for a fifth on the way. The space has two full bars as well.

Current food trucks:

• BadAzz Chicken & Waffles
• Mega Meltz Cajun Mex
• Mega Meltz Burger Truck
• Queenie B's Soul Food
• Up In Smoke BBQ (coming soon)
• On Yo Toes Sloppy Joes (coming soon)

After grabbing food from the food trucks and drinks from the bar, visitors can fully immerse themselves in the park's Events Behind the Fence.

Events Behind the Fence started this year and can serve as a host for private events, either rented out by locals or put on by 403 EATS.

Weekly events include:

• Sundays: free concerts with a full band and local talent
• Thursdays: bingo
• Fridays and Saturdays: live concerts with full bands
• Wednesday and Sunday: church services

Events Behind the Fence has hosted private events like weddings, gender reveal parties, engagement parties, birthday parties, company parties and wiener dog races.

“We knew we had to do something different to keep the business going and keep it progressing,” Michael said. “We knew that music and food go together very well. Then it became the idea of how we do music at this point in time, and that's how the Events Behind the Fence became available.”

403 EATS aims to be a destination where the whole family can enjoy an evening out together—even the family dog. The venue features 8,000 square feet of artificial turf perfect for open lawn seating for concerts, families relaxing, kids playing, and leashed dogs are welcome to hang around.

Worried about parking for the festivities? The couple built a 100-space parking lot to accommodate their visitors. There are also seven restrooms and a renovated 1983 Airstream that serves as a VIP or private party room.

The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, making running the business more rewarding for the Fagans.

“The view when you walk through the gate is amazing,” Michael said. “It’s just a great place to be.”

Visit 403 E. Main St., Tomball today to experience the wonder of 403 EATS.

The above story was produced by Community Impact's Senior Multi Platform Journalist Sierra Rozen with information solely provided by the local business as part of its "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.