Food Trucks

If you have been following my blog/are friends with me, then you know how much I love the food trucks of Atl.  While my work usually hinders me from being able to venture to the food trucks for lunch in midtown and at the Stoveworks, I finally was able to find time to go to the truck stop in Virgina Highlands.  A couple months ago the trucks started gathering every Wednesdays in the parking lot right next to the CVS and across from the American Roadhouse on North Highland, and last Wednesday a few friends and I met up in said parking lot to feed our faces.

We started off at Yumbii (the old faithful) because they really are the first food truck I knew of in Atl before the fad exploded in this city.  I am such a fan that I tweeted them almost every day for a few weeks or so to try and get them to drive waaaaay OTP to John's Creek where I work, so I could get some yummy tacos, but unfortunately my witty, charming tweets was not enough to haul ass out to the JC.  So after Yumbii's brutal game of playing hard-to-get, I finally conceded and came to them and got me a pork taco. And boy was it delicious.  I honestly don't remember what all was on the taco because I was soo hungry and as you can see above the line was insanely long, so by the time I ordered, was complimented on my ring (smile), and rushed to get my taco when I heard my name called I devoured my food just slow enough to savor the tastes.  The marinade on the pork was so sweet but also spicy and I added some extra sriracha to kick it up a notch.  It was a simple pork taco but with such deep flavors that made me want 5 more tacos, however, I had other trucks to go to and only so much room in my stomach, so I powered on!

The next truck we tried was new to the lot and called Ibiza Bites.  From what I could tell by the menu and obviously the name, this place had a Spanish influence.

My eyes immediately went straight to the fried green tomatoes on the menu, but after we stood in the second long line of the night and we were 2 people away from ordering, the dreaded "Sold Out" sign was laid over the FGT, and I about cried!  So I pulled myself together and decided to order the Ibiza Signature Bite which was basically some beef brisket over some yummy, creamy stone ground cheddar grits.

I have to say the dish was much more than a "bite," which was good since I paid a whopping $7 for it, but it wasn't the best brisket ever.  Everything was cooked perfectly, but I think it could have used a little more spice and the grits could have been a little more cheesy.  I like my cheese grits super cheesy and creamy like one of my favorite restaurants in Athens, The Last Resort, which has some of the best grits I've had and these just did not cut it.  But next time I would REALLY like the try the FGT.  Let's make that happen people!

So of course the next stop was dessert and I really wanted a cupcake, but that food truck was all sold out too!! Not a good night for me, but again I sucked it up and headed over to Honeysuckle to get some gelato.  I got a scoop of the Dock of the Bay which was salted caramel and a scoop of the Chock Full which was roasted hazelnut gelato.  I liked both, but you just can't compare to the salted caramel from Morelli's.  There is simply nothing else like it.  Period.  But I still enjoyed the gelato and finally had to stop eating because I was so full.

I hope to have another food truck night out soon and next time I will have to get there early to avoid the crazy lines and to get the food that I want!

Atlanta Street Food

I recently went to the Midsummer Music Festival at Candler Park where they lined up the food trucks of Atlanta to feed the drunk and hungry.  It was like Christmas morning for me!  I freaking love food trucks!  The food is quick, cheap, and delicious.  What more can you ask for?!

As you probably have noticed, food trucks have become a new fad born out of California and making its way across the country to Atlanta.  Some people may not like the idea of eating food that was made inside a truck.  They might think it can't be as clean as a kitchen or that there's no way the food can be tasty and exciting.  Well I can tell you this. Some of the best BBQ I have had has come from a little shack at the Greenville exit off of I-65.  Every time my family went to visit my grandparents in Mobile, Alabama, we would stop at this gas station which had a BBQ stand attached to it.  At first you think it was abandoned, but then you see a line of people waiting to order at the tiny window where the little old country woman takes your order.  I would get a huge pulled pork sandwich with cole slaw and baked beans, and we would eat in the car with our dogs going crazy for our food.  Good times, good times.  OK, back to my point...after eating at this place for years as a child, I have always had the opinion that little rundown places can be some of the best food.  They may look dirty as hell, but as long as the food pleases my taste buds and I don't find a cockroach on my plate, I honestly don't care.  While food trucks aren't necessarily shacks on the side of the road, they are little engines that could.  They are a chance to get something different and affordable while gathering with other food lovers.

Take the Pup Truck for example.  They specialize in making fancy dogs and different kinds of fixins.  Now I may have been a couple of beers in at this time, so this was somewhat of an impulse buy, but I have to say the Dalmatian Dog was a little delight in my mouth.  I usually just douse my dogs in ketchup, but with the black beans, onions, and sour cream, nothing else was needed.

One thing I love about Atlanta is the metropolitan feel the Midtown area exudes.  My office is also located downtown; however, I've noticed there are not many places around to eat cheap and quick, which is why I believe street food would do wonders in this ever growing city.  In order to advocate for all street food alike in Atl, a group was formed called the Atlanta Street Food Coalition.  Their main goal is to see to it that we get to enjoy fast and affordable food other metropolitan cities have had for years, like New York and Philly.  Atlanta ordinances have banned street food for now due to health concerns, but advocates are still trying to convince otherwise.  Even the food trucks are limited to where they can park.  In my opinion food trucks and street food are just another way to experience food and be with friends.  I mean, my job is to sit at a computer for 9 hours every day looking at excel spreadsheets, so if I can take 30 minutes out of my day to walk down the street and get me a mighty fine hot dog, I say, "Amen, sister friend!"