Food Trucks
A group in New York has started something called the Vendy Awards (read article here), a series of awards for the best street vendors in that city.
Here in Philly there were two mentions of great food trucks in this week’s Philadelphia Weekly, one in Kirsten Henri’s Sidedish and also in Bethany Klein’s Top Five of the Moment.
My personal fav at the moment is the fruit salad and smoothie truck on Market between 34th and 36th.
In an attempt to create our own little “Mini-Vendies,” what’s your favorite food truck?
Frita’s (and Dimitrios’ since they now have only one cart) on 33rd in front of DRL building (south of Walnut). I’ve known her, her son, his kids for a while. Struggling to make a living, but still makes the best Italian Hoagie for me.
For general food favorite, the “Veggie Truck” at 34th and Walnut, SW corner, I forget their names but they have great dishes and awesome specials, I used to always get the Seitan Meal but I’ve experimented with the other stuff, all good, no complaints yet. And I’m a carnivore.
I am partial to the guy on 18th and Market, SE corner. He marinates his Chicken, and it’s amazing in chicken cheesesteaks. He has lines so long during lunch. There is also this guy with a theme truck, who makes falafal, I think on the corner of 22nd and Market. I’ve been there twice and his lines are the longest. But his food is amazing! Has anyone else noticed that every guy in a cart is named John? And I know it’s not their real name, but everyone calls em John and they respond.
I’d like to nominate the guy who flirted with me today. First time I’ve ever had a street vendor flirt with me.
I have more to put on the list, but I’ll do that later.
I’ve had them come straight out and hit on me before. At least I got a free hot dog (no, not THAT kind of hot dog) out of it.
best food trucks on the Penn campus:
- Kim’s foodtruck for chinese, btwn 37th and
38th Street on Sansom St. Not only does Kims
not make me feel sick (which is more than I
can say for all the other chinese food in
Penn area), it’s actually pretty darn good.
- Mexicali for mexican food, 36th and Spruce.
Always a long wait, but worth it.
- the chinese couple at 34th and Walnut make
pretty decent lunch fare from their truck.
(it doesn’t seem to have a name.) I usually
go to them since they are nearby and the
line moves quickly.
And folks, Magic Carpet is way overrated. I
understand that they are the only vegetarian
truck around, but bland tofu and iceberg lettuce
smothered in my choice of tahini, balsamic, or
hot-sauce doesn’t do it for me.
Anyone familiar with the Spruce Street food truck battle between Lee Ahn and The REAL Lee Ahn?
I’m not privy to all the details as the story goes back before my time at Penn, but apparently these two vendors, both of Chinese food, have been locked in battle over the name Lee Ahn.
Personally, I think the food is better at The REAL Lee Ahn, but the raw food to dollar ratio at Lee Ahn can’t be beat. You can get a tub of rice and veggies for three bucks.
The best i would say is Linda’s cart at the USP campus (think Clark Park). Mmm, the best chicken pita ever.
No one has mentioned two of the most underrated in University City: Hanan, the Mediterranean cart on 38th off of Walnut and Kojo, the Korean food cart on 38th, between Walnut and Chestnut. It might take a while to get your food from Hanan, but go for dinner and get a platter–there’s almost never anyone there at that time, and the platters are wonderful. I’d recommend the vermicelli and beef at Kojo.
What ever happened to Sophie’s? It was a blue truck that used to be parked outside of Hill House. Best cheesesteak I’ve ever eaten. Good pizza, too. It seems like Frida is the only one left from my era (1988-1993).