With the street food scene blowing up in Philly, it only makes sense that a food truck association is finally created. In cities across the nation (such as NYC, SoCal and Portland), food truck associations help connect food truck operators with the community and local municipalities.

Andrew Gerson of Strada Pasta is organizing the group’s first meeting, which is next Monday, December 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Free Library of Philadelphia (1901 Vine St.). We will definitely be attending and we’re excited to see what the group accomplishes.

Source: Mealticket

For the past few weeks, I’ve been walking by a new truck I’ve been meaning to try. Yesterday, I finally got a chance to check out the cleanly designed green-and-white truck on Temple’s campus. As I approached Vernalicious, the first thing that popped out was the Bahn Mi. Since I’ve heard nothing but good things about this Vietnamese hoagie, I just had to order it. However, before I took my first bite, I had the pleasure of meeting the couple who operated the truck.

The namesake for the truck, Vern, has spent a good chunk of her life as an optician. (Spot the glasses in the cleverly crafted logo!) It appears that Vern’s visual and culinary passions have merged, as her truck serves an outlet to cater to the senses. She runs the truck with her boyfriend Dave, who is skilled in about three other hands-on fields. What I like about them is they’re the the type of couple that pursues their passions, no matter what. After he crafted my sandwich, Dave insisted that I eat my Bahn Mi at the truck. After guaranteeing that I would love it,  I took him up on his offer.

After my first bite, I gave a thumbs up to Dave, who expected nothing less. The combination of ingredients resulted in a fantastic explosion of flavors in my mouth. In addition to the cilantro and daikon radish, the lime mayo really puts this over the top. For those who like it hot, such as myself, a plethora of hot sauces is available. The freshness factor is evident in both the food and the truck design. While it may not provide as many options as you’d expect from a Temple lunch truck, it may be this simplicity that leads to its success.

While awaiting my sandwich, I met a student who had already become a loyal at the truck within its four weeks of existence. She said it was her third day in a row at the truck. While I don’t typically go to a truck three days in a row (regardless of how good the food is), I can see why she’s been coming back. In addition to great comfort foods such as griddled mac and cheese topped with pulled pork, the couple running the joint is so easy to talk to. For great food from great people, head over to Vernalicious!

Location: 12th and Montgomery
Twitter: @VERNALICIOUS1
Facebook: Vernalicious
Price: $3.00 – $7.50

Come check out some of Philadelphia’s newest newest food trucks at the 4^th Night Market! The line up includes:

• The Mini Trini
• Chewys
• Local 215
• Pitruco Pizza
• Salvatore’s Green Groceria
• Say Cheese
• Vernalicious
  …and many more.

Once again there will be “live music, lion dancing and Asian arts”

Event information: Thursday, October 6th, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. 10th and Race Streets. (Chinatown)
Cost: Pay as you go
Website: www.nightmarketphilly.org
RSVP @: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=246928742013889

A new food truck has emerged in Philadelphia adding some more Caribbean spice and flavor to our city streets. Currently located in the Germantown area, owners Claudette Campbell and Iman Marcano-Sowell are bringing center city Philadelphia its first gourmet Trinidadian food truck.

The Mini Trini will be serving up “authentic tastes from the islands such as roti (chicken, shrimp, or veggie), doubles, bake & saltfish and refreshing beverages such as mauby and sorrel.” You can find Mini Trini at Love Park every Monday and Thursday, from 11:00am – 3:00pm. Keep your eyes peels for updates and information on their time and location.

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/theminitrini?sk=info
Website: http://www.theminitrini.com
Number: 215-247-1156
Main location: 8229 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118
Center city location: Love Park every Monday and Thursday, from 11:00am – 3:00pm

I was with friends, meandering through a late summer First Friday, when we heard a voice. “Wow! This is amazing! Crème Brulee from a truck!? You have got to be kidding, exclaimed a young man. Attracting as much attention as possible outside of a blue food truck with a red umbrella on the side, “here have a bite,” he ployed my friends. They did, and soon stepped in line to buy a few more. Only weeks later when we saw the man behind the window getting beers with the man in front of the window, did I understand that the two were in cahoots.

Business partners indeed, Daniel Tang cooks and Franklin Shen brings the crowd. The two gents conspire with a third partner, John Suh, to offer gourmet desserts like vanilla crème brulee and crème fraîche cheesecake. Frequently parked on 38^th and Walnut, the sweets are perfect to pair with soft scarves and crisp fall walks through UPenn’s scenic campus.

In hindsight, perhaps my meeting with Sugar Philly was contrived, however the delicate textures and precise flavors of these desserts are no ruse. A trick that led to treats, perhaps this is why October should be the month you have your first taste.

Contact: http://www.sugarphillytruck.com/ Follow them also on Twitter!
Location: 38^th and Walnut
Price: $2-$6
What not to miss: Crème Fraîche Cheesecake, Milk & Honey Macaroons

“Most people don’t know this, but mac and cheese is GREAT with gravy on it,” said the man inside Denise’s food truck. I, very white in all my Hungarian-Irish freckles, was inquiring about soul food and I needed a little guidance. The pink and white truck offered a list of entrees in small and large plates. Jerk chicken, curry chicken and even oxtail were offered, but which one is the best?

“We have the best oxtail anywhere,” the worker said, gesturing up the block and coincidentally towards the Gigi soul food truck parked on the same street. An ox is like a lean cow, and its tail is braised for hours and usually served with a starch
like rice and beans or candied yams.

Hands on his hips, “I stay the way I do because I eat one protein, one green and one starch,” said the worker. Eyeing his tight body, I ordered oxtail, collard greens and macaroni and cheese. “You like gravy? I’m gonna hook you up!” he
promised.

Five minutes later, I was seated cross-legged on the grass. By the Schuylkill, my fingers were wet with that soulful gravy. Fork dug into soft elbow macaroni and baked béchamel stained with beef jus. Fingers tore at the braised beef, tender and seasoned but lesser so than the salty collards. Sitting back on a full belly, I sighed and snuck my pinky into a river of that brown gravy. As it dripped on my lips, I decided that soul is all in the sauce.

Contact: no website OR phone number, “College kids used to play with the number” stop by instead!
Location: 30th street between Chestnut and Walnut
Hours: 11-9 Monday-Friday
Price: $9 for small platters, $11 for large
What not to miss: Jerk chicken, oxtail, rice and beans

Set apart from the large, overly-decorated food trucks that inhabit Temple University’s campus sits a small, silver food stand. While it may be small, it is often accompanied by a long line of hungry students awaiting fresh Mexican fare.

Chris’ Taco Stand started serving Temple students in the fall of 2010, and has since gained a loyal following. The man behind the truck, Chris Allen (Not to be confused with American Idol winner Kris Allen, but just as talented), is no newbie to the Philly food scene. With several years under his apron at DiBruno Brothers and Tinto, he has been proudly serving the Philly foodie community.

Chris’ Taco Stand offers delicious tacos and quesadillas, in addition to a variety of Mexican sodas. The chalkboard menu caters to the flexibility of the day’s offerings, which often include carne asada, ground beef, chicken, and black bean options. Utilizing his culinary prowess, Chris beautifully crafts his dishes with precision. Fresh veggies, spices, and herbs are paired with mouth-watering meats and cheeses, all encased in warm tortillas. For those who want a bit more flavor, various salsas and chiles are also available. While you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, I would recommend the carne asada quesadilla. It provides an accurate summary of Chris’ Taco Stand: meaty, cheesy, and fresh!

Location: 13th and Montgomery, in front of Speakman Hall

Price: $2.50 – $6.00

Twitter: @ChrisTacoStand

One lazy afternoon playing with gay men, we looked up from our coffees and saw the rainbow. A white food truck bedecked in huge colored sprinkles was parked on the edge of Clark Park. “Is that my ride to heaven?” asked Will glancing upward, “Oh God! You shouldn’t have,” he exclaimed.

We were amused and intrigued so we stepped up to the sprinkles and inquired inside. A cherubic round face appeared, smiling and gesturing to a menu offering eight cupcakes to the right. “One banana-nutella and two red velvet, (if you please),” we sang. “Six dollars,” replied the angel.

As she plucked our cupcakes from fragrant trays behind her and sat them snuggly in a little plastic container, we came to learn how our saint, Kate Carrera, came to drive among us. Baking cupcakes since 2009, “I used to be an attorney,” she told us, “…but I wasn’t happy. This job is way more cool!” she continued. Each day Carrera bakes her creations at the Four Worlds Bakery on Woodland Ave. and then drives to a different park or event to distribute them.  As our teeth sunk into the sweet treats and fingers grew slick from the butter cream icing, we felt both hallowed and divine. “If God does eat cupcakes, they are definitely from this truck,” decided Will.

Contact: (267) 505-7486 (do not hesitate to pre-order)

Location: Meandering. Check the website (http://www.buttercreamphiladelphia.com/) for a list of the week’s locations

Price: $2 each, $3 for fancies

What not to miss: Red or Black Velvet cupcakes (black velvets are a special) and banana nutella