Food Truck Roll Call: Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Laci

Please don’t forget to vote for us for the 2013 Neighborhood Achievement “Helping Hands” Award! We’re honored to be nominated for our Hurricane Sandy relief work and would be thrilled to win!

Vote HERE (and don’t worry, it doesn’t take more than 5 seconds)!

Photo courtesy of Big D’s Grub.

Carpe diem and GRUB!

The Munchie Mobile: 55th and Broadway.
Comme Ci, Comme Ca: 36th Street and Broadway.
Morris Grilled Cheese: 29th & Park, 11:30-3:00pm.
Mexico Blvd.: 46th between 6th & 7th Avenue.
Toum NYC: 46th between 5th & 6th Avenue.
Old Traditional Polish Cuisine: Water Street between Maiden Lane & Pine.
Kimchi Taco: 45th and Madison.
Fresh & Hearty: Varick and Vandam Street.
Milk Truck: 40th and 5th.
Schnitzle & Things: 52nd between 6th & 7th Avenue, 1130-2:00pm.
Rickshaw Dumpling: Hudson and Houston.Nuchas: 46th and 6th Avenue.
Shorty’s NYC: 47th and Park.
Coolhaus: Central Park West and 80th Street AND 46th and Vanderbilt, 11:00-5:00pm.
Red Hook Lobster: 50th Street and 6th.
Green Juice Pirate: 15th floor of the Starrett Lehigh Building (26th Street between 11th and 12th.)
Palenque: Hudson and King.
Frites ‘n Meats: 50th Street between 6th & 7th Avenue.
Wafels & Dinges: Momma: 91st Street and Columbus until 4:34pm, Kastaar: 23rd and Park until 4:26pm, Bierbeek: 72nd and Broadway until 9pm, Goesting: Bway & 66th until 9pm, Kotmadam: Great Lawn until 8pm, Vedette: 60th and 5th until 8pm, Pagadder: Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall Park until 9pm.
Uncle Gussy’s: 51st and Park.
Carpe Donut: 47th Street and Madison.
Sweetery: Hudson and King.
Andy’s Italian Ice: 52nd and Park Avenue.
Taim Mobile: 20th Street and 5th Avenue.
Big D’s Grub: Jay and Water (DUMBO Food Truck Lot)
Miami Food Machine: 39th St and 2nd Avenue in Brooklyn, 11:30a-2:30pm.

The Treats Truck: 17th Street near 5th Avenue, 12:00-3:00pm.

NYCFTA Lots:

Brookfield Place (North End and Vesey in Battery Park City, 11:00a-3:00pm)

Eddie’s Pizza, Domo Taco, Souvlaki GR, Bian Dang, Phil’s Steaks.

Sage Curb Eats (777 Third Avenue near 48th, 11:00am-3:00pm)

Mamu Thai Noodle.

And follow this Twitter List 24/7 for updates!

Food Truck Roll Call: Monday, May 20th, 2013

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Laci

Special request for you: Please vote for the NYC Food Truck Association in the Neighborhood Achievement Awards contest! We’ve been nominated for the Hurricane Sandy relief work we did thanks to the generous contributions of people around the world, corporate sponsors, the Mayor’s Fund to Advance NYC, and supporters’ assistance in spreading the word.

Voting can be done HERE and takes no more than 5 seconds!

Cheers to a wonderful work week!

Big D’s Grub: Mon: 49th between 6th & 7th Avenue, 11-2:45p.

Miami Food Machine: Hudson St and Charlton Street, 11-3p.

Mexico Blvd.: Jay & Water(DUMBO Food Truck Lot)

Fresh & Hearty: 47th Street between Park & Madison.

Wafels & Dinges: Momma truck: 49th & 3rd Ave until 4:32p, Kastaar: 115th & Broadway all day, Bierbeek: Broadway & 72nd until 9p, Goesting: Broadway & 66th until 9p, Kotmadam: Great Lawn until 8p, Vedette: 60th & 5th until 8p, Pagadder: Bklyn Bridge/City Hall Park until 9p.

Seoul Food NYC: 47th between Park & Madison.

Uncle Gussy’s: 51st and Park.

Frites ‘n Meats: 50th Street between 6th & 7th Ave.

Coolhaus: Union Square Park in front of Trader Joe’s, 12-5p.

Bian Dang: 50th between 6th and 7th, 11:30-2:30p.

Mike & Willie’s: Front Street and Wall St.

Toum NYC: 1st Avenue between 32nd & 33rd St.

Green Pirate Juice: 15th floor of the Starrett Lehigh Building (26th between 11th & 12th)

Milk Truck: Jay and Water (DUMBO Food Truck Lot)

Domo Taco: Front and Old Slip.

Souvlaki GR: 47th Street between Vanderbilt & Madison.

Munchie Mobile: 17th and 5th Avenue.

Old Traditional Polish Cuisine: 52nd Street between 6th & 7th.

Phil’s Steaks: Water and Wall, 11-2p.

Taim Mobile: 5th Avenue and 18th St.

Morris Truck: 6th Avenue and 53rd St.

Taco Bite: 47th Street between Park & Madison Ave.

Gorilla Cheese NYC: Broadway & 55th Street.

Mausam Curry ‘n Bites: 47th and Madison Avenue.

NYCFTA Lots:

Brookfield Place (North End & Vesey in Battery Park City):

Valducci’s Pizza, Hibachi Heaven, Shorty’s NYC, Nuchas Empanadas, and Momos & Buns.

Guest Blogger of the Week: Jackie Ngai

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Laci

Growing up with immigrant parents, I was lucky enough to eat authentic Cantonese dishes ranging from the sweet to salty to the very spicy on an almost daily basis. My mom and dad were the proud owners of a “fast food” Chinese restaurant for several years before I was born, and transferred their education from that experience and their childhood memories, onto our dinner table.

Hailing from two separate regions in China, my mom and dad acquired two very different cooking styles. My mom cooked out of necessity, and always prepared fast, healthy, inexpensive, and simply delicious meals. My father, on the other hand, favored bolder, more complicated flavors. Cooking wasn’t something he did often, but when he did, it was art. Somewhere down the line, my sisters and I chose our allegiance – I, my father, and my sisters, my mother.

Photo courtesy of HeathersBlog.com

It’s been many years now since I’ve lived with my parents, but my love for spice – both the kind that scalds your mouth and those that tempt every taste bud – has never faded. It’s a no wonder, with all the food trucks within the New York Food Truck Association; I’d look to them to whet my appetite.

Ethnic fare has always held a special place in my heart. Full of diverse spices and explosive flavors from regions I hope to someday visit, dishes from Palenque and Mausam were obviously, on my “must try”.
The brainchild of co-founders Viviana Lewis and Nena Sierra, Palenque opened in September 2011, serving hungry New Yorkers healthy (!!) homemade Columbian dishes. True to my love of spice, I ordered up a quinoa arepa with organic chipotle chorizo, vegan chipotle mayo and chimichurri-cilantro sauce, topped with hogao (tomatoes, green onions, and olive oil).

Though obviously not Cantonese, the flavors tickling my tongue reminded me of my parents’ cooking – not only was my arepa delicious and full of an unexpected, but happy, combination of heat and sweet (the peppery arugula and quinoa balanced out the spice from the chipotle mayo and vegan chorizo), it brought me back home, uniting my father’s complex cooking style with my mother’s healthy disposition. Not only was my arepa tastier than any other I’ve tasted, it didn’t weigh me down like many others I’ve had.

To your, and my luck, Palenque can be found all over Manhattan and Brooklyn, including Smorgasburg. Follow them on Twitter @palenquefood or visit their website.

Next stop was the Mausam Curry ‘n Bites Mobile. Mausam, meaning “seasons,” acts as an extension of the restaurant, with the truck offering more than 35 curry dishes freshly prepared every day, along with savory bites like samosas and kati rolls. High on my list of favorite types of cuisine is Indian. In fact, finding out there’s a mobile Indian food truck roaming around the streets Manhattan might very well be one of the best discoveries I’ve made in a very long time.

With its beginnings as a sit-down restaurant in Secaucus, NJ, Mausam added a set of wheels to their repertoire as food trucks started to become a booming industry, bringing Indian food to the streets of New York.

If you’re looking for a good spice challenge, you owe it to yourself to try Mausam’s chicken vindaloo with their special garlic hot chutney. But be forewarned, this dish is not for the faint of heart, and should only be tasted by regular heat lovers. Regular customers “know better” and order this dish “medium,” knowing that asking for it “hot,” will make them “sweat the rest of their work day.”

For those of you who are still adventurous but weary on the spice, try Mausam’s Chicken Masala. Widely known by all, this dish is a fan favorite. This traditional tomato-based chicken curry is cooked so perfectly, you’d never guess it was cooked on a truck!

Visit the truck in Midtown or either of the two restaurants in New Jersey (Secaucus and Montclair), follow them on Twitter at @mausamnyc or visit their website for more details.

If you, like Jackie, are just as obsessed with fiery food and traditional flavors, follow her on Twitter at @ostrichfoot for the spiciest of updates!

Prospect Park Food Truck Rally: Sunday, May 26th, 2013

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Laci

Allow us to do the cooking this Memorial Day Weekend and join us at the Prospect Park Food Truck Rally on Sunday, May 26th, from 11a-5pm! MemorialDay Put down the shopping list and toss your recipes aside because more than 12 food trucks will be on-hand this holiday weekend to feed you and yours! Join them at Prospect Park’s Grand Army Plaza on Sunday, May 26th, from 11a-5pm for a Memorial Day picnic unlike any other.

The following trucks will be spending the day with you:

Momos & Buns

COOLHAUS

Eddies Pizza

Gorilla Cheese NYC

Green Pirate Juice Truck

Hibachi Heaven

Kelvin Slush

Mexico Blvd, Mexicue

Miami Food Machine

Mud Truck

Nuchas

Shorty’s on Wheels

Souvlaki Gr

Toum NYC

Wafels & Dinges

Directions: Grand Army Plaza is located at the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Eastern Parkway. Take the #2 or the #3 subway to the Grand Army Plaza Station. Walk up Flatbush Avenue or Plaza Street until you see the monument and traffic circle. Or, take the Q or B to the 7th Avenue Station and follow Flatbush Avenue up the hill. Grand Army Plaza is about 3 blocks away.

Food Truck Roll Call: Friday, May 17th, 2013

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Laci

Have a tasty lunch and a wonderful weekend, NYC!

(And stay up-to-date with all your favorite food trucks all the time with this Twitter List!)

Souvlaki GR: 47th Street between Madison & Vanderbilt.

Get Stuffed Now: Varick and Vandam.

Milk Truck: Wall and William.

The Treats Truck: 45th & 6th, 11:30-3:30p then 18th Street and 7th, 4:30-7p.

Old Traditional Polish Cuisine: 48th Street between 6th & 7th (closer to 6th).

Coolhaus: USQ in front Trader Joes AND 4th & Mercer, 11-5pm.

Domo Taco: 38th and Broadway.

Gorilla Cheese NYC: 46th between 5th & 6th.

Eddie’s Pizza: Hudson and King until 3pm. (Note: Please call in your order before noon 917-439-7522.)

The Munchie Mobile: 17th and 5th.

Comme Ci Comme Ca: 36th Street and Broadway.

Phil’s Steaks: 47th between Park and Madison, 11-2pm.

Uncle Gussy’s: 51st and Park.

Frites ‘n Meats: 7 Hanover Square (between Water and Pearl Street).

Bian Dang: 53rd Street and Park.

Kimchi Taco: 52nd & 6th Avenue, 11:30-2:30p.

Nuchas NYC: 50th Street and 6th.

Wafels & Dinges: Kastaar: 40th and Park until 4:32p, Momma: Varrick and King until 4:29p, Bierbeek: 72nd & Broadway until 10p, Vedette: 60th and 5th until 8p, Kotmadam: Great Lawn until 8p, Pagadder: City Hall Park until 9p.

Mausam NYC: 47th and on Park.

Red Hook Lobster: 46 and 6th, 11-3p AND Madison Square Eats, 11-9p.

Carpe Donut: 51st and Park Avenue.

Green Pirate Juice: Starrett Lehigh Building (26th between 11th & 12th.)

Sweetery NYC: Hudson and King.

Miami Food Machine: Varick and Charlton, 11-3p.

MUD Truck: 8th Street and 4th Ave.

NYCFTA Lot:

Brookfield Place (North End and Vesey, 11-3p): Morris Grilled Cheese, Toum NYC, Schnitzle & Things, Big D’s Grub, and Mexicue.

Food Truck Roll Call: Thursday, May 16th, 2013

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Laci

It’s going to be a lovely day so head to your nearest park and enjoy lunch outside today!

Mexico Blvd.: Jay and Water Street, 11:30-3p. (DUMBO Lot)

Nuchas Empanadas: 20th and 5th Avenue until 3p.

Phil’s Steaks: 52nd between 6th and 7th Avenue.

Souvlaki GR: Varick and Charlton.

Toum NYC: Jay and Water Sreet (DUMBO Lot)

Mexicue: Water and Broad.

Green Juice Pirate: 15th floor of the Starrett Lehigh Buillding (26th between 11th & 12th).

Schnitzle & Things: 51st beween Park and Madison Avenue, 11:30a-2pm.

Wafels & Dinges: Momma Truck: 47th and Vanderbilt until 4:32p, Kastaar: 46th between 5th & 6th until 4:31p, Bierbeek: 72nd and Broadway until 9p, Goesting: 66th and Columbus until 9p, Vedette: 60th and 5th until 8p, Pagadder: City Hall Park until 8p, Kotmadam: The Great Lawn until 8p.

Andy’s Italian Ice: 26 New Dock Street, 12p – 9p.

Big D’s Grub: 49th Street between 6th and 7th Avenue.

Coolhaus: 53rd and Park until 5p AND Cart at Central Park West and 80th Street until 5p AND Pop-Up Stand at 195 5th Avenue, 1-8p.

Morris Grilled Cheese: 51st and Madison until 3p.

MUD Truck: 8th Street and 4th Avenue.

Old Traditional Polish Cuisine: Water Street between Maiden Lane & Pine.

Fresh & Hearty: Old Slip between Water & Front Street.

Food Truck Roll Call: Wednesday, May 15th, 2013

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Laci

Happy Humpday and enjoy!

Sweetery NYC: Hudson and King.

Miami Food Machine: 1st Ave and 33rd Street, 11:00-3:00.

Toum NYC: 47th St between Park & Vanderbilt.

Green Juice Pirate: 26th between 11th and 12th (15th floor of the Starrett Lehigh Building)

Big D’s Grub: 26th between 11th and 12th (Starrett Lehigh Building), 11-3.

Frites ‘n Meats: Hudson and King.

Eddie’s Pizza: 46th and 6th.

Kimchi Taco: 55th Street between 6th & 7th Avenue,11:30-2:30.

Uncle Gussy’s: 51st and Park.

Coolhaus: 40th and Park.

Morris Grilled Cheese: Jay and Front.

Nuchas: 168th and Broadway.

Comme Ci Comme Ca: 52nd Street and Park Avenue.

Mexicue: 21st & 5th AND 24th & 5th.

Milk Truck: 40th and 5th.

Mud People: 8th Street and 4th Avenue.

The Treats Truck: 45th & 6th, 11:30-3:30 THEN 18th & 7th, 4:30-7pm.

Phil’s Steaks: 52nd and Broadway.

Old Traditional Polish Cuisine: 5th Avenue between 21st & 22nd.

Taim Mobile: 20th and 5th.

Shorty’s NYC: Jay & Water Street.

NYCFTA Lots:
Brookfield Place in Battery Park City (North End & Vesey, 11a-3pm): Rickshaw Truck, Munchie Mobile, Mexico Blvd., Mike & Willie’s, Valducci’s Pizza.

Find more details using this Twitter list!

Guest Blogger of the Week: Krista Spurr

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Laci

Krista Spurr

Travel and food blogger Krista Spurr hails from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She loves exploring the world through food and shares her adventures in travel, food and drink on her blog, Bite-sized Travel, and on Twitter at @bitesizedtravel.

Canadian in the City

Canadians count themselves among the millions of annual visitors to New York who sample a little bit of life in the best city in the world. This Canadian tries to get to the city at least once a year, and when I’m there, I do my best to find a new culinary treasure so I’ll always have recommendations when asked for New York food suggestions.

I know people who book tables months ahead of their visits, or get in long lines for a meal at a famous restaurant, or eat somewhere seen on tv or in the movies. For my recent long weekend in town, I decided to skip the scramble for a table and went out in search of New York’s best food on four wheels.

I’ve given a lot of thought to why I enjoyed eating around New York’s food trucks and it’s quite simple, it’s more suited to my needs as a traveler in the NYC, compared to a lengthy sit-down lunch commitment. Grazing from truck to truck as I moved around the city meant I could stay well-fed and moving as I explored.

The good news? Finding a great food truck requires little effort. The bad news? Narrowing down the list of options to a manageable number was painful. While I didn’t get to try everything I wanted, I managed to eat at five different trucks in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Palenque

My first stop was in Brooklyn, where I found Palenque and fell in love with homemade Colombian food. I asked lots of questions about the best combinations, finally deciding on an arepa, topped with cheese and hogao, a flavorful combination of tomatoes, scallions and olive oil. With a sweet cup of agua de panela to go with it, I started wondering if my next big trip should be to Colombia, just to keep eating different delicious versions of the same meal. (@PalenqueFood on Twitter)

Gorilla Cheese NYC.

After a morning of exploring, I found myself at Union Square and spied my next target: Gorilla Cheese. As a grilled cheese enthusiast, I know there are endless ways to do grilled cheese right. I browsed the menu out of curiosity, but when it was time to order, I went with my gut and let the fellow taking orders decide what I should eat. I had the Gruyère on multigrain bread with caramelized onions, and it was divine. (@gcnyc1 on Twitter)

Frites ‘n Meats.

Pounding the pavement in Midtown, I was starting to run low on energy when I spied Frites ‘n Meats, delicious gourmet burgers and twice fried Belgian-style frites. I picked the frites for a quick snack and they were absolutely perfect. Hot and crispy, with mayo for dipping and a sweet treat for dessert. It was enough to keep me going while burning through my New York to do list and avoiding the long lines at peak lunch time. (@fritesnmeats on Twitter)

Taco Bite

The more I explored, the more I found to like among the trucks that crossed my path. When it was time to sit rest my feet and take in the sunny day, I stopped for a taco at Taco Bite, also in Midtown. I went with the daily special for the day, the Tinga Bite shredded chicken on a soft corn taco. With its tasty sauce and loaded with cheese and vegetables, I was debating whether to go back for another one, or to continue on and see what else would cross my path. (@tacobite on Twitter)

Miami Food Machine NYC

It was well into the afternoon on my last day in NYC when I found Miami Food Machine. Luckily, for me, I got there just before they packed up for the afternoon. If I’m being completely honest, they had me at the name. After my South Beach chicken slider with plantains on the side, they had me at the food, too. (@miamimachinenyc on Twitter)

While I was at Miami Food Machine, I chatted at length with one of the owners about a day in the life of a food truck operator. To all of the owners and operators out there, I admire your stamina!

These discoveries gave me the New York food experience I was seeking: something that expanded my culinary universe, fresh ingredients, unique meals and lots of talking to New Yorkers. The only downside to taking in this much great food in such a short time? Forgetting to bring containers so I could take a doggy bag home on the plane. Oops!

Food Truck Roll Call: Tuesday, May 14th, 2013

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Laci

Happy Tuesday and happy lunching!

nycfoodcartproject.wordpress.com

Check out these trucks in locations around the City and keep up with your favorite food trucks all the time using this Twitter list!

Milk Truck: Amsterdam between 116th & 118th.
Rickshaw Dumpling Truck: Hudson and Houston.
Uncle Gussy’s: 51st and Park.
Coolhaus: 46th and Vanderbilt AND the cart at Central Park West and 80th Street., 11-5pm.
Fresh and Hearty: Varick and Vandam Street.
Mexicue: 26th between 11th and 12th (Starrett Lehigh Building).
Taim Mobile: 20th and 5th Avenue.
Gorilla Cheese NYC: Hudson and King.
Seoul Food NYC: 47th Street between Park and Madison Avenue.
Wafels & Dinges: Momma Truck: 91st and Columbus (Trinity School) until 4:31p, Kastaar: Park and 23rd until 4:33p, Bierbeek: 72nd and Broadway until 9p, Goesting: 66th and Columbus until 9p, Vedette: 60th and 5th until 8p, Pagadder: City Hall Park until 8p, Kotmadam: Great Lawn until 8pm.
Frites ‘n Meats: 50th Street between 6th & 7th Avenue.
Red Hook Lobster: 50th and 6th Avenue AND 25th and Broadway (at Madison Square Eats).
Palenque: Hudson Street and Charlton.
Toum NYC: 46th between 5th and 6th.
Big D’s Grub: Jay and Water Street (DUMBO Lot).
Kimchi Taco: Maiden Lane between Water & Pearl Street.
Sweetery NYC: Hudson and King Street.
Comme Ci Comme Ca: 47th Street and Vanderbilt Avenue.
Morris Grilled Cheese: 29th and Park until 3p.
Old Traditional Polish Cuisine: 52nd between 6th and 7th Avenue.

Guest Blogger of the Week: Welcome Back, Jackie Armstrong!

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Laci

Much to our delight, guest blogger Jackie Armstrong has returned! You may remember her last post on Phil’s Steaks (which made each of us in the office promptly order a 6-inch Philly with extra peppers…) and this time, she’s reporting in on all the fun at this month’s Boston vs. NYC Food Truck Throwdown! There’s a lot to cover so let’s get started, shall we? Take it away, Jackie!

BOSTON VERSUS NYC FOOD TRUCK THROWDOWN

by Jackie Armstrong

Nine New York trucks made their way to Boston last Saturday to participate in the second Boston vs. New York Food Truck Throwdown, – and they were nice enough to let me tag along for the ride! Big D’s Grub, Comme Ci Comme Ca, Cupcake Crew, Itizy, Mike ‘N’ Willies, Momos & Buns, Nuchas, Munchie Mobile, and Uncle Gussy’s comprised New York’s “StrEATS” team. It was a perfect day for the event – and probably the only thing brighter than the sun were the smiles on the faces of everyone who got to experience a full (and I mean FULL) day of eating from the trucks of our two great cities.

Our New York trucks came out strong as always, and served the dishes that we know and love – along with a few specials (event sponsor Maker’s Mark made a welcome appearance in many). To my dismay, I realized I hadn’t already tried every NYC truck that was present – Operation: Try Everything began and yes, I tried something from every single truck.

My newest obsession in life is Comme Ci Comme Ca. I had the Kofta Couscous, which includes beef seasoned with onions and cilantro. Their food is so incredibly flavorful, and how could you not love Chef Samir? A week later I am still telling people about it…

Nuchas was a huge crowd favorite (no surprise!) serving up a variation of meat, veggie and a special Maker’s Mark Pork Shoulder empanadas. From empanadas to tacos from Mike ‘N’ Willies to Fries from Uncle Gussy’s … I was starting to get full.

Not to fear, I always leave room for dessert. I cleansed my palate with some Blueberry Mojito Sorbet from Itizy. They pride themselves on being able to serve fresh and locally made ice cream and you can definitely taste that reflected in what they serve. The final decisions of the day would be which creation from the Cupcake Crew I would go for. I couldn’t resist their Bailey Mocha.

I don’t discriminate when it comes to food and I was equally as happy to eat from every Boston truck as well. Boston is a fantastic city and it should come as no surprise that the food coming out of their local trucks was equally as fantastic – and they were all more than willing to make sure I got plenty to taste! My favorite Boston bites included the brisket grilled cheese (Roxy’s Grilled Cheese), Shrimp & Grits (Captain Marden’s), Oozy crepes (Paris Creperie) and a chocolate chip cookie topped with a Maker’s Mark boozy caramel sauce (Cookie Monstah).

Sure, some judging went on and a few winners were named, but the reality is, everyone that day was a winner. It was an amazing (and filling) day for everyone who was there. A truck sized thank you has to go out to Boston for being such fantastic hosts. Looking forward to the next one – and hopefully welcoming Boston into town for a New York style Throwdown soon!

If you enjoyed this article, tell Jackie so on Twitter! You can find her there at @onegirlsdish!

Food Truck Roll Call: 5/13/2013

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Laci

Happy Monday! Enjoy a fresh-made lunch on-the-go today…

(And keep up with your favorite food trucks all the time using this Twitter list!)

Photo courtesy of Big D’s Grub.

Sweetery NYC: Hudson and King.

Seoul Food NYC: 47th Street between Park and Madison Avenue.

Schnitzle & Things: Hudson and King Street, 11:30a-2:30pm.

Big D’s Grub: 49th Street between 6th and 7th Avenue until 2:45pm.

Gorilla Cheese NYC: 47th between Park and Madison Avenue.

The Munchie Mobile: Water and Wall.

Phil’s Steaks: Water and John until 2:00pm.

Trusty Burgers & Bites: 47th and Vanderbilt.

Bian Dang: 50th and 6th Avenue,11:30-2:30pm.

Coolhaus: Hudson and King Street AND Varick & Vandam until 5pm.

Wafels & Dinges: Kastaar Truck: Broadway and 115th until 4.30pm, Momma Truck: 53rd & Park Avenue until 4.30pm, Bierbeek: 72nd & Broadway (south side of station) until 9pm, Goesting: 66th & Columbus Avenue until 9pm, Vedette: 60th & 5th Avenue until 8pm, Pagadder: City Hall Park until 8pm.

Frites ‘n Meats: 50th Street between 6th & 7th Avenue.

Palenque: 19th and 5th Avenue.

Domo Taco: Varick and Vandam starting at 11:30am.

Uncle Gussy’s: 51st and Park Avenue.

Milk Truck NYC: Jay and Water Street (DUMBO).

Souvlaki GR: 47th and Park Avenue.

Green Juice Pirate: 15th floor of the Starlett Lehigh Buidling (26th between 11th and 12th Avenue)

Taim Mobile: 18th and 5th Avenue.

Morris Grilled Cheese: 6th Avenue between 52nd & 53rd Street.

Toum NYC: 1st Avenue between 32nd & 33rd Street.

Food Truck Roll Call: 5/10/12

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Laci

TGIF and it’s a beautiful day! Find out where favorite food trucks are for lunch today by checking out this list and, as always, keeping up with them using this Twitter list!

Hibachi Heaven

Green Juice Pirate: 26th between 11th and 12th in the Starret Lehigh Building, 15th floor.

Momos & Buns: Varick and Charlton.

Uncle Gussy’s: 51st and Park.

The Squeeze Truck: 17th and Broadway.

Seoul Food NYC: 47th between Park and Madison.

Eddie’s Pizza: Hudson and King.

Coolhaus: Cart at Central Park West and 80th, 11-5pm AND Frieze Art Fair from 11-7pm.

Bian Dang: 47th between Park and Madison.

Mamu Thai Noodles: Jay and Water, 11-3pm.

Gorilla Cheese NYC: 46th between 5th and 6th Avenue.

Kimchi Taco: 52nd and 6th Avenue, 11:30-2:30.

Trusty Burgers & Bites: 47th and Vanderbilt, 11-3.

Frites ‘n Meats: 7 Hanover Square (between Water Street and Pearl).

Domo Taco: 38th and Broadway.

Phil’s Steaks: 47th between Park and Madison, 11-2.

Carpe Donut: 55th and Broadway.

Tantz on the Go: Clarkson and New York Avenue, 11:30-6.

Wafels & Dinges: Kastaar: 40th and Park until 4:32pm, Bierbeek: 72nd and Broadway until 10pm, Goesting: 66th and Columbus until 10pm, Vedette: 60th and 5th until 8pm, Kotmadam: Great Lawn until 8pm, Pagadder: City Hall Park until 9pm.

Munchie Mobile: 17th and 5th.

Mexico Blvd.: 46th between 6th & 7th.

Taim: Open at 12pm on Varick and King.

The Treats Truck: 5th Avenue between 14th & 15th, 2-3pm THEN 18th and 7th, 4-7pm.

Old Traditional Polish Cuisine: Water Street between Maiden Lane and Pine.

Souvlaki GR: 47th Street between Vanderbilt and Madison.

NYCFTA Lots:
Brookfield Place in Battery Park City (North End & Vesey, 11a-3pm): Toum NYC, Schnitzle & Things, Morris Truck, Big D’s Grub, and Mexicue.

Food Truck Roll Call: 5/9/2013

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Laci

It’s a wet one out there today, folks, but we all still have to eat, right?! Did you know many of our trucks deliver and/or offer pre-ordering so you don’t have to stand in line? Find those details using this Twitter list or by checking out their website!

Trusty Burgers & Bites: Water and Jay until 3. (DUMBO Lot)
Bian Dang: 53rd between Park and Lexington, 11:30-2:30.
Comme Ci, Comme Ca: 47th Street and Vanderbilt Avenue.
Uncle Gussy’s: 51st and Park.
Munchie Mobile: Wall and Front.
Wafels & Dinges: Kastaar: 46th between 5th & 6th until 4:33, Bierbeek: 72nd and Broadway (south side of station) until 9, Goesting: 66th and Columbus until 9, Vedette: 60th and 5th until 8, Pagadder: City Hall Park until 8.
Coolhaus: 53rd and Park and cart at Central Park West and 80th Street, 11-5.
Domo Taco: 53rd and Park.
Kimchi Taco: Charlton and Hudson Street,11:30 – 2:30.
Mausam Curry ‘n Bites: 47th and Park.
Big D’s Grub: 50th Street between 6th and 7th Avenue, 11-2:30.
Sweetery NYC: Hudson and King Street.
Carpe Donut: 14th and 9th.
Tantz On the Go: Clarkson and New York Avenue, 11-6.
Seoul Food NYC: 47th between Park and Madison Avenue.
Morris Truck: 51st between Park and Madison Avenue.
Phil’s Steaks: 52nd and 6th.
Old Traditional Polish Cuisine: 19th Street and 5th Avenue.
Mexico Blvd.: Water and Jay. (DUMBO Lot)
Mexicue: Water and Broad.

NYCFTA Lots:
Brookfield Place in Battery Park City (North End & Vesey, 11a-3pm): Palenque, Rickshaw Dumpling Truck, Milk Truck, Frites ‘n Meats, and Taim Mobile.

Sage Curb Eats (777 Third Avenue, near 48th, 11a-3pm): Eddie’s Pizza

Food Truck Roll Call: 5/8/2013

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Laci

A little rain won’t keep the most passionate street food lovers away- Cheers!

Photo courtesy of Taim.

Taim Mobile: 20th and 5th.

The Treats Truck: 45th and 6th 12-3:30 THEN 18th and 7th 4:30-7pm.

Uncle Gussy’s: 51st and Park.

Palenque: 47th and Park.

Bian Dang NYC: Jay and Water St (DUMBO Food Truck Lot),11:30-2:30.

Domo Taco: Jay and Water St (DUMBO Food Truck Lot)

Tantz on the Go: New York & Clarkson Avenue.

Kimchi Taco: 55th St. between 6th & 7th Avenue, 11:30 – 2:30.

Gorilla Cheese NYC: 36th & Broadway.

Trusty Burgers & Bites: 47th and Park, 11-3.

Frites ‘n Meats: Hudson & King.

Big D’s Grub: 26th Street between 11th & 12th Avenue (Starrett Lehigh), 11:30-2:30.

Eddie’s Pizza NY: 46th and 6th.

Wafels & Dinges: Kastaar: Wall St until 4:33pm, Bierbeek: 72nd and Broadway until 9pm, Goesting: 66th and Columbus until 9pm, Vedette: 60th and 5th until 8pm, Pagadder: City Hall Park until 8pm.

Mexicue: 18th and 5th.

Nuchas NYC: Old Slip and Front St.

Morris Grilled Cheese: Pearl and Front till 3.

NYCFTA Lot:
Brookfield Place in Battery Park City (North End & Vesey, 11a-3pm): Rickshaw Dumplings, Mexico Blvd., Munchie Mobile, Mike ‘n Willie’s, and Valducci’s Pizza.

Also be sure to subscribe to this Twitter List to always stay up-to-date on your favorite food trucks.

Guest Blogger of the Week: Kenyon Cory

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Laci

Kenyon Cory

Welcome back to our Guest Blogger Series! Today, Kenyon Cory takes us off the streets and to the fair… With food trucks!

But first, a little about Kenyon: Besides having a very cool name, Kenyon’s a young professional in Manhattan with a serious passion for food and fun. She was taught at an early age that you must “try one bite of everything!” on the table, and has been guided by that philosophy ever since. A lover of hot sauce, travel and fabulous jewelry, you can find her on Twitter @paintitgold.

Beyond the Streets: Food Trucks Hit the Fair

Although I have been a proud street foodie for a few years now, sampling the cuisine of as many different trucks as possible, my concept of the food truck’s place in our city’s bustling culinary scene was, until recently, shamefully narrow. Despite encountering architecturally inspired ice cream sandwiches as I ran my weekend errands, and tasting all regions of the world from the comfort of a Midtown sidewalk, I still kept all of New York’s food trucks confined to the same box: their parking spaces.

As far as I was concerned, trucks just plopped themselves down in available parking spaces in lucrative areas, served that neighborhood’s patrons their magical deliciousness for a pre-determined number of hours, and then went home. I was used to the same rotation that frequented the stretch of 47^th St. near my office. My coworkers were used to me forcing them to try Korean tacos for lunch, instead of their standard salads. And so it went: trucks appeared, I gave in to my cravings, and everyone was happy.

Foodies flock to East River State Park on the opening day of Smorgasburg.
Photo courtesy of TimeOutNY.com.

Then, one day I began to notice my usual trucks in unusual places. While strolling the opening day of Smorgasburg, the insanely popular Brooklyn Flea Market for food, I spotted Palenque. My beloved purveyor of Colombian lunches was selling arepas to the hoard of hungry hipsters! The best part was, they weren’t just parked around the corner from the madness, but they were right in the thick of it, nestled among the other vendors.

Palenque is a welcome addition to my 47^th St. haunt whenever they roll through, but like the other trucks we all love, they are more than just a mobile kitchen. The wheels give food artisans the ability to go where traditional craft artisans have gone for centuries: markets, festivals and fairs!

Now that it’s finally warming up, street foodies can find fairs and festivals cropping up around the city. Smorgasburg takes place every Saturday in Williamsburg and every Sunday in DUMBO, and also features Kelvin Natural Slush and Red Hook Lobster on its roster of vendors. Look out for other recurring markets in your neighborhood, such as the Hester Street Fair and Madison Square Eats, newly opened for the season. These fairs tend to incorporate food trucks with stall outposts of brick-and-mortar cafes, and sometimes vendors of home goods, jewelry and more! It’s an exciting variety!

The colorful Palenque truck.
Photo courtesy of Palenque.

There are also plenty of one-time events to get excited about! Just yesterday, for example, The Village Voice hosted Choice Streets, a celebration of all things food truck, at Pier 86. The list of participating trucks was thrillingly LONG, so be sure it check it out on their Facebook page.

I am also looking forward to The Great Googa Mooga, a food and music bonanza taking over Prospect Park May 17-19. Red Hook Lobster will be back in action, along with Crif Dogs and 80+ others!

And, of course, the NYC Food Truck Association hosts two rallies per month at Prospect Park during the warmer months of the year! The next one will be on Sunday, May 26th.

Chowing down with 16 trucks!
Photo courtesy of streetgrubeveryday.com

It seems to me that expanding beyond the street offers many benefits for a mobile food business:

It exposes them to a new audience. Even if a truck spends each day of the week at one or two different locations, they can only reach so many people. Certain areas, such as busy Midtown, are likely to be more lucrative than others during the important lunch rush, so trucks return to where the customers are. Attending a food festival is a great way to be seen by a ton of new eyes.
It gives them the reliability of time and place. These events tend to be well publicized, and at least moderately organized, so food truck owners can plan for how much they will be serving to how many people, without worrying about too many outside factors.
It immerses the food truck in a culture of other like-minded people. Markets and fairs are foodie hubs where other innovative vendors are serving up their best, and crowds of ravenous, adventurous eaters abound. Share the love!

I would love to hear more from the truck operators themselves about this expanded concept of Street Foodie-ism! For my part, I know I will be frequenting food fairs throughout the city this summer!

Food Truck Roll Call: 5/7/2013

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Laci

Happy National Tourism Day! Check out this article by Lonely Planet writer Katrina Woznicki while you enjoy your lunch!

Photo courtesy of Souvlaki GR.

Big D’s Grub: 56 Jay Street (DUMBO Food Truck Lot)

Mausam Curry ‘n Bites: 47th and Park.

Trusty Burgers ‘n Bites: 47th between Park and Madison.

Mexicue: 26th between 11th & 12th (Starrett Lehigh Building).

Red Hook Lobster Truck: 50th and 6th.

The Squeeze Truck: 17th and Broadway (Union Square).

Uncle Gussy’s: 51st and Park.

Gorilla Cheese NYC: Hudson and King.

Frites ‘n Meats: 50th Street between 6th & 7th.

Coolhaus: 14th Street and 3rd (in front of Trader Joe’s) AND the cart is at Central Park West and 80th, 11-5pm.

Toum NYC: 46th between 5th & 6th.

Kimchi Taco: Maiden Lane between Water & Pearl Street, 11:30-2:30.

Seoul Food NYC: 47th Street and Park.

Palenque: Hudson and King.

Wafels & Dinges: Kastaar: 91st and Columbus (at the Trinity School) until 4:33pm, Bierbeek: 72nd and Broadway until 9pm, Goesting: 66th and Columbus until 9pm, Vedette: 60th and 5th til 8pm, and Pagadder: City Hall Park until 8pm.

Milk Truck: Amsterdam Avenue between 116th & 118th.

Carpe Donut: 21st Street and Broadway until 3.

Mexico Blvd.: 46th between 6th and 7th.

Old Traditional Polish Cuisine: 48th Street between Park & Lexington (closer to Park)

Schnitzle & Things: 52nd between 6th & 7th Avenue, 1130-2pm.

Morris Truck: 29th & Park, 11:30-3pm.

Andy’s Italian Ice: 52nd and Park (in front of Chase Bank).

Taim Mobile: 20th Street and 5th.

Fresh and Hearty: 5th Avenue between 20th & 21st.

Comme Ci, Comme Ca: 36th Street and Broadway.

Shorty’s NYC: 47th Street and Park.

NYCFTA Lot:
Brookfield Place in Battery Park City (North End & Vesey, 11a-3pm): Domo Taco, Souvlaki GR, Eddie’s Pizza, Bian Dang NYC, and Phil’s Steaks.

Also be sure to subscribe to this Twitter List to always stay up-to-date on your favorite food trucks.

Food Truck Roll Call: 5/6/2013

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Laci

Cheers!

Photo courtesy of Milk Truck.

Schnitzle ‘n Things: Hudson & King 1130-2:30pm.

Uncle Gussy’s: 51st and Park.

Phil’s Steaks: Water and Maiden, 11a-2pm. (Disguised as a yellow truck, fyi!)

Comme Ci, Comme Ca: Old Slip and Water.

Old Traditional Polish Cuisine: 52nd between 6th & 7th, closer to 6th).

Domo Taco: Varick and Vandam.

Gorilla Cheese NYC: 55th and Broadway.

Big D’s Grub: 49th between 6th and 7th, 11a-2:45pm.

Frites ‘n Meats: 50th between 6th & 7th.

Wafels & Dinges: Kastaar: St John’s University until 10pm, Bierbeek: 72nd & Broadway (south side of the station) until 9pm, Goesting: 66th & Columbus until 9pm, Vedette: 60th & 5th until 8pm, Pagadder: City Hall Park until 8pm, Kotmadam: Great Lawn until 7pm.

Toum NYC: 1st Avenue between 32nd & 33rd St. in front of NYU Hospital.

Coolhaus: 50th Street between 6th & 7th Avenue, 11-5pm AND 53rd and Park.

Carpe Donut: Water and John.

Trusty Burgers ‘n Bites: Varick and Spring, 11a-3pm.

Seoul Food NYC: 47th and Park.

Milk Truck: 56 Jay St. (DUMBO Food Truck Lot)

Eddie’s Pizza: 26th and 12th (Starrett Lehigh Building).

Morris Grilled Cheese: 52nd and 6th Avenue, 1130a-3pm.

Miami Food Machine: Varick St and Charlton St., 11a-3pm.

Rickshaw Dumpling Truck: Front and Jay Street (DUMBO)

Itizy Handcrafted Ice Cream: 114th and Broadway.

Mexico Blvd.: Water and Jay Street.

Also be sure to subscribe to this Twitter List to always stay up-to-date on your favorite food trucks.

Food Truck Roll Call: 5/3/2013

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Laci

Happy Friday, NYC!

Photo courtesy of refinery29.com

Mexico Blvd.: 46th between 6th & 7th.

Mexicue: 23rd & 5th (Madison Sq. Eats)

Red Hook Lobster Truck: 46th and 6th AND 23rd & 5th (Madison Sq. Eats).

Seoul Food NYC: 47th & Park.

Old Traditional Polish Cuisine: Water Street between Maiden Ln. & Pine.

Uncle Gussy’s: 51st & Park.

Frites ‘n Meats: 7 Hanover Sq. between Water & Pearl St.

Taim Mobile: Varick & Vandam.

Green Juice Pirate: 26th between 11th & 12th (Starrett Lehigh) until 3:30.

Shorty’s Mobile: 1st ave btw 31st & 32nd St. (NYU Langone Hospital)

The Treats Truck: 45th & 6th, 12-3:30 4 then 18th & 7th, 4:30-7pm.
Coolhaus: Hudson & King St., 12-5pm AND the cart at Central Park West & 80th St., 1-5pm.

Kimchi Taco: 52nd & 6th Ave.,11:30-2:30.

Eddie’s Pizza: Hudson &King.

Gorilla Cheese NYC: 46th between 5th & 6th.

Trusty Truck Burgers ‘n Bites: Varick and Vandam.

Wafels & Dinges: Kastaar: 40th & Park til 4:29pm, Bierbeek: 72nd & Broadway til 9p (south side of station), Goesting: 66th & Columbus til 9p, Vedette: 60th & 5th til 8p, Pagadder: City Hall Park til 8p, Kotmadam: Great Lawn til 7p.

Mausam Curry ‘n Bites: 47th & Park.

Carpe Donut: 23rd & Park.

Domo Taco: 38th & Broadway.

Comme Ci, Comme Ca: 36th St. & Broadway.

Mud Truck: 8th St. & 4th Ave. (Astor Place)

Andy’s Italian Ice: W. 91st Street & Columbus (Trinity School NY) until 4pm.

NYCFTA Lots:

1) Brookfield Place in Battery Park City (North End & Vesey, 11a-3pm): Mexicue, Schnitzle & Things, Morris Grilled Cheese, Toum NYC, Big D’s Grub

2) Sage Curb Eats in Midtown East (777 Third Ave. near 48th St. 11a-2:30pm): La Bella Torte

Also be sure to subscribe to this Twitter List to always be abreast of the most up-to-date details.

Food Truck Roll Call: 5/2/2013

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Laci

Hello, everyone! We’re trying something a little new with our food truck reporting each weekday. We will post a Food Truck Roll Call to our blog at 11:20am which includes the locations of all our members who have tweeted their lunch location for the day.

Enjoy your lunch!

Photo courtesy of StreetGrubEveryday.com

Shorty’s NYC: 47th and Park.

Carpe Donut: 51st & Park Ave.

Catch Sweetery handing out free popcorn courtesy of the Food Network (various locations, follow them on Twitter @SweeteryNYC).

Green Juice Pirate: 26th between 11th & 12th, 15th floor of the Starrett Lehigh building.

Big D’s Grub: 50th Street between 6th and 7th Ave.

Uncle Gussy’s: 51st and Park.

Comme Ci, Comme Ca: 47th and Vanderbilt.

Wafels & Dinges: Kastaar: 46th btwn 5th & 6th til 4:33pm, Bierbeek: 72nd & Broadway til 9p, Goesting: 66th & Columbus til 9p, Vedette: 60th & 5th til 8p, Pagadder: City Hall Park til 8p, Kotmadam: Great Lawn til 7p. (Today’s password: What is a “Frankenfish” and where might you find one in the city today?)

Coolhaus: 53rd & Park and their cart at Central Park West and 80th 11-5pm. (Say the password for $1 off 2 sammies: standard!)

Mexico Blvd.: Jay & Water (DUMBO Food Truck Lot).

Old Traditional Polish Cuisine: 5th Avenue between 19th and 20th St.

Trusty Burgers and Bites: Jay & Water (DUMBO Food Truck Lot).

Kimchi Taco Truck: Hudson between Charlton & Vandam, 11:30 – 2:30.

Gorilla Cheese NY: 52nd and Broadway.

Bian Dang: 53rd & Park, 11:30-2:30.

Souvlaki Truck GR: Varick & Charlton.

Seoul Food NYC: 47th and Park Ave. (Delivery AVL: 212-612-3070 and on SeamlessWeb.)

Munchie Mobile: Wall and Front St.

Toum NYC: Jay & Water (DUMBO Food Truck Lot).

Domo Taco: 53rd and Park.

Mexicue: Water and Broad.

Rickshaw Dumpling Truck: Hudson and Houston AND 26th and 11th Ave. at the Starrett Lehigh Building.

Schnitzle & Things: 51st between Park and Madison, 11:30-2:30.

The Squeeze Juice Truck: Union Square.

Nuchas Empanadas: 18th and 5th.

NYC Food Truck Association Lots:

1) Sage Curb Eats Lot (777 Third Ave. near 48th St.):
Eddie’s Pizza (Pre-order at 917-439-7522.)

2) Brookfield Place (North End and Vesey in Battery Park City):

Palenque Homemade Colombian Cuisine

Red Hook Lobster Truck

Milk Truck

Frites ‘n Meats

Toum Mobile

Also be sure to subscribe to this Twitter List to always be abreast of the most up-to-date details.

Guest Blogger of the Week: Kirsten Jadoo (Part Deux!)

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Laci

Kirsten Jadoo is back with yet another guest blogger post to prepare you for Cinco de Mayo! Today she’s focusing on Mexicue, the “sweet love child of red-hot Mexican cuisine and down-home, barbeque goodness”. Mmmm, is your mouth watering yet?

Make sure you’re following Ms. Jadoo on Twitter at @whatJADOOin for more NYC street food reporting and enjoy this post!

Photo courtesy of Mexicue.com

Mexicue: The Beginning of a New Cuisine

A quintessential dish that is a definitive test of good Mexican food is the taco; since I had yet to try it, I needed to test Mexicue’s version if I was really going to pass any sort of judgment. I spotted the Mexicue truck at 18^th and 5^th Avenue under a furniture store sign that read “INNOVATION.” Pretty serendipitous and telling, I thought, given that is exactly what Mexicue is accomplishing with their combination menu of BBQ and Mexican food, each influenced by the other in ways where you cannot tell where one cuisine begins and the other ends.

Mexicue doesn’t feel like a forced fusion, which is something that turns me (and most food-lovers) off immediately. Instead, the selected components of each cooking tradition combine in a sensible way. How could guacamole and BBQ pulled pork not taste good piled on a warm corn tortilla? The cotija crumbles sprinkled on top of the mac’n’cheese are strangely familiar, as if you’d eaten it that way since you were a kid. Homemade BBQ sauces add a little something smoky, a little something tangy; there is just the right amount of heat and sweet, the essential cornerstones of both BBQ and Mexican food, which probably explains why Mexicue’s menu has made them one of the most popular food trucks in NYC. Their unique approach to food has also allowed them such success at their brick-and-mortar spots in their Lower East Side test kitchen and Midtown West restaurant.

Photo courtesy of nycgo.com

I met up with co-founder and Chief of Culinary Development Thomas Kelly at the LES test kitchen to talk about Mexicue’s origins and future plans. Starting with just a food truck in 2010, Kelly admits that the two cuisines reflect more of his own fancies than they do his background, since Minnesota (his home state) is known neither for its Mexican food or BBQ. Thomas says that the two cuisines are similar in their preparation and cooking methods; the flavors of BBQ and Mexican food just made sense on the same plate. Mexicue describes itself as the “sweet, sweet love child of red-hot Mexican cuisine and down-home, barbeque goodness,” a sexy description that the popular sliders and tacos live up to. The use of local ingredients ensures a certain freshness that is enticing to food-truck lovers, and options like rice bowls and salads keep lighter options on the menu.

Photo courtesy of dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com

If you don’t believe that the marriage of Mexican food and Southern-style BBQ is like, completely awesome (not to mention quite profitable), just tally the figures. A savvy, highly capable CFO has enabled Mexicue to become its own growing brand, and has turned Mexicue into a multi-million dollar operation. In sync with the grand scheme, Thomas says that a new Mexicue is set to open before the end of the year, good news for the hardcore NYC fanbase that Mexicue has built (well over 10,000 Twitter followers, close to 3,000 likes on Facebook, plus Mexicue has its own app) and is sure to attract soon-to-be BBQ believers.

Oh, and a smoked chicken po’boy with pico de gallo and cotija cheese is currently in the works at the test kitchen, in case you still weren’t convinced.

Guest Blogger of the Week: Kirsten Jadoo

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Laci

Say hello to our Guest Blogger of the Week, Kirsten Jadoo! Although California girl Kirsten does not yet have a food blog, by the time you finish reading this post we think you’ll agree with us that she should!

Her intense passion for all things food and her natural curiosity about the food truck culture coupled with her strong writing abilities lend themselves to a street food blog we’d be willing to bet would be a hit. We won’t keep you waiting any longer- Enjoy as Kirsten reports back on her hunt for delicious Mexican food that meets her West Coast standards!

A Walk Down Mexico Blvd.

Picture courtesy of MexicoBlvd.com

It isn’t hard to taste tradition. Always, there are those points of familiarity encountered upon first bite: a simplicity, a detectable but carefree intention, flavors that have remained unchanged, flavors that hit the spot every time the spot needs hitting. And if you’re like me, a Californian who craves Mexican food every other meal (or you just love Mexican food), that spot is not easily filled by the plethora of tacos and burritos available in NYC. Mexico Blvd truck, however, will hit that spot with some of Mexico City’s most devour-able traditions, and your tongue will know it. Most of all, food from the Mexico Blvd truck tastes like it was cooked by someone who knew what they were doing; Jorge and his son, Jordi, know what they are doing.

I met up with Jorge on one of the nicer weather days we’ve been graced with so far at Mexico Blvd’s Midtown spot. Although Jorge denies being a chef (he has a background in marketing and advertising), he still speaks like one, remarking on his desire to feed people something that will truly school them on real Mexican flavors, even if that means sacrificing some profit. Jorge, who came here from Mexico City with his son nine years ago, says that he knows many chefs from Mexico who have altered recipes in order to suit the tastes of customers in NYC. However, Jorge sticks with the styles that are found on the streets of Mexico City, and his customers thank him for it. Until I had tasted a taco from Jorge and Jordi’s truck, I was convinced that real Mexican food in NYC was a myth; I now know that if you stalk Mexico Blvd on Twitter, you can taste the stuff of legends.

Photo courtesy of MexicoBlvd.com

Mexico Blvd gets their tortillas from Nixtamal in Queens, a tortilleria that makes gluten-free tortillas the traditional way, with real corn. They are sturdy enough to allow a piling of al pastor or chicken adobo, but still earthy and just the right amount of chewy. The offerings at Mexico Blvd are simple: tortas, tacos, and flautas, with al pastor, chicken tinga, or adobo. I tried each of the fillings on some tacos, and had a hard time picking a favorite. Jorge says his favorite is the adobo torta, a sandwich constructed on fluffy rolls and filled with the spicy/smoky meat and the house-made salsa roja. Adobo, whose name comes from the Spanish verb adobar meaning to pickle, cure, or stew, has been used as a way to preserve meat since pre-refrigeration days, and it is not hard to see why the method has rooted itself in the culinary traditions of Mexico. Heavy with the taste of paprika, a spice whose anti-bacterial properties made it an ideal preservative, adobo is the traditional taste of culinary resourcefulness, and Mexico Blvd knows how to keep a tradition going.

Photo courtesy of blog.cookingchanneltv.com

For me, the star of the taco trio was the al pastor. Meaning “Shepard’s style,” al pastor came to Mexico by way of Lebanese immigrants who flocked to Mexico City in the 1920’s and ‘30’s, and throughout WWII. Al pastor is traditionally cooked like shwarema, kebab-style on outdoor grills. Although food sanitation laws in NYC prevent Jorge from preparing his al pastor the way he would in Mexico City, the shredded pork is just as mouth-watering, covered in chopped cilantro and onion, a pineapple spear giving the taco an enticing sweetness. Topped with the homemade salsa verde, the al pastor taco is fresh, tangy, and reminds me of my beloved taquerias in California. Wash it all down with an agua fresca, and you’ll feel like you took that south-of-the-border Spring break trip you’ve been planning (or reminiscing on) for ages.

In the future, do yourself a favor when you find yourself craving tacos or tortas, and track down Mexico Blvd truck; you will, like me, become a firm believer in the powers of pastor or the awe-inducing effects of adobo, after one bite. Or just head to Prospect Park for food truck rallies on Sundays, where Jorge says Mexico Blvd will be this summer, making sure the people of NYC have an option when the want the spicy, smoky, sweet flavors Jorge and Jordi bring straight from the streets of Mexico City.

Food Truck Roll Call: 4/30/2013

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Laci

Hello, everyone! We’re trying something a little new with our food truck reporting each weekday. Beginning today, we will post a Food Truck Roll Call to our blog at 11:20am which will include the locations of all our members who have tweeted their lunch location for the day.

Cheers!

Photo courtesy of Street Grub Steve. StreetGrubEveryday.com

Nuchas Empanadas: 46th & 6th.
Red Hook Lobster: 50th & 6th, 11-3.
Frites ‘n Meats: 50th St between 6th & 7th Ave. Pre-ordering AVL: 917-292-9226. (Burger of the Week: THE MARITAL BLISS!)
Morris Truck: 29th & Park.
Miami Food Machine: Old Slip St & Water Street, 11:00 to 3:00.
Big D’s Grub: 56 Jay Street at the new DUMBO Lot.
Wafels & Dinges: Bierbeek at 72nd & Bway til 9p, Goesting at 66th & Columbus til 9p, Vedette at 60th & 5th til 7p, Pagadder at City Hall Park til 8p, Momma truck at Trinity School on 91st til 4:32p, and Kastaar is at Park & 32nd til 4:29p. (Daily Challenge for 1 free dinges: Name the last 3 Kings of Belgium.)
Burgers and Bites: 47th between Park & Vanderbilt, 11-3pm.
Coolhaus: 46th & 6th, Hudson & King, and Cart at Central Park West & 80th St. 11-5pm today. (Password is Oatmeal Cinnamon for $1 off 2 sammies!)
Carpe Donut: 21st & Broadway.
Kimchi Taco: Water St.& Maiden Lane, 11:30 – 2:30.
Toum NYC: 46th between 5th & 6th Ave. Pre-ordering AVL: 917-TOUM-350.
Seoul Food NYC: 47th Street and Park Ave. Delivery AVL: 212.612.3070 or on SeamlessWeb.
Gorilla Cheese NY: Hudson & King.
Munchie Mobile: 55th & Broadway.
Taim Mobile: 20th Street & 5th Ave.
Old Traditional Polish Cuisine: 48th Street between 6th & 7th Ave.
Rickshaw Dumpling Truck: Hudson & Houston.

Brookfield Place Lot: Domo Taco, Souvlaki GR, Eddie’s pizza, Bian Dang, and Shorty’s NYC. (North End & Vesey, 11a-3pm.)

Also be sure to subscribe to this Twitter List to always be abreast of the most up-to-date details.

Prospect Park Food Truck Rally III: Sunday, May 5th!

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Laci

This weekend, please join us! We’re headed back to Grand Army Plaza at Prospect Park for an afternoon of food and fun with our street foodie friends and family!

Photo provided by Street Grub Steve.

Look forward to visiting these food trucks:

Big D’s Grub Truck, Crif Dogs, Kimchi Taco Truck, Mike n Willies, Milk Truck, Phil’s Steaks, Red Hook Lobster Truck, Rickshaw Dumplings, TAIM Mobile, The Treats Truck, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

Don’t forget we now have not one but TWO rallies/month! Every first and third Sunday of the month (with the exception of a few holidays) you will have the opportunity to join us and 15+ of our friends at Prospect Park’s Grand Army Plaza from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

ToumNYC on Law & Order: SVU dun dun

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Laci

We already know our trucks are celebrities in NYC, but recently one of our members had the opportunity to be a TV star too. ToumNYC, a truck serving authentic Lebanese cuisine, was offered a role on Law & Order: SVU. The filming took place on March 19^th and featured Toum selling meals to actress Mariska Hargitay,and actors Danny Pino and Raúl Méndez. We took a few minutes to ask ToumNYC about their celebrity experience.

Make sure to catch their special appearance on Law & Order: SVU on April 24^th at 9pm on NBC!

Photo courtesy of NBC.

NYCFTA:

What was your role on the set of the show?

ToumNYC:

We served food from our truck to actors/customers in one of the scenes. It wasn’t too far an artistic stretch for us.

NYCFTA:

Did you do anything to prepare for the role?

ToumNYC:

We got our beauty sleep since we had to wake up super, super early to be on set at 6am.

NYCFTA:

Do you know what this particular episode is about?

ToumNYC:

No unfortunately it’s a mystery to us, too, but can’t wait to find out on April 27^th!

Photo courtesy of ToumNYC.

NYCFTA:

Do you know why they asked a food truck to participate?

ToumNYC:

They were looking for a food truck that served food that was suitable for the actors. Also, since food trucks are an integral part of the NYC landscape, they thought it would be a good detail for the episode.

NYCFTA:

Did the ToumNYC truck appear as ToumNYC?

ToumNYC:

Yes, we did – We’re famous now! =)

NYCFTA:

Did anything about the filming surprise you?

ToumNYC:

Not really. All of the actors are very disciplined and true professionals- They made it look easy!

Photo courtesy of CBS Local.

NYCFTA:

Did any of the cast order food from the truck?

ToumNYC:

Mariska Hargitay and Danny Pino ordered chicken shawarma sandwiches and Raul Menedez ordered a falafel sandwich. That was pretty neat.

NYCFTA:

What was your favorite moment on set?

ToumNYC:

We’d have to say that from start to finish it was a great experience, but for sure being on camera with everyone takes the cake! We never imagined in a million years that we’d be on one of the country’s most popular shows with our truck!

NYCFTA:

Did you learn anything from your experience on set?

ToumNYC:

We were reminded that not all actors are snobby, needy people like they’re sometimes portrayed. Everyone we met was so appreciative of our time, gracious, and very accommodating. We had a wonderful time and are honored they asked us to be a part of the show for the day.

Thanks for sharing, ToumNYC! Don’t forget to catch their episode this Saturday, April 24th at 9pm on NBC!

Guest Blogger of the Week: Alexandra Shytsman

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Laci

Courtesy of Alex Goldis and Chez Sasa.

Alexandra Shytsman, aka Chez Sasha, is 22-year-old Ukrainian-born and Brooklyn-raised aspiring food writer. She loves discovering new ingredients and trying new foods but, no matter what, will always have a weak spot for fried chicken and Chinese dumplings. For this reason alone we knew we had to have her guest blog with us! Be sure to check out her blog – ChezSasha.com – where she happily shares recipes and restaurant reviews from around the City. Also, find her on Twitter @alexshytsman. Enjoy!

The Wafels & Dinges Factory Tour + What to Expect From Their East Village Café

Scene: You’re walking down a New York street, rushing along with fellow pedestrians, minding your own business. Suddenly, magic hits you (well, your nose). You raise your head, flare your nostrils and get a whiff of the heavenly scent that only results when butter, sugar and love are combined. You look about, frantically trying to identify where this smell is emanating from and then you spot it: the infamous yellow and brown truck.

Of course, the truck is none other than Wafels & Dinges. Although it may seem like treats this delicious could only be made by the delicate hands of angels up above, Wafels & Dinges actually owes its existence to a mere mortal like us, Thomas DeGeest – a native Belgian who quit his job as Management Consultant at IBM to sell waffles full-time in 2007. My tastebuds and tummy thank him.

Jars and jars of Spekuloos!

Last week, I joined a handful of bloggers for a tour of the Wafels & Dinges Gowanus factory led by Thomas himself. The factory is where all seven Wafels trucks come at night to be cleaned and re-loaded, and it is also home to their glorious test kitchen, cozy offices and more jars of Spekuloos spread than you could imagine! Here are some interesting things we learned about the company on the tour:

Besides spending more time than any other trucks out on the streets, Wafels & Dinges also caters multiple events per week, which range from business meetings to movie sets to weddings.
Wafels & Dinges recipes take up to three months to develop and perfect.
All of their ingredients are locally sourced except for pearl sugar – the ingredient responsible for the signature exterior crispness of their waffles – which is imported from Belgium.
Thomas has been dubbed the Special Envoy for Wafels to the USA by King Albert II of Belgium himself. Meaning, Wafels & Dinges is still partially funded by the Belgian government as a means to uphold the dignity of the authentic Belgian waffle and attempt to eradicate the soggy imposter served in diners across the country. Seriously.
The whole operation currently employs roughly 60 people.

Presently, factory tours are led once every two weeks on average. The cost is $8 per person and yes, the price does include a waffle.

Thomas describing their Liege dough mixer.

Since the company has been so hugely popular, the operation would ideally be expanding to other cities. But, according to Thomas, in order to run a successful food truck business, one must have an in-depth knowledge of the streets, which is something he would lack outside of New York. However, if the company’s soon-to-open brick-and-mortar location turns out to be a success (and I have no doubts that it will), Wafels & Dinges’ expansion plan may be green lit, because unlike a food truck, a grounded café is a transferable entity.

So here’s what you can expect from their first café:

Coffee made with a custom blend of Fair Trade-certified beans via the Brooklyn Roasting Company
Milkshakes made with specially produced ice-cream via Brooklyn-based Mont Blanc Dessert (Yes, there will be a Spekuloos shake!)
New items like de Bastogne wafel, a savory potato and bacon batter waffle, and de stroop wafel, a thin wafer cookie with a house-made apple cinnamon syrup filling.
Plus, the classic Liege and Brussels waffles we’ve all grown to know and love will continue to be a staple menu item.

Besides their irresistible treats, the main factor that contributes to their popularity and success is that the creator and owner of the company is involved in every aspect of the operation. Thomas is not just someone who counts the money at the end of the day; he actually knows the recipes, figures out where each truck should be and when, and cares about the happiness and long-term retention of his staff. In fact, he continuously shuts down offers to become a franchise business, knowing that doing so would threaten the soul of his company and its product.

Wafels & Dinges has been praised by every blog, magazine and newspaper there is, and even been named the best food truck in NYC by Zagat. They are living proof that passion, care and knowledge are the keys to having a successful business. It seems that the sky’s the limit for these guys and I’m excited to see where they will be in another five years.

Thanks for your great post, Sasha, and excuse us now as we go grab a wafel or four!

Prospect Park Food Truck Rally: Sunday, April 21st

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Laci

Courtesy of StreetGrubSteve.com

Did you make it to our last Prospect Park Food Truck Rally on April 7th? Whether you did or you didn’t, you should definitely join us this Sunday, April 21st, for the second gathering of the season!

Remember, we are now hosting not one but TWO rallies/month with different trucks at each. Every first and third Sunday of the month (with the exception of a few holidays) you will have the opportunity to join us and 15+ of our friends at Prospect Park’s Grand Army Plaza from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

This Sunday, please join us for food and fun with your friends and family!

Chinese Mirch
COOLHAUS
Eddies Pizza
Gorilla Cheese NYC
Green Pirate Juice Truck
Hibachi Heaven
Kelvin Slush
Mexico Blvd
Mexicue
Miami Food Machine
Mud Truck
Nuchas
Shorty’s on Wheels
Souvlaki Gr
Toum
Wafels & Dinges

New Food Truck Parking Spots Bill Proposed

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Laci

Quick update for you all: We will be live-tweeting from the public hearing regarding the newly proposed food truck legislation. Please follow #KeepOnTruckin for updates!

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Occasionally, we are asked why the NYC Food Truck Association (NYCFTA) exists. After all, NYC street vending is as old as NYC itself and street vendors seem to have gotten on fine, right?

Food truck circa 1965 courtesy of brooklynhistory.org #KeepOnTruckin

While it’s true street vendors have always been a part of the city’s landscape, the nature of street vending has evolved tremendously over the years and, unfortunately, the antiquated rules which have been on the books since the turn of the century have not evolved with it.

For this reason, we applaud NYC Council Member Dan Garodnick for moving forward, and we look forward to meaningful conversations surrounding the many interests at stake here. Mr. Garodnick’s proposed legislation is a great start to the discussion but there are many details to work out. We would like to come up with something that serves all the stakeholders of NYC streets including food trucks, restaurants, and, most importantly, New Yorkers.

Courtesy of Wafels & Dinges.

In general, part of what makes NYC vending so dynamic and responsive to the needs of New Yorkers is that it is a flexible, principles-based system. Allocating specific spots for trucks would be a substantial departure from the history and tradition of NYC street vending.

Additionally, while allocating specific food truck vending locations has worked well in some municipalities like Boston, it has gone extremely poorly in places like Chicago and Washington DC. There are many unanswered questions about where these parking spots would be situated, the political process by which spots might be added or removed, how these spots would be allocated to vendors, and how these regulations would be enforced.

NYCFTA #KeepOnTruckin

The NYCFTA prides itself on working with the public, local government, and community organizations to ensure that we are operating as good citizens. We joined forces with Mayor Bloomberg’s Office and several NY-based companies in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, have seen great mutual success with our semimonthly Prospect Park Food Truck Rallies, enjoy a burgeoning relationship with Battery Park City food truck lot host Brookfield Place NY, and have raised funds for several area non-profits to benefit some of the least fortunate in our community. We regularly have representatives from the NY Police Department, Fire Department of NY, and NY Department of Health join our quarterly meetings to ensure openness with city officials and are currently working on two projects with classes from NYU.

We are grateful every day to serve our neighbors in the city we love and our goal is to ensure that we are able to continue to do so without the daily threat of being shut down thanks to outdated laws. Again, we thank Council Member Dan Garodnick (who also championed the legislation to lower vending fines from $1000 to $500) for bringing this discussion forward and we look forward to meaningful conversations surrounding the many interests at stake here.

“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress.
Working together is success.”- Henry Ford
#KeepOnTruckin

Please consider signing our petition and sharing this post via Facebook and Twitter using #KeepOnTruckin if you believe that NYC food trucks stimulate culinary innovation, offer a valuable service to New Yorkers, help energize the streets, and are an important part of the social fabric of the city. We appreciate all your support and, as we like to say around here,

KEEP ON TRUCKIN’, NYC!

#KeepOnTruckin

Guest Blogger of the Week: Jackie Armstrong

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Laci

Photo courtrsy of OneGirlsDish.

This week’s Guest Blogger is Jackie Armstrong. Jackie’s a New York born and bred foodie (so you know she’s legit) who loves any and all food-related events, happenings, and news. Fortunately for us, she’s got a real penchant for street food and was eager to share one of her NYC food truck finds with us here! Say hi to Jackie on Twitter at @onegirlsdish and on her blog, One Girls Dish. Cheers!

Growing up in New York I can say that I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by some of the best food anywhere in a lot of different categories. Cheese steaks, however, never really made it onto that list for me. That all changed in 2012. Enter Phil’s Steaks – a food truck which has rapidly won the hearts and stomachs of New Yorkers.

Phil’s Steaks: The Story

Philly native Jim Drew dreamed up the idea of starting the truck. Luckily for him (and us) friends and now partners J.J Jensen and Kevin & Mia McConnell were on-board (literally). New York’s first and only cheese steak Jawn was born. I will admit here that I had no clue what “jawn” meant when I first heard it – but I like to pretend I did. It is basically Philly slang that can replace the name for almost anything and in this case, what Phil’s calls their truck.

Their steaks are classically simple. Choose from Wiz, Provolone or American, wit’ or wit’out onions, and add on toppings like sautéed mushrooms and hot peppers if you fancy. The key though is the Amoroso rolls, because a good cheese steak needs to live in a good piece of bread.

The day for Phil’s starts at 8am when the driver picks up the truck. In order to ensure that they are secure in a spot for lunch time, the truck needs to be in spot by 9/9:30. At this point, the rest of the crew is on hand to start prep for the lunch crowd at 11am. Once this is over, the Jawn rolls down to Flatiron to take on the dinner crowd.

Most everything they make is cooked right on the truck, so prep work in that sense is minimal. Although, if you ever catch yourself sitting at your desk craving a cheese steak at 10 am, it may be because you can smell the deliciousness of the crew grilling up onions & mushrooms in the morning hours leading up to lunchtime. Clever.

Despite the fact that Phil’s is only a wee more than a year old, they are doing lots of things right, and the people have taken notice. They took home the title of Rookie of The Year at the 2012 Vendy Awards. Chatting with J.J., it is definitely one of their highlights so far. “We’ve had a lot of fun and great moments over the last year, but our most memorable has to be winning Rookie of the Year at the Vendy Awards. It was a goal of ours when we first launched, so to realize that goal was pretty special. “

Photo courtesy of Phil’s Steaks.

The “Truck Life”

Life isn’t always easy on the Jawn. Phil’s has to deal with a lot of the same challenges most trucks do: long hours, being chased out of spots, and in January the poor Jawn was even towed from Union Square! The one time I had MY car towed I swore off driving for the rest of my life. But those things don’t stop these guys. They do what they do because they love it and it directly translates into the food they serve. As J.J put it they keep rolling with the punches and chalk it up to the “Truck Life.”

So yes, I will walk ten blocks out of my way home through Flatiron to grab dinner from them. Mainly because the cheese steaks taste pretty darn good – but I also have a soft spot for supporting some legitimately hard working and just down to earth nice people.

And they love their customers! Among them is DJ/Producer Pete Rock (of Pete Rock & CL Smooth) who has become a regular at the Jawn. “All the Phil’s owners of Phil’s come from the music biz and love old school hip hop, so having somebody that we grew up listening to become a regular customer is pretty cool.”

Photo courtesy of Phil’s Steaks.

Well, I think Phil’s is pretty cool. Stay on the lookout for Lil Jawn, their second truck in the works and due to be out on the road in May. They also have a ton of special events lined up for this summer. You can keep tabs on the Jawn, both big and lil’ by following Phil’s on twitter @philssteaks or visiting their website.

2013 Prospect Park Food Truck Rally Season

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Laci

The 2013 Prospect Park Food Truck Rally Season is upon us and we know you’ll want to add some of these dates to your calendar!

There is one one major change from last year that we’re excited to share: We will now have not one but TWO rallies/month! Every first and third Sunday of the month (with the exception of a couple holidays) you will have the opportunity to join us and 15+ of our friends at Prospect Park’s Grand Army Plaza from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Check back here closer to each date to find out which trucks you can look forward to!

Photo provided by StreetGrubSteve.com

We can’t wait to see you!

April 7: Big D’s Grub Truck, Kimchi Taco Truck, Mike n Willies, Milk Truck, Phil’s Steaks, Red Hook Lobster Truck, Rickshaw Dumplings, TAIM Mobile, The Treats Truck, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Andy’s Italian Ice, Crif Dogs, and Eddie’s Pizza.

April 21st: Chinese Mirch, COOLHAUS, Eddies Pizza, Gorilla Cheese NYC, Green Pirate Juice Truck, Hibachi Heaven, Kelvin Slush, Mexico Blvd, Mexicue, Miami Food Machine, Mud Truck, Nuchas, Shorty’s on Wheels, Souvlaki Gr, Toum
Wafels & Dinges

May 5th: Andy’s Italian Ice, Big D’s Grub Truck, Crif Dogs, Eddie’s Pizza, Kimchi Taco Truck, Mike n Willies, Milk Truck, Phil’s Steaks, Red Hook Lobster Truck, Rickshaw Dumplings, TAIM Mobile, The Treats Truck, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream.

May 26th: Momos & Buns, COOLHAUS, Eddies Pizza, Gorilla Cheese NYC, Green Pirate Juice Truck, Hibachi Heaven, Kelvin Slush, Mexico Blvd, Mexicue, Miami Food Machine, Mud Truck, Nuchas, Shorty’s on Wheels, Souvlaki Gr, Toum
Wafels & Dinges

June 2nd: TBD

June 16th: TBD

July 7th: TBD

July 21st: TBD

August 4th: TBD

August 18th: TBD

September 8th: TBD

September 15th: TBD

October 6th: TBD

October 20th: TBD

Guest Blogger of the Week: Judy Antell

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Laci

Judy Antell is the first Guest Blogger of the 2013 food truck season and it is our pleasure to introduce you! While it may be Judy’s first time writing for us here, she is no novice. Judy’s an editor at TravelingMom and writes for SheBuysCars, TripAdvisor, and EveryTrail. She has 3 daughters who love to go on adventures and help sample vegetarian food worldwide. You can follow her on Twitter @judy511 but for now, enjoy her musings on The Milk Truck and its kid-friendly offerings!

Photo courtesy of Milk Truck NYC.

Food trucks are great for visiting with children since you don’t have to fold up the stroller or worry about a high chair and the time between ordering and getting your food is short. That said, some food trucks offer fare that is too messy or too spicy for kids. If you’re a parent (or a nanny!), you know all too well what I mean.

Build It and They Will Come

Photo courtesy of Urbandaddy.

That problem does not exist at The Milk Truck. Here, they upgrade the basic grilled cheese but keep it child (and adult) friendly. The aged Gruyère melts into the Balthazar levain, a white bread sourdough that has some chew to it. The rich butter sticks in the nooks and crannies of that bread. Have I got your attention?

The company uses a Panini press to achieve the perfect amount of crisp on its artisanal grilled cheese sandwiches. It also cuts them in half, which means you can steal a few nibbles while your kid devours her first half (or you could teach her the concept of sharing- Your call).

Customization? Yes, please.

Photo courtesy of Milk Truck.

Add-ons like mushrooms and caramelized onions can expand your child’s culinary boundaries; the weekend special with a fried egg adds extra protein.

Sadly for vegetarians, the classic tomato soup / grilled cheese combo is not vegetarian friendly; it is made with chicken stock. But there is gooey mac n cheese made with 4 cheeses, and a kid friendly mild chickpea salad.

What to Drink, What to Drink…

In my house growing up, we drank apple juice with our grilled cheese sandwiches. It’s a truly disgusting combination but the geniuses behind The Milk Truck know that apples really do pair well with cheese, so be sure to try the 3 cheese version, with Gruyère, cheddar and blue cheeses along with sautéed apples on rosemary bread. It will banish the ghost of past bad grilled cheese/apple combinations.

Photo courtesy of BigAppleNosh.

Back to the topic at hand: Drinks.

The slightly tart handmade lemonade cuts through the rich cheese (and the paucity of sugar fits into Mayor Bloomberg’s planned lower sugar edict) so drink up! The cardamom iced tea is probably too unusual for kids, who will be clamoring for one of the milk shakes anyway.

The milk shakes are simple but satisfying: Tahitian vanilla, dark chocolate or malted milk. They may put you on dairy overload so stick with the gooey grilled cheese (if you must choose).

Milk Truck can be found week days and weekends around the city and at some special events serving lunch and dinner. Of course the very best place to find them each day is on Twitter at @MilkTruckNYC. Enjoy and tweet me if you have a chance to try any of the items I suggested!

Photo provided by The Milk Truck.

International Woman’s Day 2013

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Laci

Photo provided by gozamos.com.

Happy International Woman’s Day! Around the world today, people are celebrating the many accomplishments women have made, acknowledging the challenges women still today face (due to the mere fact of being women), and eagerly looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await our future daughters. Originally called International Working Women’s Day, IWD has been observed since in the early 1900′s. Info on its history can be found on the Wikipedia page. We thought it’d be fun to share a handful of quotes from our members, both men and women, in support of this day:

“It’s important to remember that although women have come a long way in the workplace, there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done and awareness to be shared in order to create a truly egalitarian environment and ensure equal access to opportunities. It’s always fascinating to look back at women’s rights history and realize how different things were not so long ago—it makes me think we can evolve very quickly, if we keep the right ideals in mind!”- Coolhaus Founder Natasha Case

“Thank you for keeping this special day in mind. To honor it and women everywhere, I’d like to share a quote by Rita Levi-Montalcini’: “Above all, don’t fear difficult moments. The best comes from them.”"- Comme Ci, Comme Ça Truck Founder Chef Samir Afrit

“I am so grateful to be a woman during a time when the paradigm is shifting back towards a society where women are seen and heard as leaders. We are blessed with the gifts of nurturing, discernment and the wisdom of ages that can be used and shared to heal and grow a healthier world. I honor my femininity every day, even when I am surrounded by the harshness of the male-dominated mobile food vending industry, because I know that I am an example for the men in my life of what a strong woman looks can be.”- Green Pirate Juice Truck Founder Deborah Smith

If you’re wondering how to celebrate and support International Women’s Day, consider these ideas:

See the highly-touted film “Girl, Rising” which debuts in theaters today.

Contribute to the narrative and discussion! Share your story or opinion online using hash tags #IWD #Iwomen and the handle @womensday and follow others with something to contribute to the conversation on this day.

Donate to a cause that empowers women and girls such as Catapult (the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match all donations). Or make a loan (don’t worry- it doesn’t have to break the bank and every bit goes a long way!) via Kiva to a female entrepreneur whose passion speaks to you.

The mimosa flower is intended as a sign of respect for the women and also an expression of solidarity with the women in their support for oppressed women worldwide.

Give flowers as a simple act of kindness and support. The mimosa flower is intended as a sign of respect for the women and also an expression of solidarity with the women in their support for oppressed women worldwide.

Attend an event such as a walk, a human rights activist meet and greet, or a performance celebrating this women.

And, please share with us the ways you’ll be giving back in honor of International Women’s Day 2013!

Ready for Our Close-Up

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Laci

Sitting outside in the sunshine with a great view of the Hudson River is a fantastic alternative to eating a sandwich at your desk… as if you didn’t already realize that!

What you may not know is that NYC Food Truck Association members participate in the WFC Truck Court! The Lot is located at North End Ave at Vesey St (behind 4 WFC) Monday through Friday from 11:00am-3:00pm and is run by DispatchNY and Brookfield Properties. Most days, there are five NYC Food Truck Association trucks serving so if you live or work in the area, we’d love to have you join us! For now, check out some of the pictures we snapped when Hong Kong’s NOW-TV crew paid a visit to the Lot:

: ToumNYC

: Morris Truck

: WFC Food Truck Lot 2013

: Morris Truck

: Schnitz ‘n Things

: WFC Food Truck Lot 2013

: Morris Truck

: NOW-TV, Hong Kong and NYCFTA Community Manager

: Morris Truck

: Schnitz ‘n Things

: Schnitz ‘n Things

: Morris Truck

: NOW-TV, Hong Kong

: Toum NYC

: WFC Food Truck Lot 2013

: Morris Truck

: Schnitz ‘n Things

: WFC Food Truck Lot 2013

Thanks for coming out to visit, NOW-TV Crew!

First Food Truck Rally of the 2013 Season!

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Laci

Spring has only just begun in this beautiful city we call home and you know what that means, don’t you?! FOOD TRUCK RALLY SEASON!

Before we get to those trucks that will be at the first rally this Sunday, April 7th, we want to be sure that you caught the one major change from last year that we cited in our last post. We will now have not one but TWO rallies/month! Every first and third Sunday of the month (with the exception of a few holidays) you will have the opportunity to join us and 15+ of our friends at Prospect Park’s Grand Army Plaza from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

Photo provided by Street Grub Steve.

This month, please join us on April 7th and April 21st for food and fun with your friends and family! These are the trucks who are ready to kick off the 2013 Food Truck Season with you this Sunday, April 7th!

Andy’s Italian Ice, Crif Dogs, and Eddie’s Pizza have been added to the roster!

Big D’s Grub Truck
Kimchi Taco Truck
Mike n Willies
Milk Truck
Phil’s Steaks
Red Hook Lobster Truck
Rickshaw Dumplings
TAIM Mobile
The Treats Truck
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

(Free) Cupcakes Never Tasted So Good!

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Laci

Photo courtesy of Foodspotting.com

KEEN Footwear is turning 10 this Friday! As a big thank you to all their fans for their loyal support over the years, they’re giving away sweet treats: Cupcake Crew NYC CUPCAKES! But that’s not it. For every cupcake that’s picked up on Friday, March 1st, KEEN will donate $5 to Mercy Corps Disaster Relief. Simply Tweet or Instagram a photo of your cupcake that day and KEEN will donate another $5 on your behalf. Truly the perfect combo: Cupcakes and charity!

The Details: Find the Cupcake Crew NYC just outside of Paragon Sports on Broadway this Friday from 12pm to 3pm distributing 250 (free) cupcakes to those who print out the coupon from this link.

Here’s what you can do in the meantime:

Get your cupcake coupon here (either print it out or have it ready on your mobile device)
Share your #KEEN10 moment on Twitter or Instagram and see how other KEEN fans around the world are celebrating at tagboard.com/KEEN10. They’ll feature their favorites… Maybe it will be yours?!

Mercy Corp focuses on disaster response, sustainable economic development, health services, and emergency and natural disaster relief.

WANTED: Guest Bloggers

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Laci

Hello, everyone!

Can you believe it’s already almost March? It seems like not so long ago we were ringing in the new year and not long before that serving during Super Storm Sandy and not long before that holding Summer rallies and calling for our first round of Guest Bloggers!

This brings us to our post today. While it is still chilly outside, there is a light (and warmth! And sunshine!) at the end of this Winter tunnel; before you know it, food truck season (aka Spring and Summer) will be in full swing! Even now there is plenty going on so why not try your hand at street foodie writing? We’ll even help you come up with a topic.

If you love great food truck fare and are interested in guest blogging, we’d love to hear from you. The more guest bloggers we have, the better! Please contact our Community Manager at Laci@NYCfoodtrucks.org with “Guest Blogger” in the subject line and your topic idea (if you have one) in the body. We look forward to hearing from you!

NYCFTA & America’s Got Talent Giving Out #FrontOfLine Passes This Week!

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Laci

MV5BMjIzNjU5OTA4Nl5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwOTk1Njk3Nw@@._V1._SY317_

Did you know America’s Got Talent, Season 8, is currently holding auditions for contestants and they will be in NYC next weekend? It’s true and we’ve got passes that allow you to skip right to the front of the line! With hundreds already registered to show off their skills to Judges Howey Mandel and Howard Stern (plus a judge yet-to-be-announced) on Friday and Saturday (2/1 & 2/2), these coveted passes are likely to go quick; here are the details of getting your mitts on one of them!

First and foremost, be sure to follow @AGT_Auditions and @NBCAGT plus us if you aren’t already. Also, start tracking and using #FrontofLine and #AGTNYC immediately on Twitter. The NYCFTA, America’s Got Talent, and all of our participating members will be using these two hash tags to share updates on their locations and the number of passes they have left to hand out each day, Tuesday (1/29) through Friday (2/1) from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. Additionally, you can see what kind of talent to expect at auditions and share your own via pictures or video!

Location: 14 NYCFTA members are participating. Follow them on Twitter for their location each day or follow us @NYCfoodtruck as we promise to keep you updated.

Hibachi Heaven (two trucks so two locations!) @HibachiHeaven
The Treats Truck @thetreatstruck
Nucha’s (their truck but not on Wednesday and their Times Square kiosk every day!) @NuchasNYC
Valducci’s @Valduccis
Gorilla Cheese @gcnyc1

Seoul Food @seoulfoodnyc
Souvlaki GR @SouvlakiTruck
Uncle Gussy’s @UncleGussys
Big D’s Grub @BigDsGrub
Mexico Blvd. @MexicoBlvd
Chinese Mirch @ChineseMirch
Milk Truck @MilkTruckNYC
Toum NYC @ToumNYC

Wafels & Dinges (Only the Kastaar truck.) @waffletruck

Mud Truck @mudpeople

Kimchi Taco Truck @kimchitruck

Palenque @palenquefood

RULES

The #FrontofLine passes are free but only for food truck customers (so you must order at least one item from the truck you’re asking for the pass.)
One #FrontofLine pass/customer/day from any given truck. Period. (Passes are limited as each truck will only have 50 #FrontofLine passes for the duration of the effort and we want to be fair!)
Please note that the #FrontofLine passes do not allow you to skip to the front of the line at the food trucks- Only at the AGT auditions.

America’s Got Talent and even some of your favorite local street foodie bloggers will also be sharing your photos and messages on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and blogs so be sure you let the world know when you pick up your #FrontofLine passes and the awesome talent you’ll be wowing the judges with!

Sejan’s Back with Big D’s Grub and Nuchas Empanadas!

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Laci

“It seemed like one good deed fell onto another.”- Dennis Kum of Big D’s Grub.

In a nutshell, that is exactly how Super Storm Sandy relief happened. We continue to extend our sincerest thanks to these guys (and all Sandy Relief food truckers), the NYC Mayors Office, multiple corporate sponsors, food & NYC bloggers, and the public who donated and/or shared our messages.

Photo courtesy of Nuchas Empanadas.

In this guest blogger post, Sejan Yun sits down to chat with Big D’s Dennis Kum and Ariel Barbouth of Nuchas Empandas about some of the work they did in November to help NYC and the surrounding areas recover.

Take a short break from your day and listen to it here: WFL_ep3_NuchasBigDsGrub

Photo courtesy of Big D’s Grub.

Big D (aka Dennis) is a native New Yorker born and raised with a big love of food. While growing up in the culinary mecca of Queens, his family gatherings always featured good food with bold flavors influenced by Guyana, the American South and China in the spotlight. His dream is to share his passion for food with everyone and now it’s a reality with Big D’s Grub Truck.

Photo courtesy of Nuchas Empanadas.

Argentinian-born Ariel Barbouth is the man behind the Nuchas Empanada Empire. Together with Chef German Lucarelli, Barbouth brought together a delightful marriage of food, culture, and fun with the Times Square restaurant and the NYC-roaming food truck. With his flavorful, innovative empanadas, Barbouth is redefining hand-held foods.

Photo courtesy of Vimeo.com

Sejan Yun is a videographer and graphic designer based in Bushwick, Brooklyn. She’s produced wo/man-on-street videos of her fellow neighbors since 2008. Her “What’s For Lunch” podcast unites of her two favorite things: food and stories.

Guest Bloggers of the Week: Qainat Khan & Lucas Adams

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Laci

It’s our very FIRST Guest Blogger post of 2013 and we are kicking it off with TWO bloggers and a podcast.

Photo courtesy of Chris Kasprak.

Qainat Khan is a recent graduate of the Columbia Journalism School who realized very, very late in her education that she wanted to be a public radio producer. She is slowly working her way up the food chain. In the meantime, you can follow her on tumblr at Folks on Film. Having taken a ride on a food truck, she hopes to be working on one in the greater Boston area, where the next leg of her career/journey has taken her. In her free time, Qainat enjoys watching FX sitcoms on Netflix (having finished Louie, it’s on to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), and planning her return to Maine. In her piece, Qainat and Lucas Adams give you an intimate glimpse into some of the Sandy Relief work that the Rickshaw Dumpling Truck did in November 2012.

SANDY, THEN… AND NOW.

By Qainat Khan and Lucas Adams

Graffiti near where the Rickshaw Dumpling parked in the Rockaways.

It’s been almost two months since Hurricane Sandy hurtled across the eastern seaboard. Since then, most of New York has bounced back, as if the storm never even happened. In other places like the Jersey Shore, the Rockaways, southern Brooklyn and Staten Island still face the enormous task of rebuilding homes, businesses and entire neighborhoods.

A line of residents and volunteers wait for their hot meal.

In the early stages of the recovery, volunteers poured in from other boroughs and other states to come to the devastated neighborhoods’ aid, bringing food and warm clothes. Thanks to funding from corporations and later the Mayor’s Fund, New York City’s food trucks were mobilized and spent most of November delivering free food to residents and volunteers in devastated neighborhoods.

Two weeks after the storm, we rode along with Danny Waits, who works on the Rickshaw Dumpling Truck, when he and his co-worker Darren Troy drove out to Rockaway, Queens to deliver hot food.

Take a listen here.

The Rockaway boardwalk as seen through the food truck. Convoys of electric company trucks, bulldozers and sand and debris litter the formerly cheery scene.

With the task of rebuilding looming ahead and as Sandy recedes from the public eye and mind, it is easy to forget the chaos the storm brought, and the hard work that volunteers and residents put in immediately following it. It is also less apparent how volunteers can help in this second stage of reconstruction. Now is the time of filing insurance claims, contractors, construction crews and government aid.

Danny hands off an order of dumplings to a resident.

Under a great deal of pressure and criticism from New Jersey and New York representatives, Congress passed an initial 9.7 billion dollar relief package at the beginning of the year. An even more generous bill is up for consideration in the coming days.

Darren Troy, 26, amidst the steam from the cooking dumplings

Perhaps Danny is right, and there won’t be a boardwalk where Rickshaw Dumpling Truck can return to this summer…

A volunteer shares his bread with a baby.

But from what we saw in the early weeks and the continuing months—the resilience of the neighborhoods, residents’ strong spirits in the face of such loss, the volunteers and workers who have put their “best soul forward,”—it seems safe to say that the red and blue truck will be parked alongside beach-goers some summer very soon.

2012: A Year in Review w/ NYC Food Trucks Part Deux

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of http://thegoodgreatsby.com

We’re back with more special moments of 2012 for ten of our members today! There’s no reason to keep you waiting so let’s dive headfirst into one of our SAWEETest street food purveyors…

11. Cupcake Crew
Frankie Cupcake chatted with Food Truck Pages this summer and gave us all insight into how he got his start, some of their best-selling cupcakes, his thoughts on new food trucks coming to the streets of Gotham, and giving back to the city that’s given so much to him and the rest of the Crew.

12. Milk Truck
We’ve definitely noticed a general trend: News anchors just lurv food trucks! We feel the same way about them and always have a lot of fun visiting them. Keith, the founder of this gourmet grilled cheese truck, serves up his specialties and has the MyFoxNY news crew inside in this short video.

13. Seoul Food
Like so many of our compassionate and hard-working members, this food truck didn’t think twice about helping out with the Sandy Relief effort in our partnership with the Mayor’s Fund to Advance NYC.

14. Phil’s Cheesesteaks
It was a big first year for this Philly cheese steak truck and we simply couldn’t decide whether to remind you of this or this… So we did the responsible thing and went with sharing both.

15. Van Leeuwen
Did you know the trio behind this successful fleet of ice cream trucks and shops opened a new restaurant this month? And before you ask, yes of course their infamous ice cream is on the dessert menu!

16. Souvlaki
Not only did this authentic Greek grub food truck help out in Super Storm Sandy Relief efforts, they were also on-board for the NYCFTA’s partnership with Concern on October 16th for World Food Day.

17. Now Eat This
Does the man behind the “Now Eat This” empire ever sleep? Between releasing his newest book, hosting a party at the NYC Food and Wine Festival, and trekking around NY to assist in Hurricane Sandy Relief efforts, Chef Rocco Dispirito kept a full calendar in 2012!

18. Mike ‘n Willie’s
In addition to serving mouth-watering street food, the chefs of this tacos & sliders truck were all about getting generous this year…

19. Mexicue
Whether the Jets won or lost at Met Stadium this year, this crew was there to celebrate (or offer a consolation meal) to football fans!

20. Kelvin Slush
Everyone’s favorite slush cart was also on-hand for Jets tailgaters this year and due to the natural evolution of their adult-version slushies being paired with, ahem, other adult beverages, they formed a restaurant and bar partnership with some of the coolest spots in town this summer!

Remember to keep up with these food trucks and dozens of others on Facebook and Twitter and stay tuned because we have special moments of 2012 with more of our members!

2012: A Year in Review w/ NYC Food Trucks

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of StreetGrubeEveryday.com

Welp, 2012 is just about over. It has been an exciting year of “circle the wagons” Rallies at Prospect Park, foodie events like the Eighth Annual Vendy Awards and the PARKED! Food Truck Festival at South Street Seaport, a new book titled The Food Truck Handbook: Start, Grow, and Succeed in the Mobile Food Business (everything you need to know about the NYC food truck business), and improved relations with NYC administration. This year also brought us Super Storm Sandy which gutted parts of the Northeast but (always the seekers of a silver lining) also an opportunity for the community to come together in support of one another.

We thought it’d be fun to look back at a point in time with each NYCFTA member as we wind down the year. If you have any stories or pictures to share, please tweet them to us at @NYCfoodtruck or post them on our Facebook page!

1. Andy’s Italian Ice
“They’re called “Heaven in a cup” for a reason!” Discover that reason with a visit to Street Grub Steve’s post all about this Italian ice purveyor.

2. Mexico Blvd.
This truck, which only debuted this past February, was a highly anticipated stop at the “Mex Fest” Cinco de Mayo Food Truck Festival!

3. Rickshaw Dumpling
Early in 2012, Kenny Lao, one of the founders of this uber popular food truck, shared a dumpling recipe that people are still talking about!

4. Valducci’s
Winning hearts and minds this summer…

5. Chinese Mirch
Street foodies got a behind-the-scenes look at how this food truck makes some of its Chinese/Indian fusion fare with this BizCastr TV video!

6. Nuchas
We always knew they were winners and they proved it in Boston this past October in the Boston vs. NY Food Truck Throwdown!

7. Red Hook Lobster
Super Storm Sandy took out this foodie favorite affectionately known as “Big Red” but they are coming back stronger than before vows founder Susan Povich. This NY Times video and article tells their Sandy story and shows their persevering spirit.

8. Coolhaus NYC
Big congrats to Founder Natasha Case this year! She found herself counted among the “30 Under 30″ in Forbes Magazine’s “Food & Wine” list of people who will help shape our palates for decades to come.

9.Green Pirate Juice
Though they’ve been truckin’ since 2007, we were reminded again and again of the fantastic food you can order to go along with your fresh-squeezed juice. Just take a look at this New York Street Food for example!

10. Frites ‘n Meats
“Five Guys better bring it” is really all you need to know about how people feel about this gourmet hamburger truck! Cheers to a successful 2012 and an even bigger 2013!

Hope you enjoyed the quick jaunt down memory lane with these ten members. Stay tuned because we’re bringing ten more to you tomorrow…

Two for One With Our Guest Blogger of the Week

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Laci

We’re so honored to have Diana Emiko Tsuchida back with us as a a guest blogger. You may remember her recent post, “Ben & Jerry’s Beware: Coolhaus is Coming For You“, and you may recognize her name from her numerous foodie pieces over at the Village Voice. Follow her on her blog, Chefs Shops and Street Food, and on Twitter @EmikosWorld. She is a busy gal and today brings you not one but two food truck reports. Enjoy…

Some of the Best Handheld Food $3 Can Buy

There are few things better than being able to justify a “puffier than usual” stomach on account of eating your socks off to stay warm and hiding under two or three cardigan layers. However, nothing about this glorious scenario applies to New Yorkers, as a little rain, sleet or snow won’t keep them from speed walking up and down Midtown or trekking through SoHo in 30 degree temps. In the spirit of big city holiday traditions (you know, like frantic shopping) and the heartier time of year, this post is dedicated to two trucks that serve fantastic handheld delights that keep hungry New Yorkers walking. Up first, we have…

Slicing the competition.

Domo Taco

I love inquiring what cuisine someone would eat for an entire month if pressed to choose. Oftentimes they’re quite difficult and pedantic with this task and claim they can’t pick just one so I say okay, pick two if you must. My two, in that instance, would be Japanese and Mexican. Oh, how I salivate over the prospect of a bowl of ramen or crispy tonkatsu and a tightly-wrapped carne asada burrito or fresh ceviche taco! Lo and behold, a NYC food truck has managed to fuse both of these glorious concepts together in Domo Taco. Bringing Japanese and Asian classics over the platform of Mexican cuisine, Domo uses tortillas, cheese, cilantro and tomatoes to inject a bit of Baja flair into the dishes. Guests follow a simple two step process to choose their style (in a taco or bowl) and their meat (fish tempura, carnitas, lemongrass chicken, vegetarian and teriyaki steak). At $3 per taco and specials that also range from $3-4 dollars, their street food is a steal.

Lemongrass Chicken taco.

On my rushed lunch break, I hustled down Park Avenue to find them exactly where they said they’d be– on 53rd and Park. I slowed down to catch my breath and stare up at the menu, which had a plethora of enticing specials to further confuse my appetite. Japanese curry fries, Kimchi falafels and a side of Japanese Nacho Tots topped with bonito flakes, okonomi sauce and nacho cheese. The most indulgent of both worlds
slathered over tater tots. Just mull over that for a minute., I’ll wait…

The hardworking (and super friendly) Domo crew.

I ordered up a Lemongrass Chicken taco which was packaged neatly in a small box. It’s a sturdy taco wrapped in two corn tortillas with shredded melted cheese and a dollop of sour cream. The freshness of the pico de gallo was an ideal pairing for the chicken which was quite tender, lightly grilled and carried a hint of teriyaki beyond the lemongrass. The tortillas were soft and the taco stayed warm on my walk back to my cubicle. Buy three or four of these puppies and stay completely full without breaking the bank.

The Shiitake Curry, the Sweet and Jambalaya empanadas (notice the letters).

Nuchas Empanadas

Rain will keep some trucks away but certainly not Nuchas. In fact, this is how I found them–a brown haven in the cold, beckoning folks to peruse their offerings of inexpensive yet hefty $3 empanadas. Their handmade baked goods are quite literally branded with ingenuity, as small letters are stamped on the dough to signify the fillings. I bought two and was generously offered a third-their sweet empanada filled with nutella, apples and cranberries-on the house. And it tastes like they baked the holidays in a pocket.

The Nuchas truck, decked out in holiday swag.

For my savory starters, I chose wisely (unbeknownst to me) the Jambalaya and Shiitake Curry empanadas. Their Jambalaya took the title of Best Seafood in the NY vs. Boston Food Truck Throwdown in October and deserves full acclaim for packing great flavors inside a tumeric dough pastry. Filled with andouille, arborio rice, peppers and onions it’s full of rich tomato flavor with bits of soft shrimp.

The delectable fillings within beautiful tumeric dough.

I, however, found my personal favorite with the vegan Shiitake Curry, which fairs well for a carnivore like me. Getting its dense meatiness from eggplant, potatoes, shiitake ‘shrooms and zucchini, the coconut milk and tumeric pastry is truly what brings the empanada to a full, richness of curry bliss.

The Apple, Cranberry & Nutella.

Allow me to conclude with a rather overarching generalization of the attitude of folks who run food trucks, albeit one that I will vouch for for years to come. Perhaps one of the best parts of getting their food is also getting service worthy of a Michelin starred restaurant. I don’t mean they’ll fold your paper napkins for you. Nor do I suggest they’d even want this comparison to be made. But you get incredibly delightful people who are so passionate about what they’re serving it’s infectious. It’s clear that when you find a truck on a NYC street, there’s really no other place they’d rather be than serving you. (Well, they might prefer to be on the other side of the window ordering their own awesome food but who can blame them). Support them in the impending cold months as they continue to bust their bumpers for us lucky eaters strolling by. Cheers!

Getting a Jump on National Cupcake Day 2012

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of articles.washingtonpost.com

Did you know Saturday, December 15th is National Cupcake Day?! Surely you’re as thrilled as we are and understand the importance of celebrating. We want to share with you the way two of our members will be acknowledging the foodie holiday one day early (because that’s just how they roll) and how a third will be celebrating on Saturday. First, a quick history lesson on the personal-sized desserts we all know and love brought to you by the website we also all know and love.

Like so many things in life, cupcakes came into existence mostly out of convenience; they were convenient because hearth ovens took such a long time to bake large cakes and dividing the batter into smaller portions allowed for much shorter cooking times. In the early 19th century, there were two different uses for the name cup cake or cupcake. The first kind of “cup cake” referred to a cake whose ingredients were measured by volume, using a standard-sized cup, instead of being weighed. The second use of the name is the “cupcake” which is the name now given to any small cake that is about the size of a teacup. In previous centuries, before muffin tins were widely available, the cakes were often baked in individual pottery cups, ramekins, or molds and took their name from the cups they were baked in. Alternative names for cupcakes include “fairy cake”, “patty cake”, and “cup cake”.

Ok, class is over and now we encourage you to visit some of our members to celebrate properly!

Photo courtesy of Cupcake Vineyards.

Sweetery is teaming up with Cupcake Vineyards today to give thousands of FREE cupcakes from 8am-8pm. Yes, it’s true- The cupcake gods must have heard your pleas. There are two important things to note: First, the Sweetery truck will be “dressed up” in its Cupcake Vineyards finest so don’t expect to see the teal truck you’re used to (though the truck will still have “Sweetery” on it somewhere). Secondly, Sweetery will be on the move so be sure to check when they’re in your neighborhood. Here’s their schedule and you can also follow them on Twitter for the most up-to-date location details.

8:00am – 10:00am: 42nd Street and Madison Avenues
10:30am – 12:00pm: 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues
12:30pm – 2:30pm: 50th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues
3:00pm -4:30pm: 52nd Street and Broadway
5:00pm-8:00pm: 5th Avenue between 22nd and 23rd Streets

Photo courtesy of the Cupcake Crew.

Cupcake Crew will be baking up lots of festive cupcakes including holiday specials like Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake and Salted Caramel. If you’re really working that bonus-angle with your boss, you’d be wise to pick up a few of their sampler boxes for an impromptu office-wide cupcake party! Pro Tip: Follow them on Twitter for deal specials.

Photo courtesy of thatsmycake.net

Last but certainly not least, The Treats Truck will be brimming over with cupcakes and ice cream cone cupcakes when it hits the roads on Saturday. If you have a penchant for peppermint candy butter-cream frosting, crushed candy canes, and/or chocolate chips, you do not want to miss out! Be sure to follow them on Twitter for location details.

We hope you enjoy your sugary delights and would love for you to tweet your cupcake pictures to us at @nycfoodtruck using the hash-tag #NatlCupcakeDay!

Guest Blogger of the Week: Jessie Yoh

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Laci

We are featuring yet another new Guest Blogger. World, please meet Jessie Yoh. Jessie is the creator of Savory-Bites, a blog focused on (you guessed it!) some incredibly savory bites. Sometimes she covers restaurants in the tri-state area, sometimes she tries her hand at complicated recipes, and sometimes (to our delight) she has a go at NYC’s food trucks! Today she focuses on a dessert truck that is currently off the roads. Don’t let that keep you from reading, though! Jessie gives you the skinny on where you can find their sweet concoctions even as the temps continue to drop. Follow her on Twitter @jyohh and happy reading!

In today’s world, it’s pretty easy to get a slushie. For all those outside the city, your nearest Wawa or 7-Eleven will satisfy your craving but for New Yorkers? It may be a bit more difficult. Fortunately, Kelvin Natural Slush Co. stepped up to the plate in 2010. In fact, it killed two birds with one stone by also providing a healthier alternative to one of our favorite icy beverages.

Kelvin, named appropriately by the “KELVIN scale,” makes its slushies with all natural ingredients without any artificial flavors, colors or preservatives (that includes high fructose corn syrup). Even the water is filtered. Founded by Alex Rein and Zach Silverman, the goal was to reintroduce people to slushies by offering a more grown up version of what can typically be found in convenience stores. It took eight months of prepping and working towards the opening but all that hard work paid off after Kelvin was nominated for a Vendy Award after the first summer and took the 2010 Best Dessert Award (the very first time the a rookie won that category). It was also named as one of America’s Top 20 Food Trucks by QSR magazine and Best NYC Food Truck in the About.com Reader’s Choice Awards.

Photo courtesy of http://newyorkstreetfood.com

The main question is- how did Kelvin figure out a way to make its slushies taste so good while making them with all natural ingredients? The answer lies hidden in “The Perfect Puree,” a puree made from fruit that has been pulped and mashed. The Perfect Puree of Napa makes this blend and uses real fruit and vegetables as well as cane sugar. It’s different from concentrates, which are thinner in consistency, higher in sugar and 200-250% stronger in flavor than its puree equivalency due to the removal of water.

Photo courtesy of everydaydrinkers.com

The process begins when fruit is picked from the fields. After being washed, separated, and graded, machines then extract seeds and pulp. Finally, the puree process occurs with the fresh product being blended with sugar to balance the sweetness. A quick heat treatment then pasteurizes and preserves the flavor, color and texture, offering a 24 month shelf-life. Finally the puree is cooled, packed, and quick frozen. Begin beverage bliss.

Photo courtesy of yelp.com

It was Zack’s sister, a pastry chef, who introduced Kelvin to “The Perfect Puree.” Given the high volume (Kelvin can served up to 1,000 slushies on a busy day), the purees are convenient while providing consistent flavoring. Kelvin offers three base flavors- Spicy Ginger, Tangy Citrus, and Green & Black Tea. You can customize your slush beverage by adding a “mix-in,” which also consists of fruit purees. Flavors have included Açaí, Apricot, Blackberry, Blood Orange, Blueberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Lychee, Mango, Papaya, Pink Guava, Pear, Raspberry, Strawberry and White Peach. From personal experience, the Arnold Palmer (blend between Citrus and Tea) is a winner with the White Peach add-in as the most popular.

Photo courtesy of loku.com

While Kelvin Slush is off the roads for Winter, you can look forward to their return in the Spring and still find their drinks (both virgin and “prohibition style”) in these restaurants:

Berry Park Rooftop — 4 Berry Street (at N. 14th Street) Williamsburg
Cafe de La Esquina – 225 Wythe Avenue (at N. 3rd St) Williamsburg
Coffee Shop — 29 Union Square West (at 16th Street)
Gansevoort Park Rooftop — 420 Park Avenue South (at 29th Street)
Thompson LES Poolside — 190 Allen Street (between E. Houston St. & Stanton St.)

Drink up!

Ben & Jerry’s Beware: Coolhaus is Coming for You

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Laci

Hi, foodies! Because Sandy threw us for a loop and our Guest Blogger calendar was set back a few weeks, you get two Guest Bloggers this week! We would love to introduce you to Diana Emiko.

Diana is a writer and social media strategist but more importantly, a sweets fanatic without limits. In other words, she doesn’t often share her chocolate and she has an infatuation with a fantastic lava cake. Originally from the Bay Area, she recently island hopped from Hawaii to Manhattan. This somewhat impulsive move to the Big Apple inspired her to follow her passion for supporting small, independent food vendors/trucks and pair it with a love for documenting amazing stories. She’s found there is no shortage of hilarious and heartwarming tales from people who make tasty food with the highest standards. Follow her on Twitter for lots of shameless food pictures @emikosworld or visit her writing and city guides at Bravo Your City. Now, let’s talk ice cream!

Photo courtesy of Diana Emiko.

A formative competitor in the freezer section is fast approaching the milk and sugar giant of Ben and Jerry’s: Coolhaus ice cream sandwiches are striving to be the next niche of creative indulgence. While Ben and Jerry’s is known for their funky rock n’ roll ice cream, Coolhaus takes an aesthetically sweet approach rooted in CEO Natasha Case’s affinity for building design and famous architects. Along with classic flavors they ride the wave of savory and sweet fusion with potato chips in cookies and fried chicken and waffles ice cream. Over half a year of baking tests and countless sandwich construction go into what is surely one of the best tasting treats you’ll ever eat.

Photo courtesy of Diana Emiko.

The edible wrapper.

At all of the pink and silver Coolhaus trucks you’ll find they’ve got many of the 65 ice cream flavors on board and a more than capable sandwich architect who knows how to create a memorable dessert experience. You’re free to choose any combination yet having such diverse options is a daunting task for people who can’t make up their mind. If you’re up for a caloric challenge, take them up on the fact that there are so many different cookie and ice cream choices that you could eat a different sandwich every day of the year. It’s like a “Supersize Me” challenge, except one for dentists to deal with.

Photo courtesy of Diana Emiko.

The cart menu

What captivates first is the texture. The soft cookies always break evenly into the ice cream, with no cookie crumbles left behind. The very awesome edible wrapper holds your sandwich in place, leaving you with no drippy mess or in need of the nearest trash can. If self-control only allows for a couple of sandwiches to try, here are 3 flawless combos:
● Bushmills Honey Whiskey Hot Toddy ice cream with Maple Flapjack cookies (a Vendy award specialty)
● Salted Caramel ice cream with Snickerdoodles
● Guinness Chip ice cream with Potato Chip and Butterscotch cookies (hey, if you’re going for it, might as well go all the way)

Salted caramel and Snickerdoodles. Photo courtesy of Diana Emiko.

No trucks in sight? You’ll soon be able to swoop their sandwiches up at a local grocery store and at nearby restaurants; just check their website for locations nearest you. The pre-packaged ice cream sandwiches are sold for $5-6 and will surely become a habitual midnight snack. Go ahead, I (double-dog) dare you to see how Ben and Jerry’s sizes up to a Coolhaus confection.

A Purpose Remembered

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Laci

Deborah Smith, owner of Green Pirate juice truck, shares her experience working on Sandy Relief efforts in the NYCFTA’s partnership with the NYC Mayor’s Office. We thank her for the time and energy that went into helping out.

There is a silver lining to every dark cloud, at least that is my point of view after spending the past month participating in direct relief work to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy. My business is a mobile fresh squeezed juice and healthy food truck called Green Pirate. We have been temporarily shut out of our regular market due to water damage from the floods and on the days just after the storm, I had a tremendous amount of produce remaining that would need to be juiced or it would go bad. It seemed like an obvious choice to use it to help feed people who were stuck in places with no power, no hot water and many of whom had just lost their homes or watched their entire neighborhood get swept away. I was also in the unique position of owning two trucks both with fuel in them. I joined forces with my friends and neighbors and our missions began, first to Rockaway where we have friends and then to other areas in need. At first we brought clothes, blankets, flashlights and water. We quickly realized there was a tremendous need for hot food and for extra hands to help dig out basements so we began organizing.

Photo courtesy of PressTV.com

Showing up in a neighborhood that has been devastated to provide a service to the people in need there is no small feat. It requires a resilience and a thick skin to smile through the long, sad faces, the scent of anger and despair, the resentment, the fear of what’s coming when it gets colder, and just plain shock and awe that everything these people once loved is now gone. I was raised by a firefighter and grew up around these kinds of situations (emergency fire radio in our house and my father was a first responder) so it gave me an enormous sense of pride to join the many brave workers who have been at the forefront of the recovery efforts. This was more than enough reward for my effort and it really felt good to be doing something. What I hadn’t realized was that this relief work would land me right back on the path of my original intention for my business.

A few weeks after the storm, my truck was accepted to participate in a sponsorship by the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. Alongside my fellow food truckers in the NYCFTA, we were connected with sponsors and hired to bring 500 hot meals per day to specific designated areas where the need was great. In exchange we were compensated and given a team of wonderful dispatchers and social media coordinators to oversee the effort to its success. Suddenly I was being paid for the work I was already doing, but more so than that, in a partnership with the Mayor. In all of my (16) years living in NYC, I have never seen such a powerful working model as this: private sector directly funding a small business to provide an invaluable service- hot meals- to the people in need. On our second or third day out, it suddenly hit me: this was why I started my business in the first place. This was the goal. Community programs, health education and free food and juice, sponsored by companies that want to make a difference in this city, and facilitated by the one and only funky juice truck!

Photo courtesy of Juice Pirate.

In 2006 when we first planted the seeds to open up a mobile fresh squeezed juice truck, we were on a mission. We wanted to find a way to spread the word about living a happier, healthier, sexier and more fun lifestyle, and how it didn’t have to be so terrible to eat healthy. We dreamed of turning the whole city onto drinking fresh squeezed juices and teaching them preventative health care practices, while blasting dance music out of the speakers on the roof of our mobile juice bar! We spent hours at a time envisioning all the ways that something like a mobile juice truck could reach more people and therefore spread the message further. We loved the idea that you didn’t need to already identify as “healthy” to have an interaction with the juice truck, because it would be parked on your corner in your neighborhood, playing your favorite song, your kid would start jumping around and the next thing you know you are laughing and thinking, “Ah what the heck, alright I’ll try a fresh juice.”

One year later Green Pirate hit the streets of Brooklyn and Manhattan and set out to sail what would be a much rougher course then we ever imagined. Over the past 6 years we became inundated with all the stereotypical obstacles of a small business, including some particularly odd scenarios due to our industry’s “old world” practices that are still in place. Turf wars, ice cream mafia, extreme weather conditions and mastering a diesel engine were just a few of the things that never even crossed our minds as potential conflicts. After a while we did what any small business would do, focus on one thing: JUICE. That’s it, that’s all we do. We make juice. That’s what we’re good at, that’s what we do. It’s been a struggle all the way and we’re still out there, but I honestly think that if not for this storm and the shift of focus it brought into all of our lives, I may not have had the realization that this was my original dream.

Photo courtesy of Green Pirate.

Now that I have seen this program in action, I am committed to building it into my business model. Five days a week we sell juice to those who can afford it, and at least one day a week we are available to be sponsored, and you can send the fearless Juice Pirates into the city to provide delicious, nutritious, foods and fresh juices to people who need it – whether it be a school of children or a group of construction workers rebuilding a neighborhood or a community that does not have access to affordable healthy foods, we can go there and help to inspire, educate and feed them and hopefully brighten their day as well as turn them onto healthy, juicy living!

I have always believed that if we are not willing to be part of the solution, then we are part of the problem and it is our responsibility to help our fellow humans out if we can. I’m grateful to the Mayor’s Fund and all the people that made our partnership possible for helping me to remember that. #SandyUnites.

Guest Blogger of the Week Returns with Sejan Yun!

Posted on December 3, 2012 by Laci

After a month-long break from our regularly-scheduled Guest Blogger posts due to our focus on Sandy Relief Outreach efforts, we are back in action!

Today, our friend Sejan Yun reports in with another podcast. You may remember when she interviewed Zeph Cortney of SNAP Truck and today, it’s Kimchi Taco Truck-founder Phillip Lee’s turn. He talks about where to start if you’re brand new to Korean food, Leanardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese, and how his daughter has become quite the foodie! Feast your eyes on their amazing, affordable, and approachable Korean-fusion as you listen to this.

Photo courtesy of TheBrooklynInk.com

So what do YOU think the draw is for street food? Share with us on Facebook and Twitter and be sure to tag @Sejan!

Sejan Yun is a videographer and graphic designer based in Bushwick, Brooklyn. She’s produced wo/man-on-street videos of her fellow neighbors since 2008. She believes food taste best if you know the cook.

site: www.sejan.info

twitter: @sejan

Friday, Nov. 30th Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Laci

New York is the biggest collection of villages in the world. -Alistair Cooke

#NeighborsHelpingNeighbors

Photo courtesy of Chef Rocco Dispirito & the Now Eat This Truck.

We continue to thank all who have made this possible, especially the NYC Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Film Food Festival, our corporate sponsors, and our indiegogo fundraiser contributors from around the world. Hot sandwiches, burgers, soup, coffee, rice bowls, tacos, and even sweets are on the menu today for the thousands of people still putting their lives back in order after Super Storm Sandy changed everything. To date, we’ve served over 260,000 hot meals and have plenty more to give out to our neighbors hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. Let’s go.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
Palenque: Salt and Sea Mission (17th between Surf and Mermaid)
Takumi Taco Cart: Salt and Sea Mission (17th between Surf and Mermaid)

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
Bian Dang: 87-15 rockaway beach blvd( between beach 87th and 88th)
Milk Truck: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street, Belle Harbor
Rickshaw Dumplings: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Boulevard and 208st, Breezy Point
Toum: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street, Belle Harbor
Note: Sometimes the trucks have to change locations. Please click their name on this page, follow @NYCFoodTruck on Twitter (and say hi!), or subscribe to this Twitter List for the most up-to-date details on all Outreach Relief trucks.

————

If you’re in need of help or want to volunteer:
We’ve also heard amazing requests from you on how much you want to help donate your time or resources to the effort. We’re humbled by the caring and concern of the NYC community for those in need, but also understand from our partners that there’s more to an organized relief effort than donation of time and supplies. We’d encourage those that want to lend a hand to look into the below groups and work with existing organizations to have the greatest impact.
Time Out New York’s “How to Help Out After Sandy”
American Red Cross
NYC Service
New York Cares
New Jersey’s Volunteer Emergency Response

Thursday, Nov. 29th Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of Palenque.

“We cannot accomplish all that we need to do without working together.”- Bill Richardson

We continue to thank all who have made this possible, especially the NYC Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Film Food Festival, our corporate sponsors, and our indiegogo fundraiser contributors from around the world. Hot sandwiches, burgers, soup, coffee, rice bowls, tacos, and even sweets are on the menu today for the thousands of people still putting their lives back in order after Super Storm Sandy changed everything. To date, we’ve served over 250,000 hot meals and have plenty more to give out to our neighbors hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. Let’s go.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
Eddies Pizza Cart: Coffey Park, 85 Richards Street, Red Hook
Mike ‘n Willie’s: 2828 Neptune Ave, Brighton Beach
Valducci’s Original Pizza: 2828 Neptune Ave, Brighton Beach

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
Coolhaus: Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Ave. Far Rockaway
Gorilla Cheese NYC: Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Ave. Far Rockaway
La Bella Torte: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Boulevard and 208st, Breezy Point
Original Soup Man Truck: 87-15 Rockaway Beach Blvd (between Beach 87th and 88th) Rockaway Park
Note: Sometimes the trucks have to change locations. Please click their name on this page, follow @NYCFoodTruck on Twitter (and say hi!), or subscribe to this Twitter List for the most up-to-date details on all Outreach Relief trucks.

————

Wednesday, Nov. 28th Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of Mexico Blvd.

“One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something.”- Henry David Thoreau

We continue to thank all who have made this possible, especially the NYC Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Film Food Festival, our corporate sponsors, and our indiegogo fundraiser contributors from around the world. Hot sandwiches, burgers, soup, coffee, rice bowls, tacos, and even sweets are on the menu today for the thousands of people still putting their lives back in order after Super Storm Sandy changed everything. To date, we’ve served over 250,000 hot meals and have plenty more to give out to our neighbors hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. Let’s go.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
Fun Buns: Gravesend Houses, West 33rd St and Neptune Avenue, Coney Island
Mudtruck: Coffey Park, 85 Richards Street, Red Hook
Souvlaki GR: 2828 Neptune Ave, Brighton Beach
Sweetery NYC: 2828 Neptune Ave, Brighton Beach

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
Andys Italian Ices: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street, Belle Harbor
Chinese Mirch: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street, Belle Harbor
Seoul Food: Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Ave. Far Rockaway
Taco Bite: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Boulevard and 208st, Breezy Point
The Treats Truck: Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Ave. Far Rockaway
Wafels & Dinges: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Boulevard and 208st, Breezy Point

Note: Sometimes the trucks have to change locations. Please click their name on this page, follow @NYCFoodTruck on Twitter (and say hi!), or subscribe to this Twitter List for the most up-to-date details on all Outreach Relief trucks.

————

Tuesday, Nov. 27th Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of Pizza Luca.

“Make a difference about something other than yourselves.”- Toni Morrison

We continue to thank all who have made this possible, especially the NYC Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Film Food Festival, our corporate sponsors, and our indiegogo fundraiser contributors from around the world. Hot sandwiches, burgers, soup, coffee, rice bowls, tacos, and even sweets are on the menu today for the thousands of people still putting their lives back in order after Super Storm Sandy changed everything. To date, we’ve served over 250,000 hot meals and have plenty more to give out to our neighbors hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. Let’s go.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
Blend Express: Coffey Park, 85 Richards Street, Red Hook
Korilla: 2828 Neptune Ave, Brighton Beach
Mexico Blvd: 2828 Neptune Ave, Brighton Beach
Morris Grilled Cheese: Coffey Park, 85 Richards Street, Red Hook
Tribeca Taco: Gravesend Houses, West 33rd St and Neptune Avenue, Coney Island

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
Cupcake Crew: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street, Belle Harbor
Green Pirate Juice Truck: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Boulevard and 208st, Breezy Point
Jiannetto’s Pizza & Catering: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street, Belle Harbor
Mike n Willies: Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Ave. Far Rockaway
Schnitzel & Things: Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Ave. Far Rockaway
Trusty Truck: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Boulevard and 208st, Breezy Point

Note: Sometimes the trucks have to change locations. Please click their name on this page, follow @NYCFoodTruck on Twitter (and say hi!), or subscribe to this Twitter Listfor the most up-to-date details on all Outreach Relief trucks.

————

Monday, Nov. 26th Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of Pizza Luca.

“Increase your joy by doing the good you wish to have done to you.”- Daisaku Ikeda

We continue to thank all who have made this possible, especially the NYC Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Film Food Festival, our corporate sponsors, and our indiegogo fundraiser contributors from around the world. Hot sandwiches, burgers, soup, coffee, rice bowls, tacos, and even sweets are on the menu today for the thousands of people still putting their lives back in order after Super Storm Sandy changed everything. To date, we’ve served over 250,000 hot meals and have plenty more to give out to our neighbors hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. Let’s go.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
Big D’s Grub: 2828 Neptune Ave, Brighton Beach
Eddie’s Truck: Gravesend Houses, West 33rd St and Neptune Avenue, Coney Island
Nuchas: 2828 Neptune Ave, Brighton Beach
Pizza Luca: Coffey Park, 85 Richards Street, Red Hook

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
Coolhaus: Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Ave. Far Rockaway
Domo Taco: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street, Belle Harbor
Fishing Shrimp: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Boulevard and 208st, Breezy Point
Gorilla Cheese NY: Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Ave. Far Rockaway
La Bella Torte: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street, Belle Harbor
Milk Truck: Breezy Point Fire Dept. 2045 Rockaway Point Blvd., Rockaway Point
Phil’s Steaks: Beach 41st Houses: 3820 Beach Channel Drive, Edgemere
Solber Pupusas: Beach 49th Street and Beach Channel Drive, Arverne
Steaks ‘n Crepes: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street, Belle Harbor
Toum: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Boulevard and 208th St, Breezy Point

————

Sunday, Nov. 25th Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of the Trusty Truck.

We continue to thank all who have made this possible, especially the NYC Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Film Food Festival, our corporate sponsors, and our indiegogo fundraiser contributors from around the world. Hot sandwiches, burgers, soup, coffee, rice bowls, tacos, and even sweets are on the menu today for the thousands of people still putting their lives back in order after Super Storm Sandy changed everything. To date, we’ve served over 250,000 hot meals and have plenty more to give out to our neighbors hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy. Let’s go.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
Cupcake Crew: Coffey Park, 85 Richards Street, Red Hook
Blend Express: 2828 Neptune Ave, Brighton Beach
Palenque: 2828 Neptune Ave, Brighton Beach
Bian Dang: Gravesend Houses, West 33rd St and Neptune Avenue, Coney Island

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
The Treats Truck: St. Mary’s: 1920 New Haven Avenue, Far Rockaway
Rickshaw Dumplings: Beach 41st Houses: 3820 Beach Channel Drive, Edgemere
Chinese Mirch: Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Ave. Far Rockaway
Andys Italian Ices: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street, Belle Harbor
Souvlaki GR: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street, Belle Harbor
Kimchi Taco: Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Ave. Far Rockaway
Schnitzel & Things: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Boulevard and 208st, Breezy Point
Takumi Taco: Beach 49th Street and Beach Channel Drive, Arverne
Taco Bite: Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock Street & Beach Channel Drive, Far Rockaway

————

Saturday, Nov. 24th Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of Green Pirate Juice.

We have served over 250,000 hot meals. That is an astounding number matched only by the astounding outpouring of support from the community. We’re going to keep it up and have 20 food trucks gearing up right now to head back out into some of the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Sandy.

We continue to thank all who have made this possible, especially the NYC Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Film Food Festival, our corporate sponsors, and our indiegogo fundraiser contributors from around the world. Hot sandwiches, burgers, soup, coffee, rice bowls, tacos, and even treats are on the menu today for the thousands of people still putting their lives back in order after Super Storm Sandy changed everything. Please help us to spread the word.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
Solber Pupusas: Coffey Park, 85 Richards Street, Red Hook
Big D’s Grub: 2828 Neptune Ave, Brighton Beach
Coolhaus: 2828 Neptune Ave, Brighton Beach
Sweetery NYC: Gravesend Houses, West 33rd St and Neptune Avenue, Coney Island

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
The Treats Truck: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street, Belle Harbor
Domo Taco: Breezy Point Fire Dept. 2045 Rockaway Point Blvd., Rockaway Point
Eddie’s Pizza: St. Mary’s: 1920 New Haven Avenue, Far Rockaway
Hibachi Heaven: Beach 41st Houses: 3820 Beach Channel Drive, Edgemere
Mike ‘n Willies: American Legion Hall: 209 Cross Bay Boulevard, Broad Channel
Now Eat This: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street, Belle Harbor
Phil’s Steaks: Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Ave. Far Rockaway
Pizza Luca: Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Ave. Far Rockaway
Steaks ‘n Crepes: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Boulevard and 208st, Breezy Point
Takumi Taco: Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock Street and Beach Channel Drive, Far Rockaway
Toum: Beach 41st Houses: 3820 Beach Channel Drive, Edgemere
Tribeca Taco: Beach 49th Street and Beach Channel Drive, Arverne

————

Friday, Nov. 23rd Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of Nuchas Empanadas.

“One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something.“- Henry David Thoreau

With that in mind, we continue to serve many people throughout Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island today. We also thank all who have made this possible, including the NYC Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Film Food Festival, our corporate sponsors, and our indiegogo fundraiser contributors from around the world. Hot sandwiches, burgers, soup, coffee, rice bowls, tacos, and even treats are on the menu today for the thousands of people still putting their lives back in order after Super Storm Sandy changed everything. Please help us to spread the word.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
Solber Pupusas: 2828 Neptune, Brighton Beach
The Treats Truck: 2828 Neptune, Brighton Beach
Country Boys: Coffey Park, 85 Richards Street, Red Hook
Takumi Taco Cart: Gravesend Houses, West 33rd St and Neptune Avenue, Coney Island

STATEN ISLAND (12PM-4PM)
Chinese Mirch: Miller Field: Corner of Mill Road and New Dorp Lane

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
Bian Dang: American Legion Hall: 209 Cross Bay Boulevard, Broad Channel
Cupcake Crew: Beach 49th Street and Beach Channel Drive
Empanada Food Truck: Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock Street & Beach Channel Drive
Fishing Shrimp: Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Ave. Far Rockaway
Kimchi Tacos: Beach 41st Houses: 3820 Beach Channel Drive, Far Rockaways
La Bella Torte: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Boulevard & 208th St, Breezy Pt.
Morris Truck: Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Ave. Far Rockaway
Nuchas Empanadas: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street, Belle Harbor
Breezy Point Fire Dept. 2045 Rockaway Point Blvd., Rockaways
Schnitzel & Things: St. Mary’s: 1920 New Haven Avenue, Rockaways
Steaks ‘n Crepes: Beach 41st Houses: 3820 Beach Channel Drive, Far Rockaways
Sweetery NYC: Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock Street & Beach Channel Drive
Taco Bite: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Boulevard & 208th St, Breezy Pt.
Blend Express: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street, Belle Harbor
Seoul Food: Beach 49th Street and Beach Channel Drive

Note: Sometimes the trucks have to change locations. Please click their name on this page, follow @NYCFoodTruck on Twitter, or subscribe to this Twitter List for the most up-to-date details on all Outreach Relief trucks.

————

Thankful

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Laci

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

We have so much to be thankful for and we think the best way to share our thoughts are here and here. Have a wonderful holiday and we’ll see you on the roads soon.

Wednesday, Nov. 21st Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of Wafels & Dinges.

“It takes each of us to make a difference for all of us.”- Jackie Mutcheson

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
Domo Taco: Holy Family Catholic Church, 9719 Flatlands Avenue, Canarsie
Eddies Pizza Truck: Gerritsen Beach Fire Dept: Seba Ave. between Canton Ct. & Dare Ct.
Mexico Blvd: 2828 Neptune, Brighton Beach
Hibachi Heaven: Gravesend Houses, West 33rd St and Neptune Avenue, Coney Island
Palenque: Coffey Park, 85 Richards Street, Red Hook
Now Eat This: Holy Family Catholic Church, 9719 Flatlands Avenue, Canarsie
Gorilla Cheese NYC: 2648 Gerritsen Avenue, Gerritsen Beach

STATEN ISLAND (12PM-4PM)
Mike ‘n Willies: Miller Field: Corner of Mill Road and New Dorp Lane

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
Big D’s Grub: American Legion Hall: 209 Cross Bay Boulevard, Broad Channel
Pizza Luca: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Boulevard & 208th St, Breezy Pt.
Trusty Truck: St. Mary’s: 1920 New Haven Avenue, Rockaways
Toum: SChurch of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Ave. Far Rockaway
Jiannetto’s Pizza & Catering: Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock Street & Beach Channel Drive
Souvlaki GR: Beach 41st Houses: 3820 Beach Channel Drive, Far Rockaways
Korilla BBQ: Beach 41st Houses: 3820 Beach Channel Drive, Far Rockaways
Coolhaus: Breezy Point Fire Dept. 2045 Rockaway Point Blvd., Rockaways
Andys Italian Ices: Beach 25th and Seagirt, Rockaway
Frites ‘n Meats: 129-16 Rockaway Beach Blvd, 11am-6pm, Sponsored by Thomson Reuters
Phil’s Steaks: Beach 49th Street and Beach Channel Drive
Mexicue: Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street, Belle Harbor

————

Tuesday, Nov. 20th Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of Green Pirate Juice.

“Understand and be confident that each of us can make a difference by caring and acting in small as well as big ways.”- Marian Wright Edelman

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
· Green Pirate Juice: Holy Family Catholic Church, 9719 Flatlands Avenue, Canarsie
· Sweetery NYC: Gerritsen Beach Fire Dept: Seba Ave. between Canton Ct. & Dare Ct.
· Nuchas Empanadas: 2828 Neptune, Brighton Beach
· Mac Truck: 2828 Neptune, Brighton Beach
· Cupcake Crew: Gravesend Houses, West 33rd St and Neptune Avenue, Coney Island
· Country Boys: Coffey Park, 85 Richards Street, Red Hook
· Blend Express: 2648 Gerritsen Avenue, Gerritsen Beach

STATEN ISLAND (12PM-4PM)
· Taco Bite: Miller Field: Corner of Mill Road and New Dorp Lane

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
· La Bella Torte: American Legion Hall: 209 Cross Bay Boulevard, Broad Channel
· Schnitzle ‘n Things: Beach 41st Houses: 3820 Beach Channel Drive, Far Rockaways· Bian Dang: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Boulevard & 208th St, Breezy Pt.
· Empanada Food Truck: St. Mary’s: 1920 New Haven Avenue, Rockaways
· Fishing Shrimp: St Edmunds Church: Rockaway Point Blvd & Beach 216th St., Rockaways
· Kimchi Taco Truck: Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock Street & Beach Channel Drive
· Morris Truck: Beach 41st Houses: 3820 Beach Channel Drive, Far Rockaways
· Rickshaw Dumplings: Beach 41st Houses: 3820 Beach Channel Drive, Far Rockaways
· Steaks ‘n Crepes: Breezy Point Fire Dept. 2045 Rockaway Point Blvd., Rockaways
· Tribeca Taco: Beach 25th and Seagirt, Rockaway
·Wafels & Dinges: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th St.
· Sweetery NYC: 216th St. & Rockaway Point Blvd, Sponsored by Marketing Werks

————

Monday, Nov. 19th Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of Korilla BBQ.

Tough times never last, but tough people do. - Robert H Schuller

With that in mind, we continue to serve many tough people throughout Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island today. We also thank all who have made this possible, including the NYC Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Film Food Festival, our corporate sponsors, and our indiegogo fundraiser contributors from around the world. Hot sandwiches, burgers, soup, coffee, rice bowls, tacos, and even treats are on the menu today for the thousands of people still putting their lives back in order after Super Storm Sandy changed everything. Please help us to spread the word.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
· Frites ‘n Meats: Coffey Park, 85 Richards Street, Red Hook
· Green Pirate Juice: 29th & Mermaid at the Fine Fare
· La Bella Torte: 2828 Neptune, Brighton Beach
· Now Eat This Truck: 2828 Neptune, Brighton Beach
· Phil’s Steaks: Gravesend Houses, West 33rd St & Neptune Ave., Coney Island
· Schnitzle ‘n Things: Gerritsen Beach Fire Dept: Seba Ave. between Canton Court & Dare Court
· Solber Pupusas: Holy Family Catholic Church, 9719 Flatlands Avenue, Canarsie
· Big D’s Grub: 2648 Gerritsen Ave.

STATEN ISLAND (12PM-4PM)
· Toum: Miller Field: Corner of Mill Road and New Dorp Lane
· Souvlaki GR: Miller Field: Corner of Mill Road and New Dorp Lane

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
· Andy’s Italian Ice: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th St.
· Chinese Mirch: 3820 Beach Channel Drive, Rockaways
· Coolhaus: American Legion Hall: 209 Cross Bay Boulevard, Broad Channel
· Korilla BBQ: Breezy Point Fire Dept. 2045 Rockaway Point Blvd., Rockaways
· Mexico Blvd.: St Edmunds Church: Rockaway Point Blvd and Beach 216 Street
· Mike ‘n Willie’s: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th St.
· Milk Truck: Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock Street and Beach Channel Dr.
· Palenque: Beach 25th and Seagirt, Rockaway
· The Treats Truck: Beach 25th and Seagirt, Rockaway
· The Trusty Truck: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Pt. Boulevard & 208th St., Breezy Point

————

Saturday, Nov. 17th Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 17, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of Cupcake Crew NYC.

“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”- Eleanor Roosevelt

We continue to thank all who have made this possible, especially the NYC Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. We will continue serving today thanks to our partnership with the NYC Mayor’s Fund and the Film Food Festival, our corporate sponsors, and with contributions made to our indiegogo fundraiser by people around the world. Hot sandwiches, burgers, soup, coffee, rice bowls, tacos,and even treats are on the menu today for the thousands of people still putting their lives back in order after Super Storm Sandy changed everything. Please help us to spread the word.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
· Blend Express: 144 Neptune Avenue
· Country Boys: Coffey Park, 85 Richards Street, Red Hook
· Fishing Shrimp: Surf & 17th.
· GO Burger: West 33rd Street and Neptune Avenue, Sea Gate
· Hibachi Heaven: 43 Seba Ave. (Between Canton Court and Dare Court)
· Now Eat This Truck: Surf & 17th.
· Empanadas: 31st Street and Surf Ave, Sea Gate
· Solber Pupusas: Coffey Park, 85 Richards Street, Red Hook
· Taim: Surf & 17th.

STATEN ISLAND (12PM-4PM)
· Gourmet To Your Door: Miller Field: Corner of Mill Road and New Dorp Lane
· Mac Truck: Miller Field: Corner of Mill Road and New Dorp Lane
· Nuchas Empanadas: Miller Field: Corner of Mill Road and New Dorp Lane

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
· Bian Dang: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street
· Big D’s Grub: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Boulevard & 208th St., Breezy Point
· Coolhaus: Beach 25th & Seagirt, Rockaway

· Cupcake Crew NYC: 124th and Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway

· Domo Taco: West 33rd Street and Neptune Avenue, Sea Gate

· Green Pirate Juice: Beach 20th& PlainviewRd.
· Jiannetto’s Pizza: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street
· Mike ‘n Willie’s: Beach 25th and Seagirt, Rockaway
· Milk Truck: Holy Family Catholic Church, 9719 Flatlands Avenue, Canarsie
· Pizza Luca: Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock Street & Beach Channel Drive
· Schnitzle ‘n Things: American Legion Hall: 209 Cross Bay Boulevard, Broad Channel
· Souvlaki Truck: Beach 25th & Seagirt, Rockaway
· Steaks ‘n Crepes: St Edmunds Church: Rockaway Point Blvd & Beach 216 Street, Rockaways
· Taco Bite: Holy Family Catholic Church, 9719 Flatlands Avenue
· Toum: Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock Street and Beach Channel Drive
· Trusty Truck: 124th & Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway
· Wafels & Dinges: Breezy Point Fire Dept., 2045 Rockaway Point Blvd., Rockaways

————

Friday, Nov. 16th Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of Chinese Mirch.

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”- Dalai Lama VIV

Ending the week on a high note with 31 trucks. We continue to thank all who have made this possible, especially the NYC Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. There’s nothing like a hot meal to make you feel comforted and we’re so glad we could serve thousands more of them this week. We will continue serving today thanks to our partnership with the NYC Mayor’s Fund and the Film Food Festival, our corporate sponsors, and with contributions made to our indiegogo fundraiser by people around the world. Please help us to spread the word.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
· Kimchi Truck: Gerritsen Beach Fire Department: Seba Avenue between Canton Court & Dare Court
· Original Soup Man: Our Lady of Solace Church: Mermaid Ave. & 19th St.
· Eddie’s Pizza Cart: Holy Family Catholic Church, 9719 Flatlands Avenue, Canarsie
· Nuchas Empanadas: Holy Family Catholic Church, 9719 Flatlands Avenue, Canarsie
· Chinese Mirch: West 33rd Street & Neptune Ave., Sea Gate
· Gourmet To Your Door: West 33rd Street & Neptune Ave., Sea Gate
· Sweetery NYC: Our Lady of Solace Church: Mermaid Avenue and 19th Street, Coney Island
· Toum: Our Lady of Solace Church: Mermaid Avenue and 19th Street, Coney Island
· Solber Pupusas: Coffey Park, 85 Richards St.
· Korilla: Coffey Park, 85 Richards St.
· Frites ‘n Meats: Brighton Beach Ave. & Coney Island Ave., Brighton Beach. Sponsored by Thomson Reuters.

STATEN ISLAND (12PM-4PM)
· Jiannetto’s Pizza: Miller Field: Corner of Mill Road and New Dorp Lane
· Now Eat This Truck: Miller Field: Corner of Mill Road and New Dorp Lane

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
· Bian Dang: Beach 25th and Seagirt, Rockaway
· Cupcake Crew NYC: Beach 49th Street and Beach Channel Dr., Rockaways
· Fishing Shrimp: American Legion Hall: 209 Cross Bay Boulevard, Broad Channel
· Palenque: Beach 25th and Seagirt, Rockaway
· Trusty Truck: Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock Street & Beach Channel Dr.
· Domo Taco: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street
· Big D’s Grub: Beach 49th Street and Beach Channel Drive, Rockaways
· Coolhaus: American Legion Hall: 209 Cross Bay Boulevard, Broad Channel
· La Bella Torte: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street
· Munchie Mobile: 124th and Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway
· Takumi Taco Cart: St. Francis de Sales, Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 129th St.
· Wafels & Dinges: 124th and Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway
· Mike ‘n Willie’s: St. Francis de Sales: Rockaway Beach Boulevard & Beach 129th St.
· Rickshaw Dumplings: Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock Street & Beach Channel Dr.
· Mexicue: Breezy Point Fire Dept. 2045 Rockaway Point Blvd., Rockaways
· Mexico Blvd.: St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church: 83rd Street & 157th Avenue
· Mudtruck: Breezy Point Fire Dept. 2045 Rockaway Point Blvd., Rockaways
· Taco Bite: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Boulevard & 208 St. Breezy Point
· Trusty Truck: Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock Street & Beach Channel Dr.

————

Thursday, Nov. 15th Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of Phil’s Steaks

As for New York City, it is a place apart. There is not its match in any other country in the world. -Pearl S. Buck

In total, we have served approximately 120,000 free meals since Super Storm Sandy hit and we’re ready to keep it going today. We continue to thank all who have made this possible, especially the NYC Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. We will be serving today thanks to our partnership with them and the Film Food Festival, our corporate sponsors, and with contributions made to our indiegogo fundraiser by people around the world. Please help us to spread the word.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
· Bian Dang: Coney Island Ave. & Brightwater Ct.
· Country Boys: Our Lady of Solace Church: Mermaid Ave. & 19th St.
· Cupcake Crew NYC: Coney Island Ave. & Brightwater Ct.
· Fishing Shrimp: Coney Island Ave. & Brightwater Ct.
· Fun Buns: 2828 Neptune Avenue
· Jiannetto’s Pizza: 2828 Neptune Ave.
· Nuchas Empanadas: Our Lady of Solace Church, Mermaid Ave. & 19th St.
· Palenque: Gerritsen Beach Fire Dept, Seba Ave. between Canton Ct. & Dare Ct.
· Solber Pupusas:Coffey Park, 85 Richards St.
· Trusty Truck: Holy Family Catholic Church, 9719 Flatlands Ave.
· Steak ‘n Crepes: Coffey Park, 85 Richards St.

STATEN ISLAND (12PM-4PM)
· Gourmet To Your Door: New Dorp
· Mac Truck: Miller Field

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
· Domo Taco: Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock St. & Beach Channel Dr.
· Big D’s Grub: Beach 25th & Seagirt
· Coolhaus: St. Francis de Sales, Rockaway Beach Blvd. & Beach 129th St.
· Korilla: St Edmunds Church, Rockaway Point Blvd & Beach 216 St.
· La Bella Torte: Christ Community Church, Rockaway Point Blvd. & 208th St.
· Munchie Mobile: Hassock St. & Beach Channel Dr.
· Takumi Taco Cart: St. Francis de Sales, Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 129th St.
· Now Eat This Truck: Beach 49th St. & Beach Channel Dr.
· Toum: Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 124 St.
· Sweetery NYC: American Legion Hall, 209 Cross Bay Blvd.
· Wafels & Dinges: Breezy Point Fire Dept., 2045 Rockaway Point Blvd.
· Kimchi Truck: 208th and Rockaway Point Blvd
· Gorilla Cheese: Rockaway Beach Blvd. & Beach 124 St.
· Mike ‘n Willie’s: Beach 25th & Seagirt
· Original Soup Man: St. Francis de Sales, Rockaway Beach Blvd. & Beach 129th St.
· Pizza Luca: Christ Community Church: Rockaway Point Blvd. & 208th St.
· Rickshaw Dumplings: St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church: 83rd St. & 157th Ave.
· Mexicue: Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 124 Street
· Souvlaki GR: 204-25 Rockaway Pt Blvd. Sponsored by Time Warner Cable.
· Eddie’s Pizza: 192 Ebbitts St. Sponsored by Time Warner Cable.
· Hibachi Heaven: 87-15 Rockaway Beach Blvd. (btwn Beach 87th & 88th). Sponsored by Time Warner Cable.

————

Wednesday, Nov. 14th Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Laci

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” ~ Muhammad Ali

In total, we have served approximately 120,000 free meals since Super Storm Sandy hit. We continue to thank all who have made this possible, especially the NYC Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. We continue serving today thanks to our partnership with them and the Film Food Festival, our corporate sponsors, and with contributions made to our indiegogo fundraiser by people around the world. Please help us to spread the word.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
· Domo Taco: Our Lady of Solace Church: Mermaid Avenue and 19th Street
· Big D’s Grub: 2828 Neptune Avenue
· Chinese Mirch: Coney Island Ave & Brightwater Court
· Fishing Shrimp: Gerritsen Beach Fire Dept, 52 Seba Avenue
· Nuchas Empanadas: Coney Island Ave & Brightwater Court.
· Solber Pupusas: Coffey Park: 85 Richards Street
· Eddie’s Pizza: Holy Family Catholic Church-9719 Flatlands Avenue
· Frites ‘n Meats: Our Lady of Solace Church: Mermaid Avenue & 19th St. Sponsored by Liberty Mutual.
· Mud Truck: Our Lady of Solace Church: Mermaid Avenue & 19th St.
Morris Truck: 85 Richards St., Red Hook. Sponsored by Time Warner Cable.

STATEN ISLAND (12PM-4PM)
· Gourmet To Your Door: New Dorp
· Phil’s Steaks: New Dorp High School, 465 New Dorp Lane. Sponsored by Time Warner Cable.

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
· Cupcake Crew NYC: Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 124 Street
· Coolhaus: St. Francis de Sales, Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street
· Korilla: Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 124 Street
· La Bella Torte: Church parking lot across the street from Breezy Point Fire Dept. 2045 Rock Away Point Blvd.
· Munchie Mobile: American Legion Hall, 209 Cross Bay Boulevard, Broad Channel
· Takumi Taco Cart: American Legion Hall, 209 Cross Bay Boulevard, Broad Channel
· Valducci’s: St. Francis de Sales, Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th St. Sponsored by Liberty Mutual.
· Mexicue: Beach 49th Street and Beach Channel Drive
· Now Eat This Truck: Redfern Houses Community Center: Hassock Street & Beach Channel Drive
· Palenque: St Edmunds Church: Rockaway Pt Blvd & 216 St.
· Rickshaw Dumplings:St. Francis de Sales, Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th St.
· Toum: Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 124 Street
· Tribeca Taco: Church parking lot across the street from Breezy Point Fire Dept. 2045 Rock Away Point Blvd. Sponsored by Liberty Mutual.
· Trusty Truck: Redfern Houses Community Center: Hassock Street & Beach Channel Dr.
· Taco Bite: St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church: 83rd Street and 157th Avenue
· Sweetery NYC: Beach 25th and Seagirt
· Schnitz ‘n Things: Kate’s Market at Hillside Ave Roxbury. Sponsored by Time Warner Cable.
· Wafels & Dinges: Christ Community Church : Rockaway Pt Blvd & 208 St. Sponsored by Liberty Mutual.
· Hibachi Heaven: Beach 208th St & Rockaway Pt Blvd. Sponsored by Time Warner Cable.

————

A Note From NYCFTA Director David Weber

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Laci

Hello, everyone.

First and foremost, thank you for your support. Without your donations and your assistance in spreading the word, our effort to bring approximately 120,000 hot meals over the past two weeks to people devastated by Hurricane Sandy never would have happened.

To recap: The Mayor’s Fund has been sponsoring about 20-30 trucks a day to serve the  Rockaways, Far Rockaways, Staten Island, Coney Island, Howard Beach, Breezy Point, and other areas of the city that have been devastated by Super Storm Sandy. You can see where these trucks have been dispatched each day on our blog here or by following our Twitter feed. Additionally, several corporate sponsors have stepped up to give.

Due to limited resources at the NYCFTA, which is a very small not-for-profit, and the large task we have of coordinating outreach efforts for the Mayors Fund to Advance NYC we are not able to facilitate the coordination of specific trucks to specific locations. We are encouraging all donors to consider giving to the Mayors Fund and asking for funds to be earmarked for food truck outreach here.   If you end up donating more than $1000 please email me the receipt and your Twitter or Facebook handle and we will give you a shout out for your donation to the Mayor’s Fund.

Alternatively, you can arrange for outreach with the truck of your choice by contracting directly with that truck. You can link to all of the NYCFTA members here. Almost every truck has their contact info on their website.   I apologize that we aren’t able to help further but we are putting all our resources into coordinating this tremendous outreach effort in partnership with the Mayors Fund to Advance NYC. This weekend alone we are coordinating the distribution of close to 20k meals a day.

Lastly, if there is a particular location you know of in need, you can let us know by filling out this form and we will pass the information along to the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management and they might decide to dispatch a truck to that location.

All the best,

David

Tuesday, Nov. 13th Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of Seoul Food NYC.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
· Big D’s Grub: Gerritsen Beach Fire Dept, 52 Seba Ave.
· Gorilla Cheese NYC: Our Lady of Solace Church: Mermaid Avenue & 19th St.
· Mudtruck: Coffey Park, 85 Richards Street
· Palenque: Our Lady of Solace Church: Mermaid Avenue & 19th Street
· Solber Pupusas: Coney Island Ave & Brightwater Ct.
· The Treats Truck: 2828 Neptune Avenue
· Eddie’s Pizza: Coffey Park: 85 Richards Street
· Valducci’s: Coney Island Ave & Brightwater Court. Sponsored by Liberty Mutual.

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
· Trusty Truck: Christ Community Church : Rockaway Pt Blvd & 208 St. Sponsored by Liberty Mutual.
· Tribeca Taco: American Legion Hall, 209 Cross Bay Boulevard, Broad Channel. Sponsored by Liberty Mutual.
· Wafels & Dinges: Beach 25th & Seagirt. Sponsored by Liberty Mutual.
· Toum: St. Francis de Sales, Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street
· Takumi Taco Cart: Beach 49th Street and Beach Channel Drive
· Seoul Food NYC: St. Francis de Sales, Rockaway Beach Boulevard & Beach 129th St.
· Rickshaw Dumplings: St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church: 83rd Street & 157th Ave.
· Now Eat This Truck: Beach 25th & Seagirt
· Gorilla Cheese NYC- Redfern Houses Community Center: Hassock Street & Beach Channel Dr.
· Now Eat This Truck-
· Mexicue: 129th & Rockaway Beach Blvd
· Fishing Shrimp: Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock Street & Beach Channel Dr.

· Mexico Blvd.: Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 123 Street
· Nuchas Empanadas: Kate’s Market at Hillside Ave., Roxbury
· Domo Taco: Kate’s Market at Hillside Ave., Roxbury
· Cupcake Crew NYC: American Legion Hall, 209 Cross Bay Boulevard, Broad Channel
· Coolhaus: Redfern Houses Community Center: Hassock Street and Beach Channel Dr.
· Chinese Mirch: Christ Community Church : Rockaway Pt Blvd and 208 St.
· Bian Dang: Kate’s Market at Hillside Ave. Roxbury

————

Glamour Magazine and L’Oréal Paris Give Back

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Laci

Tonight, Glamour Magazine celebrates the 22nd Annual Women of the Year event in New York City’s beautiful Carnegie Hall with 4,000 of their closest friends. Sponsored by L’Oréal Paris and hosted by Glamour Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Cindi Leive and EVP & Publishing Director Bill Wackermann, the event honors courageous and inspiring women who are changing the world.

You may be thinking, “Very cool…. But what in the world does this have to do with food trucks?”

We’re glad you asked.

Photo courtesy of Glamour Magazine.

This past Friday and Saturday, the Glamour family put their compassion into action. Via three food trucks (Now Eat This Truck, Rickshaw Dumpling, and Milk Truck), Glamour and L’Oreal donated a meal for every single guest seated in Carnegie Hall during tonight’s event. On its own, that was an enormously generous gesture. Glamour didn’t stop there. On both days, Glamour staff volunteered all day with the food trucks in the Rockaways and on Staten Island. Shovels, garbage bags, or plates full of dumplings in hand, they joined others in the effort to rebuild neighborhoods- and spirits- absolutely demolished by nature’s forces.

Photo courtesy of Glamour Magazine.

“Our food trucks were in great company. For every piece of rubble, it seemed there was another volunteer eager to help clean up. There were caterers from Manhattan giving out hot chicken soup, high school girls from the Bronx hopping in assembly lines wherever they were needed, a father and his sons with a U-Haul full of donations they had collected and driven in from their hometown in Connecticut, Iraq and Afghanistan war vets impressively organizing the operations, and so many others,” reports Glamour designer Carly Rockwell.

Photo courtesy of Now Eat This Truck/Chef Rocco Dispirito.

Kate Sanders, Glamour Contributing Editor, said of her time spent in Queens on Saturday, “It’s hard to believe Rockaway is just 20 miles from our office in Times Square; the place we visited Saturday felt like a different country, dim and chaotic, like it’d been blasted by a torpedo or was recovering from war.” She continues, “You go to Rockaway and you see lone exposed staircases that once had people’s homes enclosed around them, piles of rubble where just weeks ago there was beautiful beach, water stains on ceilings that make you realize just how high the flooding got. The disaster, displacement, and devastation are obvious, but equally obvious is that people from all over are working day and night to make things better.”

Photo courtesy of the Milk Truck.

Since October 31st, many of our members have been out serving in areas impacted drastically by the storm. The days are long and the logistics tedious to ensure that we are able to do the most good for the most people. Without companies like Glamour Magazine and L’Oréal Paris underwriting the efforts, it would be impossible. We thank them for their incredible donations and efforts spent on the ground and wish them a wonderful event tonight.

To learn more about Glamour Magazine’s 22nd Annual Women of the Year event, please visit their website or follow them on Twitter @GlamourMag. Also, please be sure to tweet them a big thank you for looking out for our NYC family using the hash tag #woty!

Monday, Nov. 12th Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Laci

This week, the New York City Food Truck Association will continue using funds raised through our indiegogo fundraiser, our partnership with the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Film Food Festival, and new corporate sponsorships to send food trucks to serve hot meals in areas of NYC that were devastated by Sandy.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
· Toum- Brighton Beach: Corner of Coney Island Avenue & Brighton Beach Avenue. Sponsored by Morgan Stanley
· Cupcake Crew- Gerritsen Beach Fire Dept, 52 Seba Avenue
· Valducci’s- Our Lady of Solace Church: Mermaid Avenue and 19th Street until 6pm. Sponsored by Liberty Mutual
· Taco Bite- Our Lady of Solace Church, Mermaid Avenue & 19th Street. Sponsored by Morgan Stanley.
· Mike ‘n Willie’s- Coffey Park, 85 Richards Street
· Solber Pupusas- Coffey Park: 85 Richards Street

STATEN ISLAND (12PM-4PM)
· Souvlaki GR- Yetman & Billop Ave. Sponsored by Time Warner Cable.
· Phil’s Steaks- Hett and Marine Way, New Dorp. Sponsored by Time Warner Cable.

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
· Eddie’s Pizza- Christ Community Church : Rockaway Pt Blvd & 208 St.
· Wafels & Dinges- Christ Community Church, Rockaway Pt Blvd & 208 St. Sponsored by Morgan Stanley.
· Trusty Truck- Beach 49th Street & Beach Channel Drive. Sponsored by Liberty Mutual.
· Gorilla Cheese NYC- Redfern Houses Community Center: Hassock Street & Beach Channel Drive
· Tribeca Taco- St Edmunds Church, Rockaway Pt. Blvd & 216 St. Sponsored by Liberty Mutual.
· Now Eat This Truck- Kate’s Market at Hillside Ave. Roxbury
· Big D’s Grub- St. Francis de Sales, Rockaway Beach Boulevard & Beach 129th Street
· Seoul Food- St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church: 83rd Street & 157th Avenue
· Frites ‘n Meats- Beach 25th & Seagirt
· Mexico Blvd.- St. Francis de Sales, Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street
· Coolhaus- Kate’s Market at Hillside Ave Roxbury
· Milk Truck- 129th & Rockaway Beach Blvd. Sponsored by Vibe Magazine.
· Schnitz ‘n Things- Far Rockaway 22nd st & Sea Girt. Sponsored by Time Warner Cable.
· Sweetery NYC- Sheepshead Bay Road by Emmons Ave.
· Rickshaw Dumplings- American Legion Hall, 209 Cross Bay Boulevard, Broad Channel
· Nuchas Empanadas- American Legion Hall, 209 Cross Bay Boulevard, Broad Channel

————

Sunday, Nov. 11th, Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Laci

We give because we can.

The New York City Food Truck Association will continue using funds raised through our indiegogo fundraiser, our partnership with the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Film Food Festival, and new corporate sponsorships to send 25 food trucks to serve hot meals in areas of NYC that were devastated by Sandy.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
· Nuchas Empanadas- Our Lady of Solace Church: Mermaid Avenue and 19th Street
· Seoul Food NYC- Corner of Coney Island Avenue and Brighton Beach Avenue
· Solber Purpusas- Coffey Park: 85 Richards Street
· Palenque- Coffey Park: 85 Richards Street
· Cupcake Crew- Our Lady of Solace Church, Mermaid Avenue and 19th Street
· Sweetery- Surf Ave & West 25th Street

STATEN ISLAND (12pm-4pm)
· Taco Bite- Olympia Blvd & Slater. Sponsored by Morgan Stanley.
· Trusty Truck- Corner of Father Capodano Boulevard and Hunter Avenue. Sponsored by Morgan Stanley.
· Toum- Miller Field: Corner of Mill Road and New Dorp Lane. Sponsored by Morgan Stanley.
· Valducci’s- Miller Field, Corner of Mill Road and New Dorp Lane
· Phil’s Steaks- Father Capodonna Blvd and Hunter Ave from 11-4. Sponsored by Time Warner Cable.

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
· Big D’s Grub- Broad Channel Park on East 16 Rd & Cross Bay Blvd.
· Chinese Mirch- St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church, 83rd Street and 157th Avenue
· Country Boys Food Truck- St Edmunds Church, Rockaway Pt Blvd & 216 St.
· Eddie’s Pizza Cart- Kate’s Market at Hillside Ave Roxbury
· The Treats Truck- Beach 25th & Seagirt
· Rickshaw Dumplings- Hammel Community Center: Beach 84th Street & Rockaway Beach Boulevard
· Now Eat This Truck- Christ Community Church : Rockaway Pt Blvd and 208 St.
· Munchie Mobile- Redfern Houses Community Center: Hassock Street & Beach Channel Drive
· Mud Truck- Beach 41st Street Community Center: Beach Channel Drive & Beach 40th Street
· Mike ‘n Willie’s- Beach 25th Street & Seagirt Avenue
· Mexicue- St. Francis de Sales, Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street
· Coolhaus- St Edmunds Church: Rockaway Pt Blvd & 216 St.
· Schnitz ‘n Things: 57th & Beach Channel Drive. Sponsored by Time Warner Cable.

————

For more updates please follow @NYCFoodTruck on twitter or subscribe to this Twitter List of all Outreach Relief trucks.

Saturday, Nov. 10th, Outreach Relief Trucks

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Laci

Check out these great quotes from people we’ve recently heard:

“Thanks for mobilizing on behalf of those of us who aren’t close enough to help!”- Jennifer

“My daughter has been working at one of the Rockaway sites for 5 days. She says the food trucks and JetBlue are her heroes.”- Patricia

“This donation came from a fundraiser I held after running the Boston Marathon route, instead of the NYC marathon, this weekend. I am thrilled our neighbors and friends raised enough to provide 100 hot meals!”- Diana

“We are down but not out!!!”- Maria

“As a Hoboken resident, i know how powerful this is. Thanks for doing this.”- Jerry

“Nothing beats a warm meal on a cold day!”- Katherine

The New York City Food Truck Association will continue using funds raised through our indiegogo fundraiser, our new partnership with the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Film Food Festival, and new corporate sponsorships to send 25 food trucks to serve hot meals in areas of NYC that were devastated by Sandy.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
· Trusty Truck- Coffey Park, 85 Richards Street
· Taco Bite- Our Lady of Solace Church, Mermaid Avenue and 19th Street
· Mike ‘n Willie’s- Coney Island Ave. & Brighton Beach Ave.
· Sweetery NYC- Gerritsen Beach Fire Dept, 52 Seba Avenue
· Schnitz ‘n Things- Red Hook, Exact location to be announced on Twitter

STATEN ISLAND (12pm-4pm)
· Gorilla Cheese- Midland Beach
· Toum- Miller Field, Mill Road & New Dorp Lane

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
· Wafels & Dinges- Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 102nd St
· Taim Mobile- Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 102nd St
· Valducci’s- Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 102nd St
· Munchie Mobile- Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 102nd St
· Eddie’s Pizza- Rockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 102nd St
· Nuchas Empanadas- Beach Channel Firehouse, 15 Noel Road
· Mudtruck- Kate’S Market at Hillside Ave Roxbury
· Big D’s Grub- Christ Community Church : Rockaway Pt Blvd and 208 St.
· Mexico Blvd.- St Edmunds Church: Rockaway Pt Blvd and ! 216 St.
· Rickshaw Dumplings- St. Francis de Sales, Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th St.
· Now Eat This Truck- St. Francis de Sales, Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street
· Coolhaus- Beach 41st Street Community Center, Beach Channel Drive and Beach 40th Street
· Milk Truck- St. Francis de Sales, Rockaway Beach Boulevard at Beach 129th Street
· Domo Taco- Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock Street and Beach Channel Dr
· Chinese Mirch- Hammel Community Center, Beach 84th Street and Rockaway Beach Boulevard
· Cupcake Crew NYC- St. Helen’s Roman Catholic Church, 83rd Street and 157th Avenue
· Uncle Gussy’s- Beach 49th Street and Beach Channel Drive
· Mexicue- 1001 Beach 20th Street

————

For more updates please follow @NYCFoodTruck on twitter or subscribe to this Twitter List of all Outreach Relief trucks.

Volunteering On A Truck…

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Laci

As many have noticed post-Sandy, the silver lining seems to be that the community has risen to the challenge. People are rallying to collect donations of food and supplies all over and countless people are helping with clean up efforts. Of course, we’ve also saw it as donors from as far away as Australia donated to our Sandy Outreach Relief fundraisers (which, by the way, totaled more $50,000… in FIVE days. Amazing!)

Over the past ten days, many of you have also reached out to us asking if, in addition to your financial donations, you could volunteer your time to serve meals from our food trucks. You guys are the best for offering. Unfortunately, we’ve had to decline your offers and this is reason: To work on a truck you need to be licensed. The DOH has been inspecting trucks who are distributing free food to make sure everything is safe. Even though it is for charity, In order to be compliant we need all workers to have a license. Since we’re on the topic of working on a food truck…

Working on a food truck is an awesome way to make some dough in NYC! You make good wages, good tips, and you’re part of a fantastic group of people (if we do say so ourselves!) However, in order to work on a food truck, you need a Mobile Food Vendor License (MFVL). Getting a MFVL can take 2-3 months, so if you want to be working on a food truck this summer, you should start applying now! Here is a guide to help you get a MFVL. Having a MFVL will set you apart from the competition as someone with initiative. You’ll stand a great chance of landing a job if you show up an your interview with your License in hand. Here is a guide to applying for a Mobile Food Vendor License:

http://www.nycfoodtrucks.org/mfvlguide

But back to volunteering. There is a LOT of need for hands-on help. This list should get you started:

Time Out New York’s “How to Help Out After Sandy”
American Red Cross
NYC Service
New York Cares
New Jersey’s Volunteer Emergency Response
Community Emergency Response Teams
Team Rubicon
The Humane Society
American Humane Association

Friday, Nov 9th Food Truck Outreach Efforts

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Laci

“With the drop in temperature, hot meals are more necessary than ever,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Working together with food trucks who can provide residents in devastated areas can be a life line for many and we are grateful for this partnership that can help with much needed relief for the most affected New Yorkers.”

The New York City Food Truck Association will continue using funds raised through our indiegogo fundraiser, our new partnership with the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Film Food Festival, and new corporate sponsorships to send 23 food trucks to serve hot meals in areas of NYC that were devastated by Sandy.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
· Gorilla Cheese-Coney Island Ave. & Brighton Beach Ave.
· Valducci’s – Our Lady of Solace Church, Mermaid Ave. & 19th St.
· Solver Pupusas- Calvary Baptist Church, Hicks between Mill Street & West 9th Street
· Schnitz ‘n Things: Our Lady of Solace Church, Mermaid Ave. & 19th St.
· Cupcake Crew NYC- Red Hook, Will tweet exact location

STATEN ISLAND (12pm-4pm)
· Souvlaki GR- Mount Loretto, 6581 Hylan Blvd.
· Coolhaus- Father Capodano Blvd. & Hunter Ave.
· Taim- Father Capodano Blvd. & Hunter Ave. Sponsored by HAVAS
· Nuchas Empanadas- Miller Field, Mill Road & New Dorp Lane
· Milk Truck- Miller Field, Mill Road & New Dorp Lane Sponsored by Glamour Magazine
· Rickshaw Truck- Miller Field, Mill Road & New Dorp Lane Sponsored by Glamour Magazine
· Now Eat This Truck- Miller Field, Mill Road & New Dorp Lane Sponsored by Glamour Magazine

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
· Chinese Mirch- St. Helen’s at 157-10 83rd St.
· Big D’s Grub- Hammel Community Center, Beach 84th St. & Rockaway Beach Blvd.
· Eddie’s Pizza- Community Church of the Nazarene, 1414 Central Avenue
· Palenque- Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock Street & Beach Channel Drive
· Mexico Blvd.- Our Lady of Grace, 100-05 159th Avenue
· Taco Bite- St. Francis de Sales, Beach Blvd. & Beach 129th St. Sponsored by Morgan Stanley
· Morris Truck- Waldbaum’s Parking Lot, 112-15 Beach Channel Drive
· Mike ‘n Willie’s- Beach 41st St. Community City, Beach Channel Dr. & Beach 40th St.
· Toum- St. Francis de Sales, Beach Blvd. & Beach 129th St. Sponsored by Morgan Stanley
· Wafels & Dinges- Hammel Community Center, Beach 84th St. & Rockaway Beach Blvd. Sponsored by Morgan Stanley
· Seoul Food NYC- Breezy Point, Will tweet exact location
· Sweetery NYC-Coney Island, Will tweet exact location
· The Treats Truck- The Rockaways, Will tweet exact location

————

For more updates please follow @NYCFoodTruck on twitter or subscribe to thisTwitter List of all Outreach Relief trucks.

Thursday, Nov 8th, Foodtruck Outreach Efforts

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Laci

Thank you to everyone for your generous donations to help our fellow New Yorkers. We have been all over the greater-NYC area handing out hot meals to those who are still without power and, in some cases, without a home to return to. Our sadness about the devastation Hurricane Sandy caused is matched only by our amazement with how people near and far have been a part of the recovery efforts. Whether you’ve volunteered your time, your money, your voice or all of the above, you have made a mark on NYC because you have been a part of this outreach effort. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

The New York City Food Truck Association is will continue using funds raised through our indiegogo fundraiser, our new partnership with the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Film Food Festival, and new corporate sponsorships to send 22 food trucks to serve hot meals in areas of NYC that were devastated by Sandy.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (12pm-4pm)
· Gorilla Cheese-1904 Surf Ave./MCYU Parking Lot
· Now Eat This- Gerritsen Beach Fire Dept. 52 Seba Ave.
· Eddie’s Pizza- Gerritsen Beach Fire Dept. 52 Seba Ave.
· Mexicue- Our Lady of Solace Church, Mermaid Ave. & 19th St.
· Rickshaw Dumpling Truck- Calvary Baptist Church, Hicks between Mill Street & West 9th Street
· Schnitz ‘n Things: Warbasse Houses, 2770 West 5th Street, Brighton Beach
· Wafels & Dinges- Mermaid Ave. & 19th Street

STATEN ISLAND (12pm-4pm)
· Valduccis- Mount Loretto, 6581 Hylan Blvd.
· Coolhaus- New Dorp High School, Mill Road & New Dorp Lane
· Nuchas Empanadas- New Dorp High School, Mill Road & New Dorp Lane
· Toum- New Dorp High School, Mill Road & New Dorp Lane

QUEENS (12pm-4pm)
· Seoul Food- St. Helen’s at 157-10 83rd St.
· Big D’s Grub- 84th St. & Rockaway Beach Blvd.
· Mexico Blvd.- 129-16 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
· Milk Truck- Highland Place between Rockaway Pt. Blvd. & East Market Street
· Morris Grilled Cheese- 1414 Central Avenue
· Palenque- Redfern Houses Community Center, Hassock Street & Beach Channel Drive
· Mike ‘n Willie’s- Our Lady of Grace, 100-05 159th Avenue
· Souvlaki GR- 10233 Davenport Court
· Sweetery- Red Fern Houses, Hassock Street & Beach Channel Drive
· Taco Bite- Rockaway Waldbaum’s Parking Lot, 112-15 Beach Channel Drive

————

For more updates please follow @NYCFoodTruck on twitter or subscribe to this Twitter List of all Relief Outreach trucks.

Wednesday, Nov. 7th, Foodtruck Outreach Efforts

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Laci

Thank you to everyone for your generous donations to our fellow New Yorkers without power. The New York City Food Truck Association is using funds raised through our indiegogo fundraiser as well as our new partnership with the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Film Food Festival to send a truck to serve hot meals in areas of NYC that were devastated by Sandy.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN (9am-12pm)
· Coolhaus- 1904 Surf Ave./MCYU Parking Lot
· Frites ‘n Meats- Brighton Beach Ave. & Coney Island Ave.
· Toum- West 25th & Surf Ave.
· Milk Truck- Red Hook Coffey Park, 85 Richards
· Gorilla Cheese- 52 Seba Ave.
· Sweetery NYC- Surf Avenue & West 25th Street

STATEN ISLAND (9am-12pm)
· Valduccis- Father Capodano Blvd. & Hunter Ave.
· Wafels & Dinges- Surf Playground, Surf Ave. between W. 25 St. and W. 27 St
· Rickshaw Dumplings- Mill Road & New Dorp Lane
· The Treats Truck- Mill Road & New Dorp Lane
· Mud Truck- 6581 Hylan Blvd.
· Uncle Gussy’s- Mill Road & New Dorp Lane

QUEENS (9am-12pm)
· Now Eat This- York College, 94 – 20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.
· Phil’s Steaks- St. Helen’s at 157-10 83rd St.
· Eddie’s Pizza- 112-15 Beach Channel Drive
· Mexico Blvd.- Our Lady of Grace at 100-05 159th Ave.
· Nuchas- 1414 Central Ave.
· Cupcake Crew- 84th & Rockaway Beach Blvd.
· Souvlaki GR- Red Fern & Beach 12th
· Morris Truck- 40th & Beach Channel Ave.
· Taco Bite- Rockaway Beach Blvd., near Ocean Bay & Beach)
· Chinese Mirch- 10233 Davenport Court

————

For more updates please follow @NYCFoodTruck on twitter or subscribe to this Twitter List of all Relief Outreach trucks.

Tues Nov 6th, Foodtruck Outreach Efforts

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Laci

Thank you to everyone for their generous donations to our fellow New Yorkers without power. The New York City Food Truck Association is using funds raised through our indiegogo fundraiser as well as a sponsorship from the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New york City to send a truck to serve hot meals in areas of NYC that were devastated by Sandy.

Today, the following food trucks will be in:

BROOKLYN
· Souvlaki Truck 1904 Surf Ave./MCYU Parking Lot (12pm-4pm)
· Mexico Blvd. Brighton Beach Ave. & Coney Island Ave. (12pm-4pm)
· Mike ‘n Willie’s- West 25th & Surf Ave. (12pm-4pm)
· Big D’s Grub- Red Hook Coffey Park, 85 Richards (12pm-4pm)
· Coolhaus- 52 Seba Ave. (10pm-4pm)

Staten Island
· Nuchas- 300 Western Ave. (12pm-4pm)
· Now Eat This- Father Capodano Blvd. & Hunter Ave. (12pm-4pm)
· Morris Grilled Cheese- Mill Road & New Dorp Lane (12pm-4pm)
· Valducci’s- Mill Road & New Dorp Lane
· Schnitz ‘n Things: 6581 Hylan Blvd. (12pm-4pm)

Queens
· Phil’s Steaks- Breezy Point – Fort Tilden Park (closest end to Breezy Point) (12pm-4pm)
· Gorilla Cheese- St. Helen’s at 157-10 83rd St.(12pm-4pm)
· Mexicue- 1414 Central Ave.(12pm-4pm)
· Rickshaw Dumpling Truck- 112-15 Beach Channel Drive (12pm-4pm)
· Seoul Food- Our Lady of Grace at 100-05 159th Ave. (12pm-4pm)
· Taim- 1414 Central Ave. (12pm-4pm)
· Toum- 84th & Rockaway Beach Blvd. (12pm-4pm)
· Chinese Mirch- Red Ferris & Beach 12th (12pm-4pm)
· Cupcake Crew- 40th & Beach Channel Ave. (8am-4pm)
· Eddie’s Pizza- 129-16 Rockaway Beach Blvd. (12pm-4pm)
· Frites ‘n Meats- Beach 49th Street & Beach Channel Drive (12pm-4pm)

————

For more updates please follow @NYCFoodTruck on twitter.

Post-Sandy Hot Meals

Posted on November 3, 2012 by Laci

Hi Folks,

We’re keeping this post short, sweet, and full of helpful info. We will be partnering with Jetblue again today to help feed areas of NY and NJ who, four days post-Sandy, are still without power, heat, and in some cases, a home to return to.

Photo courtesy of StreetGrub Steve via http://www.streetgrubeveryday.com/.

Here is where we will be:

Rockaways (Beach 50th & Beach Channel Drive; 12-4pm)

Eddies Pizza

Cupcake Crew

Phil’s Steaks

Milk Truck

Staten Island (Midland Ave. & Olympic Blvd.; 12-4pm)

Toum

Valducci’s Pizza

Gorilla Cheese

Coolhaus

Hoboken (12-4pm)

Big D’s Grub: Church Sq. Park

Sweetery: Church Sq. Park

Nuchas: Church Sq. Park

In addition to the Jetblue partnership, the following trucks will be out in the Rockaways today giving out hot meals on their own:

Rocco Dispirito’s Now Eat This Truck

Juice Pirate

Wafels & Dinges

Frites ‘n Meats

Rickshaw Dumpling Truck

There will likely be more updates coming. Thank you for your patience, your support, and most of all for spreading the word to those who can use this opportunity for a hot meal.

Lunch Is On Us

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Laci

What. A. Week.

Photo courtesy of CNN.com

First things first. We hope you and your loved ones are safe and secure as we deal with Hurricane Sandy aftermath. We are so humbled and proud of our city for coming together after such devastation and chaos. We’ve heard of and seen so many instances of neighbors helping neighbors and strangers coming out of the woodwork to lend a hand. Today, in conjunction with Jetblue, we will be trying to make life just a little bit easier for many.

In five locations throughout the city, 12 of our members will be giving out hot meals to people who are living without power from 12-4pm. Please help us spread the word to those who do not have online access to this information. Here are the locations:

19th Street & 8th Avenue

- Andy’s Italian Ice

- Milk Truck

- Frites ‘n Meats

Washington Square & West 4th Street

- Big D’s Grub

- Coolhaus NY

Beach 50th & Beach Channel Drive

Astor Place

- Toum

Tompkins Square Park

- Sweetery Truck

- Mexico Blvd.

Guest Blogger of the Week: Ashley Massis

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of Pinterest.

Originally from Binghamton, New York, Ashley Massis is a small town girl with big city dreams. After moving to Manhattan two years ago, she is currently pursuing her two great career passions: fashion and writing. With over 7 years in the fashion industry and working for various companies as a freelance author and critic, she has become an expert in NYC food, nightlife, and culture. After working as Editor for AskMissa.com, contributor to RunningShoesGuru.com and GuestofaGuest.com, she founded NYSocialStatus.com in 2012. She has a weak spot for champagne, cupcakes, and the latest food truck. Keep up with Ashley on Twitter and enjoy her guest post…

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Whenever I think of home, I think of foods that my parents used to make me when I was sick, namely grilled cheese sandwiches. Both parents would make the simple dish when I was sick, or wanted something fast for lunch, but both made it differently. My dad would add some ham slices, or cook it with cream cheese. My mother on the other hand, would make a buttery crunchier crust and the sandwich would ooze with cheese. Whenever homesick, I still will eat these and think fondly of my comfort food.

New York City is known for its growing culinary dishes on the road. The “World of Food Trucks” has become less about “water dogs” and more about tasty treats you can’t find anywhere else. As a reviewer, I spend a lot of time on the streets trying to find the best and unique food. As the competition becomes fierce in the food truck business, only the odd specialties survive. One of my favorite food trucks in New York City is Gorilla Cheese. This truck is popular because it is a reminder of childhood comfort meals, but with an adult twist. You can relive the “after-school” buttery grilled cheese like my mom used to make me, but in the comfort of your work cubicle!

Photo courtesy of newyorkstreetfood.com.

Using only fresh local breads and a variety of cheeses, Gorilla Cheese makes gourmet grilled cheeses, among other comfort foods such as Tater Tots. One of my favorite sandwiches is the Chicken Parm Melt. Made with smoked mozzarella, breaded chicken, and marinara, this sandwich is perfect for a rainy day. The “Brooklyn Special” is another popular choice. This sandwich is made with Fresh Asiago Cheese, layered Prosciutto de Parma, and aioli. The crispy, crunchy Panini is salty and gooey.

If you make your sandwich a meal, it comes with a side of tater tots. Bringing me back to the days of elementary school cafeterias, Gorilla Cheese gives your taste buds something more advanced by bringing in specialty dipping sauces. The sweet Vidalia Onion sauce is one of my personal favorites. Gorilla Cheese also offers other sides such as Creamy Tomato Soup, just in case you are missing a “mom quality” meal.

Photo courtesy of itsallfare.com.

Since you’re already indulging, no meal is complete without the “Big S” S’Mores Grilled Dessert. Made on homemade graham cracker bread, it is a must try. With one bite, it transports you back to your childhood, and leaves you with a satisfied smile and sticky sugary hands as evidence.

Take my advice and try out Gorilla Cheese if you haven’t already- Just be sure to leave some for me!

Guest Blogger of the Week: Anthony Landi

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Laci

Do you remember your first love? Er, food truck love, that is. We all have one. It’s that truck that introduced you to the concept of readily-accessible, unique, and flavorful street food. This week’s Guest Blogger, Anthony, reminisces on the day- and that special truck- that changed everything for him (as far as food truck fare goes anyway!). Enjoy…

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

I remember walking around SoHo with some friends 3 or 4 years ago. I was nearing the end of my high school career, and it wasn’t until this point that I began to appreciate and truly love everything New York has to offer, saving up money for a train ticket to lope around the Village, eat cheap pizza and buy records on the weekends. On this particular day, the sky had been clouded over all day, and our luck held out until dusk. Suddenly, the sky opened, drenching Mercer Street and forcing my friends and I to take cover under a storefront, waiting for the worst of the storm to pass. We waited around listlessly, watching people dart about with coats and umbrellas, avoiding puddles and the inevitable splashes made by cabs as they passed.

After about a half hour of waiting, something caught my eye… a banana-cream-pie colored vintage truck with a difficult to pronounce name decal-ed on the side rounding the corner. I grabbed my brother’s arm to get his attention, and asked him what it read as it pulled away. He squinted through the rain and said “ Van L… I don’t know. I can’t read it.” “Well, what do you think it sells?” I asked. “I think hard scoop ice cream. Damn, I wish it wasn’t rainy,” lamented my brother. The mysterious truck and its contents haunted me for the rest of the day, making me eager to find it in the future (under sunnier circumstances). I believe it’s important to note that at this point, food trucks to me were the stands at roadside fairs that sold overpriced hot dogs, pretzels, and bottles of water – the word “gourmet” had never crossed my mind to describe one.

Fast forward two years – I was walking with my girlfriend through the West Village on our December break, she never having been there. We walked and talked, bundled up against the brisk wind, until I saw something that made me stop in my tracks – the same yellow truck was parked a block ahead of us. I grabbed her wrist, and half-jogged to the truck. “Van Leeuwen’s!” I exclaimed, raising my fists in Rocky-like triumph, much to the bewilderment of my girlfriend. Once my breathing returned to normal (I’m not in the most peak of physical condition), I read over the menu, and was absolutely blown away. I really couldn’t have dreamed of a better concept for a food truck myself; before me lay a list of fresh, locally-sourced ice cream flavors, some of which I couldn’t even pronounce (when was the last time you had gianduja flavored ice cream?). The pastries, which I’ve only recently tried (you try passing up on their ice cream!), are also fantastic, artfully executed and baked fresh, and go great with one of Van Leeuwen’s delicious artisan, trained-barista-brewed coffees.

Ice cream, however, is the true star, and the mint chip was what caught my eye. On first bite, I was in love – the mint flavor was so natural and smooth, and the chocolate chips perfectly semi-sweet and rich, that the frigid air hardly mattered anymore. I could instantly tell how much the people who made it truly cared about their product – every detail, both aesthetically and flavor-wise, were absolutely perfected – and that left a huge impact on me. Quality food, to me, became less about fancy restaurants and more about people making food they love simply and getting it out to people who love good food too. This opened a whole new culinary world to me – some of the best food being made in New York is being cooked in food trucks with fresh ingredients, original recipes, and a bit of creativity. Now, I’m a frequenter of food trucks, and often share my trucks with friends, all thanks to Van Leeuwen’s, and all the operators of food trucks who truly love what they do.

About:

Anthony Landi is currently a student at Loyola University Maryland. He spends his time between New York and Baltimore, discovering cheap eats in the cities he calls home, and writing for his school paper and music website Manik Music. He loves food trucks because of the innovative and creative ways their passionate operators get delicious, fresh food out to people. The only things that rival his love of food are books and discovering new music– You know, the simple things in life. You can follow him online @Alandi92.

Concern Worldwide, NYCFTA, and You on World Food Day 2012

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Laci

Because so many of you participated in World Food Day 2012 with us this year, we would like to follow up on how our partnership with Concern Worldwide helped the less fortunate. Today, Concern’s Press Officer Crystal Wells shares with us the impact our support will have.

Source: greenpeaceblogs.org via NYCFTA on Pinterest.

What do Philly cheese steaks, vegetarian dumplings, and empanadas all have in common? They all fought hunger on October 16th. I’m not talking about the rumble-in-your-belly-kind-of-hunger. I’m talking about the kind that claims lives because there was not enough nutritious food to eat.

This World Food Day, 13 of New York City’s food trucks came together to donate 5 percent of their sales to helping Concern Worldwide combat hunger and malnutrition in the world’s poorest countries. For New Yorkers, that means any item that you picked for your lunch at one of the participating food trucks last Tuesday will make a difference in the life of someone across the planet who does not have the same access to food—let alone nutritious foods—that we enjoy here.

The tragic reality is that a child dies every six seconds because of causes related to hunger. Another 171 million children are estimated to be stunted physically or mentally, or both, because they did not have enough nutritious foods to eat early in life to reach their full potential. It can be easy to read these statistics and think, “It’s too big. It’s too far away. I’ll never make a difference.” But you can and you don’t have to do something dramatic to do it. Just look at what these food trucks made possible. Because 13 food trucks did not back down in the face of these startling truths, we now have more support to break the cycle of hunger in the world’s poorest countries. The money they helped raise will make sure more malnourished children have the treatment they need to recover and survive. It will make sure more communities have the seeds, tools, livestock, and training they need to break the cycle of hunger.

Source: StreetGrubEveryday.com via NYCFTA on Pinterest.

And a little goes a long way: for approximately the same price as a chicken shawarma sandwich ($7) at Toum, we can give a family in Pakistan a 15-day supply of emergency food. Or, for $9, the same price as a chili dog and Belgian fries from Snap, we can give a malnourished child in Somalia therapeutic food for a week. For $28, just $3 more than the cost of a mouth-watering lobster dinner at Red Hook Lobster, we can save a child’s life from the grips of malnutrition in Ethiopia.

Source: blogs.concernusa.org via NYCFTA on Pinterest.

There is no silver bullet to ending hunger. It will take an army of people willing to do their small part to move the needle. That is exactly what the New York City Food Truck Association and 13 of its members did on World Food Day. On behalf of everyone at Concern, I would like to humbly thank the following food trucks for their compassion and commitment to making hunger history:

Gorilla Cheese NYC, Chinese Mirch, Milk Truck, Toum, Mexicue, Shorty’s on Wheels
Valducci’s, Phil’s Steaks, Snap, Mexico Blvd., Red Hook Lobster, Souvlaki GR, Nuchas

If you missed this offer on World Food Day, you can still make a difference! Please join our Concern for Hunger campaign through November 30th and help us end hunger by hosting a dinner party or going without food to raise money for our nutrition, food, and agriculture programs in 25 of the world’s poorest countries. To learn more, please visit: www.concernusa.org/hunger.

For more photos from World Food Day 2012, please visit the NYCFTA Pinterest board by clicking here.

Lunch with Us in Honor of World Food Day 2012

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Laci

Photo courtesy of Concern via ConcernUSA.org

We are excited to be partnering with Concern Worldwide in an effort to raise awareness and money to help address extreme hunger in the world’s poorest countries.

Thirteen of our members are donating 5% of their sales today to Concern Worldwide’s Concern for Hunger initiative, a movement against extreme hunger that Concern launched last month with award-winning actress Toni Collette . All donations to Concern for Hunger support Concern’s programs that treat and prevent malnutrition in the world’s poorest countries.

The participating trucks are:

Gorilla Cheese (47th St. & Park Ave.)

Chinese Mirch (47th St. between Park & Madison Ave.)

Milk Truck (40th St. & 5th Ave, Bryant Park)

Toum (46th St. between 5th & 6th Ave.)

Valduccis (52nd St. & Park Ave.)

Mexico Boulevard (North End Ave. & Vesey St., World Financial Center Lot)

Phils Steaks (North End Ave. & Vesey St., World Financial Center Lot)

Red Hook Lobster (50th St. & 6th Ave.)

Shorty’s on Wheels (47th between Park Ave. & Lexington Ave.)

Nuchas (46th St. between 5th Ave & 6th Ave.)

Souvlaki GR (32 Old Slip)

Mexicue (26th Street between 11th St. & 12th St, Starrett LeHigh Building)

Snap Truck (TBA)

*These are their lunch locations only. Please check this list for dinner locations.

World Food Day is celebrated every year around the world on October 16th in honor of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945. The day is celebrated widely by many other organizations concerned with food security, including the World Food Program. We encourage you to join us for lunch today at any of these trucks and to learn more about Concern for Hunger, and to get involved.

Guest Blogger of the Week: Why, it’s Rosemarie Gambetta!

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Laci

Hello again, NYC! We’re back with another Guest Blogger and it’s none other than Rosemarie Gambetta of Cheap Eats, Inc. fame! We had so much positive feedback on her post last week that we knew you’d enjoy another. Take it away, Rosemarie!

A FOOD TRUCK THAT FUELS AND POWERS YOU

If you owned a luxury car; what kind of fuel would you put in it? High grade? Low grade? High grade, of course. So why do so many of us power our bodies with low grade food? What if I told you that there is a food truck that will jump start your engine and help it run smoothly? Who is that food truck?

Deborah of Green Pirate Juice Truck courtesy of Cargo Collective.com.

Green Pirate Juice Truck is a brightly colored food truck that plays killer music and serves up a tasty plant and fruit-based menu. Their juices and smoothies are made fresh on the truck and can be made to order. For those with a bigger appetite, they also feature healthy treats and vegan brownies that are not only tasty but gluten-free plus Deborah shared some great news: They’re starting to offer vegan wraps and seasonal salads for lunch… Can you hear the applause?! The normal season for Green Pirate, is Spring & Summer, but to the delight of their fans, they will be opened until November.

Deborah Smith, founder of Green Pirate Juice Truck courtesy of wellandgoodnyc.com

I had the honor of chatting with owner Deborah Smith to learn a little bit more about her truck and mission. Deborah is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where she learned the importance of fruits and vegetables in our diet. The food we put in our bodies not only feeds us, it builds our immunity, helps to prevent diseases, fuels us and keeps us on our game. We know how necessary that is in this city!
I’m 100% on-board with all of this but had just one question for Deborah: Why open a food truck versus a brick and mortar shop? She made a great point: A free standing shop will only attract those already in the program but a food truck helps reach a larger audience and will attract not only those that already engage in this style, but those that just want to dip their toe in the water. Genius! And, if you’re thinking of doing a juice cleanse but are afraid to make the commitment, Green Pirate offers workshops and support groups to help you through the cleansing program. You won’t have to feel alone or left out of the rest of society because you’ll have supporters throughout the entire cleanse!

Thanks Green Pirate for proving once again that you can find a healthy food truck.

Photo courtesy of holisticjuicyliving.blogspot.com

Guest Blogger of the Week: Rosemarie Gambetta

Posted on October 7, 2012 by Laci

A fierce love of food and twin careers in real estate and fashion taught Rosemarie to look for the hottest item and the hottest deal… Perfect attributes for creating her site, Cheap Eats Inc.! When friends and clients needed a great meal at a great price, she could rattle off restaurant names the way a sports nut ticks off batting averages—but with a lot more home runs. Today, she uses her deal-finding skills to find a healthy food truck option for those of us out there who watch our waistline as closely as we watch our wallet!

Are There Really Healthy Food Trucks?

Food trucks are the all the rage these days. Where else can you have a great and inexpensive meal, at your doorstep and freshly prepared? There’s burgers, hot dogs, tacos and grilled cheese, to name just a few. But what about those of us who are watching our waistline and are looking for healthy and tasty options?

Taim Mobile (pronounced taheem), is a food truck that serves falafel and smoothies. Its Hebrew name means; “Highly pleasant to the taste and delicious.” Sound promising?

I know you can find falafel all over the city, but what sets Taim Mobile apart from the others is the ingredients they use and ultimately the taste. They use organic chickpeas, spices, mint, parsley and cilantro, hence the greenish hue, when you bite in one. They’re light, fresh and GLUTEN FREE. “Aren’t all falafels gluten free?” you might ask. No! Many use fillers, such as flour, to cut down on the cost. Taim doesn’t.

All of their sandwiches or platters, are served with REAL tahini sauce, made from ground sesame seeds. Not the white sauce that many other carts serve. FYI – that white sauce that many of you ask for, is mayonnaise based. Vegans are shrieking right now.

Their French fries are hand cut every day, using fresh Idaho potatoes. NEVER frozen. Their entire menu is Vegan and Vegetarian Friendly, except the aioli for the french fries. And, if you don’t eat the pita bread, their entire menu is gluten free!

But wait, there’s more. Their drinks are made fresh every day. How about Ginger -Mint Lemonade, or Pomegranate-Honey Iced Tea? Perhaps you’re in the mood for a smoothie? Their Date Lime Banana Smoothie is made with 3 dates, a banana, fresh lime juice and Soy milk. YUM!!! But there are many more to choose from and all made with fresh ingredients.

Thanks Taim Mobile for providing us with outstanding food that is healthy and won’t break the bank.

And thank you, Rosemarie, for teaching us a little more about our food truck options! Be sure to follow her on Twitter @Cheap_Eats for more deal discoveries!

The Tasty Business of Food Trucks

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Laci

Don’t we all love a good infograph?

Guest Blogger of the Week: Johanna Scott

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Laci

Johanna is a long time food lover, home cook, and food truck chaser. She blogs about these things and others at Words By Jo and Dining At My Desk. Johanna is also the Community Manager – PR, Social Media Manager, and Blogger for NYC start-up, Betterment. In today’s post, she brings up some great points and we must say we agree with her! Enjoy.

Source: foodspotting.com via NYCFTA on Pinterest

4 Reasons Food Truck Fare Just Tastes Better

Who can we thank for the success of food trucks? Jonathan Gold, Food Writer for Smithsonian Magazine, says “food trucks are the incubators of culinary innovation”. In the pricy, risky, and competitive restaurant business, food trucks provide a platform for testing novel ideas. They can also provide a service of convenience without the tainted legacy of behemoth food chains, tapping into the locavore movement in a way that is both surprisingly traditional and satisfyingly edgy. Most importantly – they make delicious food! Here are four reasons food truck fare tastes better than a dish served in a standard brick and mortar restaurant.

Source via David Blanks on slowfoodnyc.org

I. It’s Slow Food, Fast
Gourmet food trucks combine the hallmarks of the Slow Food Movement – local, exceptionally delicious food that is sustainably grown and sourced – with the fast paced, feed-me-now culture of big city living.

Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream, for example, is made using fresh hormone-and-antibiotic-free milk and cream from local farms, cane sugar and egg yolks. Rickshaw Dumplings, along with using sustainable meats and local, organic produce (whenever possible), promises that your dumplings will be ready in the same time it takes you to get your morning latte. Fresh and fast!

Food on wheels is a long-standing tradition. Loncheras (Mexican food carts) and ice cream trucks have been around for decades. Much like the slow food movement, which relies on the collective knowledge of the traditional farming community, the food truck movement looks to the wisdom of earlier cultures: “A rickshaw is one of the oldest forms of transportation that originated in Asia. The word connotes speed and efficiency” (Rickshaw Dumplings).

II. It’s Outside
According to Bee Wilson, the food historian and columnist, we enjoy dining outside because we “feel liberated from the constraints of a table.” Annalisa Barbieri, food columnist for The Guardian, believes the “experience of eating outside is colored by (many) things—smell, anticipation, context, childhood memories, even gratitude.”

Source: StreetGrubSteve via NYCFTA on Pinterest

Food truck fare is picnic-esque. Seeking and finding a food truck has the same anticipation and excitement as planning a BBQ. The sun enhances the taste of food (heat increases the concentration of gaseous molecules), making the smell – and therefore the taste – more intense.

Pleasant memories of outdoor eating play a part in the taste too. If your family vacationed in Maine for example, your fond memories would increase your eagerness for a lobster roll from Red Hook Lobster Truck.

III. It’s Exciting
The thrill of hunting down a meal is a primal instinct. We relish the taste of food we’ve worked hard to obtain — in the same way we enjoy mushrooms foraged from the forest floor or oysters harvested from a rock pool. Tracking food trucks requires experience from prior hunts, knowledge of local conditions, and anticipation of potential hazards.

Source: rhsroughriders.org

Truly committed food lovers share their food truck finds as badges of pride – spending time researching when the food trucks will be running (like schools of fish) and planning the outing when conditions are optimal. It’s so more than just a meal.

If you’re lucky enough to attend a food truck rally, the feeling is akin to stumbling across a waterhole on the savannah in dry season – every species imaginable is in abundance!

Culture writer Grant McCracken says: “(customers) are prepared to embrace brands that take a little more effort, especially if that effort rewards them with something that is exciting and rare.”

IV. It’s Specialized
I always take pages-long menus as a bad sign of the meal to come. You know the ones I’m talking about – those eateries that have the laminated menus, sticky with the leftovers from the person before you, with items ranging from pesto pasta, to fish tacos, to sushi. I highly doubt the chef is expert in all of these cuisines… and I question the quality of the produce. Can you really stock all the necessary ingredients for the 42 items listed on your menu and keep it fresh?

Source: StreetGrubSteve via NYCFTA on Pinterest

Food trucks do one thing only – and they only do it well. I know that falafel from Taim Mobile is the real deal, or that my vanilla bean milkshake from The Morris Truck comes from fellow dairy connoisseurs – these people don’t muck around with milk.

And if you’re unlucky enough to have a family of fussy eaters, skip the colossal eatery in favor of a food truck rally. It’s a smörgåsbord of wholesome, delicious food, that’s fast with no fuss. There’s bound to be something for everyone.

“Ten Things Food Truckers Won’t Say”, Part II

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Laci

On Wednesday, we addressed the first five points made in this Smart Money piece by Jonelle Marte about food trucks. We loved hearing your reactions to it via Twitter and emails and we hope you’ll continue to tell us your thoughts after finish up with the remaining five. Let’s get started!

Source: StreetGrubEveryDay.com via Steve

“The heat isn’t limited to the oven.”
It’s true- It is crazy hot on a food truck during the dog days of summer. It is of the utmost importance to keep your food safe and fresh- After all, we want to keep serving you! While our food truckers are always careful about keeping food temperatures from rising too high, they are especially aware of this on the very hottest days and take extra measures such as the ones mentioned in the article (opening the refrigerator less often, frequently checking food temperatures, and finding an alternative power source for refrigerators). In fact, they occasionally close early or altogether on the very hottest days.

Source: StreetGrubEveryDay.com via Steve

“We use social media to avoid fines…”
Sure, we use social media (what good business doesn’t these days?) but only to help you find your beloved food trucks! Besides, the law mentioned in this point of the article is not relevant to NYC.

“…though sometimes it backfires.”
As we said above and as you can clearly see by our Tweets, Facebook posts, and Pinterest Boards, we are eager to share our locations with everyone. All we ask in return is for safe places to vend!

Source: StreetGrubEveryDay.com via Steve

“Don’t expect truck stop prices.”
This one is complicated… Restaurant prices are dictated primarily by food cost and labor cost. These factors are the same on food trucks. One thing that makes the new wave of food trucks more interesting to consumers is better ingredients, which most of our members prefer to use (unlike many price-comparable dining establishments). Better ingredients cost more.

“We’re losing our edge.”
All NYCFTA members are hospitality entrepreneurs who own and operate small businesses though each truck’s road to success does not look exactly the same. As long as trucks stay true to the experimental vibe food trucks are known for (by keeping their menus creative and interesting), we fight hard for a fair chance to see them all succeed.

Source: ny.remezcla.com

We thank you for taking the time to learn about food trucks from those behind the scenes. Your support and enthusiasm for NYC food trucks make the challenges we face to bring you unique and incredible dishes every day make worth it. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to sign our Petition and we will see you out on the road, foodies!

“Ten Things Food Truckers Won’t Say”, Part I

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Laci

Perhaps you remember this Smart Money piece? If you never read it, it is definitely worth a look… if only so we can set the record straight. The fact is, there are no hard and fast generalities that can be made for all food trucks in all cities. Though we responded immediately via Twitter (because we did not yet have a blog) on behalf of our 42 members, we would like to address all ten points made by the author, Jonnelle Marte. Today, we’ll start with the first five points brought up in the article and on Friday we’ll finish up with the remaining five.

Source: StreetGrubEveryDay.com via Steve

“ We’re not supposed to be here.”
It’s true. The antiquated rules banning food trucks from metered parking spaces force food trucks to park illegally since it is close to impossible to find parking spaces in commercial areas that are not metered. These laws were originally created for ice cream trucks and hot dog vendors. It is time they were updated. We are currently working together to challenge the outdated legislation and also finding creative ways to work within the confines in the meantime. During the week, check out our food truck Lots located in Battery City, the South Village, Chelsea, and Long Island City or in specially-designated areas for special events such as the Madison Square Eats event (also open on weekends). You can also find some of our trucks on the weekend at Prospect Park for “Food Trucks at the Arch” and at our Food Truck Rallies.

“Your favorite restaurant hates us.”
First and foremost, competition is a part of the hospitality industry and encourages us all to better serve our guests. In the NYCFTA, we abide by a code of ethics that includes respecting restaurants. One way we demonstrate this is by not parking too close to them unless we know they do not mind. Additionally, about one-third of the NYCFTA members own brick-and-mortar restaurants so we understand both sides of this argument.

Source: StreetGrubEveryDay.com/ via Steve

“We’re not all held to the same standards.”
In NYC, regulations governing mobile food operations are quite strict and include that applicants must participate in an in-person two-day course. Every food truck employee must have food safety training (not so for all restaurant employes). Additional licenses are also required of vendors.

“I don’t have a license.”
We cannot speak for others but all NYCFTA applicants must first agree to certain guidelines, including running permitted operations, prior to becoming a member. Most unpermitted vendors in NYC are those selling water on bridges, shaved ice in parks, or churros in the subway.

“It’s not the cleanliness of the trucks that should worry you…”
We run clean operations and we want credit! We are so confident in the cleanliness of all 42 of our food trucks and our staff that we welcome and encourage implementing letter grades like those you see in the windows of restaurants. We will show ours off proudly!

Source: StreetGrubEveryDay.com/ via Steve

Look forward to our next post this Friday when we respond to the last five statements made by Ms. Marte. Also, if you love NYC’s food trucks as much as these guys do, take a few seconds to show your support by signing our Petition!

Guest Blogger of the Week: Sejan Yun

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Laci

Welcome back to the blog! We’re doing something a little different today and giving you a 15 minute podcast with Zeph Courtney of Snap Truck by our newest Guest Blogger of the Week, Sejan Yun.

Photo courtesy of Snap Truck.

Sejan is a videographer and graphic designer based in Bushwick, Brooklyn. She started making wo/man-on-the-street videos of her fellow neighbors in 2008, posted on the now defunct but still great BushwickBK.com. Her superpower would be Wonkavision. This is her first podcast.

Click here for a listen: WFL_ep1_zeph_short

Music by Michael Oliverio.

Visit Sejan’s website at www.sejan.info and follow her on Twitter: @sejan Learn more about Snap Truck and follow them on Twitter: @SnapTruck

The New Kids on the Block: Phil’s Steaks

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Laci

If you consider yourself a food truck foodie connoisseur then there is no way you could have missed the fact that the Eighth Annual Vendy Awards were held last week on a beautifully clear Saturday afternoon. New York City’s intense cook-off between some of the best sidewalk chefs around did not fail to titillate the tastebuds of over 1000 street food fanatics with 23 food truck finalists from all over NYC trekking to Governor’s Island. Celebrity judges were on-hand to decide which of the finalists would be crowned People’s Taste Award winner, the Dessert Category winner, Rookie Vendor of the Year winner, and The Market Vendor Award winner.

Photo courtesy of @StreetGrubSteve

The NYC Food Truck Association was incredibly proud to learn that five of our members had been nominated by the people as Vendy finalists. Andy’s Italian Ices & Espresso Bar and Coolhaus were nominated for the Dessert Category and Okadaman, Chinese Mirch, and Phil’s Steaks were nominated as Rookie Vendor of the Year contestants! By five o’clock Saturday, the votes had been tallied and the winners announced. Today, we chat with Rookie Vendor of the Year, Phil’s Steaks!

Photo courtesy of @StreetGrubSteve.

NYCFTA: Congratulations on your win!!!! How many votes did it take to clinch that title?
PS: At least one more than 2nd place vendor. Hahaha… Seriously though, I’m not sure. I haven’t heard an exact number.

NYCFTA: How did it feel the moment you heard you won?
PS: We were all really excited – our crew too, which is why we wanted everybody on stage to share the moment. We’ve worked very hard over the last year and it feels good to be recognized, especially when there are so many great new street vendors in NYC.

NYCFTA: Did you all do anything fun to celebrate?
PS: Phil’s knows how to party. Our celebration started in the lineup for the ferry by bumping hip hop and dancing in the street, and continued well in to the night. We’re going to get the entire crew together for an outing in the weeks to come.
(Note: It’s true that Phil’s knows how to party- You’re almost guaranteed to hear music bumping from the truck anytime they’re out serving the neighborhood.)

NYCFTA: So tell me- what does the win mean for you? Are there plans for expansion?
PS:The award was a personal goal of ours and it’s great to be recognized among all the great street vendors in NYC. We’ve been talking about our next move a lot lately, which will likely be a brick and mortar.
Photo courtesy of @StreetGrubSteve

NYCFTA: Let’s go back to the beginning. Why did you get into the food truck biz?
PS: We drank a lot of beer one night. Hahaha… Seriously though, that’s kind of how it all came together. Kevin & Mia McConnell and I had been talking about doing something in the food/restaurant business for awhile, but it was our 4th partner Jim Drew’s (the Philly guy) vision to do do the cheesesteak truck. It had been his dream since moving to NYC. We were all hanging out on Kevin & Mia’s roof one night and started talking about it, and before we knew it we bought a truck and things were in motion. Literally.

NYCFTA: Who are the people behind the wheel (and the grill) at Phil’s Steaks?
PS: The Phil’s crew are all long time friends which connected through the music industry. I (J.J. Jensen) am from Petersburg, WV and met Kevin McConnell (from Alexandria, VA) in college at James Madison University. Kevin was formerly a hip hop artist named Doujah Raze and we started Trilogy Records after college. Doujah Raze was actively recording & releasing music and touring through 2006, but has since moved on to doing voice-over work. You can find his voice in commercial spots ranging from Dunkin’ Donuts to ESPN. Trilogy Records spawned Foundation Media, which is a marketing & digital distribution company that I still run today. Jim Drew (from Philadelphia, a Boston U. grad) owns and operates Soulspazm Records, which is a record label/digital distribution company. Jim hired Foundation to help out with some of his projects many years ago and we became close friends. We still work very closely on a lot of projects. The final piece of the Phil’s puzzle is our first lady Mia McConnell (from Toronto, an FIT grad). She and Kevin met many years ago and have been happily married for over a year now. The McConnells live in Manhattan and Jim and I both live in Williamsburg. When we’re not on the truck, you’ll likely find us with our crazy group of friends – bringing the party anywhere we go.

Photo courtesy of @thewanderingeater.

NYCFTA: Anything else you want to add about the Vendy’s or the Jawn?
We just want to thank everybody who’s supported us over the last year. We’ve come a long way very quickly. We’d also like to thank the Vendys for putting on a great event and the NYCFTA for the guidance along the way.

We would like to thank Phil’s Steak co-founder J.J. Jensen for taking time to sit down with us today. We would also like to give a huge round of applause to the five member food trucks who were nominated for the 2012 Vendy’s as well all 42 NYCFTA member food trucks out there every day serving NYC!

Guest Blogger of the Week: Dan Aronoff

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Laci

Welcome to our very first Guest Blogger edition! We’re pleased to introduce you to Daniel Aronoff, a blind food critic and chocolate fanatic. He currently resides in New York City and also has a master’s degree in social work (LMSW) which he would like to use to help people with disabilities. For more of his reviews on all different types of food around the City please visit his website, the Real Blind Taste Test, and follow him on Twitter. Take it away, Dan!

In the pursuit of excellence in food, there is ideally room to discuss both restaurants and the more recent trend of food trucks. Last spring, I attended an event where I was introduced to this new world. I can still clearly recall perusing those 26 glorious food trucks which were lined up along two entire blocks. After happily tasting several offerings, it dawned on me that food trucks would inevitably become part of the future of dining. Here are just a few examples of why I still believe they are vitally important to the culinary landscape:

Kelvin Natural Slush:

I was instantly intrigued by the concept of slushes composed of fresh and organic ingredients. At Kelvin Natural Slush, expect a thirst quenching drink which is unlike any other; it is definitely not the stereotypical Slushy I imagined, nor like a smoothie, but somewhere delightfully in between. To create your beverage, first you must choose your base. I highly recommend combining citrus and tea to form an Arnold Palmer of sorts. Then, add in a fruit puree such as mixed berry, peach, or my favorite, both! Please forgive me for being cliché, but unique is the word which best represents this great food truck.

Sweetery:

Living with a sweet tooth can be dangerous, especially after learning firsthand about Sweetery: essentially a top of the line bakery on wheels. All of the desserts are even baked in the truck! It is difficult to recommend only one item from Sweetery, and I have been impressed with their personable staff and mouth watering selection of products. It should also be noted that a recent slew of excellent promotions, many of which featured free baked goods, improve my opinion of Sweetery even though I had been a fan long beforehand. New York City is home to a great number of bakeries, but Sweetery’s quality, courtesy, and convenience, exemplify why it is important to the people of our great City.

Wafels and Dinges:

Have you ever thought about how hard it is to find a really good waffle? I mean really really think about it. Certainly your local diner makes them, but Wafels and Dinges does so as well. What’s the difference? In my experience, this food truck serves waffles which taste better, are less expensive, and potentially are more convenient than many restaurants. Those three reasons are extremely powerful, especially as a budget conscious foodie on the go. In my mind, breakfast is fantastic for any meal (or snack!), and with several daily locations, Wafels and Dinges is an essential dining option for our community.

This Foodie’s Conclusion:

I truly hope that these three examples have conveyed the value and the uniqueness of food trucks. To anyone who is new to this type of dining, you should be aware of the huge variety of food offered by these trucks and that they are particularly budget friendly. My goal is to try all 42 food trucks in the NYC Food Truck Association by the end of next year, if not sooner, and I plan to get my start at the NYCFTA Rally this Sunday! Would any of you like to join me?

Thank you and enjoy your food truck finds,
Dan

Introducing…. NYCFTA Guest Bloggers!

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Laci

Hello there!

We’re excited to inform you that we will soon be hosting guest bloggers… and by “soon” we mean Monday.

While we have a lot of insight on the business of food trucking, we want to hear and share the thoughts of the foodies who are out there on the streets. Some of our guest bloggers already have reputations in the foodie world while others are just getting their chops. Either way, we look forward to sharing the perspective of people who have one thing in common: their love of food truck fare and food truck culture!

If you or anyone you know is passionate about street food and interested in guest blogging, we’d love to hear from you. The more guest bloggers we have, the better! Please contact our Community Manager, Laci, at Laci@NYCfoodtrucks.org w/ “Guest Blogger” in the subject line. We look forward to hearing from you!

Food Truck Rally Fun

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Laci

There are few things in the (professional) life of food truckers that can get them excited as food truck rallies. Oh, who are we kidding- We just plain love them and it has nothing to do with being “professionals”! To our delight, the next NYC Food Truck Rally is just around the corner and we have been gearing up all week to prepare. Just in case you didn’t know, the Rally will be held on Sunday, August 19th from 11:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Prospect Park’s Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn. If you’re arriving by subway, take the 2 or the 3 train to Grand Army Plaza and simply walk up Flatbush Avenue or Plaza Street until you see the monument and traffic circle. And, of course, the 16 food trucks that will anticipating your arrival!

We have received a few questions from food truck enthusiasts and we wanted to address them here for all the community to see:

1) “Can I bring my dog/cat/iguana, etc.? Pretty please with a cherry on top?!”

Well, as long as your pet is friendly, we welcome him or her with open arms! We love animals (… except those pesky pigeons- Ugh…) and we love the idea of the animal community partaking in our rallies! Do keep in mind that there will likely be other animals and little kiddos around so if your pet is still taking classes at obedience school, it might be best to bring home a doggy bag in lieu of bringing Fido this time.

2) “Ex-cuuuuse me- Why isn’t my favorite food truck on the list?”

This could be for a couple different reasons. First and foremost, is your favorite truck a member of the NYC Food Truck Association? If not, they aren’t eligible for these particular rallies as they are exclusively for members. If your favorite food truck is a member of the NYCFTA but not scheduled to be at the rally this Sunday, they may have already been committed to another event on this day. It is also entirely possible that all of the spots for the rally filled up before they had a chance to apply to be there. Again, food truckers look forward to the monthly NYCFTA Food Truck Rallies and everyone wants to come hang out with you! Please feel free to inquire about specific trucks for future rallies- We aim to please. Lastly, consider trying out one of the 16 trucks that will be there- After all, you always need a second favorite, am-I-right?

3) “Oh, shoot! I, like, totally forgot I promised my best friend I’d volunteer with him this Sunday- Is this my only chance to attend one of your rallies?!”

Ok, look, we’ll let it slide this time (but you better really be volunteering!) Fortunately for street food fans everywhere, the NYCFTA Rallies are monthly occurrences so there will be future rallies on Sunday, September 16th and Sunday, October 21st. Be there or be square.

And finally, we wanted to share the list of food trucks you can expect to see this Sunday. After all, we know you’ll want to devise a strategic plan of attack before you arrive.

Andys Italian Ices
Big D’s Grub
Bongo Brothers
Coolhaus
Domo Tacos
Eddies Pizza Truck
Green Pirate
Kelvin Natural Slush Co.
Mexicue
Mike & Willie’s
Morris Truck
Phil’s Steaks
Rickshaw Dumpling Truck
SNAP Truck
Taim Mobile
Wafels & Dinges

We look forward to seeing you and invite any and all questions you may have. Please tweet them to us or show us some facebook love!

Food Truck Trends

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Laci

Welcome back to our blog! Being a slightly new phenomenon in itself, part of the excitement of the food truck community is the fact that it is constantly evolving. Customers give feedback both in-person and online every day and truckers learn new ways of operating. So without further adieu, let’s take a look at some of the most recent trends in the food truck industry:

Locally- sourced ingredients: The public has become so much more educated and therefore more discriminating about where there food comes from; food truck operators are taking note. Rather than using freeze-dried vegetables and meats that are flown in from different states and countries, truckers have begun building relationships with local farmers who can supply them with fresher ingredients. These days, you will often find food truck chefs visiting green markets and sites such as basis to meet vendors who can provide them with better quality ingredients for a fair price to feed their fans.

Eclectic cuisine: What started as simple hot dog carts and ice cream trucks has morphed into an incredible array of international options. Though food truckers are not working with much room for storing or cooking food and they face new competition every day, they know that whatever they create must be Good with a capital “G”. On top of that, they must also be creative. Enter fusion fare and focused specialty trucks. While Korean taco trucks, Mexican barbecue, and Jamaican comfort food have become the norm, truckers continue to push the envelope. In the near future, keep an eye out for Native American eats, traditional Nordic dishes, and Algerian dessert trucks.

No longer only accepting cash: Does anyone carry cash anymore? Food truck entrepreneurs realized that they were losing potential business when they had no way to accept debit and credit cards and knew they needed to find a way to make it easier for their customers to pay. Developers to the rescue! Nowadays, many trucks accept debit and credit cards via smartphone/tablet card reader attachments such as Square and apps such as LevelUp and Tapviva. You can also now find food trucks on delivery/pick-up food sites such as SeamlessWeb and GrubHub.

Corporations jumping on the bandwagon: No longer only one, two, and three-person business ventures, trucks are now being operated by chain restaurants looking to test new menu items, to reach new communities, and to be available for large events such as concerts and festivals.

Power in numbers: Because food trucks are a relatively new phenomenon, the entrepreneurs who open them oftentimes find themselves going up against antiquated city laws and regulations. Expensive parking tickets and the possibility of being towed away are constant threats to the food trucker; many have decided to ban together to change these regulations and to work around them. For example, the NYC Food Truck Association represents 42 food trucks in the City and is in constant contact with city officials on their behalf, attending city council meetings and maintaining a respectful dialogue about the issues. Because there is no public parking space for food trucks in the City, the NYCFTA also negotiates with landowners to use their empty land as food truck lots. If you would like to help us out with our mission to create fair operating conditions for NYC food trucks, please sign our online petition!

What are your thoughts on some of these trends and what others have you noticed? Please share your thoughts with us on Twitter and on our facebook page!