Midtown Lunch

Today, recently profiled luncher Chelsea is at The Porch for truck food 

The Sunflower Truck Stop has been on my radar for quite some time. I first learned about the truck through the farmers market scene; the truck regularly appears at farmers markets throughout the greater Philadelphia area. When I found out the truck would be making a regular appearance at 30th Street Station’s the porch, I knew I’d have to give it a try. The truck’s menu focuses on using local and seasonal ingredients to craft unique dishes. Translation? Fresh ingredients and funky flavors. I’m in.

The truck itself is decorated colorfully and definitely easy to be spot. When I arrived, there were quite a few people waiting for their food, but the staff expedited the process by quickly taking and submitting orders. My only issue with the truck was the menu: There were simply too many dishes I want to try! I finally narrowed down my options to either the Sweet Potato Quesadilla (roast sweet potatoes, pumpkin seed, quinoa, jack and queso cheeses in whole wheat tortilla with roasted salsa, sour cream, and cilantro) or the Pulled Pork Naanwich (Slow cooked honey soy pork on Kris’ handmade naan bread with lentil hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes and piri-piri tzatziki, served with tortilla chips and a pickle). Just as I got to the front of the line, it was announced that there was exactly one Pulled Pork Naanwich left. Coincidence? I thought not, and I quickly placed my order before there were none left.

The Naanwich was massive. In fact, the meal itself was so large that the sandwich masked the tortilla chips and pickles that lay underneath; when I found them again at the end of my meal, they were a welcome nibble and dessert. For $8, quite steep by food truck standards, I wasn’t just full; I was completely satiated throughout the rest of the day, even opting to skip my usual midday snack!

The naan was thin enough to blend well with the heaviness of the pork, and it provided the right level of chewiness that forced my to slow down as I readily and excitedly inhaled my meal. I was very pleasantly surprised that the pulled pork wasn’t actually all that sweet. The slight sweetness was welcome, not overwhelming, and paired incredibly well with the tang of the tzatziki. My favorite part of the meal was the lentil hummus. I adore lentils, and crafting a spread out of it to pair with pulled pork is unusual, to say the least, but it works. The lentil hummus brings the entire meal together, and it provides a fun grainy texture that adds welcome depth to the sandwich.

My lunch at the Sunflower Truck Stop Post was the perfect fusion of flavors. They elevated the standard flavors of a pulled pork sandwich by lightening up the meal with fresh vegetables. The fusion of flavors–from the Greek-inspired tzatziki to the Indian-inspired naan–created a unique and delicious meal. I can’t wait to return and work my way through the rest of the menu.

THE + (What somebody who likes this place would say)

• Menu changes regularly, so you won’t tire of it
• Ingredients are fresh and seasonal
• The portions are huge
• The items are very unique

THE – (What somebody who doesn’t like this place would say)

• Naanwich is drippy and would be difficult to eat on-the-go
• The truck is a bit difficult to track down

The Sunflower Truck Stop, check website for schedule