Midtown Lunch

 And in the spirit of welcoming the trucks back to LOVE Park, today Luncher John is eating from one. 

Looking for a unique style of food not widely offered anywhere else in the city? Pay a visit to the Zea May’s Food Truck and Kitchen. Love Park’s current resident truck on Mondays (and every other Wednesday), Zea May’s Kitchen features Native American-inspired cuisine. Even if you’re not too familiar with the food style, you could probably surmise that squash, potatoes, corn and berries are prominently featured.

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That’s right guys! The trucks are back today! The starting line up for today is a good one:  Mac Mart Cart, Local 215, and Farm Truck.

LOVE Park is doing it differently this season, there will be a set rotation of trucks you may have enjoyed last year every day except of the week; Lil Dans, Lucky Old Souls, Buttercream, Delicias, Dapper Dog, Sweet Box, Chewys, Foo, Vernalicious, Zea Mays, Pitruco.

Then on Wednesday they are bringing in different trucks each week that are new to the Park; Baguette Philly, Cupcake Carnivale, Foolish Waffles, Good Phellas, Guerilla Ultima BBQ, Innovative Catering Concepts, Just Jackie’s, Mama’s Meatballs, Mucho Bueno, Schmear IT, Street Food Philly, Surf and Turf,  Zsa’s

Make new friends but keep the old! Trucks will start serving at 11am today, welcome back!

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.

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My intention was to pick up some groceries at the Italian Market, but I didn’t see a single thing that tempted me. I kept walking down Washington Ave. A brightly painted truck came in to view and I remembered hearing about an elusive (no website, no twitter!) newer South Philly taco truck. Tacos El Rodeo Mobil Food Catering Truck does tacos, tortas, burritos, quesodillas, and sincronizadas with whatever filings they have that day. These might include chorizo, tripe, or even cabeza.  Tacos are $2, so I got 5 (sin cabeza).

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This week Luncher John is back on the streets, checking out the mac from Mac Mart

There will always be a place for the ultimate comfort food, macaroni and cheese. Who, as a kid, didn’t enjoy a good bowl of mac and cheese, whether it was Kraft or mom’s homemade recipe? And it still remains a good meal as you’ve grown up.

Mac Mart, a new food truck that opened in December at Drexel, aims to satiate the continuing craving. Launched by Marti Lieberman, a recent Drexel alum, Mac Mart is the city’s first truck specializing in mac and cheese. At lunchtime during weekdays, the truck is easily spotted at the bustling corner of 33rd and Arch Streets by its distinct pink color and graphic of Marti serving a pot of the goods.

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On Saturday, February 23 the Philadelphia Mobile Food Association is having another winter Food Truck Round Up at the Piazza. (If you went to the last one in December you would know the lines moves fast and we were able to try food from trucks that were brand new to Philly). This time Spodee wine is sponsoring- each of the 8 trucks will offer a FREE small appetizer using Spodee. To keep warm, King’s Oak is allowing us to bring the truck food inside their bar. Vote for your favorite Spodee bite at King’s Oak and each vote counts as a raffle to win an alcoholic gift bag from the folks behind Spodee.

More info/RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/events/555017134509347/

And before that, coming up on February 16th is an event relevant to anyone who owns a mobile food business in Philadelphia or anyone thinking about starting one. The UPenn Law School Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic is hosting a day full of informative seminars on the biz, including how to protect your unique menu items and how to manage local regulations. During lunch time, the Philadelphia Mobile Food Association is having its 2013 kick off meeting for all current and prospective members. I hear that a food truck lunch may be free to those who RSVP.

The schedule and the RSVP link after the jump

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Today, Luncher John checks out a new Korean food truck. 

I envy the Drexel University community, which has a vibrant food truck and cart scene in the neighborhood of 33rd Street and Arch Street. Street Food Philly, Spot, and Say Cheese are all food trucks that have made that intersection their home base. I almost wish I was still in college and without a meal plan.

One of the latest to join the outdoor “food court” (as once described by Josh from Spot) is KAMI, a food cart that opened up in early October. Operating a small but visually appealing cart, KAMI (an acronym for Korean American Menu Inspired) offers up street food versions of Korean-style dishes. It has a relatively small menu, but it has the classics (bibimbap, udon noodle stir fry, duk-bap) and does a good job explaining each dish to newcomers to Korean cuisine.

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