Temple foodtrucks 2012-2013

[Bob Loblaw]

So, some interesting new developments here, it seems.
-Chris’ Taco Truck seems to be a bit more reliable this semester;
-Ditto Yumtown, and they seem to be a little less reliant on their deep fryer
-there’s a ‘koagie’ truck (Korean hoagies) that I like; the chicken bulgogi ‘hoagies’ are quite tasty
-there’s a ‘cookie confidential’ truck that has some pretty good cupcakes. they’re icing-heavy and, for some reason, come in jars, but they’re quite addictive. (Not so big on their cookies).
-the Jamaican truck on 12th, which was there but closed all spring, is actually open. I finally ate there today, and liked it. It’s more expensive than most of the trucks on campus; I got the jerk chicken because it was cheapest ($7; goat, oxtail were each $8+) but for $7 I got a *lot* of food; could have easily split it with someone else.

It’s been nice to see. I’ve been trying to bike in more often, and use the money I save on septa to buy myself lunch (rather than bringing a sandwich, etc.)

[Bob Loblaw]

Just ate at what seems to be Temple's newest food truck - Poi Dog, Hawaiian food on 13th near Paley.
Enh. Food was fine, but I wasn't that impressed. Lots of styrofoam for not that much food, which some people don't care about but is a bit turn-off for me.

Cupcake confidential seems to be gone for good (though the truck itself is still parked there, but I haven't seen it open for a few weeks now).

[Hungryin theBurbs]

I'm curious what you tried there. I tried a couple of the tacos - the pork belly and one of the chicken varieties (can't recall the name) and thought they were delicious and reasonably priced for the quality and size. The mochi dessert was also really good.

[Bob Loblaw]

good to know about the tacos. it's not always easy to get somethign small like that on campus other than a hot dog or a pretzel.
i ordered from the other side of the menu. for $8.50, along with two scoops of white rice (totally plain) and a scoop of macaroni salad (not my thing), a stewed pork dish of some kind which was fine, though overly salty; and some fried slices of chicken breast, pretty good, with an accompanying sauce that was tasty. I don't see getting any of that stuff again, there are too many better options on campus. But I'll probably give the tacos a shot at some point.

[Bob Loblaw]

Spring Semester has begun!
I'm only on campus 2x/week, but I haven't seen Chris' Taco's out there. Pitruco has been there on Tuesdays, which is awesome - I actually managed to get pizzas from them this semester, first times ever. OTOH, yumtown seems to be something not-quite-daily on campus.
I've walked past Irie a few times, closed each time.

[lowereastrittenhouse]

Saw a posting that Chris of Chris' Taco truck moved from Philly. Sad to hear.

I've seen YumTown miss one day but that was right after an L&I visit, so I was nervous! They're back now, hopefully on a regular basis.

The coffee kiosk next to it is really good.

[lost squirrel]

Yep, he has the whole business (cart, truck, license, etc..) for sale on craigslist for $35k. Anybody want to take over and get us some tacos?

[Hungryin theBurbs]

Yumtown is usually around M-Th. If you follow them on Facebook or Twitter, they are really good about posting where they will be. Irie seems to have completely closed up again, sadly.

[Bob Loblaw]

i follow a few trucks on twitter. it's lunch, though - kind of a rushed, get out of class, grab food before office hours start kinda thing. food trucks on campus are, for the most part, very reliable - that's kinda their stock in trade.

[Hungryin theBurbs]

True, though Yumtown is usually pretty consistent in its hours. They are going to be there today, along with Pitruco. That's what I'll be having for lunch.

[hanspetersen]

I like the Chinese hot pot truck on 13th above Berks which LaBan wrote up last year in his food-truck review. Soup with chinese cabbage, tofu, rice cakes, wood ears, taro noodles etc. I think it's vegan, though that's not an issue for me. Good lunch for $5.50. Be careful: when they say spicy they mean it (even "little bit spicy" is pretty hot).

[lowereastrittenhouse]

I'll have to give that a try. I keep walking by it!

There's a new coffee truck I tried today called Cloud, parked next to YumTown at Tyler. Really good coffee. Talking to the woman running it, it seems they still haven't gotten a regular license, but here's hoping they make it.

[Bob Loblaw]

I've been tempted by that Cloud truck as well. (On a no coffee/tea phase right now, but it's tempting to fall off the wagon).

The vegan Chinese place was good the one time I tried it. But it was very, very hot - not even spicy, just on the point of boiling in some sort of thermal wonder plastic container that kept it hot as i got hungrier and hungrier and my next class got closer and closer.

[lost squirrel]

I finally made it to Yumtown. Wow, it's definitely a step above the regular shops as far as quality and level of preparation.

So far I've had the italian sausage sandwich and the roast pork. Both were very good. The sandwiches are a little on the small side, but the quality and taste make up for it. Consider me impressed.

[Hungryin theBurbs]

I just discovered a new incarnation of the orange truck that was Irie Food and then the crepe truck. It is still called Irie, but now is a kind of pan-latin truck. The people running it are Columbian and they have Columbian style empanadas and arroz con pollo, as well as assorted other items such as Cuban sandwiches, burritos, tacos, etc. My friend and I tried the arroz con pollo. It was a sizable portion of food for $5. The rice was on a bed of lettuce, studded with peas and other veggies, with small pieces of boneless chicken throughout. It was nicely seasoned and fresh, definitely different than Puerto Rican or Cuban arroz con pollo. Nothing spectacular, but it made a good lunch. The Cuban sandwich and empanadas looked good, so I'll probably go back and sample them at some point.

[Bob Loblaw]

where is it?

[Hungryin theBurbs]

Same place the old Irie was. On Montgomery, third truck east of Broad, right next to the law school.

[lost squirrel]

Try their Cuban - it's not big but it is quite delicious. The pork is super garlicky and tasty.
The proprietors are great people, I like joking around with them. I wish them the best, but they haven't been too busy so far.

[Hungryin theBurbs]

Yes, they seemed like lovely people and they were very happy to see us and hear that someone had recommended them. It was pretty fast, too. I'll definitely be back.

[Bob Loblaw]

might try it on Friday... will have to see. i usually don't make it that far south or east during the day, but might make an exception.

[Bob Loblaw]

Latest place I've tried - a Korean Burrito place on 13th, just north of Norris. Pretty good. You can get a normal, Mexican burrito there, too - basically, when you choose meat, rice, etc., you can opt for things like kimchee fried rice or white rice, kim chee or guacamole, etc. I ask for it 'their way' which also involves some sort of sweet-and-sour-ish (though not gloppy) sauce.
It's good. Not out of this world or anything, and the tortillas aren't quite right. But a nice addition.

A good plan B for when Yumtown goes flaky, as they're quite close to each other.

[lost squirrel]

I like the 'mocking burger' (double of course) at the hamburger/grilled cheese truck on Norris.
It could use extra big mac sauce, but is good anyway.

I see the new version of the Irie food truck on Montgomery is going to be making burgers soon - with chimichurri ~!?

[lost squirrel]

Irie Food is open? I noticed last week that there was a new sign on the orange truck that said something about a creperie. I was not happy. I'll be around there tomorrow and I'll check it out.

[Bob Loblaw]

i don't think it's Irie Food (though that sounds familiar). I don't remember it as orange.
This is on 12th, just south of Norris, next to cookie confidential.

[lost squirrel]

Ok, I was wrong. Irie is on Montgomery. I'll head to the 'other' Jamaican truck soon and give it a shot.

[lost squirrel]

I'm eating it right now. It's good. It's better than the now-defunct Irie truck and better than Rio Cobre (who I ordered delivery from two weeks ago).

It's called Jamaican D's and they have an actual storefront on Chelten Ave.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/jamaican-ds-i...

[Bob Loblaw]

I had it today, too. very pleased with it - i only get it when i'll need a 2nd lunch later on, it's too much for me for one sitting.
i got the oxtail the other day, which I liked less. i thought it was somewhat fatty - but I don't eat oxtail, so maybe this is like complaining that porkbelly is fatty?

[Hungryin theBurbs]

The orange truck that was Irie became a crepe truck last spring but has been mostly closed. It is on Montgomery just east of Broad I'm glad to learn of the Jamaican truck. Can't wait to check it out. I agree that Chris' taco truck has been good lately and is my go-to when I am buying lunch I haven't made it to Yumtown since they have returned, but they always have something interesting.

Where is the koagie truck?

[Bob Loblaw]

Koagie truck is on 13th, north of Berks, east side of the street.

[Hungryin theBurbs]

Thanks! I will definitely check them out.

Also, meant to say that the Say Cheese truck is yummy for a decadent lunch. They aren't on campus regularly, though. Have to follow them on Twitter to see when they are here.

[doberlady]

going to Temple's fall open house and so happy to read about food trucks

[Hungryin theBurbs]

I tried the chicken bulgogi hoagie with sriracha and mushrooms the other day. The truck is called Sammy Chon's Koreatown Barbecue. Service was fast (sometimes an issue with the Temple trucks), prices reasonable, and the koagie was delicious and quite large. In addition to sandwiches, they also have rice bowls and a few other things, including vegetarian options.

Someone else mentioned to me that one of the trucks on Montgomery between Broad and 13th has Bahn mi, but I haven't figured out which one yet.

[lowereastrittenhouse]

Was this what you're thinking of for banh mi? http://midtownlunch.com/philadelphia/...
Their twitter feed announces they're no longer coming to Temple.

[lost squirrel]

That one is just two or three trucks east of broad. Their sandwiches aren't bad, but not on par with the Washington ave places (more expensive too). If you don't get south much, I'd still recommend them.