This weekend was the highly anticipated Food Cart Derby, an
event put on by Taste the Local at the 17th Street Farmers Market. I
had planned to go, but didn’t make it (due to a hangover illness). I did
however have my fill of food served on wheels.
My coworker and I went on a research mission to see what was
being served on the streets of downtown Richmond. I much prefer this to a “court”
or “pod” or “derby”. On the streets is where they are meant to be.
We hit four carts within a 4 block radius, Simon’s CafĂ© A La
Cart, Habanero Mexican Grill, Christopher’s Runaway Gourmay and a cart that I
don’t think had a name on 10th and Cary Sts. Each cart had a unique
lunch offering all for well under $10.
At Simon’s, we ordered a wrap that sounds crazy, but tasted really
good. They call it a Country Roll, homemade chicken salad, Virginia ham and
smoked turkey in a wrap with lettuce, tomato, peppers and red onions. I’m
telling you, it was the surprise of the day for $7.
We got a taco salad at Habanero for $6, a barbecue sandwich
with hot sauce from 10th and Cary for $5.50 and an amazing assortment of salads
at Runaway Gourmay for $5.50. These salads were the other highlight of the
lunch. Chicken salad and pasta salad with feta were both right on. The side of
pickled cucumbers completely shocked me. These are something that I will be
craving for weeks to come.
The folks at the downtown carts have service down to a
science. They move people through during the short lunch rush and serve up good
product. It was a pleasure to experience the Food Carts in their natural
habitat.
Haha for what its worth, you were probably better off going in their natural habitat!! The food truck derby was so packed, my friend and I went, but didn't get any food :( It was still a cool event though :)
ReplyDeleteI would have liked to go, but it was a rough Sunday :( too many cocktails at Cous Cous...
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