Food Truck Frenzy
October 29, 2011 in Editorial, Food
Food trucks from all over South Florida came to amass in an empty parking lot that is home to a Publix shopping center. The three dozen-or-so trucks formed a ring that allowed you to circle the worldly creations of Cuban sandwiches, Latin burgers, Italian pasta, and Mediterranean shawarmas, but seeing them all in one spot kind of took something away. To me, one of the fun things about roach coaches is that it gives you a little secret to share with everyone. I would tell people, “Hey, you know where the best tacos are?” “No, where?” they would ask with excitement. “Off the side of the road, from a small truck, 15 miles west on Northlake Boulevard.” And while they just stare blankly at me, I take it as a cue to reply with a reassuring “trust me.” But, to be fair, 30 different food trucks parked in a single spot is certainly convenient.
While walking around this Disneyland of rolling kitchens, my senses were assaulted and deceived. Conversations were hard to hear over the clattering generators. The smells of all those great foods: fresh baked pizza being pulled out of the oven, steaks marinated and seasoned grilling to perfection were interrupted with waves of exhaust fumes. As I tried to rely on my vision, my eyes were more distracted by the myriad of fonts, menus, and advertising rather than the food. By the time I paid for my $11 shawarma, plus another $2 for a can of Sprite, the buzz of the food frenzy turned into food apathy, but it didn’t kill the spirit. After my shawarma, I desperately wanted to try some of the other trucks, but my meal was too big. I suggested to a couple of friends that perhaps they could come up with a $30 dollar ticket where you could go to each truck for a little sample.
Despite these small annoyances, I still had a great time. Though I was full, deaf and lightheaded, I realized the most important thing was the shared experience. Being with friends, hangin’ out, joking around, and talking about people and ideas made it worth it. It was easy to see others were enjoying the frenzy as well.
-M
