I find myself standing in front of the Street Food Philly food truck again, with the sun shining and my mouth watering for the local dry-aged burger that I just ordered. I am waiting with a friend of mine who is about to experience Street Food Philly for the first time. Good food, good friends and trying new things — the perfect flavorful lunch break from the hustle and bustle of a busy afternoon in Philadelphia.
Among the variety of lunch trucks that line 33rd Street between Market and Arch streets is this kitchen on wheels that is certainly worth trying if you have not done so already. Street Food Philly, the truck bearing silver and green, offers many items, including weekly specials, on its menu.
As a picky eater, I was skeptical at first of the different sauces and changing items on the menu, but Street Food Philly outdid my expectations. The first time I decided to make a stop at Street Food, I thought of getting a burger, nothing too out of the ordinary. I had heard great things about this burger through a friend, and thought I’d give it the old college try. I grabbed a pencil and an order form from the pile that sat on the counter in front of the truck, checked off my burger selection and handed in the form. However, what I received in return was not just any ordinary burger. This dish, topped with garlic herb aioli, tomato compote and Cooper Sharp American cheese, was rich in flavor and worth the $8 price tag. This item, offered every week at Street Food Philly, never fails to satisfy.
Along with the staple foods on the menu, weekly specialties are offered and change depending on which recipe the owners, Michael Sultan and Carolyn Nguyen, decide to make that week. The menu offers variety ranging from soups and sandwiches to tacos and salads. Vegetarian options are also offered on the menu. Still hungry? Try a side of truffle parmesan or sea salt fries. The truck even offers desserts; its salted fudge brownie is one of my personal favorites, and the homemade chocolate chip cookie is a close second. I even tried one of the specials, pig wings, something I never thought of trying but am really glad that I did. The pig wings that week were made in a mole sauce with avocado creme, jicama and carrots. The depth of flavor in the pig wings recipe, along with the other recipes, is to die for.
The recipes are homemade, showcasing whatever the owners feel like cooking that week; even the truck’s ketchup is homemade. The owners are always friendly, too, remembering your name and never failing to strike up a conversation with you while you wait for your food, which is prepared in no time flat, especially considering the detail-oriented items on the menu. The menu’s prices vary from $3 to $10. The weekly specials usually fall on the higher end of the price range, but they are definitely worth the price.