Food trucks are an amazing way of eating. Local. Diverse. Mobile. Adventurous. To some, those four words are the epitome of a life lived. To others, those words are why as a society we are on the road to ruin. Both of these perspectives are not wrong. I’m going to convince you to try Food Trucks.
Local
The pros of eating local are generally understood. For one, you get to support your local farmer, monger, chef, or mixologist. Second, locally sourced food is usually small-batch and artisanal. Yes, artisanal. Not in the bearded 20-year old wearing leather suspenders and riding a Penny-Farthing. But artisanal in that your food is cultivated and shared in a way that is careful, scrupulous and verifiable. Added together, the beauty of Local is that you get food that is prepared and served in a way you want to get it anywhere else.
Diverse
With Food Trucks you get a sense of the diversity of culture in your community. The variety of Food Truck options can, in my opinion, be correlated to the variety of cultural experiences available to you. In terms of the social network, Food trucks are a non-stuffy and undisciplined way of watching people and meeting you neighbors. Unlike restaurants, Food Trucks, by design, allow you to “bump into” your fellow patrons. It’s like Facebook, but with the potential for greater and more meaningful interactions.
Mobile
Food Trucks are in your neighborhood. They are ubiquitous. They are everywhere. Don’t believe me? Check out: http://foodtruckfiesta.com/ If you want to get a sense of the sheer magnitude and reach of food trucks, click on the Food Truck Fiesta map or look on the right side of the webpage/app. This list grows faster than a college freshman’s Instagram Followers. Food Trucks move around…A lot. If the variety of food you want is not near you today, it will be tomorrow.
Adventurous
I mentioned diversity…Getting different foods from different places. I would like to add that Food Trucks also experiment with your palate. You’ve had donuts, but have you ever had PB&J donuts? Or, have you ever tried Duck Fat Fingerling Fries? Black Truffle Lasagna? Chicken and Waffles? How about Spam Katsu Musubi? WOW! With Food Trucks, not only do you get a diversity of people, foods and experiences, you get a diversity of how those things come together.