RichmondGRID.com: Holy Tacos, RVA Has A Food Truck Court

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Food

Holy Tacos, RVA Has A Food Truck Court

The Richmond Food Truck Court, a cooperative hatched by local food truck operators, has come skidding to rest in the parking lot behind the Virginia Historical Society. Organized by Boka Truck's Patrick Harris, the concept marks the first of its kind to hit RVA.

6/17/2012 9:56:58 AM

John Haddad

Photo courtesy of Rebecca D'Angelo

Children and adults alike soak in the carnival atmosphere at the Richmond Food Truck Court every Friday and Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Rebecca D'Angelo

Cities like Austin and Los Angeles have long hosted gatherings of restaurants on wheels. With the launch of the area’s first Food Truck Court, RVA can now be added to that list.

Food courts traditionally bring to mind groupings of fast food restaurants in vapid shopping malls. Add trucks and a parking lot to the equation and you’ve got a whole new – and more delicious – idea. After a two-week test run this spring, the experiment was given the green light to continue as a regular gig moving forward.

“When we were first approached about hosting the Food Truck Court, I thought it was a good idea. Now that we’ve been doing so, I think it’s a great one,” explains Dr. Paul Levengood, President and CEO of Virginia Historical Society.

As a bonus, the Virginia Historical Society is keeping its doors open for a few extra hours to lure those hungry for history as well. “In the past few weeks, we’ve welcomed lots of people who had never been to the Virginia Historical Society before. That great introduction to so many new friends has made this a perfect thing for us to keep on doing,” Levengood says.

Cities like Austin and Los Angeles have long hosted these gatherings of restaurants on wheels. While downtown Richmond is no stranger to lunchtime food carts, and the Boka Truck and Crossroads have been mainstays in the Richmond market scene, the food truck court is a first for Richmond.

On a recent visit I arrived to a bustling scene of Richmonders waiting in lines to sample some of the area’s best mobile eats, while children and adults alike soaked in the carnival atmosphere. This tasty concept has attracted residents of the city and surrounding counties. In fact, the catch phrase of the evening was clear – “this is where the action is.”

As a longtime food critic, I ventured deeper into food truck territory to review a sampling of the tasty options available at this outcropping of restaurants on wheels. Dig in:

Boka Tako Truck: Here you’ll find Patrick Harris doing is usual, unusual variety of Mexican and Asian inspired twisted “tako” fare. While he typically attracts some of the longest lines, the shrimp and grits takos here are worth the wait.

Dressed and Pressed: Operated by CIA graduate and Inn at Little Washington alum, Joe Andreoli, Dressed and Pressed serves the best gourmet Panini with a side of homemade truffle tater tots, the ultimate highbrow lowbrow treat. Holding true to the values of sustainable agriculture, Dressed and Pressed sources much of their products locally.

Flynn’s Food Truck: Here the smart money is on the turkey burgers and garlic fries.

Crossroads Coffee & Ice Cream: Often called the “Crossroadster,” this popular truck serves up hot and iced gourmet coffee drinks, fruit smoothies, and Italian sodas.

Habanero’s: Fans of the Habanero’s storefront on Quioccasin Road will want to take a crack at their mobile version, which serves some of Greater Richmond’s more authentic tacos, stuffed with chicken, steak, al pastor, and carnitas and topped with fresh cilantro.

Sustenance: Look for Team Sustenance serving such standouts as Boudin and Bratwurst, courtesy of Richmond’s own Sausage Craft.

Mister Softee Truck: This is the spot if you have a hankering for premium soft serve ice cream sundaes, cones, banana splits, and shakes.

Article from Issue #15