Philly Vendys Announce 2012 Nominees; More Trucks on the Way

Will Little Baby's win the 2012 title?

Story and Photo by Danya Henninger

The second annual Philadelphia Vendy Awards is set for July 28, and the lucky food trucks that get to participate in the competition have been chosen. After sifting through nominations, organizers have determined the 12 contenders for best food truck in Philly, judged by both a panel of food industry pro and festival attendees. The savory options at The Lot in West Philly on that late July Saturday will come from Delicias, The Foo Truck, King of Falafel, Lil Dan’s Gourmet, The Smoke Truck, Tacos Don Memo, Vernalicious and Yumtown. On the sweet side, enjoy desserts from Lil’ Pop Shop, Little Baby’s Ice Cream, Sugar Philly and Sweet Box. To eat your fill of all that goodness and make your food truck vote count, snag a ticket for $55 to the 3-7 PM event here (bonus: the price of admission does include beer).

In other mobile news, a few new vendors are readying to hit the streets. George Bieber will debut his bright yellow Sunflower Truck Stop at the Brewerytown Food Truck Roundup on July 27. The mobile cafe will serve innovative lunch and breakfast eats like Key lime French toast (made from graham cracker bread!); a Siamese scramble that pairs eggs with lo mein noodles; and a buttermilk fried chicken soft taco with spinach and corn salsa.

By this fall, Mac Mart will be roaming the city. Billed as Philly’s first and only mac ’n’ cheese food truck, the menu boasts macaroni in both “original” and “Italian” styles, mixed with custom add-ins or as signature combos featuring BBQ chicken, bacon bites and even cheesesteak meat (complete with fried onions).

Local 215 will also begin rounds later this year. The first solo venture from Eric Zoldessy, this kitchen will focus on sustainability and Philadelphia food traditions (hence the appropriate name). No menus are yet available, but dishes will feature produce, meat and dairy from nearby Lancaster County farms.