I Tried 8 Food Trucks in 8 Weeks
By Holly Huepfel
I’m embarrassed to say that by the beginning of my senior year at Temple I could count the number of food trucks I’ve gone to on one hand. Food trucks have been an iconic part of Temple’s culture since the 1960s, so visiting more food trucks was at the top of my senior year bucket list.
The first stop on my food truck tour was The Crepe Truck–or The Creperie, as it was called before its sleek black makeover. This was actually one food truck I had tried before, seeing as it’s location is extremely convenient to Johnson Hall, my freshman year dorm (and probably the only good thing about living there).
What I ordered: Savory pulled pork crepe with all the veggies ($9)
The only complaint I have about this is that it’s a bit messy, so I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re on the go or if you’re eating it in class. However, if you have the time to sit down and actually eat it at a table, I would recommend it without hesitation. There’s a reason that The Crepe Truck is one of Temple’s most popular food trucks. This was absolutely delicious and so filling that I could hardly finish it. At around 7 p.m., there was about a 15-minute wait, which I didn’t mind because of the ample seating around the truck. It definitely tasted like it was cooked fresh.
What I ordered: Lamb over Rice ($6)
There are so many Halal food trucks at Temple that I didn’t really know where to go to, but I fondly recalled this one from a bad Tinder date a few semesters ago. Over a year later, it did not disappoint. I got the lamb over rice, with both the white and hot sauce. I have no idea what’s in that white sauce, but it’s phenomenal! I got my food almost immediately, and it was so tasty and filling that I couldn’t finish it all in the 10 minutes I had allotted myself before class. You definitely get your bang for your buck here. However, the only drawback is that it’s so salty that I drank two full Hydro Flasks of water after and still couldn’t fully quench my thirst.
What I ordered: The spicy chicken sandwich and a peach Snapple ($7.50)
The smell that radiated around this truck is what initially prompted me to wait in the relatively lengthy line at 1:15 p.m. on a Tuesday. This was the perfect stop for a quick lunch between my internship and class. I waited 15 minutes for my food, but I was able to finish the sandwich in under 10 minutes. As far as the sandwich goes, it was definitely good. The veggies on top seemed fresh and weren’t wilted at all. The chicken was the perfect amount of spicy–enough for flavor, but not too extreme that I cried off my mascara. At the end of the day, this was a pretty typical chicken sandwich, but it’s definitely worth the stop if you’re in a rush and need a lunch option that doesn’t hurt your wallet!
What I ordered: Korean Bibimbap ($6)
Okay, this one really wowed me. During prime lunch hour, I still got my meal in under five minutes. This was definitely the most unique meal I tried during this food truck tour. I’m in no position to say whether or not it is authentic Korean cuisine, but it’s exactly what I pictured it to be. This dish had rice, eggs, and veggies (plus carrots, bean sprouts, spinach, mushrooms, and turnips), and a Korean chili sauce that was super spicy and so delicious I wish I could pour it on everything. I would have liked the rice-to-veggie ratio to be more even, as it was pretty heavy on the rice and I was unable to finish it. Overall, this was a super delicious lunch.
What I ordered: 2 Pollo (Chicken) Mole Tacos ($7)
If I’m being completely honest, I wasn’t super impressed with this one. In my opinion, it was extremely overpriced for two small tacos. I know that El Guaco Loco is a favorite among Temple students, but the meal I got didn’t really live up to the hype. These tacos were served with cilantro, onions, sour cream, and cheese. They were quite yummy, especially with a bit of green salsa on top. The sauce on the chicken was delicious as well, but it was still a very small portion for $7. This didn’t even fill me up for the entirety of my night class. I would have loved to have the option for fresh veggies, especially tomatoes, on top as well.
What I ordered: Chicken and Waffles ($8)
If it isn’t clear from the picture, this was my favorite thing I tried on this eight-week adventure. Just staring at this picture is tempting me to get it for dinner tonight. The chicken and waffles were served with your usual maple syrup and hot pepper jelly that is TO. DIE. FOR. I got several comments from people in my night class who wished they were eating what I was eating. It was delicious, filling, and absolutely worth the money.
What I got: Chai Latte, dirty ($5)
I will never understand why a cup of coffee is $5, but as far as $5 cups of coffee go, this one is on the top of my list. I got a Chai latte, dirty (meaning with a shot of espresso) because it was a recommended item on their menu. I never would have thought to put a shot of espresso in my chai latte, but it has honestly been a total game-changer in the past few weeks. I’ve gone back for this particular brew about five times, and I’ve also ordered it from a few other coffee spots on campus, but Cloud makes it best.
What I got: Chicken burrito ($8)
Chipotle can step aside because this has got to be the best burrito that I’ve ever tasted. Served with rice, beans, lettuce, cheese, salsa, and a yummy avocado sauce, this didn’t ] fall apart while I was eating it! It was the perfect portion for a late lunch and I only had to wait around five minutes, making it perfect for a quick stop between classes. The service was quick, the servers were kind, and I was overall pleased with this experience. I will definitely be going again.
I have determined that I’ve been doing college completely wrong for the past four years. There is so much variety available at Temple’s food trucks, most of which are available at a far more affordable price than other food stops around campus. I hope that my food truck journey doesn’t end here–and if you haven’t yet, I encourage you to start yours!