Tarpon Springs Food Truck Rally

Hello all,

This past weekend (besides whipping up awesome Homemade Hostess Cupcakes) I managed to make it to a Food Truck Rally in Tarpon Springs, Florida. First off, might I say this is a fabulous idea and we should encourage more rallies like these in other states? What a great way to get the word out about some really impressive eateries on wheels and yet another excuse for me to stuff my face with good food.

There were about eight or ten trucks all lined up along Tarpon Ave in the historical district of Tarpon Springs, and to top it off we had a lovely sunny day. Though the sunny day quickly turned into a "oh my god it's so hot I'm sweating like a pig" day, it did not deter any of the hundreds of foodies eager to sample the gourmet eats at these food trucks.

From gator empanadas to grouper sliders, gourmet cupcakes to all-natural popsicles, it was like a dream come true for me. My family and I had to walk up and down the street multiple times just to decide where we were going to eat and what we were going to bring back home for later.

My parents decided on the Rollin Zoinks! Truck which featured out-of-this-world wraps, such as The Southerner, filled with fried Chicken, corn, risotto, green beans, and who knows what else. My Dad also settled on the Steak on a Whim, which included steak, of course, along with risotto, mushrooms, green beans and more.

My brother made a beeline for a pulled pork sandwich, and though I originally had decided on the Zoinks! truck as well, my heart was stolen away by the Keepin it Reel Truck. Not that it was really all that difficult to do, since Zoinks! was moving like molasses on their orders, and I sadly have to report that they most likely lost a few hundred dollars in business that way.

I'm not a food truck expert, but I do know that speed is crucial to maintaining your customers, especially when there are seven or eight other trucks within walking distance of you who can dish their meals out in seconds, which was another reason why I hustled over to Keepin it Reel. Fresh seafood sandwiches, including a Sweet Chili Po' Boy that had my name on it, which I ordered, received, and then walked back to my mom at the Zoinks! truck to find her still waiting on her and my dad's food.

The shrimp were fried to perfection, and the heat from the sweet chili sauce paired well with the lettuce, onions, pickles, on a well toasted bun. Not even one bite in, I was approached by five or six people asking what I had ordered and from where, completely intrigued by the steaming sandwich full of bright glistening fried shrimp.

I'd do free advertising for Keepin it Reel if they just paid me in those Shrimp Po' Boys.

Are you curious about the verdict of the Zoinks! wraps?

My parents loved them; every bit was filled with flavor and it was a departure from their normal food comfort zones, but we all couldn't get past the idea of my poor mom, standing there in the unforgiving Florida Sun, waiting for what seemed like hours for two wraps.

Before we left we picked up half a dozen cupcakes from this adorable truck:

which also took longer than expected. I mean c'mon cupcake man, just put them in the box and give me my cupcakes. If there is a truck that is cooking quicker then you are packaging, there's a problem.

But when it came to flavor, there was no problem. We brought them home to have with some coffee, and I had the ingenious idea to cut them into quarters so we could all sample them. I even did my fake Florian impression from Cupcake Wars (which I am so relieved none of you will ever hear). Soft, fluffy, light-as-air cake became the foundation for a subtle lemon with fresh lemon curd center, or a tangy red velvet or even a moist, decadent chocolate cake.

It was a day full of food, which is exactly how every day would be if I could have it my way.
If you're around the Tampa/St. Pete area this summer you have to check out the Food Truck Fridays hosted by TastingTampa. I know we will definitely be going back for seconds, thirds...until they recognize us there and tell us to go home.

Until next time: Happy Eating!
~Jess

Falling in Love with Portland Part Two

Hello all!

I knew you'd be back - who isn't intrigued by Mashed Potato Pizza? Or maybe you truly were curious about how food-obsessed the city of Portland is...either way I'm glad you're back because I have lots to share today!

First on the list today is Miccuci's Grocery, specializing in high quality cheese, wines, and breads. An adorably nostalgic brick building, you are greeted with the scent of freshly baking bread coming from deep within the store, and aisles upon aisles of high quality ingredients, such as white truffle oil.

Yes, white truffle oil. Now maybe it's the college student mindset, but I almost bought this just to say I have white truffle oil in my pantry. Then of course I floated back down to reality and realized I knew not how to use this oil nor how I would justify paying for it when I had so many other places to see on my foodie adventures through Portland. One day, truffle oil, you will be mine AND I will know how to employ you in my kitchen.

As I traveled deeper into the grocery, past rows of wines I've never even heard of and the offering of gourmet Provolone cheese from my boyfriend, I found the source of the scent that emanates through the entire store: fresh bread. Behind this photo of Ciabatta lies a group of busy bakers, diligently working near hot-as-blazes ovens to churn out artisan loaves for happy customers.

Now I take a moment to pause in my adventures to remind everyone that, if you are like me and not around high-quality, fresh ingredients or artisan, gourmet foods all the time, the wonderful internet is here for you! Whether its high-quality Saigon cinnamon from the Gourmet section of Amazon or fair-trade Gourmet Chocolate from FineFoodSpecialists, becoming a gourmand is only a click away! Or, you know, just base your next move on how awesome the food is in the area. It's a key factor that is largely overlooked in my opinion; if HGTV would work that into House Hunters, maybe Josh would actually watch it with me without rolling his eyes.

Now, back to Portland.

My friends, this is the Willy Wonka of Popcorn Shoppes. We almost walked right by it on our way to mashed potato pizza (who doesn't love the sound of that?!) but I became intrigued by the flavor possibilites listed on the sign.

Who knew popcorn had such depth? They allow you to sample any flavor you want, but I was a bit wary of the more out-there flavors. I opted to try the olive oil/sea salt while my boyfriend plunged right in for the Key Lime Pie. Naturally we shared and I must say, it tasted eerily similar to Key Lime Pie. Almost too close in my opinion, but when asked how they do it, the young teenager working behind the register gave me the most vague reply ever. I bet it's magic. After sampling their wares that seems the only logical explanation to me.

NOW my friends we have come to the epic climax of my foodie adventure: Otto's Pizza. Thank you for being so patient; unless you just scrolled down immediately thinking "get to the mashed potato pizza already!" In which case, you are most likely not even reading this little paragraph anyway since you are mesmerized by...

MASHED POTATO, BACON, SCALLION PIZZA

Why did I scoff at my boyfriend for ordering an entire pie, thinking we could never finish it? How did I even manage to secure these two photos before the pizza vanished into thin air, or more specifically, our stomachs? WHY have I never been given the honor of eating this pizza before?

Friends, some questions are just not worth asking. Needless to say, we did finish this pizza, and even ordered single slices from their astounding list of gourmet pizzas before we slowly made our way to the ferry back home. I went to bed with the words "mashed potato pizza" on my lips and a smile on my face; my love affair with the city of Portland complete.

But you can't think I didn't bring my own baking skills to the table while up in Maine do you? Of course not. This little baker from Jersey has to represent too.

Check back this Friday to see what I baked and get the recipe for yourself!

~Jess