10 great places to flag down a fabulous feast
— -- Eager chefs have taken the wheel, and they are steering food in a whole new direction. The growing demand for fresh local bounty has led to more food trucks and carts working the streets nationwide, especially during summer. Dana Cowin, editor in chief of Food & Wine magazine, shares her favorite movable feasts with Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY.
Skillet Seattle
"Joshua Henderson, a former private chef, and Danny Sizemore tool around Seattle in their silver 1962 Airstream, which they've turned into a kitchen-on-wheels," Cowin says. "There's a devoted following for the edgy, eclectic food they serve at various locations around the city. (A weekly schedule is posted on their website.) Favorites include poutine (a Canadian dish combining french fries with cheese curds and gravy), hazelnut-crusted chicken and Skillet's pride and joy, a juicy Kobe beef burger topped with Cambozola cheese and bacon jam." skilletstreetfood.com
Chef Shack Minneapolis
"This upscale street-food trailer, which can be found Saturday mornings at Minneapolis' Mill City Farmers Market, is a party on wheels: A live DJ provides the music, and there's a go-go dancer on the trailer's rooftop for entertainment," Cowin says. "Lisa Carlson and Carrie Summer, both professional chefs in town, serve locally sourced dishes, including pulled-pork sandwiches, beef-tongue tacos, Indian-spiced doughnuts and handmade ice cream sandwiches." Cowin says. millcityfarmersmarket.org
RoliRoti San Francisco
"Swiss-born Thomas Odermatt, whose 85-year-old father runs a butcher shop, introduced his popular rotisserie-stocked trucks in 2001 with a single truck. He excels at anything spit-roasted, including pork rib roast, chicken, leg of lamb and porchetta," Cowin says. Odermatt's chefs-on-wheels wear professional uniforms and bring high-end food to several locations in the Bay Area. The longest lines are at his Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market location. 510-780-0300;roliroti.com
Green Truck Culver City, Calif.
"Fueled by used vegetable oil and biodiesel, stocked with locally grown, 100% certified organic ingredients and biodegradable containers and utensils, Green Truck company operates two trucks in various locations around the city and serves salads, grilled tuna tacos and signature 'Mother Trucker' vegan burgers to L.A.'s health- and eco-conscious eaters," Cowin says. 310-204-0477; greentruckonthego.com
