Food truck heaven: Here's our top picks for Food Truck Friday
PINCKNEY — Summertime is food truck season in Livingston County, with regular events in Howell and Pinckney and beyond.
In particular, locals enjoy Food Truck Fridays in downtown Pinckney. In addition to food, vendors set up booths selling handmade trinkets and goods while live music plays in the background.
The next Food Truck Friday is scheduled for Aug. 16. In preparation, reporter Tess Ware and freelancer Ari Hickman decided to hop on down and try some of the trucks that caught their eye.
Our Favorite: Pork Egg Rolls from Lor Bistro
Description: Fried egg rolls stuffed with pork and vegetables and served with sweet chili sauce.
Tess: I’ve had a lot of egg rolls in my life. My long-term boyfriend is Thai and Lao, so they're a staple for us. Still, I was surprised at how much I loved these egg rolls. The first thing I noticed when I took my first bite was the audible crunch from the perfectly fried wrapping. The filling was soft and full of flavor that was made even better by the sweet chili sauce we dipped them in. It says a lot that both Ari and I finished our rolls, despite being completely stuffed by that point.
Ari: Normally it’s hard to pick a favorite, but the pork egg rolls win hands down. The crunchy, deep golden exterior enclosed the rich, soft pork filling, and the sweet chili sauce only added to the explosion of flavor. The fact that the egg rolls landed on top despite the fact that I ate them on a full stomach earns them bonus points.
Most Unusual: Farmhouse Waffle Sandwich from The Mitten Peanut Butter Co.
Description: A waffle sandwich sprinkled with powdered sugar and peaches, blueberries and homemade peanut butter.
Tess: When I first saw the waffle sandwich, I was expecting it to be really sweet, but it was surprisingly light. I could tell the peanut butter was homemade because it tasted nothing like Jiffy. The waffles were soft but crispy on the outside, the peaches and blueberries were fresh and the powdered sugar tied it all together.
Ari: When I think of food trucks, waffles don’t typically come to mind. This ended up being a pleasant (and mouthwatering) surprise. The fruit and homemade peanut butter gave the dish a mild freshness, while the powdered sugar added a sweet edge.
Can’t Go Wrong: Asada Tacos from Papi’s Taco Parrillero
Description: Asada tacos topped with cilantro, lime and onions.
Tess: I’m a huge taco fan and these didn’t disappoint. The cilantro, lime and onions were fresh and packed with flavor and the mild salsa was tangy and delicious. I also appreciated that the soft taco wasn’t too dry.
Ari: You truly can’t go wrong with tacos. I loved both the snack-sized nature of these and the delectable pairing of cilantro, lime and onions. The tangy sauce also delivered a flavorful yet not overpowering kick. My only regret was that we didn’t order more.
The Classic: Manny’s Meatball Sub from Mr. Italy
Description: Toasted bun filled with meatballs, marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Tess: This sub didn’t skimp on the sauce, which makes it all the more impressive that the bun didn’t get soggy, but stayed nice and toasted. The meatballs and sauce were both well seasoned. While a meatball sub doesn’t exactly break the mold, it’s a classic that never disappoints.
Ari: It was only natural that our multicultural food truck tasting took a stop in Italy, and I certainly wasn’t let down here. The toasted bun added a nice crunch and ensured it wouldn’t get soggy from the sauce, while the meatball-to-sauce-to-cheese ratio was on point. The overall effect was simply delizioso.
— Contact reporter Tess Ware and freelancer Ari Hickman at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: We taste tested four trucks at Food Truck Friday in Pinckney
