This Saturday marks the 1st Annual Philadelphia Vendy Awards. Eight food trucks will compete for the title of best food truck, with Sugar Phillly, Magic Carpet, and Gigi & Big R’s repping University City. Street takes a look at some of these Penn landmarks, scouring old issues for the lowdown.
Gigi & Big R’s Carribean Soul Food
“In a sea of egg & cheese and Chinese food trucks, GiGi’s stands out with its Southern comfort food classics and Caribbean specialities,” writer Eliza Rothstein declared in her review of the food truck in 2009. Though service can be “slow” and “somewhat unreliable,” Gigi’s “can hold its own against some of the best Southern food in Philly.” Eliza recommended the oxtail platter, which was “slightly pricey ... but the serving size and homemade quality is well worth the price.” 38th and Spruce, across from Wawa
Sugar Philly
The newest kid on the (38th) block arrived just last year, when former Under the Button Managing Editor Hillary Reinsberg trekked over to the truck’s temporary location (when it was called Sugarcube Philly) and tried the Pear Almond Tart (“light and fruity”) and the vanilla creme brulee (“caramelized in just the right way”). Hillary wondered whether the truck would have staying power, given its highbrow offerings, but the move to a permanent location seems to have solved this problem. 38th and Walnut
Magic Carpet
Saving the “Best of Penn: 2007” for last, Magic Carpet has served vegetarian fare for over twenty years, winning the distinguished Street title in 2007 of “Best Food Truck.” “Magic, we tip our hats to you,” an unknown writer wrote. “Your meatless food products spare both the lives of such baby animals as lambs and innocent calves, [and] also create unquantifiable amounts of both joy and elation for those daring enough put your smoking balls in their mouths.” 34th and Walnut, 36th and Spruce
The Vendy Awards will take place Saturday, July 9 at the Piazza at Schmidts, 1031 Germantown Ave., 3 to 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25 and include food and drink.
