For most of us, that 30 minutes is the only time we’ll get to ourselves that day, and we want it to leave a satisfied feeling in our bellies. A lousy lunch sets the tone for the afternoon, leaving us either a.) sleepy, grouchy and ready to call it a day or b.) re-energized and ready to tackle the remainder of our tasks. A fine lunch can and often does make the difference between the sweet flavors of victory and the bitterest taste of defeat, making lunchtime dining options vitally important. Thanks to the limited amount of time made available to us for breaks, it becomes difficult to avoid the nightmarish world of hyper-convenient but energy draining and poorly nourishing fast food. Fortunately, thanks to entrepreneurial local business owners, the mighty food truck offers the unique ability to eat healthy within any time-crunch.
But with the huge number of choices available, how do I select the food truck that’s right for me? Here’s some factors to consider when navigating the lunchtime seas:
Accept no compromises when it comes to priority one – Lunch has got to be a party for the palate! Paying attention to other people, particularly people you respect, giving high praise to a particular truck helps pick out new places with the most mouthwatering morsels and tasty treats. I often find positive reviews online helpful as well. Of course, nothing beats trying a new spot for yourself.
When consuming your meal, always take note of the little things that indicate you have a fresh meal, like crispness of the lettuce, food that’s hot on the outside and cold on the inside, or the tell-tales that distinguish a fresh piece of meat from a frozen one. When you’re paying top dollar for a meal out, don’t settle for anything you can whip up in the break room.
Food trucks give you a direct view of the kitchen that’s preparing your food, so don’t be afraid to give the truck a good examination. The vendors who take pride in showing off their workspace are definitively the ones you want to buy from. If the kitchen looks less than up to snuff, it might be time to cut your losses and move on.
Considering price when you make your purchase doesn’t mean to need to be cheap or haggle for the lunch you want. It simply means that you should consider whether the item is worth spending the money on. If the steak burrito costs $15, but it uses the most savory top sirloin you’ve ever tasted, it’s probably worth it to drop a few extra bucks to treat yourself. That said, if an item you want costs $3 more than it normally would at a place you like, it may behoove you to make another selection from the menu.
Some trucks may specialize in thick, juicy burgers, others may slant towards seafood. Keep in mind, regardless of what you’re in the mood for, go with the recommended choice for the day- that’s the item that’s being presented to best impress you. (Old rule of thumb – never get the Friday Fish Fry on Tuesday.)
Eating out at the food truck does not have to be a diet breaker. In fact, many providers have special diet options ready and waiting, regardless of your goals and needs. I always recommend contacting the truck in question beforehand to see what they offer.
Let’s keep this one simple: I’m a friendly guy, and I expect people to be as nice to me as I am to them when I eat at their establishment. Accept no substitutes for personal experience in this category.
Dining at food trucks can be an amazing experience for the on the go worker, and it sure as heck beats out greasy, “pre-prepared” and reheated fast food. With a little bit of research, and some help from us, you’ll become a truck connoisseur in no time.
Written by: Paul Andrea
Show Up Hungry!
