Article & Photos by Crystal Vandegrift
Pictured Above: A Boka Signature Dish
Food trucks and carts offer unique cuisine in Downtown Richmond
They only stay in one spot for a few minutes, and then it’s on the road again.
Moving as many as five or more times a day, food trucks are becoming a national trend, one that has made its way to the Richmond area.
We’ve all seen hot dog and pretzel carts, but a food truck is unique. Often serving more gourmet, high-end fare, food trucks ramp up the culinary factor with their offerings, such as tacos, ice cream, cupcakes and kabobs. Prices can sometimes be higher than your typical sidewalk pretzel, but the meals are often unique enough to warrant the extra few bucks.
The dawn of the culinary phenomenon began in 2009 with Kogi BBQ Truck in Los Angeles. Their success, according to Patrick Harris, owner of Boka Tako Truck of Richmond, sparked a national food revolution, one that Harris and his colleagues found admirable and exciting. “We would always say ‘What if I owned a food truck? What would I do or serve?’” explains Harris.
In 2010 Harris took his “what if” thoughts and turned them into a first-of-its-kind business for Richmond. “We saw the need for great food at inexpensive prices, and a great opportunity since nobody else had tried this type of business in the area before,” says Harris.
At his Boka Tako Truck, you won’t find hamburgers, hot dogs or fries. Instead, feast on a kimchi quesadilla with nira grass, cilantro and chipotle sauce; or try cilantro chicken with barbecue sauce, caramelized onion, jack and cheddar cheeses. There’s also Korean beef bulgogi, guajillo-pork, cilantro chicken and tofu takos.
You won’t find the truck located in the same place every day. “We move about during the day and post our locations and times on Twitter,” Harris explains.
Though Boka Tako Truck may be one-of-a-kind, other food carts can be found in downtown Richmond near Virginia Commonwealth University, and even a few construction sites. Though these food carts don’t typically change locations during the day, some are offering similarly intriguing options.
Nate Gutierrez, owner of Nate’s Taco Truck, took his business one step further: after years of a successful taco cart operation, he opened a permanent location on 2nd street. Although that location closed in December, Gutierrez says he plans to resume the Taco Cart sometime in the future.
A newer addition to the downtown scene is Sweet Melissa’s Cupcake Cart, located at E. Main Street and S 12th Street. Walking downtown one day, owner Melissa Mettrey noticed the array of lunch carts. “That’s when I thought there’s got to be a sweet cart down here, but there wasn’t,” Mettrey told Richmond.com last summer.
Though not actually a truck, Melissa’s serves up freshly baked cupcakes, including flavors such as red velvet and Italian cream.
So, if you’re looking for some unique cuisines at reasonable prices, an area food truck or cart may just be for you.
Says Harris: “Chefs of food trucks all over the country are pushing the envelope to create exciting cuisine.”
Check out these trucks & carts the downtown area:
Christopher’s RunaWay Gourmay: E Marshall St. and N 12th St.
A lunch cart serving pasta and salads. Featuring pasta in pesto sauce with green beans, served with a wedge of cheese and French bread; or sesame noodles served with two sides and French bread, each for $4. Christopher’s signature salads include tarragon chicken salad, lemon and dill tuna salad and creamy shrimp and pasta salad.
Bombay Express: 9th Street and E. Main St. (between 10th)
This lunch cart offers a variety of curry dishes, such as chicken mahkani (chicken in a creamed tomato sauce with mild Indian spices); Tandoori chicken served with ginger paste and Indian spices; and different vegetarian dishes every week.
Thai Cabin: E Marshall St. and N 11th St.
A lunch cart serving Japanese and Thai dishes like teriyaki chicken and hibachi shrimp.
Mobile Munchies: Linden and West Main Street
Serving wraps packed with hummus, fresh veggies, tabboulleh, three-bean mix, grilled chicken and much more.
Boka Tako Truck Find: locations by visiting bokatruck.com or Twitter: @bokatruck
Serving spicy noodle bowls, unique quesadillas and their famous “takos.”
Pictured: Patrick Harris, owner of Boka Tako Truck