By Kathy Hanrahan  and Elliot Acosta  |  WRAL.com
Raleigh-based food truck Pho Nomenal Dumpling took home the title of “Best Food Truck in America” during Sunday night’s finale of the Food Network’s “Great Food Truck Race.”
“This competition shows that Pho Nomenmal has everything it takes – the smarts, the food, the innovation – to compete with other professional food trucks,” Plumlee said.
Then, there was a brief stop in Springfield, Ill., where trucks were given three hours to serve but could only accept $5 bills. Pho Nomenal edged out Waffle Love in sales there, but not by much.
Chicago had the teams serving 50 themed dishes fitting the culture of Chinatown, Little Italy and Greek Town. Pho Nomenal’s St. Louis win meant they only had to sell 20 dishes in Chinatown. The ladies quickly regained the lead with their short ribs.
They sold toasted ravioli in Little Italy, and their loaded Greek chicken tater tots were so good, they were able to sell 100 of orders – 50 the first time, when they unknowingly parked two blocks outside of the “Greek Town” radius they were instructed to stay inside, and 50 the second time, when they had to go back because the first sales didn’t count.
Waffle Love struggled to sell its banana spring rolls in Chinatown, mainly due to a bad location. After a change of venue, they met their goal, but still trailed Pho Nomenal.
Pho Nomenal’s win is a true “Cinderella” story.
The team really started to hit its stride in Amarillo, Texas, where they won “The Big Texan Steak Ranch” challenge by eating a 72 oz. steak.
“It has always been about community since we started,” Woo said. “Every city came together to support us. It gives me hope in the goodness of people.”
“I dream about their whipped cream. We’ve been trying to get their (waffle) recipe this whole time,” Lin said.
The room erupted in cheers when their win was announced.
As winners of the Food Network’s “Great Food Truck Race,” Pho Nomenal Dumpling won $50,000. The team said they plan to open a brick-and-mortar location with the money. No other details were released.
http://www.wral.com/raleigh-food-truck-named-best-food-truck-in-america-/14925737/
