By D. Channing Muller | BizBash.com
The mobile food trend continues to blossom in Washington, with a slew of new food trucks hitting the street. Here are three available for private events.
1. Brooklyn-based eatery Red Hook Lobster Pound brought its first food truck to the district in August. Taking a cue from its New York menu, the truck serves shrimp and lobster rolls (priced at $8 and $15, respectively) and meal deals with chips and a soda included for an additional $3. Whoopie pies are also available for dessert at $3.50 each. Additional cold-weather items like New England clam chowder and hot apple cider are also available in winter. The truck serves the Washington metro area, as well as Baltimore, Annapolis, Delaware, and the Maryland beaches. Rental pricing starts at $500, plus a minimum order of 200 rolls, and includes labor and disposable serving items. Tables, folding chairs, and linens are also available for rent starting at $65 for a two-foot table, four chairs, and tablecloth.
2. Launched on January 5, DC Empanadas specializes in made from scratch international dishes with an emphasis on local ingredients. The menu consists of various chicken, pork, beef, and vegetarian empanadas such as the El Matador (chorizo, potatoes, and spices) and the Taj Mahal Chicken Tikka (chicken marinated in yogurt and spices and served with a tomato cream sauce). There is a $700 food-and-drink minimum required to book the truck for private events. The truck serves the Washington metro area, though a $50 gas fee is charged for all bookings outside the district proper.
3. Bringing a bit of Latin flavor to Washington, the Sabor’a Street food truck is scheduled to begin rolling next week. Taking a cue from the truck’s name, which means “flavor of the street,” the seasonally changing menu includes items like fritas (Cuban-style sliders), fried plantains, and arepas (cornmeal cakes with pulled chicken, pico de gallo, and cheese), as well as churros for dessert, with prices ranging from $5 to $8. The truck serves the district, Northern Virginia, and parts of Maryland, and though there is no base rental fee, Sabor’a does charge a minimum 15 percent service fee for service outside of Washington and any additional permit needs.
