Something Stuffed Food Truck

A new entry in to the food truck craze is Something Stuffed. A purple truck was parked right in front of Subway and Bullfeathers and the Thai place along First Street. Right next to the truck was the shoeshine guy that sets up his shop every day in front of Bullfeathers. He always extends a warm greeting and has become somewhat of a fixture. Regardless of how long the customer line is anxiously waiting to be served, it always blocks the sidewalk and no one has the intention of moving out of your way, even though it is plain as day that someone is trying to pass by. This truck serves up local ingredients and the menu changes around depending on what is in season. Veggie and meat chili, dumplings filled with a variety of stuffings, and even apple pie can be had. As I get to go home for lunch every day, I never actually taste the options, but at least folks who work around here can. I just wish they would move out of the way once in a while.

Pepe Food Truck

Over the last week the food trucks are more numerous and varied. Today's new entry was Pepe. It is Spanish, with Sangria, chicken noodle soup, a variety of seared tenderloin, pork and ham sandwiches, as well as eggplant. Lucky for the folks who live and work in the neighborhood to have a choice for lunch. We have never tried any of these venues, because I walk home and in two blocks I am there with lunch waiting. I know I am very lucky, and appreciate it every time I walk out of the office. I much prefer leaving at 5:30 than at noon. But there is no room to complain here. I still wonder what the brick and mortar restaurants think about all if this. Especially when the trucks are parked right outside their front doors.

Pho Junkies, Wassub, and DC Ballers

The choices for lunch continue to change. The food trucks make the rounds, most frequently on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Monday and Friday it seems are less busy days in general, especially if it has anything to do with congressional staff. In all fairness, many folks have nine and ten hour work days, and select Monday and Friday as the day off. Regardless, today two trucks were sitting back to back across from Tortilla Coast. Pho Junkies, noodle dishes and spring tolls, and a new one called Wassub. Wassub is Asian fusion, Korean BBQ, with ribeye, chicken and steak specialties. DC Ballers, which was here earlier in the week, serves falafel and fries with different dipping sauces and a hummus sandwich. I think the hands down winner is Tasty Kabob. It seems to be around the most. I'm just glad that I have the option to walk home for lunch. It breaks up the day, and has the best food in town. But, for the poor souls who need to find a variety, at least there are some options. I can't put a price on my lunch time schedule. Walking to work, and home for lunch, is priceless!

Pho Junkies and Rebas Food Trucks

It's been awhile since a new food truck has ventured on to the scene. Today there were two: Pho Junkies, with a zombie appeal of sorts, and Rebas. Pho Junkies apparently launched just this month. It is Vietnamese/Asian Fusion with spring, shrimp, and summer rolls, and and lot of meat options. Apparently Rebas is a big hit with some of my co workers who were on their way to get funnel cakes. Rebas started up in April. So the two newbies were parked back to back across the street from Tortilla Coast. I guess the trucks and competition are getting to be a routine now. But I'm still not convinced the brick and mortar establishments are thrilled about it. What the trucks offer is a variety for those who already have a pretty good choice, given all the restaurants around Capitol Hill. But if you prefer a quick bite rather than a sit down, this just may be the thing for you. I much prefer going home for lunch to any of the above, but that just isn't a choice for most people, including myself, before we moved here.

Parked right across from Tortilla Coast

Some happy campers

Tasty Kabob, DC Slices, and Mojo

Thursday is usually the busiest day of the work week, and a lot of activities are scheduled on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. As I walked home for lunch this afternoon the streets were filled with all kinds of people traffic- and a lot of them with name tags who were stopping at the Republican Club and also heading towards Bullfeathers, The Thai place, and Tortilla Coast for lunch. Today there were three food trucks parked along First Street. Tasty Kabob- one I routinely see; DC Slices- a new one for pizza; and Mojo- famous for Chivito sandwiches- also a new one. They were all quite busy on my way home. And of course, the people standing in line don't feel it is necessary to move aside so you can pass by. Because the weather is so nice, folks use the benches outside the Truckers Building to sit and relax. It's nice to have lunch options. I wonder when the Burger King Truck arrives? I still prefer the home cooked meal fit for a queen when I get home every day. That's something not a lot of people can enjoy- and it's only two blocks away.

Going back to work along 1st Street

Mojo- a new one

DC Slices- and a place to sit at the Truckers benches

Pizza anyone?

Tasty Kabob is always out near Tortilla Coast

You'd never know it was a busy afternoon

Hula Girl, Cheesecake and Shawarma

Today in the Washington Post was an article about what the city plans to do about regulating all the food trucks. Apparently it is a rather new phenomenon that started in 2009. They all just started to appear. The brick and mortar restaurants are upset about the trucks parking right in front of their doors, that the food truck customers don't have to pay some sort of sales tax, and obviously the vendors take business away from the lunch crowd volume. The other issue is how does one know if safety standards are maintained - though I am not certain folks around here think of things like that. What I do know is that the vehicles circulate regularly between my work place and home, which is two blocks away. And there always seems to be a line of people looking for a change of pace from the usual fare. This week, Hula Girl returned with a new Cheesecake truck right behind it. Another new truck pulled in to the scene called Shawarma. I would never have guessed that it is Lebanese. I bet that is giving Tasty Kabob a run for it's money.

A little teriyaki steak and a cheesecake to follow

 

A nice day to stand around - right across from Tortilla Coast

DC Shawarma is a newcomer

Has a few customers too

Hula Girl

There are a lot of different food trucks in the neighborhood that I typically run in to on my way home for lunch. There are kabobs, and lobster, and cheese trucks. But this one I have never seen before - Hula Girl. It seemed to have quite a following -probably because the neighborhood has resumed its post holiday activity. There are a lot more people, cars, buses, and everything else bustling about. I looked up the menu on the Internet. Teriyaki steak and sticky rice seem to be the featured items, along with a pineapple drink. Not my cup of tea, but does give an alternate option to those that must depend on the local environment for lunch. I'm so glad I don't have to think about it. That's one of the perks in living just two blocks away. And that never was the case before moving here.

You never know what will show up

Seems to have some takers

Glad I don't have to think about it

No Rest for the Weary or Wicked?

Since I've been nursing this viral thing since last week, I've been working short days this week just to keep up with what has to get done, and to rest as much as possible. But when one lives in a building that was made around 1890, things are bound to go wrong, and need replacement. But everything is happening at the same time. If the goal is to rest, forget it. The heat has been out since Sunday, and the hot water heater has been on it's last legs for a while. Yesterday, the drywall in the living room was getting rapaired, so I had to leave early in the morning. Today, not only was our driveway parked with every service vehicle it could accommodate, the street was overloaded with trucks. And of course, the street repair is going on now too, adding to the noise and the congestion. The Truckers Association is having some event this evening... the party truck and catering trucks, and the 18 wheeler they bring in from time to time also arrived. Across the street was a roof repair truck, further down, another repair vehicle of some sort, and a laser delivery truck found it's way alongside the mess. Thank goodness the repairs in our building that needed to be made were finally made today. I simply do not remember this sort of mess in Milwaukee. Things were fixed before they broke most of the time. That is just not the culture around here. I am exhausted just thinking about it when I'm feeling well. I can't even contemplate it when my head feels like a bowling ball.

Party planners for a catered event across the street

Our circle drive was filled with vehicles

Add to it the street work  and noise at the corner

 

Someone needed roof repair work

And a dump truck

Another work vehicle

And another one just up the street

 

The 18 wheeler took the cake

The BBQ Truck

The food trucks are starting to make their rounds in the neighborhood again after a long recess and holiday. The streets are resuming pedestrian and vehicular activity as well. There has been a lot of controversy about the trucks, and where they park, and how long they park. When I walked home for lunch, the BBQ truck was hiding towards the end of the block, past the usual stops. But that did not deter the hungry staffers, visitors, and neighbors who were interested in something a little different from the usual fare. We have never tried any of these alternate food options - but maybe one of these days we will.

I hear the pulled pork is great

And catering is an option

The Pie Truck

The neighborhood is really quiet at this time of the year. It doesn't seem like anyone is at work. When I left this evening, every single light in the Cannon House Office Building was on. It looked odd, as most people are winding down for the year. I'm used to working in 24 hour operations where people are  working all hours of the day and night 365 days a year. Anyway, throughout the week there are usually food trucks that travel around and park near the curb somewhere between where we live and the Library. I've seen the Kabob and Lobster trucks, the cupcake truck, and the cheese truck. But this was a new one- a Pie truck, using the geometrical (?) rendering (3.14) as a symbol to illustrate the "pie." Obviously it had nothing to do with the geometry, except to grab attention. And there they all were, standing around waiting for it to open. I passed by it on my way home from work, and it was still open when I went back. The vehicles serve as a alternate to the usual fare, and appear to get a lot of business. I still don't think the restaurants appreciate them, but all is fair in love and war - especially in this neighborhood.

There it is up there on the left

Some sort of specialty pizza

Cupcake

Last night we were watching Mike Judge on TV in anticipation of Beavis and Butthead returning tomorrow night when the doorbell rang. In walked our son and grandson with a 6 pack of cupcakes. They had just gone out to eat and stopped off at the local cupcake shop for some dessert- and they always think of us! Of course, they would be joining us in devouring these delicious foodstuffs. I don't quite understand all the hullabaloo about cupcakes. And they were $20.00 for six of them, and weighed a ton. There are shops everywhere- one in Georgetown, 2 new ones on 8th street Barracks Row, and a cupcake truck that circles the neighborhood. Regardless of what it is, we appreciate the thought. But we did send at least one back home to Mom- so she would not feel left out. Now that is a really good reason to live close by! We certainly would not have these little perks if we still lived in Wisconsin.

Tasty Kabob

It was finally a beautiful day today, and the food trucks were out. Tasty Kabob has not been around the neighborhood for awhile. As you can see by the line, it looks like everyone missed it. I had noticed a few folks gathering around the truck when I walked home for lunch. But when I went back to work, it was really doing a hot business. At least this time they did not park right on front of Tortilla Coast, Bullfeathers, the Thai place and the subway shops. Or maybe even they all like to have the choices. It could get tiring eating the same thing every day. But come to think of it, I do eat the same thing every day for lunch. The difference is that it is home made and ready when I walk in the door. Couldn't have it any better. It was always a hassle to figure out what to do for lunch in an office setting. The hospitals always had cafeterias and coffee shops. But I think I like home the best.

Across from the House Office parking lot

In front of an office/residence

 

What's the appeal?



Lobster Truck

Today the Cheese Truck and the Cupcake Truck were in the street for lunch business. I've seen them both before, along with several others. The Cheese Truck has macaroni and cheese with tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. The Curbside Cupcake Truck has cupcakes! The newest addition is the Lobster Truck. This is the one that our daughter in law comments about... I think it is her favorite, and she tracks it on-line to find it whenever it is in the neighborhood. We are still unclear about the appeal of it all, but I guess they provide an alternative to the routine hum-drum choices. But I have the best choice of all - a 5 minute walk home for lunch every day. That way, I don't have to think about where to go and who to go with, and I know the company there is always the best and the food is delicious!

Looks kinda grungy from behind

Our daughter in law raves about it

Always a line

BBQ BUS

There are many food trucks that circulate around the neighborhood at lunch time. Last week, the Kabob Truck was parked across the street from the Library, and today there was a new yellow truck called the BBQ Bus. It was standing right outside the Mexican Restaurant. There was a line, as usual. There were even "tourists" trying out the fare. I wonder how the restaurants feel when they see these vehicles parked right outside their establishments? When the raindrops started, I think they felt pretty good.

Always a captive audience

What happens when it rains?

Five Year Anniversary & Tasty Kabob

This week marks my fifth year anniversary at the Library. Time flies. To celebrate the event, one of my colleagues and best friend took me out to lunch. It was a real treat. My mother often said that things happen for a reason, and this person is one of those things that happened for a reason. We have enjoyed our time together both at work and outside of work, including some very interesting international travel. She has a real talent to make you laugh. On the way to the restaurant, we came across the green Tasty Kabob food truck parked right across the street from one of the Library's entrances. This was the biggest food truck I think I've seen. There were several people in line... we were wondering how they are licensed, etc. It is a new thing in DC, and some new regulations are being considered. We both love kabob, and are looking forward to a new "Moby Dick" that is scheduled to arrive in the neighborhood soon. That's one thing we all like about Washington- the huge variety of restaurants, venues, and take-outs. Yum!

A really big truck

The last time I saw one of these was in Arlington

Cheese & Popsicles & Bullfeathers

The food trucks roam the streets - and they come in all shapes and sizes. There is even a Food Truck event held in an empty parking lot up the street on weekends and for ballgames. Today the Cheese truck and the Popsicle truck were parked side by side in front of Bullfeathers Restaurant over the lunch hour. The lines started as I walked home for lunch, and became shorter when I walked back to work. The funny thing is that the guy eating the popsicle had the Capitol Hill uniform on (blog from yesterday- khaki pants and a long sleeve buttoned down blue shirt). Was that just a coincidence? Wonder how many people drooled popsicle juice on themselves. It is very hot here this week, and nothing is more satisfying than a good 'ole popsicle. I'm not sure how the cheese part fits in.

Wonder if Bullfeathers likes the competition?

The Capitol Hill uniform