NYC: A Truck A Day To Keep Workday Boredom Away

Brayden McCarthy's NY Mag started it all!
Congratulations, you survived Monday again...! If you're like me, you must be dreading the return to routine that the weekdays bring. Something that helps is planning things for Monday night -- like tonight, my group planned a going away / switching groups party for me at the Boat Basin Cafe on the UWS (they are the best! -- post to come later!)

On other days though, I wanted to share with you all what I’ve been doing to battle off Monday blues and spice up the weekdays -- Have lunch at a difference place everyday, out of a truck! This should be a welcome alternative to the usual bland cafeteria food or expensive Pret sandwich + soup combo (almost $9!). Here is a recap of my food truck journey – follow along and let me know if any trucks or things you do to make the weekdays a little more exciting!




The Fruit Cart Lady
(49th between 6th and 7th -- you can order ahead by calling (917) 767-8882)
Small seasonal fruit salad ($4.50)
Fresh, cheap and clean fruit right in the middle of Midtown! What gets better than that? I go here regularly for breakfast and get either a fruit salad  for $4.50 for a small box so full that she rubberbands it closed (look at that pic! the kiwis are almost falling over the edge!) or a smoothie ($4 for 16 oz, $5 for 24 oz).


Wafels and Dinges
(They are on 52nd between 6th and 7th on Fridays. Follow their twitter or look at the schedule on their website)
I’ve been trying to track down this truck ever since it was featured on Throwdown with Bobby Flay. It’s in Midtown every Friday – perfect for a Friday morning breakfast splurge! Wafels and Dinges means “Waffles and Things” in Belgian. They have two types of waffles: the Brussels waffle (light & crispy) or the liege waffle (soft & chewy). The toppings or "dinges" include freshly cut fruits, fudge, whipped cream, nutella, dulce de leche and an interesting one called spekuloos spread (“looks like peanut butter, tastes like graham cracker”). On this particular Friday morning, I felt like a soft and chewy waffle with nutella and strawberry. Mmmm it was DELICIOUS. I went back again this last Friday to try a light and crispy Brussels waffle with the spekuloos spread =) Take a look at the menu before you go so you don’t get overwhelmed by the offerings.

The manager of the Wafels and Dinges truck approved of my choice -- a Brussels waffle with Spekuloos Spread!
Gregor liked it so much he bought a jar... they said it goes well with bananas!
This is what I got the first time -- liege waffle with nutella and strawberries

Korean Bulgogi Cart
(49th between 6th and 7th)
This was one of the first carts I started eating at when I started work. Gregor took me and our summer Ivy my first week on the job and I’ve been going back ever since. Most entrees like galbi, bulgogi or spicy chidken come with rice, jap chae and a salad on the side for $7-8. The owner is this super super nice and cheery Korean guy -- he makes me want to get lunch from him every day (except I'd probably get uncomfortably chubbier). They also offer mondu (Korean pot stickers / gyoza), jap chae by itself, bulgogi and tofu dishes.
My regular order -- a spicy chicken and galbi combo with rice, jap chae and salad ($8)
Schnitzel and Things
(location on their twitter or website)
Gregor pondering the menu
When my co-worker first suggested trying out the Schnitzel truck, I said "SURE! What's a schnitzel?!" Well, of course I wikipedia'ed it and found out that it's some kind of German katsu =P Like pounded fried meat. I love meat and I love anything fried, so I was sold. You have a few choices when it came to your schnitzel, including chicken, pork, cod, burger and bratwurst. Along with the schnitzel, you choose one condiment. They had pretty creative ones like spicy sriracha mayo and some kind of chipotle sauce. You also get two sides with it all! On this day we went, they ran out of their famous fries, so I will have to go back again to enjoy those.
Doesn't it look delicious? (photo from schnitzel truck menu)
Moshe’s Falafel
(46th and 6th Ave)
I never had a falafel until I moved to New York, but once I started I couldn't stop! These fried chickpea balls are super delicious and taste great when served with the pita bread, lettuce tomatos and special sauce (I think tahini). Moshe's Falafel truck is a super popular truck/car that serves them in one place all the time. After I got this sandwich, I found out other groups venture here regularly for lunch too. Give it a try!

For a healthier alternative, I also get falafels from Crisp for lunch / seamless dinners. They bake instead of fry their falafels and you can get it with really delicious salads too.
My co-workers Gregor and Micah are laughing at my touristy picture taking tendencies (do you see them?)
Moshe's Falafel (serious eats)

I hope these options keep your weekdays from getting too routine, at least in the food department =P Let me know what you think of these if you try! Also, here are some trucks that I never made it to (mostly because we decided to do a Shake Shack run—I couldn’t turn it down!)
JessicaFood, New York City