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Local Philly food trucks make stop at DNC

July 28, 2016
Philadelphia, Pa. resident Bashianta Anderson hands an order of fries to Boston, Mass. resident Howard Powell on July 26, 2016, the second day of the Democratic National Convention, at Lil' Trent's Grille food truck in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia, Pa. resident Bashianta Anderson hands an order of fries to Boston, Mass. resident Howard Powell on July 26, 2016, the second day of the Democratic National Convention, at Lil' Trent's Grille food truck in Philadelphia. —
Photo by Nic Antaya | and Nic Antaya The State News

Sweeping popular and unique flavors into concourse, the DNC tried to bring a little local feel to the convention as nearly four miles separate the convention hall and Philadelphia’s historic and hustling downtown.

Creating a blockade of food for delegates, convention attendees and media, six food trucks offer different options, from the “icon of Philadelphia food” the cheesesteak, to Mexican and Korean flavors.

It’s a contrast to the Republican National Convention which sat in the bustling downtown center of Cleveland. Immersed right in with the streets, the local grub wasn’t more than a brisk walk from Freedom Plaza. But the distance in Philly left the DNC to find other ways to send delegates home with a taste of Philly.

Aramark, a corporation that provides food services and facilities to businesses, facilitated the addition of food trucks to the area in partnership with the Philadelphia Mobile Food Association and FoodFellas, LLC.

Trent Middleton, owner of “Lil Trent’s”, is stuck in between Hai Street Kitchen and Company and Grubaholics, but his black truck stands out with a picture of what he calls an icon of Philadelphia — the cheesesteak. Middleton mentioned he’s done business with Aramark and FoodFellas before, including being able to sell his food on the streets for Pope Francis’ visit.

Slapped into a hoagie bun, with melted cheese and packed with steak strips, his cheesesteaks seem to sell well. Outside of one other standing vendor, he’s the only one with a traditional cheesesteak and he’s been serving them since 1998.

“We serve one of Philadelphia’s icons, cheesesteaks,” Middleton said. “With that being said, when you’re surrounded by a lot of people from both out of town and the suburbs, every time they come to the city they want to make sure they taste a Philadelphia cheesesteak.”

A steady stream of people languished for his cheesesteak with some ordering multiple sandwiches. Workers on the tranistlines on a break huddled around his truck waiting for the cheesesteaks.

“We want to say we serve the best, one of the best, if not the best as far us standing behind our product,” Middleton said.

Just to the left of Middleton’s truck, a detailed Nick’s Roast Beef truck lingers with a table set up and the windows of the truck set for customers. Larry Rice, manager of the food truck, has seen quite a bit of Philadelphia.

Born and raised in the city, he’s come to know it and the same can be said for Nick’s. Established in 1969 its longevity has earned it the right to travel and even open up shop in Wells Fargo Center for the upcoming NHL and NBA seasons.

“We do private weddings, birthday parties, everything,” Rice said. “Been down to the Jersey shore, we go as far as Allentown, Harrisburg depending on what people need.”

A selection of Roast Beef sandwiches and other roast beef inspired foods line the menu which Rice says changes depending on the location and event.

“We’re set up to cater to any way anyone wants us to,” Rice said.

Across and slightly to the left of Nick’s is a bright red truck with Grubaholics, Home of the Jerk Chicken Cheesesteak written in bold yellow lettering. Owned by Natalie Smith and her husband Thomas Smith Jr., the truck floats primarily around Philadelphia’s University Circle which encapsulates University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.

“Everybody loves my jerk chicken cheesesteaks and I get good feedback on that, especially here,” Smith said.

The jerk chicken cheesesteak has been sold out of the truck for about three years, and when the opportunity arose to join in the DNC atmosphere, the Smith’s sent their application in.

The food trucks have given the DNC a little flair of Philadelphia, though it lacks the full-blown immersion that Cleveland carried. But for the vendors, it’s another day to reach people with food that they might never have come across if it weren’t for the DNC.

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