Monday, June 27, 2011

Takin' to the Streets

If you travel as much as I do, which may not even be possible, you know that food can be a big part of your vacation budget, and an easy way to really pack on the pounds. That's just one of the many reasons why I love timeshare travel. You see, almost all timeshare units come equipped with a full kitchen or at least a kitchenette, unlike the mini-fridge and a single-serve coffee maker most hotels offer (if they offer anything at all). And while no one wants to spend their vacation cooking and cleaning dishes, not eating out three meals a day saves a ton of money, and gives you more control over what you consume. Have you ever eaten a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich just because you found yourself at the Graceland snack bar at lunchtime? Been there, and done that. I typically eat breakfast in, pack a lunch, and then treat myself to dinner and dessert out, reducing my meals purchased at eateries by two thirds. But when you really just want to grab something on the go without breaking the bank or wrecking your diet, I have two words for you: street food.

If the words "street" and "food" seem unappetizing together, well... you have point there. My mom always told me not to eat anything that had been on the ground either. But "lunch trucks" don't exactly have the best reputation either. Let's just call it "curbside cuisine" and you'll have to trust me when I say that it is all the rage. As more and more American cities shake off the doldrums and once again become centers of commerce (and tourism), a new interest in fast, affordable, and healthy meal choices has arisen. And as the workforce draws more and more upon recent immigrants from countries where street food is part of the culture, aspiring entrepreneurs have capitalized on the demand. Imagine owning a restaurant that you could drive to wherever the customers are, and if times get really hard, one that you can sleep in too?!

Of course this is not a recent trend in places like New York City and the Greater Los Angeles area. Home to waves of immigrants (and their street flavors) for over a century, these mega-cities have had lunch trunks since... well, since there have been trucks. But tight economic times combined with a demand for better food choices have made this a golden area for big city street food. In NYC, don't miss Daisy May's Barbecue usually parked near Radio City Music Hall. You can rent a nearby timeshare and walk right to it. In the LA area, be sure to try Tere's Mexican Grill in Hollywood. You can get a timeshare in nearby Anaheim.

But even smaller cities are enjoying the boom times. Miami Beach is loaded with streetside Cuban fare that you are not likely to find anywhere outside of Havanna, and of course great timeshare resorts. If you go, try the Latin Burger and Taco Truck. And if think you might like to start a truck of your own, look up the folks at Food Cart USA while you are there. They've been making USDA-approved trucks in Miami since 1979. If you find yourself on the West Coast, try Spencer on the Go! out of San Francisco. They were rated the #1 Lunch Truck by GQ magazine, and the City by the Bay has several fine timeshare resorts to choose from. Feel like something with a Polynesian flair? Look no further than Marination in downtown Seattle. They've got everything from kimchi quesadillas to Korean short-rib tacos, and even a designated area for customer hula-hooping. Not sure about that last part, but hey, that's Seattle for you. From Austin to Milwaukee and Portland to Portsmouth, lunch trucks are popping up like mushrooms, and more and more urban centers are opening up to timeshare development. And they go together like peanut butter and... well... fried bananas frankly (don't knock it 'til you try it).

Well,I am off locate the CoolHaus truck in the Culver City neighborhood of LA. They specialize in artisinal ice cream sandwiches in edible wrappers. That's right, the wrapper is made from potato and is imprinted with soy inks. So when you've finished your brown butter with candied bacon or wasabi ice cream (not kidding), you knock back the wrapper too, and there's no waste at all. Don't try that with a Big Mac.

1 comment:

  1. I appreciate your spotlight on the growing trend of lunch trucks, or food trucks, across various cities. Your recommendations for specific trucks in places like NYC, Los Angeles, Miami Beach, San Francisco, and Seattle are like a treasure map for food enthusiasts. The connection between the rise of lunch trucks and the increasing interest in timeshare development is an intriguing observation that shows the evolving dynamics of urban life. Thank you for this insightful and mouth-watering journey through the streets and timeshares. Your passion for good food and smart travel shines through, making it a pleasure to read and leaving me inspired to explore both local flavors and the world of timeshare travel. Safe travels and happy eating! For great Timeshare deal contact with Corporate Consulting Associates LLC.








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