K-Town Express
If you’re interested in breaking the usual lunchtime routine, look no further than K-Town Express on North 13th Street, across from Barton Hall. Rolling in last April, K-Town has steadily been gathering more attention.
Featuring burritos, wings and tacos, its menu boasts such novelties as kimchi fries, short ribs, potato shrimp and the Korean hoagie creation known as a “koagie.” The concoction is made using chicken, pork, shrimp or tofu, and topped off with a choice of sesame, honey wasabi, ranch or a variety of other sauces.
The food had junior biochemistry major Janette Pham returning for her second visit.
“I realized it was here during my second summer session,” Pham said. “I tried it recently and it was pretty cool.”
Pham brought along her friend, senior chemistry major Linh Duong, who was happy with the first bite of her beef koagie.
“I like it,” Duong said. “It’s new. I like traditional Asian food.”
The girls couldn’t help but be attracted to K-Town’s “poppy,” eye-catching design.
“No truck has images like this,” Pham said, pointing out the colorful display on the truck donned with large pictures of menu items.
“It’s like you can point and say, ‘I want that one,’” Pham added. “It’s a little expensive, but I’ll come around again.”
K-Town hails from Chinatown with two other locations in Cherry Hill and Cinnaminson, N.J. Worker Chris Liao has been impressed with the new Temple spot.
“So far, so good,” Liao said, glancing at the crowd surrounding the truck.
As accessible as it is delicious, K-Town conveniently delivers, caters and has the option to order online.
Say Cheese
Family owned and operated, the Say Cheese food truck, which is occasionally found between 12th and 13th streets off Norris Street, is bringing back childhood memories to many students. Serving up its second year at Temple, its comfort food menu is a haven for grilled cheese lovers. The “standard issue” sandwich is comprised of three slices of bread, two types of cheese, two vegetables and a sauce with the option of adding bacon. For those with smaller appetites, the $4 “recruit” sandwich only takes the normal two slices with one choice of cheese, one veggie and a sauce. Described by critics as “comfort food at its best,” the truck lists gourmet sandwiches for $6, like the spicy, chip steak sandwich called the “El Duke,” the grilled buffalo chicken sensation known as the “Wild Bill” and the classic Mary D, made with provolone, parmesan, marinara sauce and meatballs. Sides include the soup du jour, french fries and sweet potato fries. Compared to the usual meal combo, Say Cheese is a real bargain – adding chips and a 12-ounce soda tacks on 75 cents to any menu item.
Cookie Confidential
Watch your back, Insomnia Cookies, there’s a new sheriff in town. Sitting on 12th Street between Norris and Berks streets, Cookie Confidential is a local and organic cookie food truck that caters to a very unusual variety of tastes.
Taking the tail end in the line of seasoned Polett Walk trucks last April, Cookie Confidential sells such audacious flavors as peanut butter hot dog, cheesesteak, chipotle chocolate chip, peanut butter bacon, bacon chocolate chip and maple bacon oatmeal. While appealing to some very strange tastes, the truck also offers classics like snickerdoodles, chocolate chip, ginger snaps and sugar cookies.
“Well, I wouldn’t have any of those flavors,” said freshman Valeria Chernaya, gesturing to the list of unusual cookies. “But I’d probably try the normal ones.”
Apart from the alarming menu, Cookie Confidential has some killer prices. Cookies only sell for 95 cents each – $5.50 for a half-dozen and $10 per dozen. It also has such yummy creations as cupcake push-pops for $3 and cupcake jars for $3.50-$5.50. The prices just edge out Insomnia Cookies, but Cookie Confidential’s hours don’t honor the plethora of Temple night owls. It remains to be seen whether its expansive menu will give Insomnia a run for its money or send customers running in the other direction.
Wingo Taco
There’s been a buzz around Main Campus about the not-yet-opened food truck, Wingo Taco, located on the corner of 13th and Norris streets. With only whispers of rumors about when the truck will open, its website plays coy, displaying only the Wingo Taco logo and the epic promise of “coming soon.” The menu displayed on the side of the truck looks promising with items such as tacos and burritos, accompanied by Korean-style garnishes of kimchi, sesame slaw and kimchi fried rice or Mexican-style garnishes of rice, tomato salsa, Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream or corn salsa. With sides of crab sticks, scallops and potato wedges, its featured advertisement for Korean fried chicken with soy, garlic or spicy sauce is a teasing temptation for the puzzled students.
“I’ve been curious,” said junior journalism major Justin Wagner, while ordering from the nearby Burger and Cheese Busz.
“I walk by every day and wonder when they’re opening,” he said. “I think they’re slowly working on it, though – there have been some changes.”
Only time will tell what to expect from Wingo Taco. The only precursor we can give to eager Lunchies readers is that it’s coming soon. We hope.
Jessica Smith can be reached at jessica.smith0002@temple.edu.
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