COLLIER CITIZEN

‘Watts for Dinner’: Food truck rally – expect the unexpected

Will Watts
Correspondent

Our next dining adventure was indeed an adventure. All the kitchens were on wheels, and there were more furry friends than I usually dine with. It was an adopt-a-pet pop-up food truck rally at the Shoppes of Vanderbilt, Aug. 25, benefitting the Humane Society of Naples.  

Several Southwest Florida food trucks were there, including Coasting Donuts, Rolling Raw Bar, Organically Twisted, Kiss My Ice and Taco Tummy.

An adopt-a-pet pop-up food truck rally at the Shoppes of Vanderbilt, Aug. 25, benefitting the Humane Society of Naples
The tacos al pastor from Taco Tummy.

Rainy skies prevailed overhead, and the crowd seemed light just before the 6 p.m. opening. But when Taco Tummy sounded a familiar Mexican melody to signify its opening, the people streamed out and a line quickly formed.

Our first order of the evening was from Tummy, an order of tacos al pastor, or seasoned pork tacos. Just like the truck itself, I know for whom the bell tolls: food trucks are all the rage. Taco trucks especially. But if I’m being honest, the tacos were just OK. I have had better. That being said, my expectations were as high as Cheech & Chong, so, figure that in. And to be fair, I’ve done a lot more “research” on tacos than the other menu items reviewed today. LOL!

“Curry In A Hurry,” curried chicken salad, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, grapes, carrots and purple cabbage over mixed greens from Organically Twisted.
The “Goji Goat,” mixed greens, apple, yams, beets, goji berries, goat cheese and fig drizzle, from Organically Twisted.

Our next stop was Organically Twisted, with some hesitation. It had one of the smallest lines of all the trucks, but the menu beckoned. So with a ‘what do they know’ attitude, we proceeded.

I had the “Curry In A Hurry,” curried chicken salad, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, grapes, carrots and purple cabbage over mixed greens. Nearly everything on the menu can be a salad or a wrap; and I chose the latter.

My partner in dine went for the “Goji Goat,” mixed greens, apple, yams, beets, goji berries, goat cheese and fig drizzle. He opted for the salad.

Both can be described thusly: Fresh. A melody of awesome flavors; not too subtle but also not overwhelming. Delightful.

Yes, they may have a bit of a harder sell with more health-conscious food, but it left us with room for dessert.

Cherry cheesecake snow cone from Kiss My Ice.
Tamarind snow cone from Kiss My Ice.

For dessert we went with Kiss My Ice. But this is not your parent’s snow cones. I sampled both the cherry cheesecake and the tamarind; just two of the many unexpected flavors. The snow cones are a softer blend than those of the past and the taste is exceptional.

Keep a watch on the WOW To Do List calendar for the next food truck rally. In the meantime, we’ll use this week’s “if you go” to highlight the Naples Humane Society. Use the information to donate or find your ‘furever’ friend.

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If you want to donate

Human Society Naples

239594-5000

hsnaples.org