How can anyone go wrong enjoying a Saturday evening out in the sun, listening and dancing to DJ Bobby C and spending four hours eating some of the most creative food in Denver? Last night marked the kickoff party for the Justice League of Street Food's summer gatherings. Upon arriving at the Taxi Building in Denver, I made my way to the large lot filled with shiny food trucks, picnic tables filled with people eating, smiling, laughing, and adults and children alike dancing and having a great time.
Though it is very possible for one to be overwhelmed in a situation like this-- the smell of amazing food wafting from every direction-- I had done my research on the numerous food trucks present and I decided that I wanted to first visit a truck that I had not yet experienced. I headed over to the Deluxe Truck and waited in the long, 30 minute line while craning my neck to view the food options presented on the silver-framed menu posted to the side of the truck. Lucky for me, I also had an eating companion, so together we decided to sample the Truffle Mac-N-Cheese Balls (three cheese, thyme and truffle oil), and the Veggie Coconut Curry (yellow curry, garlic, ginger, cilantro and basmati rice). To say that they were both delicious is an understatement. As a sucker for anything with truffle oil, and cheese, the mac-n-cheese balls were amazing. We compared these balls to the fried mac-and-cheese at the Cherry Cricket, and there was one major difference that made the Deluxe Truck mac-n-cheese ball that much better--the authentic, homemade macaroni and cheese that lied within. I would eat this pasta plain or fried!
The curry was also delicious, and definitely hit the spot as I had been craving Indian food for days. The combination of the curry with the basmati rice, chickpeas, cauliflower, and (my favorite) butternut squash, was absolutely amazing. I could not stop shoveling the veggie curry into my mouth, and as the paper tray became emptier and emptier, it was harder for me to give up bites to my partner in dining. To wash down these tasty treats, I decided to try the Deluxe Truck's mint lemonade, which was the perfect blend of sweet and tart. So perfect, in fact, that the lemonade was gone almost before our food was ready, leaving me with a spicy mouth on fire and looking around trying to find the shortest food truck line so that I could purchase a bottle of water.
The line that appeared to be moving the quickest was Biker Jim's Hot Dogs. Biker Jim's is not one of the highly discussed shiny new trucks, but instead is more like a cart/grill on wheels. My first response to jumping in this line was 'Hot dogs? At a place where there is all this unique and gourmet food, why just get a hot dog?'
My complaints were quickly dispelled as it was explained to me that Biker Jim does not grill up just any hot dog. With menu options like Southwest Buffalo, Alaskan Reindeer and Wild Boar gourmet dogs, this was no ordinary ballpark-style hot dog stand. Chad and I decided to try out the Elk Jalapeno and Cheddar hot dog. Forget that the hot dog was grilled to perfection. Forget the amazing bun on which the hot dog sat. Forget the onions grilled to perfection and placed on top of the elk delicacy. The thing that really sealed the deal for me was the addition of cream cheese, the only condiment that could give ketchup a run for it's money in my mind. All I have to say about Biker Jim's is that cream cheese on a hot dog is pure genius. If you have never tried it, head on over to Biker Jim's (they have a brick-and-mortar on 16th and Arapahoe) now! Or, if you are not lucky enough to live in Denver, fire up the grill and slather that dog in cream cheese.
By the time we finished our dog, danced to the beats of DJ Bobby C and the sun had set, we arrived at the ordering window for Pinche. This truck definitely had their demographic in mind, offering everything from vegetarian tacos, to "Lengua" tacos, which if you have an elementary education in Spanish you would know means tongue. Yes, tongue. While eager to try why this truck was so popular, I decided that I would try something a little more classic than jumping on the tongue wagon. We decided to order chicken, steak and pork tacos, each with different combinations of sauces and toppings. Those who know me know that I am not a
huge pork fan, however in the sprit of trying new things, I took a bite of the Carnitas taco-- pork with a creamy avocado sauce, and it was delicious. The braised chicken with spinach and a creamy chipotle sauce was spectacular, though my favorite of the three was definitely the Asada (steak) taco. The combination of the citrus marinated skirt stake, avocado (my weakness) and some sort of special lime/cheese sauce on top tempted me to jump back in the one-hour long line for a second time. When discussing the day's eating, my co-diner insisted that the taco truck was his favorite of the day. As delicious as these tacos were, though, I was eager to head over to Stick-it-to-me, a truck that I had tasted before, and I was convinced that I had saved the best for last.
Although the sun had set, and many of the other food trucks at the League had closed up shop (Sully's Slice Truck, The Biscuit Bus, Steuban's...), Stick It To Me was still going strong. Chad and I jumped in the rumored hour and a half long line and urged our stomachs to digest, hoping that we would have enough room in our tummies to savor these delicious foods presented on a stick. Lucky for us, some of our line companions alerted us to the fact that Stick It To Me had side table set up serving dessert-- basically a two dollar fix to snack on while waiting in the long line. I hopped over to the dessert table while Chad reserved our spot in line and I watched in awe as the chef there held a blow torch to two, large, square, agave-homemade marshmallows on a stick.
After melting these sweet treats, his assistant covered the 'mallows in graham cracker crumbles, dark chocolate shavings, and a drizzle of caramel. It took a lot of will power to wait until I was back in line to savor a bite of this sweet delight. Needless to say, these marshmallows were mostly gone before I had the chance to snap a quick pic of the stick. De-lic-ious. When we finally reached the front of this line. I was so full from four hours of eating, but I knew that I had to order the one food from this truck that I still think about weeks after eating-- the fried mashed potato balls with a garlic aioli sauce. These little balls of magic have become my new favorite food. Six golfball sized snacks crispy on the outside with the most delicious mashed potatoes warm and ready on the inside are served with the perfect garlic aioli dipping sauce. Chad and I headed back to my car with two orders of the mashed potato balls and an order of the Italian chicken sticks, eager to sit down after standing in line for the past four hours. I think that the fact that we sat there devouring the food in absolute silence is a testament to how amazing the food off this truck is.
After four hours of eating, standing, people watching and just having a plain old good time, I cannot wait for the next Justice League event. This is definitely a great way for the community to come together to enjoy some great music, company and of course, amazing food.
For more information on the Justice League of Street Food, check out their Facebook site at www.facebook.com/justiceleaguestreetfood.
yumm now I want breakfast
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