Walking a block from the car to lunch yesterday, we were hit with a furnace of hot air. Back in the car, the thermometer hit 100 degrees. It's August and it's muy caliente in Miami.
If you're like us, you need something to cool you down. Luckily, there are a bunch of food trucks that specialize in delicious treats that can help beat the heat during the hottest time of the year.
Kona Ice: If the weather has you wondering why your mom sold your Snoopy Sno-Cone machine, head to Kona Ice. You get a cupful of ice and can add whatever flavors of syrup you want. Favorites such as black cherry, grape, and watermelon might be trumped by more intriguing choices -- wedding cake, cactus juice, fuzzy navel, and wild poisonberry. If you can't decide, just ask yourself: What would Charlie Sheen have? and get yourself some Tiger's Blood.
Lemon Man: Hailing from Rhode Island, Del's Frozen Lemonade is a tradition in the Northeast. Every summer, as the temperature climbs along the beaches and cities, people have enjoyed the sweet and tangy goodness of this treat that's part drink, part ice. If your idea of a good time is a brain freeze, head to Lemon Man. Flavors include classic lemon, watermelon, cherry, and peach-mango and come in eight-ounce ($3), 12-ounce ($4), and 16-ounce ($5) cups.
Snow Caps: If you grew up in any Latino neighborhood, you'll remember the shaved-ice guy on the street corner. For a buck, he'd shave ice right off the giant block into a little paper cone and then pour neon-colored syrup in the flavors of the tropics -- coconut, piña, mamey. Snow Caps brings that experience to the food truck scene, albeit a little more sophisticated. The ice is still shaved, this time into a giant cup. A dozen syrup flavors include strawberry, wild cherry, blue raspberry, orange pineapple, piña colada, lemon lime, blue bubblegum, green apple, grape, watermelon, and banana. Prices are $3.50 for small, $4.50 for medium, and $5 for large.
Sugar Rush:
Known for its cupcakes and Krispy Kreme bread pudding, Sugar Rush also makes to-die-for shakes ($4.50) in vanilla and chocolate. Even better is the
cake 'n' shake ($5): your choice of vanilla or chocolate
ice cream blended with milk and choice of red velvet, vanilla, or
chocolate cake. As if that's not enough, it's topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. If you're looking for something smaller, the ice-cream
bombs ($3) are a perfect after-meal size and come in these flavors: dulce de leche with
white chocolate, mantecado with dark chocolate, and coconut with white
chocolate.
Dolci Peccati: Not only are sisters Natalie and Stephanie Yepes twins, but also they're damn
good gelato makers. At $3 for a small cup and $4.50 for a large (opt for
the large so you can try two flavors), their creamy gelato is priced right for beating the heat. Flavors change daily, but favorites such as strawberry, chocolate, and café can usually be found. We especially enjoy
the sweet mango and chocolate raspberry, but try them all -- just to be
sure!
you see the bright-green Scion or old-fashioned Feverish cart, run -- don't walk -- to grab an ice pop made with fresh fruit. We're
not joking about the running part, because Feverish doesn't show up at
too many roundups, and when it does, it sells out quickly. Expect ice
pops and ice creams in flavors like banana sea salt and cucumber
honeydew. Last one to the cart is a rotten egg!
Here's where the trucks will be this weekend:
Friday, August 19
Food trucks at Miami Fair & Expo Center from 6 to 10 p.m. Free Parking, but no pets or glass containers allowed. Trucks include 90 Miles,
B.C. Tacos,
Bru's Traveler,
Chef on 4 Wheels,
Chef on Wheels,
Cold Stone Creamery,
Frita Man,
Kona Ice,
Latin House Grill,
Lemon Man,
Meatballs & Etc,
Miami Angels Roasted Corn,
Monster Burgers,
Mr. Chimi,
Mucho Nacho,
Okay! Burgers,
Pardo's Grill, Cafe
Perro Express,
The Red Truck,
Shaoroma Romanian FreshFood,
Sir Pizza Mobile,
Snow Caps,
Tango Grill,
Yellow Submarine,
and Yo Mama's Paella & Seafood. Miami Fair & Expo Center 10901 SW 24th Street, Miami
Saturday, August 20
Food trucks in downtown Fort Lauderdale for a pre-show celebration of Broward Center for the Performing Art's fall season. Music and cash bar available. Trucks serving late lunch from 3 to 7 p.m. include Big Kahuna, CheeseMe, Daddy's Grill, Dim Ssam a Gogo, Dolci Pecatti, The Fish Box, Grill Master Cafe, Guiseppe's Italian Sausage, Jefe's Original Fish Taco, Latin Burger, Latin House Grill, Mr. Good Stuff, Ms. Cheezious, Nacho Bizness, Nacho Mama's, The Red Koi, The Rolling Stove, Slow Food Truck, Sugar Rush, and Sugar Yummy Mama. Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 400 SW 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale
Food trucks at Pines Ford Lincoln from 4 to 9 p.m. Trucks include 90 Miles to Go, BC Tacos, Cheese Steak Gourmet, Chamos on Wheels, Churro Mania, Cold Stone Creamery, Dim Ssam a Gogo, Dog Eat Dog, The Frita man, Latin Burger, Mangia Mia, The MexZican Gourmet, Miso Hungry, Mr. Chimi, Purple People Etery, El RIncon del Coqui, and Snow Caps. Pines Ford Lincoln 8655 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines, FL
Sunday, August 21
Food trucks at Fairchild Tropical Garden. Free admission on Sundays in August (normally $25 for adults). Trucks serving lunch from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. include Dolci Peccati,
The MexZican Gourmet,
Ms. Cheezious, and
Totally Bananas Frozen Banana Cart. Fairchild Tropical Garden, 10901 Old Cutler Road, Miami
Follow Short Order on Facebook and Twitter @Short_Order.