A Streetcar Named Devour

The InsideHook Field Guide to the 2015 Vendy Awards

By The Editors
August 14, 2015 9:00 am

New York’s fair of four-wheeled fare is back: the 11th Annual Vendy Awards are going down September 12th; tickets are on sale now. On hand: 25+ grubberies, live entertainment and all you can drink from Brooklyn Brewery and Santa Cristina Winery. Today we help you navigate the delicious waters with our favorite food truck from each category. Have yum, will travel.


Rookie of the Year Nominee: Lil Zeus Lunch Box

Έφαγα τον κόσμο να σε βρω. A Greek saying loosely translated as “I ate the whole world to find you.” Apropos. New on the scene, these Queens natives bring a little cart packing a big punch. Go get your souvlaki on at the Vendys as the Lil Zeus’ Midtown locale on weekdays dons notoriously long lines.

Best of Market Nominee: Your Panadas

Carrying on the legacy of his Panamanian grandfather, native NYer Foodie Jon cooks up Carribean soul. Choice selects include spicy mac-n-cheese with chorizo and an ice cream empanada drizzled with dulce de leche. Need we say more?  

Best Dessert Nominee: Play J’s Ice Cream

Founders CK, Rich and Jinwon serve the classics (chocolate and vanilla) as well as a signature Cap’n Crunch that doffs a nostalgic cap to Saturday mornings past. You can find the trio rolling through Soho, where they break necks with their bright truck and special J-shaped puffed corn cone.

Best Street Drink: Renegade Lemonade

Founder Megan Bailey’s strawberry basil lemonade sold out in five minutes the first time it hit the stands — full stop. Not your mama’s lemonade: get into inventive sapors such as peach mint and watermelon jalapeño.

People’s Choice Nominee: The Snowday Foodtruck

NYC’s first farm-to-truck vendor and last year’s Rookie of the Year Winner is back to take the belt. Touted as the “Gourmet Lumberjack,” their menu includes maple-smoked spare ribs and seasonal pickles. Run by Drive Change, they use their fuel to employ and empower at-risk youth to create brighter futures for the NYC of tomorrow.

Take it to the eats.


Related: 
The End of Summer Travel Guide
The Cocktail Quarterly

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