The food truck movement has been gaining momentum in Boston, much to the delight of residents and tourists seeking an alternative to the fuss of restaurant dining. They are quick, inexpensive, and have long been a culture embraced in New York City and Philadelphia. Boston proudly joins the ranks, forgoing a previous reputation of hostility towards the purveyors looking to offer locally sourced meals on wheels.
Call it a trend, call it innovation, call it evolution; food trucks delight the masses and take pride in serving cuisine that satisfies the most discerning of critics.Too often I crave the experience of a sit-down restaurant, but this Friday I simply wasn't in the mood to linger. I had lots of errands to run, I was feeling productive, I was in pretty much the opposite of relaxation mode and that feeling needed to be embraced. Enter the Government Center Food Trucks, specifically the Bon Me Truck which focuses on locally inspired Vietnamese cuisine. Their name is a play on the specialty Banh Mi sandwich which is exactly what I decided to order. A Bon Me Banh Mi ($6) fuses Vietnamese staples including your choice of grilled meat with pickled carrots, pickled daikon, cucumbers, red onion and cilantro with French influences of mayo and pate (both housemade) and puts it all on a classic French baguette. I chose the BBQ pork for my filling. The carved roast pork is sweet and perfectly grilled complimented by the pickled vegetable and herb components. An almost foot long baguette was much crispier (and larger) than I expected! But the freshness of the bread is evidenced by a soft inside that strikes a harmonious balance with the brittle crunch of the exterior. This Vietnamese (infused with French) sandwich proves to be an awesome six dollar lunch option. I washed the Bahn Mi down with what looks like your typical unassuming cup of lemonade. Lemonade indeed it is, but a Spicy Ginger Lemonade ($2.50) to be precise. If you enjoy the kick of fresh ginger (think: one that is provided by well made Dark & Stormy cocktail) then this lemonade is for you. Bon Me does not hold back on the ginger component. This lemonade stands in a class all its own, so much so that I wish everyone of you could try this drink right now and rejoice in all its gingery glory.Bon Me is located on City Hall Plaza serving food Monday through Friday from 11:30am-3pm, April through October, along with Clover and Momogoose. These three food trucks whose missions all support a healthy lifestyle were given the opportunity grace Government Center with their presence after winning a competition initiated by Mayor Thomas Menino. The mayor is a strong advocate for food trucks in Boston; he believes in offering small businesses the opportunity to prosper while simultaneously enriching public spaces throughout the city. I'm impressed on all Food Truck fronts - with our cities decision to support the growing culture, the dedication of the purveyors following dreams and sticking to a mission; and overall with the quality and value of the food. We're on a roll Boston!
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