Chowing Down on Seattle’s Street Eats

By: Michael Sarko | October 05 2011
Posted in Seattle - Find It - Seattle

Diane Skwiercz of Street Treats shows off some of their delectable desserts. Photos by: Michael Sarko

“Options,” says Diane Skwiercz of Street Treats, “Lots of options.” That's what the owner and operator of one of Seattle's favorite food trucks says is the key to what makes great mobile dining. At the sixth annual Mobile Chowdown, there were definitely plenty of options for hungry festival-goers. Two blocks of California Avenue in the West Seattle Junction were lined with some of the best food trucks Washington has to offer and one thing is for certain: street eats have definitely evolved from their humble hotdog roots.

The 26 vendors represented at the event came from a wide variety of culinary traditions. People sank their teeth into classic Americana like fresh gourmet burgers from BUNS, a decidedly Seattle take on the country's favorite sandwich. They're a vendor with a distinctive black truck featuring green and orange lettering, not to mention a social conscience. BUNS serves 100% organic burgers in recyclable containers because of their simple philosophy, “Do the right thing”, emblazoned in every bite.

Organic beef, cheese, a perfectly toasted bun & fries from BUNS await enjoyment.

The air at the West Seattle Junction was pleasant with smoke from mobile barbecue outfits like our old favorite Maximus Minimus and from the wood oven on wheels care of Veraci Pizza. Seattle's original pizza classic has been serving up their Yakima Apple Wood fired pies since Marshall Jett and Errin Byrd started making good use of the fresh products from the Ballard Farmer's Market in 2004.

There were plenty of international plates at the chowdown, too. Some of the most impressive dishes came care of Lumpia World, the Renton-based vendor of modern Chinese delicacies managed by Derrick and Eleanor Ellis. Their springroll-like wraps of crispy pastry in both sweet and savory varieties had people lined up for nearly an entire block for much of the festival. The chopsticks were also clicking at Marination Mobile, Capitol Hill's Hawaiian/Korean fusion truck. Marination began as Kamala Saxton and Roz Edison's cure for the recession blues and has blossomed into one of Seattle's most unique, successful street vendors.

An impressive spread of deliciousness from Lumpia World!

In fact, the shaky economic ground of modern day America is at the center of a lot of the ambitions of the businesses featured at the Mobile Chowdown. It's an inspiring story that's playing out all over the Pacific Northwest. These chefs-on-the-road represent the enterprising attitude that has made Seattle and its environs a bastion of localism and independent business. Every one of the trucks at the Chowdown is a traveling workplace for someone too passionate and talented to take a tough market sitting down.

These enterprising chefs bring some truly stunning eats to their customers in the most common, unpretentious spaces imaginable: The crowded thoroughfares of their resilient city. The food truck is a place where people of every walk of life can congregate because everyone can agree on excellent cuisine minus sit-down restaurant prices. The sixth annual Mobile Chowdown wasn't just a food festival, it was a demonstration of the power of community -- and we can only hope more events continue to grow the PNW street eats scene.

Do you have a favorite food truck? Leave us a comment and tell us where to get the best Seattle bites!