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Just because Civic Center Eats and the farmers’ markets have packed it up for the season doesn’t mean Denver’s food trucks go into hibernation. Hardly. Diners looking for roving eats can check out Food Truck Row. This coalition of mobile vendors—often including Manna From Heaven, Biker Jim’s, Vegan Van, and Crock Spot—moves to different locations throughout the city several days each week. (For a preview, check the schedule here.) A sampling of what awaits:
Eighty Ate
Go here for: gourmet sliders
As is evidenced by the pulled pork tacos, Eighty Ate uses the term “sliders” loosely. But no matter, topped with feta crumbles and fresh pico de gallo on four-inch corn tortillas, these small bites were fresh and complex. Vegetarians can look forward to the Southern Caprese sliders with a fried tomato, roasted red pepper, balsamic aïoli, fresh mozzarella, and basil. Don’t miss the truffle fries.
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Hey PB&J
Go here for: a lunchbox favorite all grown-up
Peanut butter and jelly goes gourmet with grilled sandwiches made with from-scratch nut butters and fruit jams. Take your pick of sweet or savory combinations—I favor the Figgy Piggy. Filled with almond butter, fig jam, goat cheese, rosemary honey, and thick-cut applewood smoked bacon, each bite is a little bit of salty-sweet-savory heaven.
Pink Tank
Go here for: brunch with a twist
Standard brunch fare is more or less just breakfast later in the day. Not at Pink Tank. Here you can order an eggs Benedict burger or a hot dog on french toast. The most popular item? Chicken and waffles with three huge drummies dipped in homemade hot sauce; a beer-battered, deep-fried waffle; maple syrup; a scoop of hot sauce ice cream; and bacon crumbles. It probably goes without saying: This dish is best shared.
Saj Express
Go here for: wraps and pitas
Street food and healthy are usually mutually exclusive, but not with these Mediterranean eats. The garlicky falafel wrap is piled with crunchy veggies, cubes of cooked potato, and crispy falafel rounds. Kick up the flavor by doubling up on the house-made chile sauce. Order a piece of baklava for dessert—or, if you’re like me, to snack on while you wait for your sandwich.
Capt’n Crabby
Go here for: crab-centric eats
Think it’s difficult to find genuinely fresh seafood in a land-locked state? Capt’n Crabby’s crustaceans have been out of the Atlantic or the Gulf for no more than 12 hours. That freshness is apparent in the crab cake sandwiches: Pan-seared in front of you, this crab cake is tender and flakey with the right amount of Old Bay kick. Joined with a remoulade-esque sauce, fresh greens, and tomato on a soft brioche bun, you won’t feel weighed down. Want to go lighter? Try the lemony crab salad.
Basic Kneads
Go here for: cheesy pizza
This is wood-fired pizza perfection—and with whole-wheat crust, you don’t have to feel guilty about indulging. Try the Wiseguy: an olive oil and garlic based pie topped with sautéed onions, fennel sausage, and rosemary. Order a small for yourself or share the larger size, but keep in mind the wait time. Each pizza is made to order and is well worth the 10 to 20 minute wait.
Keep up with Food Truck Row on Facebook.
—Image via Shutterstock