Paramus ice cream seller grateful for community support: Video
Monica Pidhorecki, also known as the “Paramus Ice Cream Lady,” recently lost one of her ice cream trucks in a fire that also destroyed part of her house.
Capitalism is amazing.
In the 21st century, anyone with an idea can take their concept to market and make it a big hit. Microwaveable potato chip machines, sauna pants, and toilet seats that double as disco balls. We’ve seen it all in the last few decades.
Think about iPhones: How many times have you scrolled through your camera roll and thought, “Damn. If only there was an app that would let me add cats to these photos.” The good news is: there is!
And in the service sector? We have alpaca fur blanket makers, professional stuffed animals and a tomcat bus.
America is truly the land of free (trade).
However, just because these deals are on the market does not automatically mean that they are good. However, the last few months have taught me that a strange niche segment of US retail consequent fantastic – and I think you as a foodie will love it.
Developed in the heart of the “There’s a (INSERT PRODUCT HERE)!” era, here are a number of bizarrely specific food trucks that you can find throughout North Jersey.
Chicken and waffles on wheels
Chicken and waffles go together like Taylor and Travis, Kohl’s and discount stores and rich cities and HOKA stores. The only difference between the former and the latter three, however, is that the Southern-inspired breakfast combination makes for an excellent food truck.
This mobile business based in Passaic County offers a menu based entirely on crispy chicken and thick Belgian sausages. Although the shape of the chicken (wings, drumettes, boneless) and the flavor of the waffle (Oreo, Original, Fruity Pebble) vary by dish, each carb-heavy creation offered offers a delicious combination of both.
FIND TRUCK: Open 6 days a week (Tuesday-Saturday); follow @chickenandwafflesonwheels on Instagram for locations.
Uncle Sal’s Gourmet Spring Rolls
Essex County resident Sal Graci lives life to the fullest by wrapping gourmet toppings in wonton wrappers and deep-frying them. The culinary entrepreneur runs a popular food truck called Uncle Sal’s Egg Rolls and sells his innovative creations at fairs and festivals across the state.
Seek out Graci’s appetizer mobile and you’ll be confronted with unique egg roll flavors ranging from creamy spinach and artichoke to garlic butter-covered meatball parmesan (with Chicago beef, Mexican street corn and jalapeño popper in between). During the holidays, he even serves Thanksgiving “gobblers” and honey ham rolls.
FIND TRUCK: Watch @unclesalseggrolls on Instagram for pop-ups (next event: Chester Summer Food Truck Fest on Saturday, August 10).
Mobile Oyster Bar Perla
“It’s like an ice cream truck—but for oysters,” was the one-line description I used to make Perla mobile oyster bar go viral. The 22-second Instagram clip, which garnered over two million views, showed owner Matt Chappina opening and serving the mussels from the back of a vintage pickup truck. Local residents, it seemed, were dazzled by the hilarious juxtaposition of fancy food and a low-key industry (and, of course, hoped the little truck would park on their block).
If Perla happens to be near you, you can order Chappina’s oysters two ways: iced with mignonette/hot sauce or grilled with chilies, garlic and spring onions. I prefer the latter; and will devouring when the mobile operation gets its first permanent location in the autumn.
FIND TRUCK: Keep an eye on @eatperlanj to stay up to date on upcoming events. Stores are also coming to Maplewood “soon”.
Seasonal Sarah’s Mini Pie Truck
The only thing better than a cake awarded with a blue ribbon at a fair? Mini cakes awarded with the blue ribbon – because you can have two at once.
In flavors ranging from blueberry crumble to coconut pudding, that’s exactly what Sarah Deller sells from her bright blue dessert truck.
And every time you purchase one of her s’mores, pistachio cream or strawberry rhubarb creations, you are supporting her dream of one day owning a bakery.
FIND TRUCK: Watch @seasonalsarahpietruck for upcoming events.
The MacTruck
Macaroni and cheese on burgers, macaroni and cheese on chicken sandwiches, and macaroni and cheese on tacos; when there’s a dish that includes cheese, the team behind The Mac Truck swaps out the sliced deliciousness for a generous serving of homemade macaroni and cheese.
Just because these crazy entrees exist doesn’t mean the team’s simple mac isn’t amazing on its own. Covered in a decadent three-cheese blend, every bite will remind you why the truck has nearly 10,000 followers on Instagram—and was recently the top pick at East Rutherford’s Dream Food Fest.
FIND TRUCK: Keep an eye on @themactrucknj on Instagram for pop-ups/festivals or visit the team at their new take-out shop at 19 W Broadway, Paterson.
Hitting Ur Belly Brunch Truck
“Every morning when I wake up I have a mimossssaaa” (sung to the tune of “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”) is on the lips of every New Jersey girl from Seaside to Ridgewood.
And capitalism is a market of supply and demand.
FIND TRUCK: Open most days at 303 Long Ave. in Hillside; check @hittingurbelly for exact times/locations.
Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can’t find her at Jersey’s best restaurants, she’s probably racing at a mountain race track. Find her on Instagram: @karanicolev and @northjerseyeatsand sign up for their North Jersey Eats Newsletter.
