I am super excited to report that East Wallingford has a delicious new food truck in the parking lot of Rancho Bravo, where the Pinky’s truck used to be. It’s called Mabel’s Kitchen & BBQ and I just brought home some samples after chatting with Auntie Mabel, as she called herself, who is a lovely, very friendly lady originally from Hong Kong.
Today’s special was BBQ chicken sliders with cole slaw on them and a choice of 3 sauces: North Carolina (which was mustard-based so it’s actually South Carolina style, for those who are into NC BBQ), Kentucky, and I can’t remember the third. They were only slightly smaller than a regular sized sandwich and they were only $3 each. Totally screaming deal. The chicken was smoked, from Washington, and delicious. The sauce came on the side.
I also ordered the Asian Honey Pork, which was served over sticky rice, slightly blackened, and coated in an intriguing and delicious blend of spices and of course honey (but it wasn’t hot-spicy). Mabel said it’s a family recipe. There is an option to get a fried egg on top – as Mabel put it, “Asians like fried egg on everything.” So I got it, and it was also fantastic. It cost $7 plus an extra dollar for the egg.
Other menu options included salmon lox on a bagel and fish & chips with an option to get sweet potato fries or regular fries. So there’s a little something for everyone.
There is a small sitting area with a couple of tables and chairs. Personally, next time I think I want to stop there and pick up lunch on my way to Floating Bridge Brewing.
I encourage folks to come out and support this great new food option!
Thanks Michelle! We’ll check it out. Someone remind me, what happened to Pinky’s?
Taco Truck owners tossed Pinky’s out of the parking lot.
I think the Taco Truck owner, Freddy, was 50% owner in Pinky’s so I don’t think it was this simple.
Sounds delish!
Hopefully, they will work the kinks out soon. Staff did not know the cost of any menu items and had to ask each patron that came to the window while I was there….even for the same item. Did not know how to take a credit card. Both the cook and guy taking money had to leave the trailer multiple times while we waited for food. The honey pork over rice was good….but the rice was so mushy that you could not differentiate the individual kernels of rice. Some people standing in line waiting told me they will not be back. I think this place has potential, but they really need to work out the kinks. I left them a big tip as encouragement, but for now, I will go to Rancho Brava.
Related to Pinky’s, I am not sure why they left, but my guess it was more economic than political. They started out great, but by the time they moved across the street, they had definitively gone down hill and number of customers definitely deminished. I stopped going after too many orders were mixed up and they guys working there went out for smoke breaks and did not bother to wash hands when they came back in….kind of grossed me out.
I’m starting to think there may be something to the idea that Wallingford is a pass-thru neighborhood, especially 45th. Both Rancho Brava and now this place have very limited seating. I think Ezell’s is on to it and the owner’s are hoping people stop by on their way home to get dinner for the family.
Ballard is high density with limited way out, and Wallingford is between Ballard and the highway. Since Wallingford is relatively low density, of course it’s the best for businesses to serve passing-by Ballard people and U-district spillovers. 45th around Dick’s is now a major take-out food hub.
I think this factor also gives CVS a chance to survive even if it got very limited Wallingford business. It’s on the way home from highway for people living to the west, and there is parking.
I hope not. CVS looks empty most of the time and I hope they decide to leave Wallingford. The only good thing about it, is when people park in their parking lot to go someplace else!