This week, our local purveyors of food-en-route offer ballistic brisket, praiseworthy pork, and captivating calamari. Dig in to these Tucson Food Truck Finds.
Ken’s Hardwood Barbecue
Sweet Potato Fries (Photo credit: Kim M. Bayne)
Ken Can Q. In fact, that’s what his actual Facebook address boasts. You’ll wonder how you managed to eat plate after plate of barbecue in Tucson, yet somehow missed this gem of a food truck.
Best Seller: Anything Brisket. Start with the succulent Ken’s Beef Brisket Sandwich, topped with housemade barbecue sauce, then work your way through this well-seasoned menu. A little extra sauce on the side will do ya.
Recommended: Sweet Potato Fries. Is that brown sugar dusted across those delicious spuds? Why, yes. It is…along with a few hush-hush spices. It’s a precious family secret that’s addictingly good.
Where to Find: Drive to the National Bank Plaza on N Wilmot Rd for lunch or Al J’s Tavern on E 22nd St for dinner. Try not to be distracted by all the other folks arriving at the same time to satisfy their BBQ fix.
Here, piggy piggy. No, this menu is not a fairy tale. It’s the real deal that blows the house down with flavor.
Best Seller: The Big Bad Wolf sandwich. There’s pork roll, egg, and cheese on a roll with salt, pepper, and ketchup. Ah, now you’re getting that porcine reference, right?
Recommended: Buffaracha Wings. Previously a secret menu item, this awesome kick in the mouth became so popular it found it’s way onto the regular menu for good.
Where to Find: If you live in Rancho Sahuarita (about 20 minutes south of downtown), you get a special visit each First Tuesday. In town, Big Bad Wolf is found at round-ups and rallies.
For more information, visit Big Bad Wolf on Facebook.
American Flying Buffalo
Spicy Calamari (Photo credit: Kim M. Bayne)
AFB started out to offer the best wings around, so go ahead and order the spicy, deep-fried buffalo chicken. Or explore the full menu. There’s so much to savor, you’ll have to come back and ask what’s on special that night. Seriously.
Best Seller: Beef Fried Rice. Not what you’d expect from a food truck known for wings, but you can trust it’s made from scratch when you order. You’ll get a freshly fried egg, veggies, seasoned white rice, and tender chunks of beef. Presto change-o! Here’s your hearty dinner. Yum!
Recommended: Spicy Calamari. If Squidward were real, he’d hate you. Well, the sauce is worth it: pepperoncini peppers, tomatoes, white wine, fresh lemon, and parsley. You’ll sop it up with the side of bread.
Where to Find: On Sunday nights, stop at the Shelter Cocktail Lounge on E Grant Rd. AFB also frequents Danny’s Baboquivari Lounge on E Fort Lowell Rd and luxury apartment complexes for dinner.
Downtown Food Truck Rally at Joel D Valdez Main Library (Pima County Public Library), 101 N Stone Ave & W Pennington St, Tucson. Confirmed: Meatball Madness.
Thursday, June 2 at 11:00 a.m.
UA Tech Park at 9070 S Rita Rd, Tucson. Confirmed: Gigi’s Fusion Food Truck.
Thursday, June 2 at 4:00 p.m.
The Rolling Food Court at Main & Mace Public Relations, 310 S Meyer Ave, Tucson. Confirmed: Don Pedro’s Peruvian Bistro, Bella’s Gelato Shoppe, & Kettleicious Kettle Corn.
Friday, June 3 at 9:00 a.m.
First Friday Family Fundays at the Farmers Market (Heirloom Farmers Markets), Trail Dust Town, 6541 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson. Confirmed: Veg In a Box & Purple Tree Organic Açai Blends.
Friday, June 3 at 4:30 p.m.
Twilight Farmers Market at Sycamore Park, 7413 E Sycamore Park Blvd (east of Kolb Rd), Tucson. Confirmed: Don Pedro’s Peruvian Bistro & Pin-Up Pastries.
Friday, June 3 at 5:00 p.m.
Summer Kickoff at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 7650 N Paseo del Norte, Tucson. Confirmed: Fire Engine Hotdogs, Jackie’s Food Court, & Bugaloo’s Ice Cream.
Saturday, June 4 at 5:00 p.m.
Field Day at Wheeler Taft Abbett Sr Library (Pima County Public Library), 7800 N Schisler Ln (near N Silverbell Rd & N Cortaro Rd), Marana. Confirmed: Don Pedro’s Peruvian Bistro, Big Bad Wolf Food Truck, Taco’Queta, Vina Baguette Vietnamese Sandwiches, BBQ Rush, Sonoran Mexican Cuisine, Bugaloos Ice Cream, Mustache Mike’s Italian Ice, & Pin Up Pastries.
Sunday, June 5 at 8:00 a.m.
St. Philip’s Classic Farmers’ Market at St. Philip’s Plaza, 4280 N Campbell Ave, Tucson. Confirmed: Planet of the Crepes.
