Just Like a Gypsy…

So the food trucks of Austin found out that I wasn’t attending the Foodbuzz Festival in San Francisco this weekend, so they all conspired to plan a festival in my honor here in town. [And yes, I managed to score free food. More on that later.]The Gypsy Picnic was a gathering of over 30 of cornerstones* of Austin food culture in one place, at one time, with $3 offerings from each of their menus.

*Although if they move…can we really call them cornerstones?Since this was The Gypsy Picnic, I wore my gypsy flops:And my gypsy necklace! (This actually became known as my reindeer necklace because that’s what I sounded like every time I moved. Just call me Rudolph, the Red Head Reindeer.)

Thanks to Teddy‘s all-encompassing wisdom, she and I arrive before 11:30 a.m., which would turn out to be the best choice we made all day. [The lines got veeeeeeerrrrrrrry long.]

I had tunnel vision when we arrived…clearly I headed straight to the peached tortilla to support Eric. You know I have an affinity for, and long-standing, pimiento-cheese-forcing, relationship with the place. [Can you call a food truck a place?]

[Sorry for the weird photos...I didn't realize my white balance was still set for indoor lighting...]

Teddy and I each had a Banh Mi Taco, made with pork belly (my newly created food group since moving to Texas). They were just as delicious as I remembered. I kept going around telling everyone it was the best thing they would eat all day….but I did warn them that the fries were better when drenched in melted pimiento cheese. [Hey, I gotta push the product I inspired, people.]

The crowds were starting to build, but Teddy and I took a leisurely walk around the event to try and determine what we really needed to try.We ran into Mariah, who graciously gave me a bite of her fried Bleudin Pie (fried pastry stuffed with Boudin sausage and Bleu cheese) from Kate’s Southern Comfort, eliminating the need for me to actually purchase an item from the truck itself.
I would have bought the Crawfish Pie or the Humble Pie (collard and mustard greens with sweet potatoes) had I made my own selection, but there were too many trailers, not enough time, long lines, and a relatively tiny tummy to contend with…so we moseyed on.

Next stop? Turf ‘n Surf Po’ Boy, which probably wins The Smart Kitchen Award* for Most Awesome Looking Trailer.

*If there were such things.
I kind of love that their menu is on cardboard. Call me crazy, but I think kitschy is cool.
I was (horrifically) not very hungry at this point (blame it on the previously consumed pork belly), but Teddy bought the shrimp po’boy.
She said that despite it being fried, it was surprisingly light and “felt healthy,” which, although is not what one necessarily is seeking when eating a po’boy, was probably a good thing overall. [Being the queen of sauce, I did dip my finger into the spicy remoulade...it was tasty.]

We found Chris, Jen, and Maura!

Who was clearly excited to be there.Feed me….please?

Chris had an agenda, and wanted Chi’lantro and only Chi’lantro. One of the most “well-known” Austin trucks, it is a fusion of Korean and Mexican tastes. Chris got the Bulgogi Taco of marinated Korean beef BBQ……and Jen had her on the prize—er, fries.* Kimchi Fries, to be specific, which are covered in caramelized kimchi, bulgogi beef, cheese and Korean peppers.

*I crack myself up at least.More wanderings ensued, during which I spotted another sweet-looking BBQ trailer…
…a place I really wanted to try, but the lines discouraged us (for now)…
…a Moroccan trailer that was selling dates stuffed with almond butter! [Note to self: DO try this at home.]
And a mention of Southern Living, which, being my guide-for-all-things, made me happy.
I discovered the runner-up for The Smart Kitchen Award* for Most Awesome-Looking Trailer…

*There totally should be an award show.
…which also had The Most Creative Food Delivery System. [Do you see the chute down which the sandwiches slide?]I did not sample from The Jalopy, only because I have a groupon for it. Clearly, that will be another adventure for another post.

Most confusing trailer of the day? The Salt Lick BBQ is opening up a new trailer, which they were promoting at the picnic.
Interestingly enough, despite being famous for the obvious (BBQ…in case you missed it), the new trailer concept features tacos, quesadillas, and shrimp creole.
I took the free samples (obviously), but I still don’t get it. You have a good thing going on already, Salt Lick*. Why try something that makes absolutely no sense with your brand?

*Hello, Adam Richman went there! In the opening for Man v. Food there are like four clips of it. What more do you want?!?!

I had wanted to try The Zubik House (that of the “Texas Czech” cuisine), so we waited in line for quite awhile, only to discover that the only kolaches remaining were the sweet strawberry-filled…
….and the pulled pork with jalapeno relish.
These were not the ones I (and apparently everyone else wanted), but I tried to be polite and friendly. The poor man was very stressed out and made a comment that, “he wished someone would go tell everyone in line before they waited for nothing.” I, of course, said, “You want me to do it?” To which he responded, “I’ll give you free food if you do.”

Cue: Miss Smart to the Rescue!

Thirty minutes and one Sweet Leaf Mint & Honey Green Tea later……I had free food in my hands! One kolache with roast duck and truffled sweet potato, and (my favorite), one braised lamb with herbed goat cheese.Stick with me…and you’ll never go hungry again.

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I would like to note that unless you went to summer camp with me at Camp Mont Shenandoah for Girls (est. 1927), you will probably not get the musical allusion that is the title of this post. For those of you fellow Greens & Buffs…please take a moment to sing this totally under-appreciated song and go “follow the winding trail.”

I would also like to note that this post took about 3 hours to write because I was simultaneously roasting eggplant and two types of squash, as well as making pita chips. It’s either highly (in)efficient multi-tasking or some sort of attention disorder. I’ll let you decide.