Street Eats Magazine

for foodies on the run

SHORT BUS SUBS AUSTIN’S SANDWICH-SERVING SCHOOLBUS brings back memories of days in the schoolyard with their whimsical baked subs.

GOURGHDOUGH’S DONUTS YUM! PAGE 29

AUSTIN’S COOLEST TRAILER PARKS PAGE 11

HIGH SCHOOLERS LOVE TRAILERS PAGE 39

CONTENTS STREET EATS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2012

27

SHOULD SANITATION IN FOOD TRAILERS BE IMPROVED?

5

11

SOMEWHERE IN THE TRAILER PARK

29

NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S DONUT SHOP

17

THE ODD TALE OF THE ODD DUCK TRAILER

38

THANK YOU FOOD TRAILERS

19

NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS

39

TRAILER FOOD AS WE KNOW IT; A HIGH SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE

PLANNING YOUR DAY THE FOOD TRAILER WAY

Featuring a itinerary for visiting food trailers throughout the day, including maps of each trailer and specialty foods to try.

The truth behind food trailer parks and their influence on the food trailer culture

Why the Odd Duck Farm to Trailer closing brings great sorrow

News and information about Austin’s newest trailers

How food trailers becoming cleaner might be a necessity and possibly a requirement in the near future

The story behind the donuts that are changing Austinites one calorie at a time

An espression of gratitide about the vegentarian options food trailers are beginning to offer

How high school students feel towards the food trailer environment 2

STREET EATS

CONTRIBUTORS

Name: Mazie Hyams Favorite Trailer: East Side Kings

Name: Zia Lyle Favorite Trailer: Holy Cacao

Name: Sara Stashluk Favorite Trailer: Hey Cupcake

Name: Sahithi Tupuri Favorite Trailer: Gourghdough’s

Mazie, a member of both the LBJ volleyball and softball teams and an ardent and passionate filmmaker, has been a foodie since birth. Previously nicknamed “Belly” for her love of food, Mazie is deifinitely still a chubby eight-year-old at heart.

Sara is a freshman at LASA high school, 3rd chair alto saxophone in the LBJ Concert Band, and a competitive horse rider competing with her horse, Godiva, in horse shows around Texas in the jumpers.

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Zia, an avid soccer player, violinist, and culinary mastermind who enjoys making new kinds of cookies, loves all trailer food. From BBQ to snow cones she enjoys it all. Her personal favorite food is chocolate, which she consumes dailly if not hourly.

Sahithi is an Indian classical dancer and singer, who also plays violin in the LBJ Orchestra and enjoys reading books and eating out. She loves the delights of trailer food while still being a vegetarian.

LETTER FROM THE EDITORS Mazie Hyams, Sahithi Tupuri, Sara Stashluk, and Zia Lyle

I

t’s safe to say that the staff members of Street Eats Magazine gained a total of 20 pounds while making this magazine for you. They slaved for hours designing layouts, writing pieces, and, most importantly, eating a crap-ton of trailer food, all the while sacrificing their precious hourglass figures. While this may not be entirely true, it’s much closer than anyone would hope. They were driven for hours by various family members in order to scope out trailers to write about. These girls have sacrificed a lot to make this publication, but they all agree it was most definitely worth it.

Through all this hard work, Street Eats Magazine was created. Enjoy!

STREET EATS

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PLANNING YOUR DAY THE FOOD TRAILER WAY WORDS AND PHOTOS: ZIA LYLE

BREAKFAST TORCHY’S TACOS: Living up to their motto, Torchy’s Tacos (located on South First Street) are in fact “Damn Good.”

Featuring signature tacos such as the Trailer Park and Fried Advocado, Torchy’s has become an Austin favorite for starting off your day.

LEMBAS BAKERY AND BREAKFAST: Including Green Eggs and Ham, Lembas’s menu contains many grain and gluten free items, as well as other healthy but delicious baked goods. Located on Burnet Road, this bakery should be a destination for everyone.

BISCUITS AND GROOVY: Located in Hyde Park, Biscuits and Groovy offers soft, flufffy biscuits covered in warm flowing gravy, and topped with anything you can imagine. Full of Vegan and Vegetarian options, Biscuits and Groovy is changing breakfast meals. all over Austin.

LUNCH

MIGHTY CONE: The first thought you come to when you hear the word cone is the creamy dessert of ice cream, but Mighty Cone changes this.

They serve everything, including fries, in a tortilla cone. Located on South Congress, everyone should try the food from here.

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MAN BITES DOG: Who knew someone could serve so many different types of hot dogs? Man Bites Dog proves that hotdogs are no longer a BBQ meal, but rather a tasty treat. Located on Burnet Road and South Lamar, Man Bites Dog is making its impact on Austin.

FLIP HAPPY CREPES: Featuring sweet and savory varieties of the delicate French food, FLip Happy crepes is located on Jessie Street. This trailer servs up the perfect combnation of carmalized onions and meats, as well as Nutella and fruit, all on their homemade crepes.

DINNER

BOSS HOGS KITCHEN: The best part about Texas? The BBQ. And BBQ is what Boss Hogs Kitchen specializes in. From sandwitches to plates of smoked brisket or chicken, this food trailer shares this delicious aspect of Texas with th e rest of Austin. They are located on West 5th Street and are a must for any and all Austinites.

MMMPANADAS: With an enormous variety of Empanadas (from the Asparagus Prosciutto to the Soy Chorizo) covering their menu, Mmmpanadas has energed as a popular destination for foodies all through Austin. Their empanadas are being baked fresh and made from scratch everyday at their food trailer at the Mueller Hanger.

COAT AND THAI: Located on South Lamar, Coat and Thai serves an extensive variety of thai food, including rice and noodle dishes, soups, and a few curry dishes. Their specialties are Pad Thai and eggrolls, both of which put all other Thai food in Austin to shame. While the wait can be long, it is definitely worth it!

DESSERT HOLY CACOA: While they primarily serve cake balls (including Red Velvet, Chocolate, Wedding Cake, and specialty flavor Diablo), this original food trailer also features Frozen Hot Chocolate and homemade Smores. Order a dozen cake balls to go or enjoy a chocolate shake at the South Austin Trailer Park and Eatery, where they are located.

POWDERED SUGAR: Powdered Sugar is Austin’s trailer dedicated to making funnel cakes not just a caarnival food. With toppings ranging from powdered sugar (of course) and cinnamon sugar to local toppings like Round Rock honey and gourmet toppings such as wild Australian hibiscus syrup with edible hibiscus flowers.

ICE QUEENS: Wish you could go back to those carnival days filled with cotton candy and snow cones? Ice Queens makes it possible.

They feature hand-spun cotton candy, shaved ice, and frozen yogurt., all of which is made by two Roller Derby Queens. Located in East Austin, this food trailer is a must try for all sweet tooths out there.

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MAP FOR YOUR PLAN FOR THE DAY WORDS AND PICTURES: SAHITHI TUPURI

North Austin

East Austin

Near South Lamar

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Near South Congress

North Austin

Biscuits and Groovy 5015 Duval St, Austin, TX 78751 (512) 804-8285 - http://iwantbiscuits.com/ Lembas Bakery and Breakfast 6701 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757 (469) 323-4936 - http://www.lembasaustin.com

East Austin

Ice Queens 1210 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702 (512) 771-5886 - http://www.austinicequeens.com

Near South Congress

Short Bus Subs

1600 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704

(512) 686-7827 - http://ShortBusSubs.com

Coat and Thai

1600 S Congress, Austin, TX 78701 http://coatandthai.com/

mmmpanadas

2nd and Congress, Austin, TX 78798

(512) 788-2228 - http://mmmpanadas.com

Torchy’s Tacos

1311 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704

(512) 366-0537 - http://torchystacos.com/

Holy Cacao

1311 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704

(512) 851-2253 - http://www.theholycacao.com

Gourdough’s

1503 S 1st St, Austin, TX 78704

(512) 707-1050 - http://www.gourdoughs.com/

Near South Lamar

Man Bites Dog

3005 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 http://manbitesdogaustin.com

Flip Happy Crepes

400 Josephine St, Austin, TX 78704

(512) 552-9034 - http://fliphappycrepes.blogspot.com/

Boss Hogs Kitchen

1120 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703

(512) 698-9818 - http://bosshogskitchen.com/

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A trailer park on South Congress that features Hey Cupcake, SHort Bus SUbs, Coat and Thai and many others. More trailer parks like this one should be created.

FOOD TRAILERS: THE MORE THE BETTER WORDS AND PHOTOS BY: ZIA LYLE

S

ix years ago the idea of eating food that was cooked inside Airstream trailers seemed unreasonable and unheard of

to many Austinites. Today, by simply walking down Congress Avenue, you find many food trailers and food trailer parks, all with flavorful aromas, catchy names, and multifarious types of food. This short span of time has been enough for trailers such as Flip Happy Crepes and Hey Cupcake to receive national recognition and completely alter the Austin food scene.

However, while there are many food trailers, all of which are popular attractions, the majority remain concentrated downtown and together do not match the number of restaurants Austin has to offer. Because of this, it seems there is a growing need for more food trailers, all around the city.

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Austinites have an endless need for cheap, multifarious food, a need that can be better satisfied with food trailers than restaurants. A 2009 report completed by Bundle (a resource to find how much Americans spend and on what) reports that, Austin residents spend more money eating out than any other household residents in the United States. If this large amount of money is already being spent, why not chose to spend it on cheaper items.

Food trailers pride themselves in being an affordable alternative to crowded

restaurants. A crepe from Flip Happy Crepes (a

However, food trailers do not measure up to

popular food trailer) costs on average $6.80,

restaurants in some aspects. The problem of no

while a crepe from Café Crepe of Austin (a brick

bathrooms inside food trailers can be solved by

and mortar café) costs an average of $8.50. This

the creation of more food trailer parks (which

small difference can add up, especially when in

have restrooms), but this can only be done if

relation to the amount of food being consumed

more food trailers are actually created. There are

in Austin. Wells Dunbar, of the Austin Chronicle,

also weather elements that food trailers must

sais in 2010 “[food trailers] are setting up quickly

compete with, including extreme heats (it does

and inexpensively bringing eats to the masses”

get pretty toasty inside an Airstream trailer) and

The more food trailers, the more opportunities

rain. These problems will always be a factor, but

people have to eat (and spend) at them, making

customers can take their food to-go and eat

it wise to create more food trailers.

it somewhere else. But these are minor issues

Another aspect is the positive and healthy

when we consider what a relaxed setting they

environment food trailer parks portray. These

provide clients with, how much cheaper they are,

food trailer parks have 3-4 different trailers in

and how important food trailers are at Austin.

one area, with picnic tables and restrooms –the

As the amount of food trailers continues

comforts of a restaurant— but all in a relaxed

to grow through the years, it is my hope that

outside setting. According to an article from

more entrepreneurs take into consideration the

Health on a Budget, “sunlight helps our body

benefits that having a food trailer and create

produce Vitamin D, which functions as a powerful

many more.

prohormone.” Vitamin D helps especially during eating by improving ones mood, which is positive, of course. Food trailers are also environmentally friendly, because they produce less waste and do not need a cement base in order to be functional.

In addition to eating outside, food trailer parks have the ability to offer different types of cuisines.

This is a positive because there is something for each family member, without a family having to travel to numerous locations. One trailer food park, South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery includes Man Bites Dog (featuring hot dogs), Holy Cocao (specializing in cake pops), and Torchy’s Tacos (serves many types of tacos) and shows this variety in food types, all in one location. Food trailers are then better than restaurants, based on their environmental impact, the various types of food, and the cultural contribution they have on Austin.

Flip Happy Crepes, a world renowned crepe food trailer that is know for its tasty french delicacies. Flip Happy Crepes is also much cheaper than other crepe restaurants.

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WORDS AND PICTURES BY SAHITHI TUPURI

Trailer parks have shaped Austin’s cultere with the help of several trailer owners and changed many customer’s lives.

A

A taco from Torchy’s Tacos, a smoothie from Conscious

Austin to start his food industry because Austinites are

Cravings, and a cake ball from Holy Cacao is a common

“very friendly toward local, healthy, vegetarian food” and

meal for customers at the South First Trailer Park and Eat-

“appreciate healthier, organic places.” Dhir liked the con-

ery. In a restaurant, this wide variety of food would not be

cept of food trailers and Austin is the one place where

found, but in a trailer park, that’s common.

eating at a trailer is common, but Dhir also had other in-

Trailers are an important part of Austin’s culture and when there are a lot of trailers in one place, like a trailer park, it changes Austinites according to customers. Each

tentions. “[I] wanted to show people that vegetarian/vegan food can be tasty.”

trailer in a trailer park has a lot of advantages of being

Not only is Dhir a driven man to spread vegetarian/veg-

located next to each other, but sometimes there can be

an food, but he is also an environmentalist. The primary

disadvantages to being located in a trailer park for trail-

factors that were driving Dhir to making vegetarian/vegan

ers, like competition when there is a new trailer, example

food, was that it is “great for the environment, for global

Conscious Cravings in the South First Trailer Park and

warming, and for animal welfare.” He wanted to make this

Eatery. Rishi Dhir, the owner of Conscious Cravings came

environment-friendly trailer because it is “fast, affordable,

to Austin in mid-November last year to go into the food

tasty, and healthy.”

industry, but had a change of opinion once he saw Austin.

Dhir explained how sometimes the trailers, Holy Cacao

“[I] came to Austin to put a vegetarian restaurant, but

and Torchy’s Tacos, would trade food to get a taste of

saw the trailers and wanted to put a trailer,” Dhir said,

the different choices of food near them. “Torchy’s Tacos

“[because] financially it is much less risky.”

actually tweeted about us,” Dhir said laughingly as he

Dhir wanted to put a food trailer because he wanted to

describes how Torchy’s Tacos spread the word of a new

share an experience that he “always wanted, but never got

vegan/vegetarian trailer in the same trailer park as them.

to have.” He put his first Conscious Cravings near the Uni-

Being in the same trailer park can sometimes bring com-

versity of Texas student campus to give students a chance

petition to all the trailers, but Dhir did not seem to think

to try his vegetarian trailer. Soon after, he added another

that was a problem.

location at the South First Trailer Park and Eatery, next to Torchy’s Tacos and Holy Cacao. Dhir wanted to come to

“We appeal to different crowds,” Dhir said, “[and we sell] different types of food.”

The board at the entrence of the South Austin Trailer Park and Eatery.

The relationship between the trailers at the South First Trailer Park and Eatery, according to Dhir, is “comradely” and “friendly.” When three trailers are located at the same place, all the trailers affect each other’s business.

Dhir business was affected by the trailers at the South First trailer park through “exposure from other trailers.” “[Exposure] allows us to create a variety for customers so that customers who are eating at a Mexican trailer next door, for example, can the next day eat at our trailer. Providing this kind of variety allows large groups of people to visit the trailer park and all have something they can enjoy.”

This helps all the trailers in getting customers. Not only do trailers contribute to the experience at a trailer park, but so do customers. A couple came to the South First Trailer Park for the first time. The couple lives nearby, but never got a chance to stop by a trailer park. They loved to be outside and they were surprised that there was “an area to sit and eat.” The couple called the trailer park a “casual and perfect” place. Regular customers also benefit from food trailer parks. A regular customer enjoys trailers because the food is “in between a fancy restaurant and fast food.” The customer has been to this trailer “a 100 times,” but never seems to get bored. He seems to have his own reasons.

“I like that their business model is not a lot about the

The indoor sitting area at the trailer park.

The decorated entrence at the entrence to the indoor sitting area.

The outdoor sitting area with benches and shade.

Customers having fun with friends at the trailer park.

Picture Caption: Cestenimint dolut quias sum que ellesed et volorepudi

food, but their passion. This makes for better food,” he says.

A trailer park “promotes casual eating,” according to the regular customer, and “enhances quality time.” The cus-

For more information about the trailers mentioned, see page 7-8. For more information about Concious Cravings see page 79.

tomer comes by trailers, especially the South First Trailer Park and Eatery, to get a quick bite with his dog. He appreciates that trailer parks are dog friendly unlike most restaurants. Larry Gundlach, a customer from Madison, Wisconsin, and his wife enjoy the delectables of food trailers in Austin. Gundlach came to Austin three to four days before sitting on the benches at the South First Trailer Park and Eatery.

“We can tell it’s part of Austin’s culture,” Gundlach said.

Gundlach describes how there are not many food trailers in Madison and likes their concept of “a light meal” that is “quick and convenient.” Many appreciate the concept of trailer food, and trailer parks are the one way for the best variety of trailer food all in one place. Trailer parks bring together everyone for a fun, quick bite.

The Concious Cravings trailer at the South First Trailer Park and Eatery.

TRAILER PARK: SOUTH FIRST TRAILER PARK AND EATERY LOCATION: SOUTH 1ST STREET

A chef working the Odd Duck Farm to Trailer trailer, firing up their famous wood grill that produced most of the trailer’s meat products Photo by Lars Plougmann.

THE ODD TALE OF THE ODD DUCK TRAILER WORDS: MAZIE HYAMS PICTURES: NILS GORE and LARS PLAUGMANN

J

Duck Farm to Trailer should stay open.

oann sinks her teeth into the slider. Warm, fatty, moist pork

Odd Duck began in 2009, when a young

floods her mouth with its rich smoky flavor inhabiting ev-

man named Bryce Gilmore moved to

ery inch of her body. Peppers and onions add layers of flavor

Austin from Wisconsin with his brother

so numerous she cannot describe the taste. Paprika aioli ex-

on order to realize his dreams of becom-

plodes in her mouth. The small sandwich melts in her mouth

ing a successful chef. Bryce purchased

as she chews. Joann tries to savor the small delight, but the

a 1980 vintage Fleetwood Mallard on

burger is gone within seconds. This is heaven on a bun. Thank

eBay, and, according to Edible Austin

god there are two more. People may say that “sharing is car-

publications in their profile on the chef

ing,” but sharing is not an option when it comes to the delica-

in 2011, “spent the next three months

cies of the Odd Duck Farm to Trailer in Austin, Texas. I should

raising the ceiling, painting the exterior

actually say sharing was not an option, for the trailer is now

burnt orange, installing a wood grill and

closed. For how long? No one knows.

figuring out the smoke-exhaust sys-

Because the loss of this trailer has been devastating for Aus-

17

tin’s food community, I believe the Odd

STREET EATS

tem.” For the next two years, the wood

grill fired up hundreds of delectable mini-burgers

for one of those sliders. It makes me sad to say

and other popular dishes five nights a week.

that I may never get the opportunity to have that

In December of 2010, Bryce opened the restau-

pork melt in my mouth.

rant Barley Swine, allowing Austinites who deemed

I understand Odd Duck closed so Bryce could

themselves too posh and sophisticated for food

focus on his new restaurant Barley Swine, but I be-

trailers to discover his immense talent. Barley

lieve that with a bit of jumping around, he could

Swine quickly became very popular and was given

make it work. Bryce could hire someone else he

rave reviews, making it a prominent restaurant in

trusts and believes has the right skills to operate

the Austin food scene. Patricia Sharpe of the New

Odd Duck when he is not around. Just because

York Times, called Gilmore a “superstar chef” in her

Austin gained a new exciting restaurant does not

review of the restauraunt.

mean it necessarily has to lose another. In the end,

I have to let you know that Barley Swine is not

it’s not just that Odd Duck should stay open, but

the only one getting all the love. Odd Duck had

it has to stay open. With such a large following of

also become very prominent in the trailer scene

avid fans, and a never-ending abundance of excit-

and was given enthusiastic positive reviews, mak-

ed new costumers, Odd Duck has become a staple

ing its closing all the more tragic. Kate Thornberry

of the Austin food community. If Odd Duck were

of the Austin Chronicle said in her 2011 review of

to re-open, it could return to its status of an Aus-

Barley Swine, “At Odd Duck Farm to Trailer, Gilm-

tin classic. Needless to say, no one is happy at the

ore achieved something really quite poetic: an ex-

loss of the Odd Duck Farm to Trailer. Well, maybe

istence where one person could cook the food he

the pigs are.

loves, sell it to people, develop a following, and more or less live as an artist.” Fans like the ones Kate described are very numerous and passionate about the ambrosial food that once came out of that old trailer. They have been devastated by the

TRAILER: ODD DUCK FARM TO TRAILER LOCATION: SOUTH LAMAR BLVD.

loss of this pillar of the Austin food community. As Joann said, “I always enjoyed eating at Odd Duck, and I will miss the opportunity to try new foods there in the future.”

Other people, like myself, are simply disappointed because we may never have the opportunity to become fans like this. I should tell you that I’ve never actually been to Odd Duck Food to Trailer, something I am actually quite ashamed to say. As a foodie and trailer enthusiast, Odd Duck has been at the top my ever-growing list of airstreams to visit for quite a while now. While writing this article, it’s safe to say that my mouth was constantly watering, and my stomach constantly grumbling, asking me

Odd Duck’s famous pork belly sliders.

Photo by Nils Gore

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NOW

OPEN

Hill Country Pierogi

Style: Polish Dumplings AKA Pierogis Location: Dowtown and East Side Opened Fall 2011 PICTURES: A MIKE’S LIFE

Regal Ravioli

Style: Many varieties of delicious organic ravioli and sauces Location: East Austin Opened Fall 2011 PICTURES: TIFFANY HARELIK (TRAILER FOOD DIARIES)

Wasota African Cuisine

Style: African with numerous vegan and vegetarian options Location: South First Opened Fall 2011 PICTURES: STACEY (VEGAN BLOGGER)

Fresh off the Truck

Style: Fresh Authentic Asian Street Food Location: Downtown Opened Fall 2011 PICTURES: TIFFANY HARELIK (TRAILER FOOD DIARIES)

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FOR

BUSINESS WORDS: SARA STASHLUK

Thunder Heart Bison

Style: Burgers, tacos, ribs, and more. All meat is bison Location: Downtown Opened Winter 2011 PICTURES: AUSTIN URBAN GARDENS

Nomad Dosa

Style: Organic Indian Crepes AKA Dosas Location: Downtown Opened Spring 2011 PICTURES: MOLLYJADE FROM FLICKR

Yumé Burger

Syle: Japanese Hamburgers and Hot Dogs Location: Downtown Opened Winter 2011 PICTURES: JACKIE STONE (AUSTIN POST)

Via 313

Style: Detroit Syle Pizza Location: East Austin Opened Winter 2011 PICTURES: ROAMING HUNGER

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For three years, Short Bus Subs on South Congress, has been serving baked sandwiches to Austinites all over from their trademark yellow school bus.

WORDS AND PICTURES BY ZIA LYLE

I

In the midst of South Congress, nestled in between glis-

imagined himself starting a business, it was not until af-

tening silver Airstream trailers and colorful food carts, de-

ter college when Eric decided to actually make this fan-

tailed painted picnic tables sit in front of a unique char-

tasy a reality. After moving from the Midwest to Austin,

acter in the Austin food trailer business, a bright yellow

purchasing an old school bus and furnishing it, he began

school bus. This bus, evoking images of past school days

to make sandwiches.

through its use of chalkboards, sack lunches, and sandwiches, is Short Bus Subs.

Functioning not as average sandwich shop but rather

While the idea came to Eric quite quickly and fluidly, the rest of the process of creating and managing a food trailer didn’t flow as smoothly.

as a food trailer focused on spreading the joy of the sack

“There are always challenges, because it’s the kind of

lunch to Austinites, Short Bus Subs, which opened in 2009,

business that doesn’t have a manual, you have to figure

attracts customers from all over. The brothers responsible

out what works for you,” says Eric.

for these tasty sandwiches are Eric and Dane Klusman,

Challenges come from customers, from environmen-

who both grew up in the sandwich environment, a result

tal factors, and even from working with your family. The

of their family owning a chain of sandwich shops. This

major problem food trailer owners’ face is out of town

previous family experience is seen through hectic music

customers that don’t understand that food trailers don’t

events and festivals to business lunches, when Short Bus

offer every convenience of a restaurant.

Subs is always ready for anything. The prime idea for the yellow school bus that has become a symbol of all things sandwiches in Austin came from Eric Klusman.

“[the customers] don’t understand why you don’t have things like ice,” says Eric.

The lack of small extras like this is what makes food

“One night I had a dream that I was on a bus, making

trailers stand out, and customers must just learn to deal

sandwiches on it, I woke up and wrote it all down and

with some shortcomings. But most customers have dealt

that’s how it happened,” he says, “It just happened.”

with these shortcomings and return again and again to

This is how Eric Klusman describes the development of

taste the delicious sandwiches coming from the Short

Short Bus Subs, of which the root literally lies at a dream.

Bus. Some of this success must be credited to the city

This dream led to three total locations, a huge fan base,

of Austin, and the multiple music and other events held

and a multitude of sandwiches. While he had always

here every year.

One of Short Bus’ many hand-painted colorful picnic tables.

“Austin events are the year-makers,” says Eric, “we have as much business in one week of SXSW as one month another time of the year.”

Austin events include SXSW, Austin City Limits, and so many others. These festivals offer a chance for people all over the country and world to sample Short Bus Subs.

During these

festivals Short Bus Subs also does promotions for other companies, which includes giving away free sandwiches. Short Bus Subs is rarely alone during these venues, music events are a hot spot for many trailers, and it is through these that Eric has met and become friends with other food trailer owners, specifically the owners of Peach Tortilla and Mmmpanadas. These friendships and Austin trailer food culture evokes a strong sense of “community.” Working together through different settings has given way to possible future collaborations.

“I would love to do a combo with Hey Cupcake, a sandwich and cupcake kinda thing together, says Eric.

Combinations such as these not only show the togetherness Austin food trailer owners feel towards one another, but also how they each differ from one another in their cuisines. Short Bus Subs still manages to stand out, through its different design and theme.

The school bus theme sprouted from the image of a school bus, and from there the brothers imagined featuring things such as juice boxes, pudding cups, and homemade cookies, all

A customer orders a sandwich at Short Bus.

part of a “sack lunch.”

The Short Bus Subs menu

The Short Bus

A further expression of the school theme is seen through the names of the sandwiches, which Eric himself came up with on a road trip.

From “The Bully” to “The Mascot” to “The Cheerleader” every aspect of the school day is expressed. Eric’s favorite is “The Principle”, which has Swiss, bacon, ham, turkey, roast beef, Dijon, lettuce and tomato.

“It’s a club sandwich,” he says, describing his favorite, “and those never get old.”

The rest of the sandwiches vary from deli to chicken to veggie, and all contain a wide variety of flavors, all tied perfectly together with their witty names.

“Once you know the ingredients, combining them randomly and creating new things is easy,” says Eric.

This act of creating things randomly is seen through the Sandwich of the Month, which changes every month and is created by the owners as well as the workers. Favorites such as “The Janitor” were created this way and have become a part of the general menu. Changes such as this have influenced the progress of Short Bus Subs, and through challenges the brothers have adapted to create the successful business that is seen today. However, they are always looking ahead.

“Opening a restaurant [brick and mortar type] has always been a possibility,” says Eric.

And maybe the two brothers will expand their chain from the three busses they have now to an actual sandwich shop. But for now, they continue to make sandwiches all over Austin, spreading memories of old school days, all in a bright yellow school bus.

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STREET EATS

TRAILER: SHORT BUS SUBS LOCATION: SOUTH CONGRESS AVENUE, AIRPORT BLVD,

Picture Caption: Cestenimint dolut quias sum que ellesed et volorepudi

The seating area at Short Bus.

The Peached Tortilla, one of Snappy Snack’s chain trailers. The Peached Tortilla serves Asian, BBQ, and Mexican food in every dish.

NOT CLEAN ENOUGH? WORDS: SARA STASHLUK PICTURES: DIGIMEG PHOTOGRAPHY and SAHITHI TUPURI

S

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cheap food prepared from home- which is against regulation. Not only are these viola-

eated at a picnic table nearby your favorite food trailer, you

tors breaking the law, they are taking cus-

take a bite out of that delicious burger you order every time.

tomers away from the “good guys”. But with

Meanwhile, the one health department inspector in Austin dedicat-

only one health inspector how can these vio-

ed to trailer food is performing a surprise inspection on the trailer

lators be kept under control?

and finds filthy cooking conditions and meat lockers that are not at

Numerous other sanitation violations are

an appropriate temperature. The regulations on the 1,620 mobile

common in keeping trailers such as selling

vendors in Austin are scanty compared to regulations for restau-

food without a permit, not having available

rant food which is often a reason why consumers choose restau-

washrooms and/or toilets on site, and hav-

rants over trailers. To ensure trailer foods’ success, Austin needs

ing dangerous apparatus attached to the

to add more health inspectors solely dedicated to trailer food to

trucks such as a propane tank inches from

crack down on violators and add more regulations to ensure that

the bumper. If a food trailer like that were to

trailer food is as safe as restaurant food, giving customers a good

be hit from behind, it could explode instantly

piece-of-mind.

says Tom Ramsey, owner of Snappy Snacks-

According to an Austin American Statesman writer, Juan Castillo,

a popular Austin trailer chain. Ramsey also

food trailer owners have been noticing their competitors selling

illustrates that some trailers go through car

STREET EATS

washes without grease traps which leads to sewage issues.

something bad happens then? Like 9/11? Obviously

I don’t know about you, but I think that these issues

the two are very different in comparison but if we had

need to be changed. I would not want to go to a food

regulated something so small as what people could take

trailer that didn’t prepare its food properly or didn’t have

onto airplanes would we have had such a huge incident?

a place for the employees to wash their hands. I’m not a

I don’t think anything major will happen with trailer food

“germaphobe”, but I don’t want to get sick either. Some

anytime soon but I believe that people would be way

trailer food owners explain that it is “too easy” to get a

more willing to eat trailer food if the regulations were

permit to sell food.

just a little bit stricter.

To start, trailers should at least have monthly health inspections to make sure that everything is clean and regulations are being followed. This will influence trailer owners to at least clean things up once a month. They could also have surprise inspections every once in a while

TRAILER: SNAPPY SNACKS LOCATION: AUSTIN METRO AREA

to ensure that they really do keep everything clean. Next, permits should be stricter to obtain because trailer owners should need a health check on their trailer, what their regular schedule is like, and where they can wash their trucks. Finally, food trailers should display their permit to sell food and their recent health checks outside their truck so that customers are aware that they are legal and have good health practices.

Some people argue that, because food trailers are part of what makes Austin, Austin, the regulations should stay the same because otherwise they will place a cap on the exotic foods around the city. But honestly, if you aren’t preparing food for sale safely, you shouldn’t be preparing food at all. Would you rather eat at that exotic food trailer that doesn’t have a permit and get sick or eat at another exotic food trailer that does have a permit and not get sick? There are plenty of crazy trailers in Austin for people to explore and cutting a few down because they can’t comply with regulations won’t hurt the industry. In fact, it might even make it stronger.

To go along with the previous argument, people argue that nothing bad has happened yet so why should anything be changed? Well, when someone gets sick from eating at a food trailer, it usually doesn’t impact them enough to call the authorities. If you got sick from food poisoning from a restaurant would you report it? Besides,

Example of dangerous propane tank on the back of a trailer. The trailer is Concious Cravings.

nothing bad has happened YET. Should we wait UNTIL

STREET EATS

28

WORDS AND PICTURES BY MAZIE HYAMS

Since its opening in 2008, Gourghdough’s Donuts has been serving up over-the-top delicacies that have destroyed the New Year’s resolutions of many Austinites.

S

She is a thing of beauty. Smooth, shiny, gleaming in the

of working in the real estate industry, laughing, “and we

afternoon sun. Smells good, too. Like home, only better.

would realize, ‘Oh, we haven’t really eaten today.’... and

More like butter. In a few agonizing minutes, in the fan-

my girlfriend [Paula] would be like, ‘I’m gonna make like

tastical world that sits inside this airstream, a donut will

something really bad for me when I get home’... and we

be made. It won’t be just any donut; it will be momentous.

ended up making donuts.”

Another customer will fall in love.

Ryan and Paula didn’t stop there. “It started out with a

Since their opening in 2008, Gourghdough’s Donuts,

lot of recipes that [Paula’s] grandmother used to make,

a food trailer located on South 1st Street in Austin Tex-

and [Paula] adapted them into a donut,” Ryan fondly re-

as, has been serving up donuts that fully live up to the

members. “Some different pies and that kind of thing.

trailer’s tagline: Big. Fat. Donuts. If anything, this is an

And after that, we started coming up with whatever we

understatement. Gourghdough’s quickly became one of

wanted, and gave it a shot.”

the city’s most popular food trailers. People from all over

This mentality gave birth to the famous whimsical donuts

flooded into line, not caring that they were about to de-

that have made Gourdough’s a household name in Aus-

stroy any chance of fulfilling their New Year’s Resolutions.

tin’s food trailer community. Their menu ranges from the

The airstream escalated into an Austin staple after be-

simple, such as the “Naughty & Nice,” a donut just topped

ing featured on various Food Network programs, as well

with cinnamon and sugar, to the elaborate, like the “Boss

as the famous television show “Anthony Bourdain: No

Hog” which has barbeque pulled pork or chopped brisket,

Reservations.” With so much widespread success, it’s hard

potato salad, and sweet BBQ sauce on top

to believe that Gourghdough’s was started by an aver-

Out of all of Gourdough’s delicacies, Ryan’s favorite is

age couple working in the Austin real estate business, but

the “Funky Monkey,” a crowd pleaser topped with cream

that’s just one of the things that makes this Austin trailer

cheese icing, brown sugar, and grilled banana slices. Like

just a little bit different.

everyone else, this owner of the trailer became a bit of a

Four years ago, Ryan Palmer and Paula Samford, eventual co-owners of Gourghdough’s Donuts, were just another couple living in Austin. A lot has changed since then.

“We would work until like, ten at night,” recalls Ryan

donut addict, too.

“I used to eat [donuts] all the time,” Ryan admits, “I actually gained, like, 25 pounds coming up with [the menu], and working there at the beginning. Luckily I lost it.”

Lina Fisher takes a bite of the “Son of a Peach.”

Surya Milner diving into the “Baby Rattler.”

In the beginning, the co-owners had many difficulties with simple things such as storage. Ryan remembers, “If you were busy, you run out of stuff just so quickly.” He also cites how difficult the space was, “especially in the airstream... the walls were so curved, and nothing really fits in there.”

Ryan’s little culinary experience did not help, either. “I had never worked in a restaurant ever, in my life, so it was kind of weird. But my girlfriend had, her mom had a burger joint in Wimberley growing up, so she had a little bit more of a background.”

Ryan’s previous work was from a very different end of the spectrum. “I have a law degree, I was a lawyer. But then I got into real estate, and [Paula] has been in real estate a long time.”

Ryan cites that his law degree was helpful in starting the business, but one of the main things that appealed to him about Gourdough’s is that it is “a good release, as far as having to do paperwork or arguing with someone about something. You just go in, and everybody’s happy over a five dollar donut.”

Ryan and Paula adapted to the new field quickly, and the customers started rolling in. These customers, who came from far and wide, all across the country, began to generate a sufficient amount of buzz to get Gourdough’s on those popular food television shows.

Zia Lyle orders a “Dirty Berry” donut.

“It’s helped [business] a lot. I don’t know how much it

nuts... especially if they haven’t been there yet... because a

costs for basically a national TV commercial, but yeah, it

lot of time they’re really surprised. They start laughing or,

helps a lot,” Ryan said. “It’s weird to be on [TV] because

you know... they’re just like, ‘Woah.’”

some of them are [here] for like 8 or 9 hours, and then

Woah is right. The donuts at Gourghdough’s are noth-

the clips are like half an hour... It was not the most natural

ing short of superb in their largely massive state. This is

thing for me.”

why the donut trailer has become a restaurant Austin is

The increase in customers has inspired the team at

proud to call its own.

Gourdough’s to expand their business. “I’m wrapping up a lease right now on a building, on a actual restaurant location,” Ryan reveals, “So we’ll probably see a Gourdough’s in South Austin.”

“It’s definitely hard to do it out of the trailer for a long

TRAILER: GOURGHDOUGH’S DONUTS LOCATION: SOUTH 1ST STREET

period of time,” explains Ryan. “We’d like to open more trailers to get out to people all around Austin, but it’s kind of nice to be able to have like a home base basically, where you can do a lot of the prep and stuff beforehand.”

But through all of the new leases at his real estate firm and visits from overly brash television shows, Ryan’s favorite part of owning Gourdough’s Donuts is really quite simple. “Just watching the people when they get their do-

The back of the Gourdough’s Donuts airstream trailer on South First St.

For more information on the Gourdough’s Donuts Trailer, see our review of their entire menu along with descriptions of each donut on page 35 or visit their website at: www.gourghdoughs.com

A table for customers to eat on at the Gourdough’s trailer.

AUSTIN’S MOST WANTED: GOURDOUGH’S MENU UNLEASHED PHOTO BY AUSTIN POST

WORDS AND PICTURES: MAZIE HYAMS (UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE)

BLUE BALLS: delectable donut holes with blueberry filling and blueberry icing

BOSS HOG: pulled pork or chopped brisket barbeque and potato salad topped with sweet BBQ sauce

BRING THE HEATH: cream cheese icing with a massive mound of heath bar chips A+

CHERRY BOMBS: cherryglazed donut holes topped with cinnamon sugar, sugar, and cake mix topping

THE DIRTY BERRY: a donut topped with rich fudge icing and grilled strawberries A-

FLYING PIG: topped by an abundance of bacon and sweet maple syrup icing A-

FUNKY MONKEY: cream cheese icing, brown sugar, and grilled banana slices B+

PHOTO BY MARYN NELSON

BLACK OUT: fudge icing, choclate-covered brownie bites, and brownie batter A+

PHOTO BY STAR JONES

BABY RATTLER: fudge icing, double choclate oreoes, and a gummy rattle snake A

35

STREET EATS

PHOTO BY CAROLINE HATCHETT

HEAVENLY HASH: marshmallow fluff, chocolate icing, with fudge on top: A+

MISS SHORTCAKE: cream cheese icing, topped with fresh sliced strawberries: A

MOTHER CLUCKER: a cut up chicken strip, with honey butter drizzled on top

MAMA’S CAKE: a rich yellow cake batter filling, with chocolate fudge icing and sweet white icing A-

PHOTO RACHEL LEAH BLUMENTHAL

GRANNY’S PIE: sweet icing, bananas, pecans, caramel, and graham crackers

NAUGHTY & NICE: the menu’s most simple donutjust cinnamon and sugar A

STREET EATS

36

PHOTO BY MARCIA GAGLIARDI

PHOTO BY SOUTH AUSTIN FOODIE

RAZZLE DAZZLE: a raspberry filled donut with fudge icing, raspberry topping and chocolate chips

PHOTO BY NECESSARY INDULGENCES

PORKEY’S: a donut covered in cream cheese, canadian bacon, and jalapeno jelly

PHOTO BY GOURDOUGH’S

PB & J: grape jelly filling, peanut butter icing, topped with peanut butter morsels

PHOTO BY MARZIPAN MOXLEY

ODB: luscious cream filled donut holes covered in icing and rolled in coconut A+

SAILOR JERRY: a cake donut smothered in rum sugar glaze, with cinnamon and toasted sugared walnuts

SLOW BURN: cream cheese topping, generous drizzle of habanero pepper jelly

MAKE YOUR OWN: Gourdough’s also allows customers to build their own donut using any combo of indredients from the items on the menu including one filling and two toppings.

SON OF A PEACH: peach filling, sugar and cinnamon, and cake batter topping: B+

THE PUDDIN’: cream filling, cream cheese icing, banana slices, and vanilla wafers: A-

STAFF PICK: HEAVENLY HASH 37

STREET EATS

EAST SIDE FEAST AUSTIN’S BEST EAST OF CONGRESS WORDS: ZIA LYLE AND MAZIE HYAMS

THREE LITTLE PIGS: Started by Chef Raymond Tatum, Three Little Pigs food trailer, which features pork-centered dishes is located on Rosewood Avenue. The menu changes every day, varrying with the seasons and what Tatum chooses to serve. Photo by Mike Vann.

THAT’S AMORE: Created by Angela Melia, this signiture Italian food trailer is located on East Riverside. That’s Amore’s menu includes delicious Panini sandwiches, salads, soups and homemade cannolis, all of which are made by an Italian chef. Photo by Tiffany Harelik.

VIA 313: Opened by brothers Brandon and Zane Hunt, Via 313 features Detroit-style pizza with extra cheese on the crust. Their menu includes everything from a Classic Cheese to the Detroiter, cheese and double pepperoni. Find them on East 6th Street. Photo by Tiffany Harelik.

SUN FARM KITCHEN CO-OP: As a cooperatively owned food trailer, Sun Farm’s goal is to manage solar-power mobile kitchens. The trailer, which is located on East 11th Street, serves natural foods like an advocado milkshake and many others.

Photo courtesy of roaminghunger.com.

STREET EATS

38

(left top) A picture of Conscious Cravings, a vegetarian trailer. (left bottom) A delicious healthy quencher called Mango. (top) A light sprinkle of rosemary on french fries.

THANK YOU FOOD TRAILERS WORDS AND PICTURES: SAHITHI TUPURI

A

re you vegetarian? I am. And when a group of

choices to their menu. For example, the Torchy’s

friends go to a food trailer, there is a strong

Tacos website states that they have there are two

chance at least one of them is a vegetarian. In most

vegetarian dishes, Fried Avacado and Dirty San-

restaurants, there is never a wide variety of veg-

chez. Torchy’s Tacos is a very famous food trailer

etarian options. Whenever I go to a restaurant that

that has turned into a restaurant and for them to

I have been to before, it feels that I never have any-

add vegetarian dishes to their menu means a lot

thing new to eat. Many people say that you could

to us. There have also been new vegetarian trailers

always ask for food without meat products, but the

that have become popular. Conscious Cravings is a

result never lives up to its counterpart. Sometimes

vegetarian food trailer that has “meatless wraps in-

the chef will use precooked items that have chicken

fused with a proprietary blend of herbs and spices

broth or beef stew and serve it without realizing

from around the world” according to their website.

it. This creates a problem for vegetarians every-

Just writing this is making my mouth water. Imag-

where; we don’t have an assortment of dishes. To

ine how delicious they taste in person. Mmmpana-

serve vegetarians, chefs need to start from scratch

das is another trailer that has a nice mix between

to make all the ingredients for a dish, and make

vegetarian and meat. Out of their eight choices

sure that any precooked items that are used don’t

for breakfast, 4 of them are vegetarian and they

contain meat in them. Because of this issue I, along

also have a great variety of sweet items that are, of

with many other vegetarians, have been striving

course, vegetarian. Half their menu is vegetarian!

for a variety in food options. I have been a veg-

One of their vegetarian items is Soy Chorizo with

etarian since birth and have always thought that I

Brie. Their website describes this dish as a “zippy

could never eat food served from a trailer, because

and smooth creation [that] is vegetarian friendly

there would never be any vegetarian choices. I was

but ssshhh, the meat eaters will never know.”

proved wrong when I started to work on this article.

Vegetarian food sold in a restaurant tends to be

I found out that I am not alone in being a vegetar-

expensive and I don’t eat out that often, but now

ian. A 2008 survey done by the Harris Interactive

that I have found vegetarian dishes in food trailers,

Service Bureau on behalf of the Vegetarian Times,

I will be on the road a lot more. I am now going to

showed that in the US 3.2% or 7.3 million people

be on Congress Ave. and Lamar visiting these food

followed a vegetarian diet. Of the 5,050 respon-

trailers and eating this mouthwatering food. I am

dents “57.1 percent have followed a vegetarian diet

glad that I live in Austin, with such a variation of

for more than 10 years.” I realized that because of

food, starting from restaurants to food trailers on

this food trailers have included vegetarians in their

the side of the road, everyone has included veg-

community.

etarians in this community, and vegetarians never

There are many vegetarian trailers and trailers

have to feel left out again. Thank you.

that originally sell meat have added vegetarian

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40

17

STREET EATS

People ordering at The Peached Tortilla.

This is among many of the popular food trailers known to high school students.

TRAILER FOOD AS WE KNOW IT: A HIGH SCHOOL PERSPECTIVE WORDS: SARA STASHLUK COVER PICTURE: LYNN FREEHILL

STREET EATS

42

A

A group of students are gathered at the picnic table near Holy Cacao donuts (deleted). Textbooks in one hand, cake balls in the other, the students are studying for their next test at their favorite food trailer. So what makes trailers like Holy Cacao so popular among high schoolers?

Weekends before their group project or even their magazine’s feature story are due, students gather to study in groups because they say it’s more fun that way. Many high schoolers that have been stuck inside all week say that they need a place to enjoy the outdoors while still getting their homework done in a “fun and relaxing” environment. While everyone has a favorite food trailer, high schoolers seem to prefer the ones that serve high-fat, unhealthy foods with picnic tables on warm, sunny days surrounded by friends.

“I almost never go to food trailers because I can never find the time,” Nikki Krebs, a LASA student, said, “But when I do go to one, I want to treat myself to something fatty and delicious.”

High schoolers (especially boys) are constantly growing and need to eat everything in sight just to keep their stomachs full, especially the unhealthy stuff. When they decide on places to study together they don’t choose the health-nut organic places, rather they choose the most delicious (and most likely unhealthy) places they can think of which generally are places that serve dessert foods. Not only do high school students love dessert trailers as places to hang out, they also gather at lunch and dinner options when they aren’t hanging around for just a snack.

“Torchy’s Tacos serves delicious blends of spicy and savory flavors to create mouth watering combinations,”

exclaimed

Jack

Behal,

a

LASA

student.

This taco trailer is well known throughout Austin for their “Damn Good” tacos and their numerous locations around the city. It started as a food trailer which is located at the South Congress trailer park along with many other well-known food stands. It seems that the trailer is one of their most popular establishments among high school students because the va-

43

“I

once went to a trailer with friends to study and

riety of food at the trailer park is appealing, especially when

the picnic table was a great place to hang out with

there is a large group with varying appetites. For example,

my friends in the sun instead of being stuck inside all

one student might want to get something from every trailer

day,” said Lula Villegas, another high school student.

while another will just want a smoothie or a cake ball. Once

The schedule of a normal high school student consists of go-

they get their food, there are plenty of picnic tables for these

ing to school, going home, doing homework, sleeping, repeat.

students to sit and eat, talk about the latest gossip, or study.

They almost never go outside for long periods of time (with

STREET EATS

Torchy’s Tacos. A popular high school retreat. Photo by Gourmet Memoirs.

friends all at once without having to drive them around everywhere.

“When I ask my mom if I can go somewhere to study with my friends she always says yes because she’s sure that I will be studying and I get to spend time with my friends. I especially love going to food trailers with my friends to study... when the weather’s good,” explained Erin Newman-Mitchell, a student at LASA. The only problem people encounter with food trailers is that when it is raining or cold, they tend to avoid them because they are outdoor-food. Getting out of your car into the pouring rain, ordering food, and running back to your car to eat is not exactly ideal for most people. Although, this is about Austin food trailers and Austin only gets rain a few times a year which is really advantageous to its citizens that love trailer food. The summers are scorching hot and Austinites are constantly looking for ways to beat the heat. For example, after a long day marching in the sun with metal instruments, marching band students retreat to their favorite snow cone trailer, Sno-Beach, to cool off before a nice dive in their swimming pool.

“I love Sno-Beach because the texture of the snow cone makes me think of snow on summer days,” said Jack Behal, “I overall just love going to food trailers because they are everywhere. Sno-Beach is right by my house.”

When it comes to actually getting themselves to places far away without a driver’s license, these high school students often just ask their parents to take them but sometimes that isn’t possible. Students find that being located close to a food trailer isn’t hard if you live down south or downtown. Many find that they live within walking distance of at least five trailers. However, if they live up north, finding a trailer close to home is a little more challeng-

the exception of the ones that play sports) and on the weekends they spend their time watching TV, shopping, playing video games, and more. They say that spending time outside is refreshing and rejuvenating when they’ve been at school all week. Plus, it seems to makes their parents happy because they are getting out of the house, studying, and spending time with their

A student looking at the menu of the menu of one of Austin’s newest food trailers, Genuine Joe On The Go. Photo taken by Sara.

ing. Some have never even been to a food trailer because they are almost nonexistent in the north part of the city.

“I have only ever been to one food trailer once because it is the only one that is close to where live,”

said

Jacob

Voss,

a

high

school

I

student.

Overall, high school students like to hang out at trailers when the weather’s nice and there are picnic tables to spend some time at, especially if they are going to be studying for a major test or working on a big project. They also tend to go to the trailers that are close to their house because they don’t all have access to cars or driver’s licenses. If at all possible though, they seem to gather at trailer parks for the variety of options and just to get out of the house on a nice day.

Food trailers are popular places for high school students to just hang out, have a good time, and eat lots of great food.

A group of people lined up at SnoBeach trailer on a hot summer day.

Photo taken by Austin: Keeping It Foodie.

La Casa Del Fueago. A taco trailer in the Downtown Austin Area. Photo by Splorp on Flickr.

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