Memphis food trucks on the Food Network
One Memphis food truck operator is in for a mighty big tip.
After focusing on Memphis BBQ pitmasters on the popular show Chopped back in August, Food Network has now turned its attention to three Memphis food trucks in the new primetime series “Big Food Truck Tip with Andrew Zimmern.”
Big Food Truck Tip premieres with back-to-back episodes on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 9 p.m. The Memphis segment will air at 9:30 p.m.
Zimmern traveled the country over six episodes in search of the most passionate food truck entrepreneurs who are “chasing the American dream, serving up exceptional food to the public and daring to become their own boss.” In each city, three food truck operators will showcase their culinary point of view, sharing their dishes and the stories behind them. In each episode, Zimmern will reward one of them with a $10,000 tip.
“Mobile food isn’t a new development in our global food culture,” said Zimmern. “It’s been going on since the
dawn of human history, and the food truck experience in America has been a vital cultural totem dating back hundreds of years. Our modern-day food world is blessed to have the extreme ambition, fun attitude and glorious culinary output of today’s truckers. Micro businesses on wheels, serving up love by the sandwichful, make looking at this community and telling these stories a real privilege.”
In the Memphis segment, which was filmed in July, Zimmern checks out the food offerings of Stanley’s Sweet Street Treats, El Mero Taco, and Soi No. 9.
Mike Stanley of Stanley’s Sweet Street Treats describes his fare as “original Southern gourmet sandwiches and fine desserts.” Serving one-of-a-kind sandwiches like their yummy Softshell Crab BLT, Stanley and his wife Rose pride themselves on offering a menu that is composed of items many guests aren’t familiar with.
“Our guests seem to appreciate our originality. It’s really rewarding to see people’s faces light up when they try something new,” said Stanley. “To get people’s trust is sometimes a challenge. Once they try us, most times they are wide open to try whatever I throw at them!”
El Mero Taco is also owned and operated by a husband and wife duo. Owners Clarissa and Jacob Dries serve up some of the best tacos in town from the confines of their small taco truck. They are known for their Mexican street tacos with a Southern twist.
“My wife was raised in Oaxaca, Mexico, while I was raised in Memphis. We feel that our food is a representation of our two cultures colliding,” explains Jacob of their taco offerings. Obviously influenced by Jacob’s Memphis roots, their popular Southern fried chicken taco is stuffed with crispy fried chicken, queso blanco, in-house pickled jalapeños, tomatoes and cilantro. This better have been one of the tacos they served Zimmern.
Tim Vimonnimit, the chef and the owner of Soi No.9, focused his menu on popular street foods from Thailand.
“Our customers love our food because we use only fresh ingredients and cook your dish to order in front of you. Everything on the truck is homemade,” said Vimonnimit.
Spring rolls, rice bowls and noodle bowls are their specialties. I am hoping that they served Zimmern their basil chicken — stir-fried ground chicken seasoned with garlic, fresh chilies and Thai basil is served over jasmine rice and topped with a fried egg. One bite and you will know why it’s the most popular dish on their menu.
All three chefs commented on how they enjoyed seeing all that goes on behind the scenes of a TV production.
“We are super excited about the opportunity to be a part of showcasing Memphis’ outstanding food truck community,” added Stanley in a statement that echoed the sentiments of all three contestants.
Don’t forget to tune in on Wednesday to check out these three talented chefs and see who the lucky winner is.
Trader Joe’s is open
After years of anticipation, Trader Joe’s opened on Friday. Located at 2130 Exeter Road in Germantown, this is the first location for Trader Joe’s in the Memphis area. At just under 15,000 square feet, it is on the larger side for Trader Joe’s stores. “Each Trader Joe’s is different,” said store captain Noah Stevens “This store will feel like the Germantown Trader Joe’s.”
Murals of Germantown scenes, Germantown and Houston high school memorabilia and a horse for the store mascot are all nods toward the Germantown community. With hundreds of unique food products at affordable prices, a trip to Trader Joe’s is a culinary adventure. One tip not to forget? If curious about an item, find a crew member. At Trader Joe’s, you can sample any product (except for frozen or raw foods) before you buy. Open daily 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Café 1912 (243 S. Cooper St.) will be celebrating its 16th anniversary the weekend of Sept. 21, 22 and 23. “We let our 15th anniversary slip by last year so we decided to do a “Sweet 16,” said Martha Hayes, who owns the restaurant with her husband Glenn. “That weekend we are going to reprise some of the items which are no longer on our regular menu such as pizza of caramelized onions, mushrooms, and Gruyère cheese, arugula salad ‘caprese,’ fried spring roll filled with vegetables and beef and veal piccata.” Also on the menu will be an old favorite from the Hayes’ beloved restaurant La Tourelle — Queen Mother cake with cassis ice cream. Reservations are recommended.
One Smart Cookie
The Girl Scouts Heart of the South is hosting the annual “One Smart Cookie” event on Sept. 20. This event honors women who “make it happen” in Memphis and the Mid-South. The keynote speaker for this year’s dinner is chef Elizabeth Heiskell. Based in Oxford, MS, Heiskell is one busy cook. She owns and operates Elizabeth Heiskell Catering; created the Debutante Farmer Bloody Mary mix; is a cookbook author (her third cookbook will be released in October); and is a frequent Today Show contributor. Tickets to the event are $100 per person. For more information, visit girlscoutshs.org.
Contact Jennifer Chandler at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.