I will totally ignore the first night of the food festival we heard it was difficult to get tokens and even more challenging to get to the head of the long food lines.
The traffic was overwhelming and one off my girlfriends received a fine for parking her car nonchalantly next to Plaza Padu. She took time to congratulate the officer and thank him, seriously, she did, for his diligence. Finally, some enforcement, she said.
After hearing her parking story, we decided to take a taxi into town. It’s cheaper than a ticket. Wow, brilliant idea. The same driver with what looked like an armored personnel carrier picked us up two hours later and brought us back to our cars, in the Palm Beach area.
That was smooth.
On the second night of the Food Truck Festival, with all glitches fixed, it was easy-breezy: Tokens, food lines, nicely accessible bars.
First stop Hollywood Smokehouse. How we missed their food, the Pulled Pork and the low & slow Beef Brisket, neatly stuffed into soft taco shells. It was delicious when paired with a Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade, their signature cocktail. When we went back for seconds, Maarten, the Little One, told us it was sold out. I should have expected it.
Sergio Silva entertained with Bamboo, or under another name, the Shortcuts?! Never mind, always excellent and no one sings Rock n’ Roll better than Mirugia de Cuba.
The fritjes of chef Bas at the Pofferdorie were fat and crispy, with a sweet sate sauce, but after that colossal calorific intake all we could do was sigh with regret. We ate too early too fast and couldn’t have anything else.
So, what were the choices? Nos Local Truck featured Funchi Hasa cu Keeshi, Soppi Oester, Pan Cu Sate, Pan Cu Carni Stoba, Sate Platter and Grilled Ribs. They were busy.
The daring and out-there Taki offered Kalamara, a white rum and hibiscus infusion and something he called the Yerba Stinki Collection, infused with rum. The list of ingredients included Kwek, 2 x 4 and Un Wowo So. I did not get it, but I am sure it was divine. Also receiving compliments, the Crioyo Manouverz with fried okra, pumpkin and black-eyed pea pate. This guy is creative.
Burger Joint & Candela enjoyed a nice mix of clients. Candela’s made to order cheese steak with pickled onions had many fans, the burgers from the Burger Joint especially their Crioyo version with a fish cake on Pan Bati looked promising. Compliments on the addition of a VEGAN burger, a black bean patty with avocado or mushroom sauce.
We sauntered by El Mexicano and Eataly who seemed to do great business.
We had no room for the Sushi Shap ☹ Gelatissimo ☹ or D’Abaru.
But we promise to pace ourselves better next year!! Pa Bien Aruba Tourism Authority for a great annual event, in an appealing format, in a great location. Now, we only need to figure out how to include more tourists. I did see a handful having a good time with the band on the plaza.
