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Food trucks have popped up around Albuquerque like hot tamales, particularly outside bars that serve especially hoppy beer (Tractor or Marble, anyone?).
Twenty-first century food trucks have left the dingy, greasy stereotype in the dust, and now serve food that doesn’t give you food poisoning — and it tastes good.
The popularity of food trucks has grown over the last few years, and with good reason. It has given people with a passion for making food the ability to supply communities with a menu of what they do best.
You’ve all had those nights when you’re tired of the same restaurants in the same places with the same menus. I enjoy the restaurants we have around the city, but sometimes I just want a culinary surprise. Sure, there’s occasionally a hot dog stand around Nob Hill or Downtown on the weekends, but I’m talking about food with real character.
Daily Lobo photographer Juan Labreche and I came across a colorfully painted RV converted into a food truck in Nob Hill, outside the Tractor Brewing Company. Looking over the handwritten dry-erase menus, it was straightforward, soul-warming fare.
Offering treats such as smoked turkey legs, hot links, pulled pork and chicken, Joanie and Art’s Bar-B-Q truck kept it simple.
Presentation is the only varying factor.
Owner Art Alexander greeted us with a huge smile and humorous story about himself and his wife of 29 years. When I was unable to choose between hot links or pulled pork for my sandwich, Art Alexander suggested a special sandwich. “Let’s make you something special,” he said. “Go ahead and have both. Two sandwiches in one.” He piled the pork and hot links onto a Kaiser roll and topped it with some cool, crisp coleslaw, all for $5.
Served wrapped in a piece of butcher paper, the pork was perfectly tender with a light smokiness complemented by a sweet and spicy sauce. Each bite was met with the rich and spicy hot link, making a mixture of mouth-watering flavors. Though there was a bit of spice, I added a couple of jalapeños to kick up the heat.
Juan opted for the special of the night — macaroni and cheese, Midwestern spicy potatoes, beans, pulled pork and coleslaw layered in a bowl for $7. Although it is a truck based around smoked meats, Art Alexander said the vegetarian option is the bowl without pork. Topping it all off with jalapeño slices, it was a heaping, hearty meal in a bowl to warm you up on a cold night.
“I want ya’ll to go get your bellies full,” Art Alexander said as we settled up with him. We grabbed a seat and a pint inside the brewery and let the food satiate our stomachs and souls.
Street meat skeptics need not worry about the quality of Joanie and Art’s truck. The meals they serve up are made with a love and care for food and the customer. If you happen to see the truck painted with pigs and chickens, don’t hesitate to see what soul food Art Alexander has in store for you.
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