Truckin'

Vendy Awards Announce Rookie of the Year Finalists

A day after announcing the Best Desserts finalists, the folks at the Vendy Awards are trumpeting their contenders for Rookie of the Year. Tickets to the awards are sold out, but have a look at the Street Vendor Project’s descriptions nonetheless; these hawkers are considerably less well-known than the types that get to park at Tavern on the Green.

• Named after his grandfather, Wen Pin’s A-Pou’s Taste truck began grilling up Taiwanese cuisine in the East Village and Financial District just four months ago. Wen’s popular Pot Stickers (grilled dumplings) come from his grandmother, who used to cook them by the thousand for low income people who couldn’t be with their families on Chinese New Year Eve.

• Former restaurant partners and longtime friends, Kostas Plagos and Pavlos Sierros joined forces this year again to hatch their Souvlaki Truck. Inspired by Greece’s participation in the World Cup, they wanted to serve up souvlaki, while broadcasting the international soccer games - a “World Cup” of souvlaki.

• For the past year The Cinnamon Snail, operated by Adam Sobel in NYC and New Jersey, has been cooking up delicious organic vegan cuisine and pastries. Their creole grilled tofu with roasted garlic aioli, arugula and caramelized onions on a grilled baguette hits all the right taste buds - while still being healthy.

• Starting out in their kitchen in Brooklyn, David Schillace and Thomas Kelly created a unique flavor mixing Mexican with down-home barbeque for their Mexicue truck. They’re now serving up their signature Oak Smoked Short Rib Tacos, BBQ Beet Tacos and their BBQ Brisket slider all over the city.

• For nearly a year, 99% Vegetarian, operated by brothers Michael Susano and Sergio Susano, has brought tasty vegetarian meals to the Financial District. Holding them back from 100% vegetarianism? Their delicious chicken - a close second to their most popular item, their healthy vegetarian sampler platter.
Vendy Awards Announce Rookie of the Year Finalists