It's A Bird, No It's A Plane....No It's A Seabird!

Seabirds Soar To Salt Lake

 

     Just like those famous seagulls that rescued the pioneers from hoardes of crickets, Seabirds rolled in Salt Lake to save us from...well, I'm not sure, but I bet you didn't know that seagulls are Utah's state bird. So it all makes sense that Seabirds Food Truck picked Salt Lake to fly home to. Just to prove how serious, we Salt Lakers take seabirds. Look at what monuments we erect over our streets.

Seagull Arch 

Downtown on South Temple?

      That should be enough proof. So you know how excited we were to have Seabirds in town for two days as part of their quest as the best in the Food Network's The Great Food Truck Race. They're even nominated for the best food truck in the 2011 Veg News' Veggie Awards (but I have my heart set on local business Union Street Eats, though Seabirds is deserving and would get my second vote). I've heard about this truck before when Kevin from Veganbrew.com went to an LA beer fest and was wowed with their beer battered avocado tacos. Still in a daze from his wowing, but no longer in LA, Kevin went to work replicating what he had at Seabirds and posted the recipe HERE. So the night before Seabirds came to town, I had visions of beer battered avocados dancing in my head, but alas it would not be. 

California Cheesesteak

Peppered Jackfruit, Grilled Onions, Nacho Brew Cheese with Sweet and Sour Slaw

     Because of the television show and it's producers, everything was hush hush and the second hand word on their location and hours would have to spread over twitter and facebook. Big thanks to Cakewalk for spreading the word! (Cakewalk is nominated for best vegan bakery in the same Veggie Awards. Please vote for them!) Because it was a powder day, I was up on the mountain and missed lunch (and the hour long lines), but I managed to snag dinner (after an hour or so wait). Despite the wait, exasperation and impending hunger, the food was worth it! Although, I didn't get beer battered avocado tacos, I did snag one of these jackfruit tacos, which introduced me to the world of jackfruit. (I have a jackfruit pulled pork sandwich that I made, which I'll post shortly. Union Street Eats is even offering a jackfruit barbacoa taco with tequila lime sauce. Jackfruit is seriously amazing.). Actually, I ordered one of everything. My small contribution to help bring accolades to a vegan food truck and another vegan business beating traditional ones. (Just see this post on Sticky Fingers Bakery.) I know, it's a tough life, but the lemongrass corn chowder might have been the best soup that I've ever had. Here's the rest of the Seabirds sampling that I had, minus the rice bowl I had on the second day. Rumour had it pizza was on the dinner menu, but I couldn't get to their new location. Damn meal on wheels!

Lemongrass Corn Chowder

With A Hint of Coconut?

California Black Bean Chili

Topped with Sliced Avocados and Chiptole Sour Cream that went M.I.A.

Truffle Cauliflower

 

Lunch Menu

  Seabirds Rode Into the Sunset...

    If you're in the Southern California area, follow Seabirds on facebook or their website for their latest locations and maybe one day they'll find their way to your town and be legends, just like our salt lake seagulls. 

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Union Street Eats, Welcome To The Neighborhood!

Daiya Pepperjack Quesadilla

Filled with Daiya Pepperjack Cheese, Jalapenos, Seasoned Smart Ground, Topped with Salsa, Guacamole and Ginger Sour Cream

      Not since Cakewalk opened up across the street from my house have I been as excited for a business to open. Filling the need for good, quality vegan Mexican food, Union Street Eats means vegan don't have to settle for rice and beans anymore! Move over Red Iguana and Cafe Rio, hay un nuevo rey en este pueblo! From seitan, tempeh and soyrizo, Union Street Eats shows how good vegan food can be.  

UPDATE: Union Street Eats moved to a new location at 400 South and 200 East at Washington Square Park (Across from the Main SLC Library).UPDATE: Union Street Eats is nominated for best vegan street cart in 2011 Veg News' Veggie Awards. Vote HERE and be entered to win great prizes, like a vegan Caribbean Cruise and a Vitamix Blender. (Voting Closed, Thanks for Voting!)

Union Street Eats

     Not only that but it's the closest to gourmet mexican food without setting foot in a restaurant. The streetcart, located at 300 South and 300 West (on the South East Corner of the intersection, near Pioneer Park) (new location) 400 South 200 East in Washington Square Park (across from the Main SLC Library)  is the brainchild of Larayn and James. Larayn learned her way around the kitchen as a graduate of the venerable Natural Gourmet Institute as well as NYC's Lifethyme. For the last several years, she worked  as the lunch chef at Sage's wowing customers with her daily chef's specials.  Not only known for her culinary skills, Larayn is a pillar of the vegan community. As the founder and long running host of Salt Lake's Vegan Drinks, Larayn has helped build the veggie community. James cut his teeth as a street vendor outside the City Library several years ago. It's his Mexican sojourn that inspired a lot of the recipes featured on the menu. Together, their experiences create a marriage that will cause your taste buds to dance. Plus, they donate 5% of the profits to local farm animal rescue Ching Farm so your conscience and taste buds can be in harmony. Just be sure to get there between 11 am and 2 pm (new hours) 11 am-3:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, including a little earlier for the Farmer's Market. Oh, they also plan on serving from 5-8 pm on Thursdays for the Twilight Concert Series, starting on July 14 for the Explosions in The Sky and No Age Show.

Tacos La Paz

Warm Handmade Corn Tortilla Stuffed with Breaded Citrus-Marinated Tempeh, Topped with Crisp Cabbage,Three-Pepper Bueno Sauce, Lime Wedge and Cilantro

    It's hard to decide what I liked better. It's a toss up between the Tacos La Paz or the Daiya Pepperjack Quesadilla. Well made tempeh melts my heart, but this quesadilla was pure perfection. Hands down the best quesadilla I've ever had. But, I still need to have to have the Tacos Rancheros so perhaps I'll hold judgment until my next visit, which will be soon because the food prices are reasonable with a range of $3 to $6 dollars.

Larayn cooks up the Tacos La Paz while James takes orders.

Torta

Toasted White Roll with Refried Beans, White Rice, Tomatoes, Onions, Guacamole, Salsa and Cilantro.

Tacos Soyrizo

Spicy Soyrizo Fried with White Rice, Onions, and Tomatoes, Topped with Sliced Avocado, Ginger Sour Cream and Cilantro

Limon Shaker

     The best part of the Limon Shaker is watching James shake them up. It's like being back in in a speak easy during the roaring twenties. It's refreshing to have a drink made on the spot and not bottled. Nothing taste more like summer and brings back memories of boardwalk strolls with my family.

Freshly Squeezed Lime and Lemon Juice, Sweetened and Shaken with Ice

Creme De Chocolate

Sweet, Spicy and Silky Chocolate Mousse Topped with Silvered Almonds

     It's not secret that I have a sweet tooth, so I had to try their dessert. It's a lightly spiced Mexican chocolate mousse. The spice was subtle at first, but started to sneak up on me. I thought it was the perfect complement to an incredible meal. The best part is that their menu is a work in progress. They have only been open for two weeks and I'm hearing rumors about chef specials, such as a Daiya Cheddar Chipotle Quesadilla. And maybe tepache and horchata in the future. Be sure you're in the loop by following them on facebook. See you on Union Street!

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