3 minute read
The Hunt For Local Food Trucks
Written by: Alyse Messmer. Photographed by: Kelsie Stevens and Illustrated by: Joseph Smallwood
Advertisement
The usual run for In-N-Out or Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers are not unfamiliar to hungry college students. Most students look for the crossed palm trees instead of looking for local flavors that might add some flare to their constant cravings.
Food trucks, made popular by Los Angeles locals, have gained popularity in the Inland Empire. For college students, food trucks can offer more affordable and delicious snacks than other traditional restaurants.
Alyssa Oshita, California Baptist University sophomore software engineering major, enjoys going to food trucks for more than the food they offer.
“I love going to food trucks to support local businesses and try the great foods that they have,” Oshita says.
While food trucks offer a more personal and local business atmosphere for visitors, they also offer great food.
Timothy Klepzig, sophomore engineering major, says he enjoys food trucks because of how affordable and diverse they can be.
“Food trucks add to the culture of a neighborhood. They’re cheap, convenient, and definitely worth the lines,” Klepzig says.
Food trucks in the Inland Empire offer great food at an affordable price, including sushi, tacos or even churros.
For the Sushi Lover:
Cali’s Sushi & Seafood offers CBU students and Riverside residents sushi rolls and seafood plates only 15 minutes from campus. Serving shrimp, crab, scallops and other favorites, the truck offers every type of seafood lover something to try. The truck also caters and offers deals on sushi platters.
Andrea Quinonez, CEO of Cali’s Sushi and Seafood Truck, says they try to bring multiple cultures to their business for their customers.
“We try to connect and bring a mix of Mexican culture with Japanese sushi. We created a mix of both culture with hints of taco flavors from the streets,” Quinonez says.
Cali’s Sushi & Seafood is located at 18683 Jurupa Ave. in Bloomington and is open Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. — 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. — 10 p.m.
For the taco fanatic:
Located only 13 minutes from campus, El Tocayo Birrieria offers tacos, burritos, tortas, quesatacos and everything in between. The well-known truck often has customers waiting before the truck has even pulled into the parking lot. On Taco Tuesdays, customers can get four tacos for $5, and on Wednesdays burritos are only $6. The truck caters and offers other weekly deals as well.
El Tocayo Birrieria food truck has two locations in Riverside, at the corner of Bain Street and Jurupa Avenue. and the other at 5691 Mission Blvd. The trucks are open seven days a week at each location, from 11 a.m. — 10 p.m.
For the Churro and Snack Enthusiast:
The Culinary Chameleon offers churros, breakfast burritos, cookies, tacos and their famous Chameleon Fries, on the University of California Riverside’s campus — only 13 minutes from CBU.
The truck gives students the opportunity to take a study break and enjoy a tasty snack, such as churros for 99 cents and Chameleon Fries topped with refried beans, cheese sauce, salsa, sour cream drizzle and jalapenos.
Culinary Chameleon food truck has two locations on the UCR campus throughout the week — Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the Sproul Hall patio at 900 University Avenue, and Tuesday and Thursday in the Physics Courtyard. The truck is open from 9 a.m. — 3 p.m.
The Inland Empire offers many opportunities for great food; food trucks and local vendors give customers a break from the normal drive thru tacos and burgers, adding local flavor to one’s typical dining experience.
