Just a reminder, eaters, that while we all love Civic Center Eats, there’s a new girl in town! Tiri’s Garden at 15th and California is home to a new food pod serving up some fine fare Wednesday and Thursdays. And the best part?! There’s some new blood in the water! Is that really a metaphor I want to use? Who knows! Regardless, my new favorite, El Caribe, will be there serving up arepas (you know you want one!), and the Crock Spot will be there ladling up some slow-cooked goodness. These two vendors are a shining light for me, providing a healthier alternative to the comfort food showcase that is Civic Center Eats (don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for the fried mac n cheese balls. Deluxe, you’re an evil genius). In fact, the Crock Spot just got written up in 5280 as a “healthy take on street food.” And how! From 5280:
Stephen Daniels and Mandy Birks slow-cook meats (pork, chicken, and beef) before serving them over grain varietals, such as couscous, pearl barley, or brown rice.
The finishing touch comes from a drizzle of chimichurri, chipotle-sour cream, spicy garden gravy, or roasted-pepper tzatziki. The bowls are hearty and flavorful—and curried lentils can be subbed out for any of the meats.
I know what I’m having for lunch tomorrow!
But How Much Longer?
I took a few minutes at Civic Center Eats on Tuesday to talk to Jasmine at Sugar Lips (while buying two dozen donuts, as you should be doing, too). She’ll be at Tiri’s on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and thinks you should be too. But more importantly, she said that from her understanding, the new food pod at 15th and California will stay open through October, and with any luck, into November. They’ll try to stay there as long as there’s interest, and we keep coming. You know what you need to do. Go forth and EAT!
Also? The Porker.
I can’t let this post go without a nod to The Porker for again blowing my mind with their daily veg special. Seriously, it’s no surprise that Chad Clevenger (another evil genius) is a finalist for 5280’s Street Food Chef of the year. Tuesday’s no-oink special was a black truffel, mushroom tamale topped with some crazy tomatillo salsa. Chad, you’re amazing, and I am so glad you’re at Civic Center Eats. The Porker can be found Tuesdays at Civic Center Eats, Wednesdays at the Tiri’s Garden pod at 15th and Cali, and the rest of the week at their normal spot at 17th and California. You must find them.