On certain Friday Nights, right around dinner time, the anticipation in the air is palpable as the town of Swarthmore, mainly referred to as “the Ville,” gears up for its lively “food truck-a-thon.” The city closes parts of the streets as an array of food trucks will set up around the main square in the Ville. The streets become a hub for a community of locals and Swatties, alongside delicious meals.
Immediately upon arrival, you are greeted by the scents of freshly made food mixed with the buzz of chatter and the gentle warmth radiating from the trucks. Frequently, live music plays in the background. Before viewing any of the food options, my friends and I make a beeline to our favorite truck: the corn truck. Not only are the products that they sell delicious, but the staff are also friendly and welcoming. This particular truck sells corn alongside our favorite item–a large container of lemonade, each container adorned with a slice of lemon. Although I have never tried their corn, it always smells fantastic. The lemonade is reasonably priced, especially for the size and quality of the drink. We wait in line, no matter how long it looks. Only once we have purchased our lemonade do we walk around and view all the food trucks and their menus before picking a spot to order.
Most times, we have selected the incredible taco truck. This spring, the taco truck we went to the past two times wasn’t there, so we tried venturing to a different station. This other truck also had many tacos, and their featured ones were birria tacos. It smelled fantastic. My roommate and I stood in line and chatted as we slowly approached the front. Certain stations may have longer lines because the items are in high demand, but the food is worth the wait as it was for this truck.
Other popular stations include a creative “ball station” consisting of fried balls stuffed with mac and cheese, veggies, or even cheesesteak ingredients. The barbeque truck is always a crowd favorite. And there are dessert trucks offering sweet treats. This year, I tried some spring rolls, which were delightful. The majority of the vendors are local, many of them from the city, which fosters a strong sense of community at the event.
Once we have our food, we look for a spot to sit down. The square is always lively and crowded. Children dart around, climbing on the different structures, families are lounging on picnic blankets, and friends gather around the benches. Usually, we are able to find a small patch of grass or a table at the Swarthmore CO-OP. Purple, pink, orange, and yellow hues light up the sky as we enjoy our meal. Our eyes switch between the sunset overhead and the exciting assortment of people and interactions surrounding us.
Each food truck-a-thon celebrates the people, good food, and atmosphere of our location. We eagerly await this event as soon as posters are placed around campus and the town. If you find yourself in Swarthmore during one of these special nights, stick around and enjoy yourself.
