HuMmmus

I had my doubts about a Tangerine Happy Hour (just started on Wednesdays last week) but I was doubtless by the end of the evening. $3 beers, $5 wines and cocktails, and $3 hummus and flatbreads. We chose the hummus: classic, olive, and tomato (yes–three kinds for $3!). It was out-of-this-world hummus. The classic was, by far, the most tasty and authentic. You could taste each ingredient down to the dash of paprika on top. The olive oil was quality. It was mmm mmm good.

I also enjoyed the tomato hummus, although it wasn’t quite as traditional. Little bits of tomato throughout gave it a slightly sweet flavor. The olive hummus was good, but not as good as the prior two. Generous amounts of kalamata olive bits made it a bit too olive-y but since I am an olive lover, I was fine.

I am not one who raves about “portion size.” I actually will berate someone who raves about portion size. I think that this is the least important aspect of a meal. But this was amazing, incredible, never ending hummus and pita. This portion size was almost magical. After inhaling the hummus for a half hour, we hadn’t even made a dent. Those bowls were deceivingly deep.

And after filling up on hummus and a few Walt Wits each, our total bill was around $20. Hey, Tangerine? This concept might be your savior for an otherwise empty establishment these days.

The Green Truck

There is a new phenomenon in North Philadelphia: The Green Truck, a lunch truck that serves organic, local, inexpensive, and delicious fast food. I recently went for lunch with some coworkers and was so pleasantly surprised with the service, quality, and price of the food that comes out of this truck parked out side of the student center at 13th and Montgomery Aves.

The concept originated between a veteran truck owner whose business was stalling and a Fox business student, and since they teamed up, business has been booming for The Green Truck.

The menu is extensive and affordable. For lunch, you can get a combo meal for $4.50 that includes a pita sandwich, side of sweet potato fries, and an iced green tea. I got the hummus pita and I really felt like I was eating herbs and veggies from my own back yard. It was bursting with flavor–a little messy, but only with balsamic vinegar, not oil–and the combinations of sweet, savory, and salty, went perfectly together.

I thought that the sweet potato fries were just a tad bit soggy, but I really enjoyed the break in monatony from the typical greasy side of fries (usually in a styrofoam container) that comes with most lunch combos at other trucks.

The iced green tea was refreshing and not too bitter. I’m pretty sure they added just a touch of sweetener to it, which I don’t usually like in my tea, but it was so small that it was barely noticeable.

Click here to read more about The Green Truck and how it is eliminating the carbon footprints that come from North Philadelphia.