Food Truck'n with Mr. Apron: Roxy's Grilled Cheese

So many of you are probably wondering why I have suddenly made my debut on the Pink Apron Baker blog. While I would like to think it’s because she recognized that the internet was missing a rare voice and a subtle wit unfortunately it’s probably more that she was sick of me telling her about my gastro adventures during my lunch breaks.

One recurring adventure that was the real inspiration of my guest blogs was my constant exploration of Boston’s food truck scene. Food trucks are relatively new to Boston but have been are one of the newest culinary experiences that has been picking up steam in cities across the country. In fact the Food Network just completed their second season of the Great Food Truck Race which pits food trucks from across the country against each other as they compete to win a grand prize.

Boston has just recently embraced the food truck movement by setting up sites for trucks to serve their fare from morning til night. After a lot of local fanfare I was able to experience my first food truck food at SOWA, a large market that sets up in Boston every Sunday. Once I had my first taste of food truck food I was officially hooked and now am trying to convert anyone who will listen to the wonders of food truck eating.

In the name of “research” I recently went to visit one of my favorite local trucks and arguably one of the most famous local eateries due to their awesome showing in the above mentioned Great Food Truck Race- Roxy’s Grilled Cheese. Most think of grilled cheese as the lazy person’s lunch but I would argue that Roxy’s sees the sandwich as a delicacy. They use great ingredients like Vermont cheddar cheese, homemade guacamole (I know- on grilled cheese! but it works), and even braised short ribs!

On this particular trip I chose to get the Chorizo Mac & Cheese with a side of poutine. This is a complete meal (don’t try to convince your spouse that you ate a small lunch and can’t wait for dinner because they will see right through you, or not because your stomach will have a noticeable bulge).

This sandwich is actually macaroni and cheese tucked between two perfectly griddled, crisp, pieces of bread. From what I’ve read/heard Roxy’s actually uses mayonnaise on their bread instead of butter to get their bread perfectly brown and crispy, not to mention tasty. Mixed in the mac and cheese are large chunks of chorizo which is a pork sausage with a good kick to it. It’s grilled cheese like this that makes you wonder why you spent years throwing two pieces of wonder bread in a pan.

For a side I ordered the poutine. Poutine is a dish that is popular in French Canada and in my opinion needs to be more of a staple in the American menu. It is French fries covered in gravy and cheese curds. Roxy uses sausage gravy which is a good choice in my opinion. These were so good I would eat them alone as a meal. Combined with a grilled cheese from Roxy’s and you will be in food heaven.

Roxy’s Grilled Cheese is a good example of how food trucks have become more than the silver trucks you used to see at construction sites. If you find yourself near a food truck with an appetite don’t pass by and continue your search for chain restaurant fast food. If you do you’ll just be missing out on some of the best food you can get in the city. Who knows, maybe I’ll already be there researching my next post on the Pink Apron Baker blog.