The city of Medellin has always had street vendors selling cell phone minutes, candy, ice cream, fruits, juices and chips. They sell from carts (carretas) of various shapes and sizes and are located throughout the city at street corners, near businesses and parks. Street food is referred to as “gastronomía callejera”.

Since 2014, many food vendors have upgraded to food trucks. Of course, food trucks have been popular in United States for quite some time. However, in Medellin the number of food trucks is a growing phenomenon and every year more and more food trucks take to the streets. Food trucks and carts are parked side by side selling hamburgers (hamburguesas), hotdogs (perros calientes), chicken (pollo), sausages (salchichas), ribs (costillas), pizzas, BBQ, gluten-free and vegetarian food as well as international foods.

Kathy and I are fortunate to be living within a few blocks of “ground-zero” where the food trucks line up along a street in Medellin. Every Friday and Saturday night, food trucks and carts park next to the Ciudad del Rio Park behind our apartment. Many of the food trucks provide their own tables and chairs so that customers can enjoy their food right there.

During our first visit to the food trucks, we ordered a pizza from Lotta’s. It looks like a “Tiny House”. We ordered our pizza and then sat back and watched the cook knead and toss the dough to create a perfect crust. Ten minutes later, we were enjoying our margarita pizza. It was better than the restaurants in our neighborhood.

Some of the food trucks and carts are unique. One of my favorites is the front end of a 1966 Mercury Comet (similar to the Ford Fairlane). When the engine hood is raised, the grill is exposed. I have yet to try a hamburger cooked on an engine because I’m afraid it may be a little greasy.

Another of my favorite carts is the one with two grills welded to bicycles.   The chef cooks chicken, beef and sausages on the grills.

Families from all around the neighborhood walk along the street to see what food is available, place their order and then sit in the park to enjoy their food. The park has seating areas for families and friends to gather, a climbing wall, and a small skateboard bowl.

Food truck service is available until 10 pm. Next month we plan to attend “The Great Street Battle Food Fest”. It will be a battle between 29 food trucks and 35 carts for the title of best street food.

We are looking forward to the battle and plan on being right in the middle of it.