Tampa Named A Best City For Food Trucks In America
The popularity of Food Trucks across American has increased significantly over the past five years. In fact, IBISWorld reported the industry has grown 7.9%. Best Food Trucks recently highlighted the best cities in the country for food trucks in 2023, and Tampa made the list.
Whether there are local festivals, dedicated parks, or private parties in your region, food trucks of all flavors have been a huge success among those looking to grab a quick and tasty meal. Furthermore, in Food and Wine’s similar feature, they point out that “many trucks offer full meals for under $15.”
The Food Network even has a dedicated show to just Food Trucks. Now in season 16, The Great Food Truck Race showcases nine trucks across the country. The program proves how each truck cooks up a cuisine that is near and dear to them, and emphasizes one of the many things Americans have grown to love about the food truck option. Each of them is different and can offer a menu that is concise, but specific to an ethnicity, style or dessert.
Best Food Truck’s feature highlights the top ten cities across the country that have a great and plentiful food truck scene. They were then ranked in descending order. Here is what you need to know about Tampa food trucks being among the best scenes in America.
Tampa Ranked #3
“A tropical fusion of flavors, parks, and crafty collaborations,” is how Best Food Trucks describes the Tampa scene. Almost every cuisine option imaginable can be found on wheels throughout the Tampa area. From a bacon truck to chicken wing truck, there is literally something for everyone. Tampa is also the home to a fire truck that was converted into a rolling pizza establishment.
The community in Tampa is another reason why it ranks among the best for food trucks in America. There are organizations like the Tampa Food Truck Rally that serve as a curator. In addition to aligning you to some of their establishments, they offer consulting services and seminars on how to start a food truck yourself.
You Should Probably Skip These Foods At A Breakfast Buffet
Eggs
Many establishments opt for powdered eggs instead of fresh ones, as it’s a cost-effective way to prepare large quantities of scrambled eggs to cater to numerous guests at once. However, powdered eggs cannot compare to the taste, texture, and color of their fresh counterparts. Another concern lies in the fact that these eggs are pre-cooked, which means they might sit at unsafe temperatures for extended periods.
According to the FDA, serving eggs immediately after cooking is crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses. Unfortunately, in a buffet setting, it’s challenging to determine how long the eggs have been sitting out.
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Fruit
Unless you witnessed the fruit being freshly prepared in the kitchen, it’s nearly impossible to gauge how long that eye-catching fruit display has been sitting there. According to the FDA, when fruits are cut, their protective skins are breached, leaving the flesh vulnerable to the surrounding environment and any potential bacteria. This creates two primary reasons that heighten the risk of contamination. Firstly, cutting the fruit makes its water content and nutrients readily available to microorganisms. Secondly, without any heating process, disease-causing germs aren’t eliminated, further contributing to the potential hazards of consuming cut fruits from a buffet display.
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Waffles
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There’s a joy of pouring your own batter into a Belgian waffle maker, flipping it eagerly, and waiting for that gratifying green light before embellishing it with toppings. However, it’s best to exercise caution and avoid the waffle station. As per TikToker Brandi Augustus, a former hotel employee, the waffle batter served there is often old and sour. Instead of disposing of the old batter, new batter is mixed with it. It’s worth noting that not all places offering breakfast buffets adhere to this practice, but it’s wise to stay informed and make a decision based on the circumstances.
