Bon Me Food Truck

The food truck movement has been gaining momentum in Boston, much to the delight of residents and tourists seeking an alternative to the fuss of restaurant dining. They are quick, inexpensive, and have long been a culture embraced in New York City, Philadelphia and Portland, Oregon. I think it is pretty cool that Boston proudly joins the ranks, forgoing a previous reputation of hostility towards the locally focused meals on wheels.
Call it a trend, call it innovation, call it evolution; food trucks delight the masses and take pride in serving cuisine that satisfies the most discerning of critics.Too often I crave the experience of a sit-down restaurant, but this Friday I simply wasn't in the mood to linger. I had lots of errands to run, I was feeling productive, I was in pretty much the opposite of relaxation mode and that feeling needed to be embraced. Enter the Government Center Food Trucks, specifically the Bon Me Truck serving Vietnamese cuisine. Their name is a play on the specialty Banh Mi sandwich which is exactly what I decided to order. A Bon Me Banh Mi ($6) fuses Vietnamese staples including your choice of grilled meat with pickled carrots, pickled daikon, cucumbers, red onion and cilantro with French influences of mayo and pate, both house made, and puts it all on a classic French baguette. I chose the BBQ pork for my filling. The carved roast pork is sweet and perfectly grilled complimented by the pickled vegetable and herb components. An almost foot long baguette was much crispier (and larger) than I expected! The freshness of the bread is evidenced by a soft inside that strikes a harmonious balance with the brittle crunch of the exterior. This Vietnamese (infused with French) sandwich proves to be an awesome six dollar lunch option. I washed the Bahn Mi down with what looks like your typical unassuming cup of lemonade. Lemonade indeed it is, but a Spicy Ginger Lemonade ($2.50) to be precise. If you enjoy the kick of fresh ginger (think: one that is provided by well made Dark & Stormy cocktail) then this lemonade is for you. Bon Me does not hold back on the ginger component. Bon Me is located at City Hall Plaza (Government Center) serving food Monday through Friday from 11:30 am - 3 pm, April through October, along with Clover and Momogoose. These three food trucks whose missions all support a healthy lifestyle were given the opportunity grace Government Center with their presence after winning a competition initiated by Mayor Thomas Menino. I think we can all appreciate the fact that our mayor is an advocate for food trucks in Boston; he believes in offering small businesses the opportunity to prosper while simultaneously enriching public spaces. 

How boring was this random brick patch of pavement bordering the steps at Government Center? Now it is a bright, bustling sectioned off place to eat lunch overlooking Cambridge Street and Quincy Market. Brilliant. I am impressed on all Food Truck fronts - with our cities decision to support the growing culture, the dedication of the purveyors following dreams and sticking to a mission; and overall with the quality and value of the food I've tasted so far. What a huge win for Boston.