Friday, August 1, 2014

The Spot Food Truck in Des Moines, Iowa


There have been taco trucks in Des Moines for a long time, and you can see my progress towards eating them all HERE. But where are the other food trucks? The Spot has stepped into this vacuum in 2013, and this summer they are joined by Magnolia Kitchen. Last year I visited a truck originally from Dewitt in Eastern Iowa, Chuckies Tenderloins, which drives all over the western half of the USA selling tenderloins. Recently The Spot started putting a tenderloin into their rotation of specials and I had to track them down. 

Location: I think they are at a different location for five days out of each week this summer.

Directions: You have to visit their website to see where they are at.

Online at: Website is HERE.

The Tenderloin: The loin meat only felt like six ounces and was in a long triangle shape. The meat retained a huge amount of juiciness. Bits and pieces of seasoning were clearly visible in the breading and strong taste. This was a sandwich that insisted upon itself, it really did not need the final layer of salt on top of the tenderloin. Served on a roll with romaine lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard, ketchup, and mayonnaise. Overall 7.9 out of ten.

Price: $6.50

Asparagus side.
Also on the menu: The menu changes but they usually have an Al Pastor burger and sides like pasta salad or macaroni and cheese.

The Completo: This is their Latin American hot dog. The Spot is supposedly the first food truck that isn't serving tacos or pupusas but some of the taco trucks serve hot dogs.

The Completo
Service: You order at a window and they try to get your attention when the food is ready.

Ambiance: Its parked in parking lots in anonymous office blocks or near bars downtown.

Final Thoughts: Des Moines might be a little late to the Food Truck trend. I think the regulations force the food trucks to have an agreement with a business or land owner and access to a restroom. It seems clear that both the trendy food trucks and the taco trucks have to shut down or fly south for the winter. That makes getting out and finding them when the weather is warm so important.

1 comment:

  1. The menu said [1/3 lb. tenderloin] - so 6 oz. is what they advertised. many of us prefer a 1/3 lb serving of meat. The Spot serves delicious made to order food and the portions are reasonable. :-)

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