trailer food diaries
Bouldin Creek Food Park: From fried treats to healthy dessert, one park lets youtaste four cultures
Whether it’s Sam’s big blue Soco To Go, Lawrence’s Wasota, Wendy’s Little Thai Food or Kat’s Kat’s Ice Cream, the trailers of the Bouldin Creek Food Court are sure to catch your eye as you drive through South Austin. Located at 1209 South 1st Street, the park lets try cuisine from four different cultures: African, Southern Comfort, Thai and well, ice cream (a dessert that arguably attracts its own culture of fans).
For the most part, I encounter trailers whose ultimate goal is to set up a brick and mortar establishment. But at least two of the Bouldin Creek Food Court trailers have the opposite story.
Wendy, originally from Thailand, has been in Austin cooking Thai food since 1988. She's worked with local favorites Thai Passion and Thai Kitchen, and even opened her own CK Thai Cuisine on Bouldin at one point in her career. She closed the restaurant and opened the Little Thai Food trailer because she wanted to continue to cook without the overhead. “It won’t make me rich,” she acknowledges with a knowing smile, “but it keeps me going.”
Similarly, Lawrence Eguakun previously owned World Beat Café on Martin Luther King Boulevard, close to Nueces and Guadalupe. Forced to close the restaurant after his diagnosis of cancer, he is now in remission and back in his kitchen: the Wasota trailer. “Wasota” means prosperity forever, and in just their third week of business they are already seeing prosperity in old friendships which are resurfacing. Previous customers have followed Lawrence to the food park to get a taste of his fine cooking.
For some Southern Comfort cuisine, you have to stop by the Soco To Go trailer. Sam definitely has healthier options for those on a diet, but my favorites from her menu are all fried. Well, everything except the jalapeno mac n cheese—but I’m sure she could fry it up for me if I asked real sweet. Meanwhile, check out her fried chicken, fried pickles or fried okra. For those who know me, my fried chicken recommendations don’t come lightly. And good news: if you don’t have time to stop by the trailer park, she delivers for free (you can order online or call her at: 512-970-8646).
For dessert, don’t let the “V” word scare you—these homemade vegan ice creams from Kat's are to die for. I tried the lavender and the rose water. Ok, I also tried the butter pecan and the coconut. (Don’t judge; I was on assignment). Because they have no dairy in them, they are very light and I think they must even be healthy. Healthy dessert? Yes please.
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