SouperVan

“Farrah, have you ever been to the SouperVan?”

“Huh? The Superman? Is that an event or something? (No, I have not.)”

Rutgers is known for being home to the grease trucks, which have apparently been featured on everything from Good Morning America to Maxim magazine. You can order fat sandwiches, which are basically piled with things that will make you fat. For instance, a “Fat Nini” ($6) comes loaded with a cheesesteak, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, french fries, and honey mustard sauce. I think sometime before I move out of here, I need to try one of these, or it’d kinda be like going to New York and never seeing the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, or a show on Broadway.

Wait. I’ve been there three times so far and I still haven’t seen any of those. Oops.

But y’see, as long as the SouperVan exists, I might never make my way across the street to try the grease trucks. Why is this?

Because the SouperVan is the anti-grease truck. It supports a great cause, and aims to increase the awareness of domestic hunger. The food they serve is healthy (both in ingredients and portion sizes), affordable, and freaking delicious. They try to use seasonal, locally grown produce, and the containers and eating utensils they use are biodegradable. For every meal that you buy from them, they donate a meal to the local soup kitchen (Elijah’s Promise).You’re feeding yourself healthy food, supporting the local community and feeding the hungry, all in one meal. Does it get any better than that?

I learned of their existence on Wednesday, so I went there to get a celebratory dinner. I don’t think I mentioned my pact to not spend any money on outside food until I’ve finished my Costco warehouse of a room, but…I broke it on Wednesday because…well, it was my celebratory meal.

I’ve kinda been back there every single day since then. The food is amazing, and the people working there are super friendly/awesome, and extremely receptive to customer feedback. They’re doing a pilot-test of their menu right now, but I think it changes every week. I’m on a self-made mission to try everything on their menu, so that makes it a little hard, but it is a-okay!

This is what I’ve had so far…

Fiji BBQ Double Fold
whole wheat tortilla with smoked gouda, caramelized onions, organic agave mustard, royal purple apple slaw with a choice of chicken or organic smoked tempeh

Hungry Bunny
whole wheat pita w/ zaatar hummus, carrots, peppers, cucumbers, crisp greens, organic kale in a tahini dressing

Acapulco Press Double Fold
whole wheat tortilla, queso oaxaca, peppers, pico de gallo with choice of chicken or smoked tempeh

Miso Hungry
organic tofu with carrots, cucumbers, alfalfa, red peppers, basil in an organic peanut satay sauce

Cannoli
Only a dollar! They’re going to start making their own filling soon, and there are plans to infuse fresh raspberry puree into the mix!

Scarlet Bite
Toasted whole wheat roll with shredded basil Romaine blend, balsamic reduction, and choice of chicken or organic tempeh, served on a toasted whole wheat roll with plum tomato bruschetta.

Fresh Herbs Egg White Frittata
Served on a whole wheat roll. Egg whites with red peppers, onions, fresh herbs & Monterey Jack cheese.

Pumpkin Turkey Chili
tomato & pumpkin puree based chili with ground turkey, onions, garlic, spices, black beans & corn kernels served with cornbread and choice of sour cream, cilantro and shredded cheese

Apple Nachos
sliced fresh apples with caramel syrup & chocolate sauce, topped with semi-sweet chocolate chips, flaked coconut and chopped walnuts

Watermelon or Strawberry Agua Fresca
watermelon or strawberry puree, lemon, sugar, super refreshing!

So. Effing. Good.

As such, I was totally talking the place up to everyone in my class today (we do this to everyone who walks by while we’re there too). I convinced one of the guys to come with me (score!). He apparently lives down the street from me, so I guess I have a walking-home buddy now, kindasorta.

They have a sandwich/soup/drink combo for $10, so I got that (so I could try more! :O ) along with apple nachos, which, in all honesty, I could probably make at home, but don’t have the patience to. Dominic gave me the larger size of the pumpkin chili on the house, and later realized that he forgot to put the new sauce they were trying out onto the sandwich I got, so he gave me my money back and told me to just let him know what I thought of the food on facebook. I got the “Miso Hungry” sandwich, a giant bowl of pumpkin turkey chili with cornbread, a 10 oz. strawberry agua fresca and a giant container of apple nachos for $8. o_o

Needless to say, the place grew even more awesome in my eyes (didn’t even know that was possible). If I were not against professing my love to guys I barely knew, I probably would’ve done it. :O

If you are ever in the New Brunswick area, this is where I’d suggest you go. Awesome food, amazing people, and an even more admirable concept. <3 They’re also switching it up from 8-in. tortillas to 10-in. tortillas next week! ;)