OT: Food Trucks, the Latest Power Move by VT Dining

Forums: 
DISCLAIMER: Forum topics may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.

Comments

Virginia Tech Dining, as always, is at the top of its game. In the Fall of 2016, two food trucks will be unveiled in addition to the six dining centers on campus. These trucks will drive around campus and make many stops on campus throughout the day

Wet stuff on the red stuff.

Join us in the Key Players Club

all of the jealousy

I wish there were more food trucks where I live. We have one come to the parking lot at work every Wednesday and it's awesome.

Also, whoever is in charge of VT Dining is the best in the industry at their job.

He's a classically trained chef and apparently a really good dude.

Hokies United l Ut Prosim

I'd wager that you live below the mason-dixon line.

I lived in the south for a few years, where food trucks are a respected entity that you can generally trust to not give you food poisoning.

Up here, in the great white north, we refer to food trucks as the 'Roach Coach.' It is never recommended that you eat the crap they serve, and if you must.. be sure to have a comfortable stall reserved for that onslaught of terror within your digestive track, that occurs within an hour after ingest.

Another word of wisdom to all you baseball fans out there. Never, ever eat the Fenway Franks!

You'd lose your wager - State College, PA

I had three great hot dogs at Fenway back in '82. Goulden's mustard, really big beers to go with them. One of the best days I've ever spent in a ballpark. No repercussions from the dogs, but the guy whose wife kept buying me beers was getting a little chafed by the late innings. She just loved my Virginia accent.

Reel men fish on Wednesdays

When I was in Indianapolis (fantastic city to visit btw) last summer for the Stones show, they had a massive food truck gathering in the lots around LucasOil. Had delicious stuff from a bunch of trucks and had no problems other than being too full. I realize Indiana is hardly the northeast, but it certainly ain't the south.

There are both now. We have the typical roach coach that comes to my plant, whereas my wife's job has the food trucks that are usually run by enterprising restauranteers and serve up some great stuff. Hell there is a pizza joint with a damn wood fired oven in the truck. The newer food trucks make the food on the truck, the roach coach is serving stuff that has been made and is kept warm until you get it

Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

There are food trucks that have Big Green Eggs inside for all of their cooking. Food trucks are getting huge as the cost of having an actual restaurant rises. They can basically always have business by moving to different areas at different times, never relying on peak times at their restaurant on peak days.

Cleveland of all places have 1 or 2 excellent food trucks. I believe Dim and Dem Sum won first or second on that food truck competition on food network.

The owner of Hodges ran a food truck for years. A friend had him cater his wedding; he used to work at Progressive where one of the stops was.

Dunno where you live, but the food truck scene is hopping in the PNW. They're absolutely mad for them in Portland, and my favorite "restaurant" in town is the "Wok and Roll" truck that parks near my building. Cheesy name, awesome food.

Best duos in Hokie history: Hall & Adibi, 3rd & Tyrod, Georgia & Liz

New Yorkers eat at roach coaches all the time. We tell the stories of food poisoning to the tourists so we don't have to stand in line with them and the regular lunch crowd. I'm now living in Atlanta and I miss the roach coaches. I would love some chicken and rice with hot sauce and some mystery white sauce for lunch. Instead all we have near my work is crappy fast food chains. You want to talk about food poisoning!

Up here, in the great white north, we refer to food trucks as the 'Roach Coach.'

Roach Coach, Vomit Comet, Upchuck Wagon. Lots of good names for them, although in recent years, it seems the quality of mobile food service has increased drastically, making the fun names somewhat obsolete.

“You got one guy going boom, one guy going whack, and one guy not getting in the endzone.”
― John Madden (describing VT's offense?)

Walking around the streets near the financial district or the seaport (nice parts of my city), the food trucks have awesome food and great variety. Super high quality and pretty damn expensive.

When i think food trucks though, I still think of the shoddy old trucks that'd show up to the plants/factories I grew up working in, where full meals where fast food prices. Those are the deadly ones, especially if you try and eat that in the early half of a long shift.

The only way I see this going while class is in session...

via GIPHY

"Welcome to the Terror Dome." -- Corey Moore

This makes me so jealous. All I had was the Dietrick Dash. The best we could do were the burgers at The Hokie Grill.

My only consolation is imagining how hungry students will feel when they have to speed walk past a food truck emitting glorious scents while trying desperately to get to their next class that is on the other side of campus.

Nope. I'm not bitter at all.

"Nope, launch him into the sun and fart on him on the way up"
-gobble gobble chumps

"11-0, bro"
-Hunter Carpenter (probably)

Back in the old days, the jello at Owens was black. Not purple, not blue, but black. You could cut it in thin slices and it was gray. I still cringe at some of the things I saw in Owens. Obviously things have changed drastically since the early 80s.

Take the shortest route to the ball and arrive in bad humor.

I used to make a mean Philly Cheesesteak at Owens.

Now finish up them taters; I'm gonna go fondle my sweaters.

Philly City was my favorite spot there.

@vtscottyb

Philly City + Late night D-express = my freshman 15+

Thanks for the memories

🦃 🦃 🦃

Your damn right you did! To this day those dang cheesesteaks rank up with the best I have ever had in South Philly

Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

I ate at Owens in the mid-70's, and primarily subsisted on egg salad sandwiches made from mixing mayo with the crumbled up hard boiled eggs from the 3-foot long 'salad bar'. Venturing too far from sandwiches or the occasional burger (plucked from the vat of viscous, oil-slicked water) invariably resulted in, ummm, explosive consequences.

The "freshman 20"? I actually lost 20 lbs. my freshman year.

Perhaps you were eating a protein bar?

One of many, many things about that movie that made no sense to me. Here is a culture that had resorted to cannibalism , and we're supposed to share their moral outage that the protein supplement they're provided is insect-derived. When the are numerous modern cultures that eat insects by choice, when given other options.

"I liked you guys a lot better when everybody told you you were terrible." -Justin Fuente

The movie was pretty awful, but that ax fight was pretty awesome

I love Snowpiercer. It's a really fun movie. But you absolutely have to interpret everything allegorically because the suspension of disbelief required is monumental.

"I liked you guys a lot better when everybody told you you were terrible." -Justin Fuente

That must be what I was missing because there were times I felt like I was looking through the tv.

I'll bet Blacksburg's restaurants are loving this.

Reel men fish on Wednesdays

If they are smart they would have a food truck already and seeing if they can get a piece of the action.

"Welcome to the Terror Dome." -- Corey Moore

Can't see VT letting them on campus, though, can you?

Reel men fish on Wednesdays

Probably not but driving around the many many apartment villages may help

"Welcome to the Terror Dome." -- Corey Moore

Don't imagine they'd be able to stop them, would they?

Hokies United l Ut Prosim

Yes they absolutely could. Without a proper permit no one can set up shop on tech's campus and that includes parking lots.

Warning: this post occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)..

Oh, duh permits I'm an idiot...carry on.

Hokies United l Ut Prosim

Cellar has one. There are a couple other that make their way around but you never see them on campus because it's on campus and they don't come downtown because....well, downtown.

Outside businesses are not allowed to have food trucks on campus. Dining Services is the only entity with those rights. Found that out when I proposed the addition of a food truck to dining services a few years ago for a technical writing project.

One business idea I had would be to run a taco truck and park it right across the street from JJs Thursday-Saturday and get all the people leaving Tots at last call

they better make sure these trucks have a regular stop next to the Merryman when recruits are coming through.

Warning: this post occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)..

Food trucks at Tech?!?

@VTimHokie85

Food trucks so hot right now

"That kid you're talking to right there, I think he played his nuts off! And you can quote me on that shit!" -Bud Foster

Pretty sure I read that Blacksburg is very restrictive with the food trucks in town. Very specific locations they can and can't park and serve. Otherwise, what a great business opportunity to go around to the various student apartment complexes!

I think I read somewhere that food trucks weren't even allowed in Blacksburg until very recently. That's when VT dining started dreaming up this idea.

There's a Thai food truck that sets up shop near the North Main Food Kitty on Tuesdays now.

Every second counts

wtf? banh mi at VT? holy crap...VT is definitely elevating their food game..

p.s.--it's Vietnamese-style sandwiches; for NoVA folks, Eden Center in Falls Church has great ones recognized by GQ magazine

p.p.s.--looks like VT Dining is gonna re-take the #1 spot again in next year's Princeton Review

They help keep off the freshman 15 by swapping the pork belly for chicken, it still looks and sounds incredible.

Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

yeah, i noticed that...i'm assuming they're still cooked the same way?

HE said pork belly.

Even when you get skunked; fishing never lets you down. 🎣

This would have probably saved me a pair or two of shoes if they would have parked these things anywhere near Randolf. So many trips across the drill field to keep from eating at Shultz. I don't know how those cadets survived it.

Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

Some of us were scarred for life.

Reel men fish on Wednesdays

By the end of my freshman year in Thomas I was violently defensive when it came to people ragging on Schultz. In retrospect, it could have been some variant of Stockholm Syndrome.

Warning: this post occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)..

I last ate in Schultz in December of 1969. I am certain things had improved by the time you were on campus. I'd be willing to bet that these days, they throw away better food in the worst dining option at all available on campus than we had access to in those dark, dreary days.

Reel men fish on Wednesdays

Speak for yourself!

Schultz was love, Schultz was life.

Nowhere on campus today has as good breakfast as they did. The Blue Plate at Fire Grill is a pale imitation, I should know I served them.

All the breakfast food you could fit into a container for 5 bucks, plus a drink, whats not to love!

Or easy to get lunch sandwichs, and the bar, and it was rarely anyone but cadets, so yeah it might have been crowded as fuck at 0750 but it was like Fire Grill toda, as much about that social gathering as the food.

Plus Band Company always had our Company meals on the London Broil days, though there was never anywhere near enough steak sauce.

Steak sauce!

Come on

Wet stuff on the red stuff.

Join us in the Key Players Club

Philly City, Cinnabon, and the Pizza Hut Pizzone are why I went from looking like Gumby to Stay Puft my years on campus

"When I was growing up, Virginia Tech was a school that was kicking ass and taking names, and it's time we get back to that" - James Franklin

Chickfila every Monday for me

“I like the donuts.” -Bud Foster

2 Buffalo Chicken wraps from West end and a DX Mac and cheese almost every day for this guy. Man, my mouth is watering.

"What are you going to do, stab me? - Quote from Man Stabbed

BBQ slathered in sweet baby rays and mashed potatoes from Blue Ridge BBQ was my jam....Rib Eye sammies from JP's was pretty baller as well.

For real. I probably ate Cinnabon 3 to 4 times a week freshman year. I still cringe thinking about it.

Every second counts

Sophomore year, I did a Cinnabon run every Tuesday/Thursday morning after 8am Statics. The ladies who worked there were awesome. I'll never forget how excited they were when they realized my now wife and I were dating because I guess we were both regulars.

'07 Mechanical Engineering

"Touchdown, Tech! I have never enjoyed saying that more"
-Bill Roth

Lived in Vawter my Freshman year. Pretty much ritual to get some blue ridge bbq and a cinnabon, walk to my room and watch south park.

I had a very similar ritual on Friday mornings. My freshman year I had an 8 am engineering workshop. Being a college student I would stay up very late and be tired in class. I'd come back from the 1.5-2 hour workshop, get a cinnabon, watch a show on hulu, and then take a nap. College was great.

"That move was slicker than a peeled onion in a bowl of snot." -Mike Burnop

i'll never forget the stromboli gut bombs on wednesday nights at Shultz. it made a mean poop.

eric

"My advice to you... is to start drinking heavily."-John Blutarsky

TMI?

Reel men fish on Wednesdays

Any reference to Schultz is allowed. Rest in peace sweet prince.

Outspoken team cake advocate. Hates terrapins. Resident Macho Man Gif Poster. Distant cousin to Dork Magic. Frequently misspells words.

They have been serving the food truck food in D2 the past several weeks to test what items are popular to be sold in the trucks for next year. If you're in town for the spring game and come to D2, I highly recommend savoring these items. I had this sushi wrap and it was the best thing I've ever eaten at Tech.

I am the heartbeat of Blacksburg. A fortress built out of stone but made with champions.

Some background on the food trucks from my sources:

- These have been planned for several years now after Turner Place was finished; however, it wasn't until last year that Dining Services was approved the funding for these two trucks. The higher ups have been touring different campus food trucks for several years now.

- There were two major reasons for the introduction of these food trucks: 1) to reduce overcrowding in the dining halls (especially with the growing student body) and 2) to extend dining services reach to those that may not currently be accessing dining services conveniently (ex. everyone on football game days, Oak Lane on the weekends, academic side of campus during the week) They also plan on being at many of the on campus events such as Relay for Life and the Big Event.

- They are planning on using an app ordering system. You download their app, order your food, and it automatically charges you without you ever having to talk to a cashier at the truck. This is mostly to reduce personnel costs.(Similar to http://www.tapingo.com)

- There was talk about parking one of them in the Squires lot next to TOTS on Friday and Saturday nights...

I haven't been involved with dining for almost a year now, so some of these plans may have changed.

I will say though that the committee I was on was not all that hot on the last point that Ted suggested. We saw lots of problems bringing drunk college kids from downtown back onto campus after going out. Also, I'm pretty sure the Town of Blacksburg and the surrounding businesses would not be a fan.

Interesting stuff. Appreciate the intel.

- There was talk about parking one of them in the Squires lot next to TOTS on Friday and Saturday nights...

I'd like to buy stock in one food truck, please!

They introduced the 2 new trucks.

"Due to storage capacity, the food trucks will serve a predefined number of meals per day, as they're made to sell out. Lunch will be served Monday through Friday, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or until food runs out. Dinner will be served in the Oak Lane community Sunday to Wednesday, from 5 to 9 p.m. or until food runs out. The food trucks will park on Alumni Mall for late night service Thursday to Saturday, from 8 p.m. to midnight or until food runs out. The experience will be enhanced by music from a top-of-the-line speaker system and LED lights illuminating the truck.

The two trucks will be located in underserved areas across campus. Tentative locations include the parking lot between Hahn, Derring, and Pamplin halls; Goodwin Hall circle; Litton-Reaves/Life Sciences 1 access drive; and Southgate/Sterrett Street area. These locations are subject to change based on customer traffic.

In addition, the trucks will be parked in Hokie Village at multiple home football games. In time, The Grillfield and Periodic Table will be available for special occasions and catering for campus events."

http://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2016/08/081716-dsa-foodtrucks.html

Those look awesome and I envy current students so, so, so much for the dining experience they have. it wasn't bad when I was there, which was highlighted by chic-fil-a opening, but it was lightyears behind what it is now.

That being said, it seems like a missed opportunity with these names and the food they serve. Usually food trucks have really clever names and paint jobs. And while Grillfield and Periodic Table are .... a good attempt, it's a lackluster performance, especially since neither name identifies the food they serve.

Off the top of my head, here are some suggestions for the 2nd generation:
HokiePoke - Serves only the best Poke bowls
EGGleston's Court - Breakfast mobile yo
Ride'em COWgill - Gourmet Burgers
Worsham's Wings - Chicken Wings baby
Who's in 4 sum PAYNE - Spicy Indian Curry
Lt. Saunders - Southern Fried Chicken and biscuit sandwiches
SHANKS 4 the Memories - Beef Shanks, the forgotten cut
Beamer's Bangers - Polish dogs, German Brats and good ol Murican Chicago dogs

Not sure if you were circumventing this by the emphasis, but Cowgill Hall is pronounced COE-gle.

I was, but I still liked the wordplay. The correct pronunciation makes it even more fun I think.

I as well.

Fernley, usually I agree with you on most things, but I have to disagree here. The Periodic Table is a fantastic food truck name because it doesn't lock them into only one type of cuisine and is a great play on words, especially if it spends most of its time over by Derring and Hahn. (Full disclosure: As a chemist I may be a bit biased on this subject.)

"Nope, launch him into the sun and fart on him on the way up"
-gobble gobble chumps

"11-0, bro"
-Hunter Carpenter (probably)

haha, fair enough. I concede

Litton-Reaves/Life Sciences 1 access drive

Right next to my work. Awesome for my stomach, terrible for my wallet.

Thursday-Sat late night on Alumni Mall?

Well shit the Corps is gonna eat that shit up. Probably much moreso than drunks from DT, which makes sense.

I was hoping for Oak Lane trucks on weekend nights :(

-Stick it in

Hmmm, food trucks at VT...
.
Hey Google, how do I respond to this level of joy...?
.

.
Good call Google, good call.
.
I am jae1837 and I approve this message.

Go Hokies!

Bumping this thread because I got a chance to eat at the food trucks today for lunch and man... Tech really is #1 in the country for dining for a reason.

Great pork bbq with cole slaw. Very good salt and pepper chips. And churro bites with Nutella. All for about 4 dollars off my dining plan.

Now I'm even more depressed I graduated last year. That looks incredible

Here lies It's a Stroman Jersey I Swear, surpassed in life by no one because he intercepted it.

They'll be serving for football games, so if you're able to make it down for a game, you can experience this incredible food as well.

Fortunately/unfortunately the only game I can make it down for this year is Bristol

Here lies It's a Stroman Jersey I Swear, surpassed in life by no one because he intercepted it.

So the question begs.....was this a #teamvinegarsauce experience?

Take the shortest route to the ball and arrive in bad humor.

+1 for #teamvinegarsauce

If you play it, they will win.

"How the ass pocket will be used, I do not know. Alls I know is, the ass pocket will be used." -The BoD

I should have pulled a van wilder!

Somewhat related to food trucks -- Googles Project Wing is partnering up with Virginia Tech to deliver Chipotle by DRONE to students. It'll be prepared in a food truck and then sent out on the drones to various dorms. It's part of a testing stage.

Full article here
Clicky click

I'm about to go full old man back in my day shit on these current students

"When I was growing up, Virginia Tech was a school that was kicking ass and taking names, and it's time we get back to that" - James Franklin

I'll be taking full advantage of this, so I'll keep you updated

the FDA would not approve the use of Moe's burritos because the ingredients had already spent too much time under heat lamps to safely make the journey without bacterial growth (cue chipotle e-coli joke).

Warning: this post occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)..

So does this mean they can sue Google for enabling them to gain the freshman 50?

"We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their behavior" Stephen M.R. Covey

“When life knocks you down plan to land on your back, because if you can look up, you can get up, if you fall flat on your face it can kill your spirit” David Wilson

The only way they keep getting business gimmicks like this. Enjoy your diseased Chiptole.

Wet stuff on the red stuff.

Join us in the Key Players Club

Are we really going to rely on a poll of Americans? Gotta tell you I'm not a big fan of who my fellow Americans have been picking in polls recently. They think Elvis is still alive, that 9/11 happened on that day because of 911 and that Nickelback makes good music.

Wet stuff on the red stuff.

Join us in the Key Players Club

Was that a real poll? I always assumed it was an onion-esque article

Warning: this post occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)..

Moe's

lol

Every second counts