Review: Sweetbites Mobile Cafe (Cupcakes & other Baked Goods)

Food Truck Name: Sweetbites Mobile Cafe
twitter handle: @Sweetbitestruck
website: http://www.sweetbitesdesserts.com/
(One of the most aesthetical and functional websites with great pictures and a nice calendar of their schedule, but the prices are listed under their events tab and not the menu tab if you're looking for them.)

cost: (cash, debit or credit)
cupcakes: $3 (wonderful descriptions of each online)
Triple European Chocolate
Cookies 'n' Cream
Chocolate Coconut
Red Velvet
Double Madagascar Vanilla
Madagascar Vanilla with Chocolate Buttercream
Pina Colada (seasonal)
Pumpkin Spice (seasonal)
Chocolate Peanut Butter
Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache
Carrot Cake
Salty Caramel
Baileys Irish Cream (seasonal)

Bars & Cookies:
Lemon Kiss Bars - $2.50
3C Bar (Chewy Chocolate Chip) - $2.50
Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons - $2
Buttery Sugar Cookies - $2
Dark Chocolate Brownies - $3

Scones, Muffins and Coffee Cakes:
Chocolate Chip Sour Cream Muffins - $2.50
Chocolate Banana Bread - $2.50

Pastries:
Fruit-Topped Cheesecake Bites - $3

wait time: A few minutes to order, pay and receive your order, only the inability to pick from the many different flavors of cupcakes or choices of baked good will add to your short wait.

Today, I decided to take a break from the usual hustle and bustle of the lunch Food Trucks and venture into the niche market of the Cupcake Trucks (or Dessert Trucks can also be used).  After a quick look around, I have to say that Sweetbites is pretty comparable or even better in price than its landlocked competitors.  I got a variety pick of six cupcakes (see above picture) that included the Double Madagascar Vanillla, Cookies 'n' Cream, Red Velvet, Triple European Chocolate, Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache and the seasonal Pina Colada.  Eating them all, though delicious, probably would harmed my "girly figure", so instead I decided to share them with a couple co-workers.  I will focus this review on the cupcake I chose to eat, the Red Velvet (see below picture).

"Red Velvet"

A very good Red Velvet cupcake has three important things.  First, many people are under the false impression that red velvet is just a chocolate cake with red food dye.  They should simply try the Triple European Chocolate instead.  Red velvet does contain cocoa (and it is the reaction between the vinegar, buttermilk and cocoa that created the original red color), but the amounts that should be used shouldn't make it into a chocolate cake.  This particular cupcake balances the nice subtle cocoa flavor without overpowering the senses into thinking that you are eating a chocolate cake, something I cannot say that is successfully done by other competitors.  Second, the frosting traditionally is cream cheese based, but alternatively can be topped with a vanilla buttercream.  This cupcake does the latter to perfection.  The light and airy Madagascar vanilla buttercream melts on the tongue without it being too sweet or heavy.  Third, the interplay between frosting and cake is very important, and here I have to say the whole cupcake works very well.  There's a nice cake to buttercream ratio.

Final Verdict: Most of my co-workers really enjoyed their cupcakes, noting the lovely light buttercream and wonderful flavors.  A small criticism was leveled at the seasonal Pina Colada for the rum buttercream being a little too sweet, but other than that there were plenty of smiles to go around.  So, for an individual quick pick-me-up or an afternoon snack to share with friends, give Sweetbites a try and you won't be disappointed.  If their other baked goods are as good as their cupcakes, then I'm looking forward to trying them soon.

Special Review: The Red Zebra (Wood Oven Pizza)

"Food Truck" Name: The Red Zebra
no twitter handle
no website
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-red-zebra/132880420114197
location: White House Farmers' Market
when: Thursdays, 3 - 7

today's menu: (changes seasonally)
regular tomato and mozarrella with basil - $9
lamb sausage, tomato sauce, mint pesto, goat cheese - $12
roasted corn, chili oil, cilantro micro greens, smoked cheddar, cherry tomatoes - $10
cured pork loin, balsamic syrup, fresh peaches - $11

wait time: depends on when you order, but just simply double the wait time that they tell you and shop at the other stalls, but the pizza is worth the wait

DISCLAIMER: So, I know that there is a "slippery slope" argument here with this review because technically this is not a food truck, though one could argue that the wood oven that is pulled behind their truck could be construed as a "food truck".  This argument could be extended to Food Trucks like Carnivore BBQ who literally dishes out of the back of a pickup truck or Pleasant Pops with their carts at the Farmers' Market.  So, I am making an exception in this one review.

Today, I got the lamb sausage with fresh goat cheese pizza (see above picture).  As I said above, it is worth the wait.  This 9 inch pizza has a nice chewy crust and a wonderful texture that equally comes from the wood fire and a sprinkle of cornmeal.  The lamb sausage is perfectly complimented by the mint pesto and the creamy fresh goat cheese.  Everything comes together nicely in the light tomato sauce.  A perfect afternoon snack or late lunch on a lazy Thursday afternoon.

Final Verdict: If you have time to take a break on a Thursday afternoon and find yourself near the White House, then you should stop by the Farmers' Market and order a pizza from The Red Zebra.  While you wait, browse the many stalls with wonderful local produce, freshly made cheeses, and delicious baked goods.  The Market even allows you to buy tokens with a credit or debit card (with a small $2 charge to the Market) that can be used at every stall if you do not carry cash.  I think it will be the best thirty minutes you will spend.

FAILED Review: Fry Captain (Fries and Shakes)

Food Truck Name: Fry Captain
twitter handle: @FryCaptain
website: http://www.frycaptaindc.com/

cost: fries - $3.50 (single), $5.00 (double), $1.50
(duck fat), $1.00 (sweet potatoes), $0.50 (additional dipping sauce)
[each order comes w/ one free dipping sauce and seasoning]
types of dipping sauce: (available today*)
roasted garlic aioli
wasabi mayo*
srirachi and sesame mayo*
curry mayo
jamaican jerk spiced mayo
chimichurri mayo
horseradish mayo
teriyaki mayo
mango chutney mayo
feta, lemon oregno yogurt sauce
spicy bleu cheese buffalo sauce
spanish romesco sauce
korean bbq sauce
carolina bbq sauce
tartar sauce
cajun remoulade
truffle ketchup*
chili ketchup
jalepeno ketchup*
honey balsamic ketchup*
sweet and sour mustard
honey mustard
ranch
nutella
marshmallow

seasonings:
sea salt
garlic salt
onion salt
paprika salt
hot pepper
cajun
old bay

shakes - $3.50
types of milkshakes: (available today*)
chocolate*
vanilla*
black and white*
strawberry
peach
coconut
oreo
peanut butter
cinnamon
caramel
pistachio
avocado
honey lavender
coffee hazelnut
sea salt & olive oil
brownie batter*
cake batter*

wait time: didn't even have the chance to wait

I have to admit that I went a little late in my attempt to score some fried goodness, but running out of fries for a food truck that specializes in fries does seem a little odd to me.  I saw several people walk by completely disappointed when they saw the sign declaring that it was out.  Still, I will give Fry Captain the benefit of the doubt and try to review them on another day.

Final Verdict: Inconclusive, next time I'll try to hit them up earlier, though a friendly heads-up tweet in the future updating their food situation would be nice.

Review: Pleasant Pops (Mexican Ice Pops/Paletas)

Food Truck Name: Pleasant Pops
twitter handle: @pleasantpops
website: http://www.pleasantpops.com/
(The site matches its name in both usability and aesthetics with everything pleasantly labeled.  Find their seasonal menu under "What's In Season" and their truck's locations under "Farmers' Markets" and "Truck Schedule".)

cost: $2.50 (cash, credit or debit)
types available: dairy based and fruit based
today's choices:
   dairy based -
Chongos (Mexican Sweet Cream and Cinnamon)
Cookies n' Cream
   fruit based -
Chocolate Strawberry Truffle
Strawberry Ginger Lemonade

wait time: usually less than a minute, but depends on the line
customer rewards card: yes (get a punch on card for each pop purchase/double punch when the temperature is below 60ish/when you have acquired 10 punches, your next pop is free)

Of the choices I had to pick from today, I went with "Strawberry Ginger Lemonade" (see above picture).  The local strawberry flavor just pops in the mouth, leaving a wonderful feel of juicy fruit on the tongue.  The subtle hint of ginger elevates the taste without distracting, while the nodes of lemon essentially wrap up everything...quite pleasantly.  The only slight problem of its fast melting action comes from its by-product of being made of natural ingredients (and probably without the gelatin that other more commercial pops have to retain their shape).  It is only a problem such that one cannot savor the pop without it dripping and causing a mad scramble to eat it without causing a brain freeze.

I have to admit that I'm a big fan of Pleasant Pops (with one card completely filled, already starting on another).  The seasonal inspired flavors can be hit or miss, but when they get it right, the results are spectacular.  For every incredible flavor like the surprisingly refreshing, yet creamy goodness of the aptly named "guac pop" (avocado lime), there has to be the equally disappointing and almost strangely bland "avocado pop".  It is a thin line between insanity and genius, one that Pleasant Pops happily jumps back and forth like a mad scientist on a sugar high.  The variations of Pleasant Pops' paletas are only limited by their locally sourced fruits and vegetables and their own imagination.  Past flavors have ranged from the familial "chocolate cream" and "good old strawberry" to the more adventurous territories of "cucumber chile" and "pineapple basil".
(see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paletas for more info)

"Chongos Pop"

Final Verdict: What's not to love about something under $3 that brings you back to the innocent childhood days by the pool?  So, don't be afraid, go grab a customer rewards card and try whatever fits your fancy.  They probably will have at least one flavor that will match your taste.  What do you have to lose?  The way I see it, not much except for the few napkins you'll need to wipe that slightly messy grin off your face.