Fast Food You Won’t Be Ashamed Of: Philly’s Finest Food Carts

Let it be known: “fast food” no longer needs to come from McDonalds, Wendy’s or a food cart where the most English you’ll find is on the menu board. Starting now, your lunch sandwich should never have a “Mc” prefix,and a Starbucks pastry should no longer constitute dessert. There is a new breed of quick-fix food in Philly to solve your breakfast and lunchtime woes: the gourmet food truck.

These beasts on wheels serve restaurant-quality food, tweet about their locations (in English) and fill every dietary void that Chipotle does not (sorry, Burrito Bol). Rarely do tweets make our mouths water, but 140 characters about pumpkin and apple cupcakes is enough to send us running down the block.

Mission Burrito Bandit
Where you’ll find them: All around Philly, Montgomery County and Delaware County, from Eastern State Penitentiary to the Electric Factory. Although they’re based at the Lansdowne Farmer’s Market, their truck, the Burrito Bandit, travels all over the city.
What they serve: Aside from award-winning $5 burritos, you can try their Mexican hot dogs and nachos. Check out their full lunch menu here.
Follow them: Mission Burrito tweets their locations, cash-only days and specials.
Most mouth-watering tweet: “Beef Eaters unite. Friday and Saturday this weekend, Filet Mignon at MB. Cooked med. rare with herb goat cheese and heirloom potatoes.”
 
 

Buttercream
Where you’ll find them: All around Philly, mostly in University City and Center City. Look for their awesome cupcake truck–you can’t miss the sprinkles.
What they serve: Buttercream is famous for their delicious (and original) cupcakes, made with only the finest ingredients. Cupcakes are $2 each, or $12 for six. Their Twitter announced that rainy days mean half off cupcakes, providing even more incentive to leave the office. Check out their menu here, but expect delicious seasonal rotations like apple and pumpkin, too.
Follow them: Buttercream shares everything, from their location to favorite music to updates about the newly repaired truck. They have nearly 2,000 followers.
Most mouth-watering tweet: “For next week, what do you think? Gingerbread or Apple? Or Pumpkin again? Decisions decisions.”
 
 

Hub Bub Coffee
Where you’ll find them: University City, between 38th and Spruce
What they serve: Hub Bub offers coffee and espresso from Oregon’s Stumptown Coffee Roasters, brewed in top-of-the-line coffeemakers. You’ll find gourmet staples like mochas, English breakfast teas and $2 baked goods. Just like brick and mortar coffee shops, you can customize (read: over-caffeinate) your beverage with extra espresso, plus flavored syrups and soy milk.
Follow them: Hub Bub currently tweets opening and closing times, but expect more as this brand new truck gets acclimated in University City.
 

Rubb BBQ
Where you’ll find them: 4445 Main St., Manayunk
What they serve: Rubb’s chef Matthew Levin serves delicious barbeque meals like brisket with chipotle barbeque sauce and leg of lamb with Coca-Cola mombassa pepper sauce.
Follow them: Rubb has dual citizenship on both Twitter and Facebook. Their Facebook page offers photos and updates; their Twitter interacts with followers and updates with tempting recipes.
Most mouth-watering tweet: “No Eagles game today, I’ll be in the kitchen all day developing sauces. Apple cider, smoked honey and Ceylon cinnamon… I’ll let you know.”