The LV Food Truck Bonanza
Plus: Twisted Trolley Traveling Treats at the Farmers Market, Foster Kittens Available, LV News Briefs, One More Kearny High Valedictorian, and Follow-up to the Kelly Street Park Conundrum
Okay, Boomers and non-Boomers alike, join me in flashing back to the 1970’s, when that hippie slogan “Keep on Truckin’” was so popular. The quirky slogan, which meant something similar to “Hang in there”, was frequently seen on numerous posters and bumper stickers, accompanied by a bizarre looking character with big shoes making his way down the road. Though very outdated, I contend that based on recent developments along Linda Vista Road, this old phrase deserves to be taken out of mothballs, modified and applied locally; “Keep on Food Truckin’, Linda Vista” appears to be the new operative phrase for our community.
I had forgotten all about that 70’s “Keep on Truckin’” phrase until a few days ago when I drove along Linda Vista Road and spotted not one, not two, not three…but a total of FOUR food trucks parked at different locations between Comstock and Genesee Avenue. The new Birria Spot food truck, positioned in the American Legion parking lot, has joined La Princesita food truck (on the other side of the same parking lot), Kyrios food truck (at the corner of Ulric), and Taco Time food truck (at the corner of Comstock) to form an LV food truck quartet. Some people might go so far as to label it a quintet by counting Kiko’s Seafood food truck—located at the corner of Friars Road and Via Las Cumbres—as part of this growing LV food truck trend.
Now, the sight of four food trucks might not be a big deal when compared to some busy downtown San Diego locales, but four food trucks along a mile-long stretch of Linda Vista is significant. After all, as currently configured, there isn’t much additional space for new commercial brick and mortar establishments on this road. But in true entrepreneurial spirit, the operators of these food trucks have found a way to adapt their mobile services to meet a local demand. As a result, LV’ers are currently enjoying the convenient pleasure of more food choices.
What accounts for the increase in food trucks along Linda Vista Road? According to one web site, food trucks have been growing in popularity since the 2008 recession, and the pandemic only made food trucks more popular. The restrictions placed upon restaurants during the pandemic allowed food trucks to be seen as a fun and reasonable alternative to eating indoors. And with the growing amount of rush hour traffic on Linda Vista Road, it only made sense for food trucks to establish a stronger presence on this heavily trafficked route. (See? There is a silver lining to the growing amount of commuter traffic in Linda Vista!)
I believe there’s room for more food truck growth along Linda Vista Road, though I would like to make the case for one suggestion should this trend continue to expand. A curious thing about the current food trucks located in Linda Vista is that they all specialize in Mexican cuisine. If we are to have additional food trucks, I would like to see more variety. Maybe an Asian fusion food truck, or a Filipino food truck, or even a plant-based one. Let’s see some of that well-known Linda Vista diversity reflected in our food trucks.
France and Japan are able to claim a high degree of culinary fame for having the most three star Michelin restaurants in the world (30 each), but Linda Vista can still take a certain amount of pride in having four Mexican food trucks within a mile of each other. Four may not represent a large scale phenomenon, but it could be the start of something bigger. Looking toward the future, perhaps more food trucks will find vacant parking spots along Linda Vista Road. The word will spread. Linda Vista’s food reputation will grow. If food trucks multiply along Linda Vista Road, more and more people will view Linda Vista as a unique food destination. They will try one food truck, and surely return to visit the other ones. Then, before you know it, Linda Vista will develop a reputation as the “Food Truck District” of San Diego. We’ll be right up there with the Convoy District and Little Italy as places to go when San Diegans want a fun food experience. In the future, perhaps our community leaders will propose “Taste of Linda Vista Food Truck” events, so that everyone can sample our food truck wares. Food trucks aren’t fancy, but look at it this way…we Linda Vistanistas are not really the types to frequent haughty, exclusive Michelin star restaurants, but we seem to appreciate good food nonetheless, so let’s play to our strength and take pride in food businesses that at least operate on Michelin tires.
I say “Keep on Food Truckin, Linda Vista.” The more food trucks, the merrier. Let our cup runneth over with a plethora of food trucks.
Twisted Trolley at the Farmers Market
Week three of the soft opening of the Love, Linda Vista Farmers Market occurred last Thursday. There were even more vendors including farmers with a great variety of vegetables and fruits. We are featuring one vendor each week in the Update. The first week we featured Steve Rice’s Mostly Microgreens. If you haven’t tried them yet, please do so. I can’t imagine eating a salad without microgreens now that I’ve tried them. Last week we featured Big Al’s Cookies. We have received so many compliments about these goodies. Al brought me some sugar free chocolate cookies for my husband to try and they were so delicious, you didn’t even notice they were sugar free.
This past week we decided to try Twisted Trolley Traveling Treats after hearing people rave about their soft serve ice cream. Twisted Trolley is the cutest thing you ever saw. You can tell from the picture that it was made to look like a trolley car. It attaches and is pulled by a truck for easy access to not only markets, but birthday parties, weddings, neighborhood parties, office parties and more. The owner of the Twisted Trolley is Heather Schwab. Heather and her two daughters are at our market to dish out delicious soft serve, lactose free ice cream cones or cups as well as root beer floats. They use A&W Root Beer which is a favorite of mine. These treats are described as flavor burst sundaes in a cone. The flavors include caramel, pistachio, banana ripple, bubble gum, chocolate swirl, mocha cappuccino, blue Goo, strawberry, pistachio nut, and butter pecan. Flavors may change so look at their menu board. The cones or cups are $5.00, the floats are $8.00.
Heather said during the pandemic she observed how people were cooped up in their homes and not very happy about it. She decided she wanted to be involved with something that would bring a smile to peoples’ faces and would allow her to work with her family. So, in October 2021, she launched Twisted Troller Traveling Treats in San Diego.
Heather and her daughters are very friendly and seem to be enjoying what they do. They dress the part of trolley workers and the red, black and white color scheme is charming. Although they are just starting to hit the farmers market circuit, they have done many private parties including a very large one that involved about 1,000 participants. And they will never run out of ice cream. You can order your ice cream in a cone or cup and it comes with edible glitter or other toppings. I opted for the caramel and it was delicious. Steve and I shared it, but either one of us could have eaten the whole thing. Our friend Janet got the pistachio for the second week in a row, so that tells you what she thinks of it.
Although Thursday was rather cool and windy, there were many satisfied customers at the Twisted Trolley and I imagine this summer when it is hot outside, they will have a line around the parking lot.
So, if you want some great ice cream and service with a smile, try the Twisted Trolley and tell Heather you read about her in the Linda Vista Update.
(Ed. Note: After making your mouth water and wanting to scream for ice cream, we just found out that an emergency will prevent the Twisted Trolley from being at the market today (May 26). However, get ready for they will be back for the Love, Linda Vista Farmers Market grand opening on June 2, and each week thereafter.)
Foster Kittens Available for Adoption
If you, or someone you know, happens to be looking to add a kitten to the family, we know exactly where to look. Betty and I have been fostering three wonderful kittens for the SD Humane Society. They will be available for adoption beginning late this afternoon (May 26) or tomorrow morning (May 27). All three are very friendly, playful and energetic. The two dark calico kittens are named Zarissa (ID#811525) and Zira (ID#811527). The striped calico is named Zamora (ID#811522). If interested, you will be able to find them on the SD Humane Society web site (this afternoon or tomorrow morning) by referring to their names or ID numbers. You can then call and make an appointment with an adoption counselor. Or you can pay a visit to the SD Humane Society campus at 5495 Gaines Street and check out the kittens in person. Please share this information with anyone you know who might interested in adopting. These kittens will make great pets.
LV News Briefs
SD Humane Society Looking for Volunteer Fosters
The SD Humane Society is currently looking for people to serve as volunteer fosters. Once you go through training, you can foster cats, dogs, or other small pets. Needless to say, fostering is a very rewarding experience. and volunteer fosters also allow the SD Humane Society to take care of more animals in need.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer foster, please go to this site for further details: sdhumane.org/foster.
June is National Foster a Pet Month.
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Farmers Market Grand Opening on June 2
The next Love, Linda Vista Farmers Market will be held today (May 26) from 1:00pm to 7:00pm today in the parking lot of the Linda Vista Plaza Shopping Center. According to Jonathan Widener, president of the Love, Linda Vista Farmers Market Board of Directors, “The vendor Sweet Cravings by Paula who is making fried chicken and other soul food staples will be joining us. Also, an artisan savory bread maker, Argos Baking Co., will be joining us with yummy sourdough and other loaves along with cinnamon rolls.”
Furthermore, the official grand opening/ribbon cutting for the Love, Linda Vista Farmers Market will be held next week on June 2 (the ceremony to take place at 1:30pm). Please place that date/time on your calendar. Plan to be there. Next week’s issue of the Linda Vista Update will feature several articles on the Farmers Market.
Love, Linda Vista Farmers Market is looking for volunteers to help support operations, to include helping the vendors, and assisting with opening and closing the Farmers Market. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jonathan.widener@icloud.com.
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Get Tickets for Aladdin
Please click on the QR code on the below poster to get all the details for attending the upcoming LV Theatre Arts Program performance of Aladdin, An Arabian Musical. The performance will take place at the Linda Vista Recreation Center. Come on out and see these talented LV youngsters perform.
Meet Kearny High Valedictorian Phillip Mai
This is the third in a series of interviews conducted with the valedictorians of Kearny High School’s different campuses. In the first interview, conducted two weeks ago, we spoke with Ella Perry, the valedictorian of the School for College Connections. Last week we published our interview with Tram Nguyen of the School of Biomedical Sciences. This week we feature our interview with Phillip Mai, the valedictorian of Kearny High’s School of Engineering, Innovation and Design. Read on to see what this very bright student had to say:
—What was your GPA?
4.47
—What college/university are you headed to this fall?
I will be attending the University of California at San Diego (UCSD).
—What subject do you plan on majoring in?
Computer Science and Engineering
—What was your favorite class in high school?
I enjoyed Psych 101 because I learned things I could use in real life, and Communication class which focused on speaking and listening to others.
—What extra-curricular activities did you participate in while attending Kearny High?
Cross Country and Track and Field. I ran the 800 meters, the 4 x 400 relay, and the 4 x 100 relay.
—What will you miss most about Kearny High?
My friends and the atmosphere. Kearny is very welcoming, and I had plenty of friends that could talk to me.
—What do you think is the most difficult or challenging thing about being a high school student these days?
The mental health aspect. It’s much harder to be a teenager than it used to be. We have the weight of doing well to get get good grades and get into a good college.
—Do you have a favorite Kearny High teacher?
Ms. Matsuo (English teacher). She was a young teacher who could relate to us. She knew what it was like as a student. She was easygoing and very kind.
—Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Out of college. Maybe working in a tech field, in some computer software engineering job.
—Who/what inspires you to do well in school?
My parents. Being valedictorian was not a goal of mine, but I was raised to know that an A is good, and a B is not so good. It’s been ingrained in me. I feel like I had to always maintain being a good student, and I didn’t want to be one of those students who fell from glory. I also like the satisfaction of doing well.
—What is one more thing you would like LV Update readers to know about you?
I can solve a Rubik’s Cube puzzle in 8.22 seconds!
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The Linda Vista Update wishes to thank Phillip Mai for taking the time to answer our questions, and we wish him good luck next year at UCSD.
Follow-up to the Kelly Street Park Conundrum Article
In a recent issue of the Linda Vista Update, we featured an article on the longstanding problems plaguing Kelly Street Neighborhood Park. The problems can be traced to the park’s history of gang and homeless population activity, along with the park design that compounds security concerns.
We recently got word the bathrooms at the park had been closed by the City in response to public safety issues related to members of the homeless population causing damage inside. The news sounded like a positive development; unfortunately, locking up the bathrooms did nothing to alleviate the problems. Due to the design of the bathrooms, people can still jump over the walls, enter inside, and abuse the facilities. Furthermore, the lock to the rear door protecting the bathroom plumbing system was vandalized, which means anyone can enter the room and hook up a hose to the water valve. There is no one around to monitor water usage/waste. Upon visiting the park, the LV Update observed water running uncontrollably out of the hose and into the canyon. Another door has been ordered by the City, but it will take several months to arrive. The electrical wiring around the building has also been damaged by people tapping into the power system. Finally, the park monument sign was vandalized by gang graffiti.
Needless to say, it appears the Kelly Street conundrum continues to confound well-intentioned plans to make the park a nice place for local residents. As mentioned in the Update’s previous article, improving the conditions at this park will require a concerted and imaginative effort on the part of the City and the local community.
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