The food truck craze has been slow to hit Montgomery County, but there are some new operators who have taken to the streets (and parking lots), and there are more on the way. These three trucks offer barbecue, perfect for a summertime pick-up.
Branded ‘72: This is an outpost of the Rockville restaurant with the same name. My barbecue sandwich was generous when it came to chunks of pork, but skimpy on flavor and smokiness. My advice: hit the habanero barbecue sauce. The best part of this operation is its location in the parking lot of the ancient Hank Dietle’s Tavern; I ate on the porch with a sleeping old timer and watched Rockville Pike pass by. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. 11010 Rockville Pike (across from White Flint Mall).
Hardy’s: Caterers Corries and Roxie Hardy have been serving up ribs, chicken and more from their mobile truck parked in the Montgomery Farm Women’s Cooperative for months now. Cooked over a mixture of apple, hickory and white oak woods, the beef back ribs have been consistently meaty, smoky and finger linkin’. This is the real deal. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays; noon to 5 p.m., Sundays. 7155 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda.
Bethesda Community Store: The Hardy’s used to set up shop in the parking lot here; now the store is heading up the smoked chicken, ribs, lobster and shrimp rolls and more, housed in an attractive wood-paneled truck on the property, with an adjacent rotisserie smoker. As for the ribs, they’re cooked until the meat falls easily off the bones (Hardy’s ribs have more of a “chew”). While the gluey sauce needs an overhaul, mayo-restrained potato salad and cole slaw are top-notch. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., daily. 8804 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda. 301-654-1009.
It doesn’t sell barbecue, but if you haven’t spotted this food truck yet, check it out:
Sub-Urban Bros: Former local restaurateurs and partners Rick Baldwin and Shane Patterson invested $70,000 to convert a former U.S. mail truck into a lively and colorful deliverer of sandwiches, which includes a dynamite meatball sub and a spicy veggie, both served on terrific toasted rolls. Check out www.suburbanbros.com for their locations, which have included Silver Spring, Bethesda and Rockville.
Let me know about other local food trucks you’ve sampled.
