Hello Winnipeg, we are Mr. and Mrs. Restaurant. We’re passionate about food, but not about cooking. After growing tired of everyday chain restaurants, we began our search for the best hidden eateries the city has to offer. Ever wonder if that trendy new place is worth the money; or if that greasy burger joint lives up to all the hype? Just ask Mr. and Mrs. Restaurant!
Food For Thought: Pimp My Rice
[flickr style=”border:none; padding:4px; border:1px solid #BDBDBD; float:right; margin-left:5px;”]photo:7773135504[/flickr]As you might assume, we love to watch the Food Network, but we often find ourselves saying, “Winnipeg just doesn’t have places like that“. When we heard about Pimp My Rice, the Filipino Food Truck, we were excited to try it out. After some quick internet research, and before even trying their food, it was pretty easy to see that Pimp My Rice looks more like something you’d see on TV, and less like the type of trucks we’ve come to expect from Winnipeg’s street-food scene.
Winnipeg seemed to get a slower start on street food, with hot dogs, burgers and fries being the easiest things to find coming out of a truck. Pimp My Rice is a welcome addition to the growing number of unique food trucks popping up on our streets. Owners Roddy and Helene Seradilla are out to introduce Filipino food to those who may not have had the chance to try it, by way of their bright blue food truck.
[flickr style=”border:none; padding:4px; border:1px solid #BDBDBD; float:right; margin-left:5px;”]photo:7773137230[/flickr]This husband and wife team created a simple menu that doubles as a type of tutorial on the food they’re serving. Short explanations and a pronunciation guideline are found beside each menu item to help the unfamiliar become familiar with the food. According to Roddy, they avoided creating “fusion” dishes for now, and decided to prepare and serve their menu items as traditionally as possible.
The menu begins with Lumpia (spring rolls), Pinoy BBQ Skewers and Pancit (rice noodles, vegetables, tofu). Crispy chicken wings marinated in the famous Adobo sauce are a popular addition to any meal, or can be a meal themselves when ordered with a side of rice. Entrée options are Tocilog (tocino) or Tapsilog; they are each accompanied by an egg and are served on a bed of garlic fried rice. Tocilog is a sweet marinated pork (also available with chicken) and Tapsilog is a mildly spicy beef marinated in citrus and soy sauce. Turon, the Filipino banana fritter is available for dessert, if you have enough room for it!
[flickr style=”border:none; padding:4px; border:1px solid #BDBDBD; float:right; margin-left:5px;”]photo:7773136798[/flickr]We had the opportunity to try the BBQ Skewers, Adobo wings and the Tocino, all of which were flavourful, authentic and just delicious! We weren’t the only ones who thought so either; two young office workers were overheard saying how they come back multiple times a week craving the Tocino! This dish, along with the Pancit and Lumpia were mentioned as being the most popular choices but their menu is the perfect size for you to try it all (over a few visits of course!) and find your own favorite.
Pimp My Rice is usually located on Broadway, at Edmonton but you can always follow them on Twitter or visit their website to see exactly where they are when you have a craving for some Filipino comfort food! You can’t help but notice Pimp My Rice on the street, the truck looks amazing and the line-up outside of it doesn’t hurt either. Friendly staff, including owner Roddy, are happy to take your order and answer your questions. Roddy really seems to have found his passion; and this definitely won’t be the last you hear of Pimp My Rice. They’ve got some cool expansion ideas for the future, but for now they are busy enjoying the success their food truck has brought them so far.
[flickr style=”border:none; padding:4px; border:1px solid #BDBDBD; float:right; margin-left:5px;”]photo:7773135952[/flickr]Pimp My Rice is serving up authentic Filipino food favorites for a reasonable price and we highly recommend you check out this food truck. It’s a great place to try if you want an introduction to this type of food and if you’re already familiar with these classic dishes, a stop at Pimp My Rice will definitely satisfy your craving!
Pimp My Rice Food Truck
Traveling Food Truck – Various Locations (schedule)
Normally on Broadway
Monday – Friday 11am – 2pm
www.pimpmyrice.ca
Twitter: @pimpmyriceinc
