Empty Bowls After-Party

After the show it's the after partyyyyyy! While I am not an outlandish R & B artist, I do enjoy keeping the good times rolling. So after the Empty Bowls event was over, Sara and I headed to the official Empty Bowls after-party. A food truck rodeo held between Motorco and Fullsteam that featured seven food trucks. In honor of the Empty Bowls event, the food trucks featured a special dish that were served in a bowl and donated 10% of their proceeds to the Urban Ministries of Durham.

Popeye-opolis

When the food truck revolution took over Raleigh Durham, one of the original trucks and champions for the movement was Klausie's Pizza. The Klausie's truck is focused around Detroit-style pizza. When I thought of the Motor City, I did not associate it with having its own pizza identity. Detroit for me meant embarrassed Lion fans, Pistons fans getting punched by Metta World Peace,  and the Red Wings losing game 7 to the Penguins.  Unlike those embarrassing sport moments, Klausie's pizza shines with perfection. As if we were being served everything that is right about Detroit in a delectable square treat.

It all begins with the crust. Twice baked and brushed with butter, Klausie's crust has unparalleled crispiness. After biting into the crust you get the textural delight of a soft and chewy dough. The dough is topped with oozy cheese and a great red sauce that drips from its sides. Klausie's pizza shows that Detroit has a lot more to offer us than cars and rap stars.

Mac and Cheese

For their bowl dish for the evening Klausie's owner and head chef Michael Stenke persuaded us to try their new mac and cheese. At first I was going to pass on the dish but Stenke is a good salesman, enticing us with a combination of 5 cheese and their crust sprinkled on top of the dish. The mac and cheese did not disappoint, with the roasted cherry tomato giving the needed acid and contrast to the baked shells and cheese sauce.

Like a good food blogger, I sacrificed my gastroenterological comfort for the sake of documenting more food trucks.

Smokey Polish Sausage with Pimento Cheese

I've heard about the Farmhand Food's Sausage Wagon for sometime now and they've carried the reputation for having amazing all-local sausages. The spice combination and the local pork gave a element of flavor to the sausage that you do not find with your regular super brand sausage. I thought the sausage was one of the best ones I've ever had.

Before we could finally call it an evening, Sara couldn't resist the call of ice cream from the Parlour. Ice cream trucks carry a great deal of nostalgia for me. Whenever I heard even the faintest sound of ice cream truck chimes, I immediately stop what I was doing and started running after the sound. I've wanted to operate a ice cream truck as a post-retirement occupation, be a modern day Mr. Tastee.

Vegan Chocolate Cookies and Cream

Sara was excited to try a vegan alternative ice cream. Made with almond milk, I was surprised that the ice cream didn't lose any of its creaminess. It was smooth and tasty. Topped with juicy dark cherries, no maraschino cherries here.  The cherries tartiness was a nice change of pace from the ice cream's creaminess.

We headed back to Raleigh full bellies and happy hearts. Grateful for the way the culinary community supported such an important event. And even more grateful for the Urban Ministries of Durham's impact to Durham County.

Urban Ministries of Durham
http://www.umdurham.org/

Motorco Music Hall
723 Rigsbee Avenue Durham, NC 27701
(919) 901-0875

http://motorcomusic.com/

Fullsteam Brewery

726 Rigsbee Avenue Durham, NC 27701
(919) 682-2337
http://www.fullsteam.ag/

Farmhand Foods' Sausage Wagon
http://www.farmhandfoods.com/sausage.php


The Parlour
http://theparlourdurham.com/

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