Travel Experiences: Street Food Vendors Locally and Around the World

For many of us, one of the best experiences when traveling is the search for authentic local food favorites. These can often be found at street vendor carts or food trucks. When traveling, it is MANDATORY to seek out these mobile food stations. Food carts are typically friendly to our wallets and are convenient to those of us that are on the move. They also offer a chance to experience the personalities behind the cart that are as diverse as the aroma of what is cooking. There are countless recipes and varieties of food that are available when exploring new and familiar places. According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN) it is estimated that 2.5 billion people consume “street food” per day. The term “street food” refers to cuisine that is typically prepared and served via food carts, trucks or a booth. We have all seen and experienced these foods either locally or in our travels. Often when we think of a city, we associate a street food that is sometimes synonymous with that location such as: Philadelphia – Cheesesteak Sandwich; Berlin – Bratwurst; Mexico City – Tacos, with fresh lime; Taipei Taiwan – Deep-fried Milk (cubes of condensed milk are rolled in batter and deep fried); or South Africa – “Walkie-Talkies,” chicken feet (walkie) and heads (talkie) are boiled, seasoned and grilled. As with many local foods, this South African yummy has an interesting story. During the days of apartheid in South Africa, the wealthy landowners would naturally dine on the best portions of the chicken. The scraps (heads and feet) were given to the servants and peasants in the community. This may sound crazy to most of us, but think about it the next time you order Buffalo chicken wings! Most times, this street cuisine is prepared by locals with a story to tell or advice to lend. When I travel, I like to embed in the local culture and make myself part of it. I eat what the locals eat and seek the hidden landscapes that they choose to escape to. Finding that secret place that only the locals know about often starts with a conversation at a food cart. Don’t be surprised to learn that the food you are consuming comes from a recipe that has been handed down through the vendor’s family dating back several generations. These people are not likely to be culinary school graduates or famous chefs but are just normal outgoing individuals that earn a living treating us tourists to good eats. Many will treat you as if you are part of their own family. I enjoy learning about the local culture and their experiences in the area I am visiting. I pick their brains for tips on what to do and see locally, what is “off the beaten path.” My favorite experiences in travel have been when stopping at these street-side eateries. I discovered fried plantains in Puerto Rico and simple fresh coconut water in Costa Rica. The coconut was likely cut from the tree that morning and put on ice for me to enjoy. Regardless of how far from home we are, there are street foods that represent the region. Lobster rolls are sold in abundance from Cape Cod to Maine. When I think of a NYC street scene, I have images of kosher hot dogs or sugar-glazed nuts. Many large cities, such as NYC, are very ethnically diverse. Cultures and street foods are vastly different from one niche neighborhood to the next. We don’t need to travel the world to taste foods from around the world! Even locally, we have several unique options. Every weekend I make a point to check out the local farmers' markets. The pride and craftsmanship that is put into giving us the best products can be found in every booth in the market; the French crepes, the mediterranean cuisine, handmade breads and cheeses, hand-crafted wine and brews, grass-fed meats, mushrooms and of course the fresh local veggies! Whether it’s locally or in your travels, give some business to the street vendor. It is not just about the food they are preparing, but also about the experience of meeting, learning and perhaps making friends with the vendor. Don’t forget to say thank you in the language of the vendor if you can. Bon Appetit. Tony Mariotti is the owner of Bucket List Vacation Planners (a Cruise Planners Franchise) and can be reached at 518-250-1111, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or www.BucketListVacationPlanners.com.