| rev:text
| - An interesting thing happened to the food scene during the recession.
Upscale restaurant business took a hit. No longer did everyone have the means to splurge as often on white linen, fresh cut flowers and the ambiance that typically accompanies these fine restaurants. Simply put, foodies still desired good food and drink, but were through paying for the B.S. that went along with it.
In these last few years, foodies became the new rockers. Hip, socially aware, thrill seekers who strived for innovative eats in an alternative environment, yet wouldn't settle for lesser ingredients or sloppy execution. Thus, the advent of pop-up restaurants, underground dinner parties and mobile food trucks. Gone were the costly overheads that handcuffed most chefs. New to the scene were inspired eats without all the B.S.
Chris Hodgson's second truck in Cleveland has finally hit the streets after a yet to be aired TV series on the Food Network. And we're glad he's back home, doing what he's best at, right here in Cleveland. With his previous truck (Dim and Den Sum), he's basically single handily revolutionized the CLE food truck scene as we know it. And him and his crew seem to have it down to a science. I've never had a bad meal at this or his other truck. Most everything is cooked to order, sold at a modest price and ready to eat within a few short minutes following an order.
The last three times I've patronized Hodge Podge has been on Saturday morning at the Shaker Hts Farmers Market. One week it was bourbon souffle pancakes with balsamic macerated strawberries, house whipped cream and mint. The next, it was a breakfast sandwich with sausage, eggs, sweet potatoes and a ramp/garlic-scape pesto. And the week before that, it was an order of 3 breakfast tacos with all the fixings. The divinity and bliss that followed served as a kick-start to my weekend. For three consecutive weeks. I'm not sure what I'd do without this truck. In convenience alone, it's worth a look. But to have a lasting presence in the Cleveland food scene with loyal, repeat customers, you'll need to back it up with quality. And Hodge Podge certainly has that covered.
|