On my brother’s 27th birthday, my family and I embarked on a happy journey sparked by the colourful worlds of food and travel. We called it a Connecticut food crawl. Encouraged by YouTuber Mark Weins, well-known for finding obscure hidden gems in food, we decided to discover Connecticut’s culinary treasures.
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Our journey started with a visit to New Haven, a city known for its diverse food scene, especially its renowned Food Truck Paradise.
Connecticut Food Crawl- New Haven’s Food Truck Paradise
Growing up in Rockland County, NY, exploring New Haven felt like venturing into new territory. Our recent local adventure led us to Food Truck Paradise, a culinary haven tucked away just off I-95. Although renowned for its pizza, New Haven has another hidden gem – a strip offering a delightful array of Latin cuisine from Central and South America to the Caribbean. This vibrant spot, named Food Truck Paradise, became our first stop on the Connecticut food crawl.
The Culinary Extravaganza
The half-mile strip was alive with the energy of food enthusiasts, and we eagerly strolled along, exploring the diverse offerings. While lobster rolls weren’t on the menu, we couldn’t resist sampling the delectable Latin flavors. Our taste buds danced with delight as we savoured a refreshing mangonada and indulged in shrimp ceviche – the perfect appetizer to kick off our culinary journey.
Diverse Entrees and Flavorful Encounters
With a group of eager foodies, we seized the opportunity to try an assortment of entrees. Each bite celebrated flavors from Venezuelan arepas filled generously with pork, beans, and cheese to birria tacos from La Patrona. The oversized helping of the consomme accompanying the birria tacos added a layer of richness and depth.
Our exploration continued at Ixtapa, a food truck offering a variety of tacos at reasonable prices. I savored cuts like al pastor, lengua, Buche, and trips, each delivering a unique and delightful taste experience. The diverse options catered to every palate, featuring Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, and other Central, South American, and Caribbean cuisines.
Beyond our selections, the strip showcased tempting treats like pressed Cuban sandwiches, sancocho, bacalaitos, alcapurrias and mofongo. While our pit stop became a satisfying meal, the desire to try more tantalizing offerings lingered. Reluctantly, we continued our food crawl, eagerly anticipating the next destination, known for its famous lobster rolls. We also went to Lobster Landing and Abbott’s Lobster in the Connecticut Food Crawl series. If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure to visit Part 2 and Part 3 of Joyful Food.
Conclusion
New Haven’s Food Truck Paradise provided a delightful start to our Connecticut food crawl, offering a diverse culinary experience that left us craving more. As we continued our Connecticut food crawl journey, the anticipation of savoring the best lobster rolls in Connecticut fueled our excitement.