If you are a fan of one of the world’s most beloved starchy carbohydrates, the potato, you will not want to miss your upcoming opportunity to meet the duo behind The Fry Guys food truck.
I left a presentation at Cape Girardeau Public Library a couple of weeks ago and drove down Kingshighway as my mind marinated on bits of information author Morley Swingle shared with our writers’ group. Some tidbits were new, but most were just the validation I needed to keep “doing what I’m doing” and trusting God through the process. I was happily deep in thought as anonymous drivers whizzed by in vehicles headed the opposite direction. Suddenly, a glint of sunshine from the left side of the roadway caught my eye.
A big, sleek, shiny, beautiful black hunk of metal on wheels caught my attention as I felt my mouth immediately begin to salivate. If it were 1983, you may have assumed I’d spotted "Knight Rider" star K.I.T.T. (Knight Industries Two Thousand ) and Michael Knight (David Hasselhoff) on the side of the road, but despite the public's recent obsession with everything AI (for better or worse) what I spied with my little eye was something even better: The Fry Guys food truck.
My rational brain sent out immediate warning signals. You aren’t hungry. You have that “thing” in a couple of hours and can’t afford to be weighed down by food. You’re supposed to saving money. Keep driving.
I remained strong in my resolve to make good, healthy choices …for a few minutes, anyway. When a little voice inside my head innocently posed the question, “Maybe you should tell the public about The Fry Guys?” things took a turn.
Even with his entire production crew, David Hasselhoff has nothing on me. I whipped my 24-year-old Toyota around like I was auditioning for the next version of "The Fast and The Furious" (without breaking any laws, of course) and closed in on my target.
A few moments later, I was in full reconnaissance mode. The Fry Guys were friendly and charismatic. If they knew, they gave no indication I was there to uncover and expose their covert operation to the world.
I ordered the “Asian kick” seasoned fries.
I ordered the Vietnamese eggrolls.
They added in a top secret, off the menu item for me to try
This was getting good.
The fries. When I arrived, I was not a fry gal, but by the time I left I was a believer. I absolutely craved more of their fries for at least a week. They were crisp, golden and evenly coated with a savory yet not overpowering top secret seasoning. The dipping sauce was good, but the fries are standalone excellent.
The Vietnamese eggrolls. The eggrolls were excellent. An order of golden crisp perfectly fried eggrolls reminded me that good things do indeed come in small packages.
The top-secret item? Well, that’s classified, and if I’m known for anything it’s my ability to keep other people’s secrets.
A check of their Facebook page revealed what I suspected: They have another covert operation in the works: The Arena Park Food Truck Rally. My sources pinpointed it is all going down on Friday, Aug. 16 beginning at 1700 hours (5 p.m.) at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau. You better believe I will be there,continuing my investigation, but I could use some backup if you’re available. Just remember, act natural.
Mary Ann Castillo has more than 50 years of eating experience with no plans to stop.