Food trucks showcase cuisine in Carrboro

Jody Argote was teaching high school English in France when a fellow teacher taught her to make crepes.

Now Argote, the owner of the Parlez-Vous Crepe food truck, sells the French culinary treat every Saturday at Johnny’s of Carrboro and also caters, using local seasonal produce like organic spinach and tomatoes to create unique recipes.

“I call them my babies because I make them all up,” she said. “It’s hard to be partial to my children.”

Despite the snow, three food trucks from around the area gathered at Al’s Garage Saturday for the Carrboro Food Truck Showcase.

Parlez-Vous Crepe, Captain Poncho’s Tacos and Indian Food on Wheels were all present for the town’s second food truck event and featured some of their most popular dishes.

Isabel Guzman, owner of Captain Poncho’s Tacos, said the start-up costs of opening a restaurant — about $250,000 — encouraged her to open a food truck in Carrboro instead, a trend others have followed.

Chapel Hill does not ban food trucks, but the regulations placed on them makes them nearly impossible to operate.

“Carrboro is flooded with food trucks,” Guzman said. “We get many UNC students, but we would like more. Chapel Hill is very restrictive.”

She said her favorite dish is chilaquiles, a tortilla dish which has been known to cure hangovers.

“It will burn your nose hairs off,” she said.

Michael Gomes operates Indian Food on Wheels from a large red school bus because he needs more space for food preparation.

He said he typically serves Indian tacos, vegetables, chicken, lamb and seafood.

And though she wasn’t present at Saturday’s showcase, Carrboro Raw owner Nice Polido said she opened a truck because of its flexibility as well as the observation that juice bars aren’t common in the area.

“People are getting a little bit more conscious about their health,” said Polido, who serves drinks made from fruits and vegetables.

Polido said although her business is very small, the mobility is the best part.

“It’s different,” she said, “and that’s what attracts people.”

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.