November 29, 2011

Lizzie's Lunchbox: Texas-Mediterranean




Lizzie's BOGO Special - TODAY ONLY: Buy one entree, get one 1/2 off 11/29.


I admit, I had a proud pat-yourself-on-the-back kind of smile on my face when a fellow blogger gave me props for my sweet tea brine which is part of a two-step process I have for soaking my chicken before frying.  So when I heard about the Cherry Dr. Pepper marinated lamb Pita at the Texas-Mediterranean "Lizzie's Lunchbox" trailer, I knew I was going to like her style.  If lamb isn't your favorite, she marinades her chicken in chile-lime for another Tex-Med Pita option.

The concept for Lizzie's was born in Marfa, Texas during a girl's weekend.  "I think the best food we had on this weekend came out of a truck - we sat around saying 'this is so good: it's delicious, it's affordable.  So my friends said 'Lisa, you should open a food truck!' and we mulled it over on the eight hour drive back to Austin."  (Clarification: Lizzie's name is Lisa / Lizzie is the youngest of four and that is her nickname.)

Recently Lizzie's was filmed on Eat Street, a national TV series that airs on the Cooking Channel via Food Network Canada.  Some of the producers mentioned to me they were most interested in Lizzie's trailer because it was the first interview they had conducted on a suburban mom trailer-owner.  Something I love about this Mom-owned trailer is that she offers a kids menu! (grilled cheese or pbj with chips for $4).

Best seller: Tex-Med Pita Wrap (you'll want to add tabbouleh, hummus, and pita chips to your wrap for $2)
Other favorites: 1. Cedar Plank Salmon (wild Alaskan salmon encrusted with crushed peppercorns, herbs and spices, brushed with honey glad and smoked on a cedar plank.  Served with tabbouleh and a small tex-med salad.  2. Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Big chunky chocolate chips with salt on the chunks.

Julia Child is another source of inspiration for Lizzie.  "I grew up in the Midwest with limited exposure to worldly food, but every Sunday I would sit down and watch Julia Child on PBS.  I remember making 'puff pastry' when I was 12 years old.  I didn't even know what puff pastry was, but since Julia made it - I wanted to, and it was interesting to me.  She opened this whole new world of cooking things I never had.  I remember her cooking duck.  I didn't know people ate duck.  She was funny.  I liked her style and the world she opened up to me."

Lizzie's trailer is unique in that she is located in a non-traditional food truck location: 10401 Jollyville Road (78759) in the parking lot of the Arbor Car Wash and next to Manuel's.  As her name states, she is open for lunch Monday-Saturday from 11a-2p.  They also do lunch catering to your location.

Stay tuned on their Facebook and twitter (@lizzieslunchbx) for daily specials.