From gooey, yummy Cheese Steak Fries by Gourmand to wood-fired Margherita Pizza by Nonno Alby’s and a hand-dipped Cookies ’n Cream Sundae by The Cherry on Top, these three food trucks deliver! Berks Countians can party to their heart’s content with these beloved businesses. You’ll see them at street festivals, charity or fundraising events, private weddings and house parties, athletic competitions and more.
1. Gourmand Celebrates 10 Years
Photo Courtesy Gourmand
Gourmand’s Kristen and Mitch Kriebel have poured years of time, culinary talent and love into their food truck. May 2024 marked their tenth anniversary year! They say it’s common, for example, for a local company to set a date for them to drive over and dish up breakfast sandwiches like Eggs in a Basket and luscious Brunch Fries topped with diced sausage or steak and white cheddar — plus fresh-brewed coffee and lattes — as part of an employee appreciation program.
Gourmand’s specialty fries, tacos and sandwiches are also hugely popular. Kristen thinks of the Cheese Steak Fries as “simplicity with flair,” and Mitch agrees, pointing out Gourmand takes pride in offering “unusual” versions of one of America’s favorite foods: French fries. Choices include tangy Dill Pickle Fries, Veggie Lover Fries and spicy Mexi-Street Corn Fries made with roasted corn, lime crema and Parmesan cheese. “Our offerings are fully customizable,” says Mitch. “We can do fully vegan or gluten-free. Basically, a food truck is a play on street food from across the USA.”
Photo Courtesy Gourmand
Ahi Tuna Tacos and North Carolina Pork Tacos and their latest invention — Buffalo Pulled Chicken — are favorite items for lunch and dinner, the pair affirms. “The chicken is not a fried chicken,” explains Kristen. “We use grilled chicken, which takes a long time to slow-cook” before it gets onto the truck, ready to serve. The same goes for their dry-rubbed, slow-cooked pork loin, prepared with careful, hours-long prep time. The Spicy Pulled Pork BBQ sandwich is melt-in-your-mouth tasty with its American cheese, chipotle aioli and cabbage slaw on a char-grilled potato roll — a textural masterpiece. All of their offerings are made as naturally as possible, and folks who are fond of deep, fiery flavor will love Gourmand’s homemade hot sauce. Discover catering options and their lovely café in Wyomissing as well.
gourmandpa.com | 610.743.3233
2. Nonno Alby’s Pizza Truck
Photo Courtesy Nonno Alby’s
Fans of wood-fired brick-oven traditional Italian pizza are already familiar with Nonno Alby’s in the heart of West Reading, but they might not know that Nonno Alby’s can bring a whole pizza party complete with elegant salads and Italian desserts directly to a wedding or any other celebratory event. Their truck drives up with tables for the buffet line and everything necessary to toss dough, slather on signature tomato sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes and bake various pizza pies right in front of all the hungry guests.
“It’s a whole-day process, more of an experience,” says Massimo Grande, “and there’s always a Grande family member there. We make the pizza wood-fired within the truck, and we offer refreshments like beer and wine on tap.” And make no mistake about the authenticity of this “Grande Feast.” Says Massimo with pride, “It’s about Italy. That’s where the inspiration comes from!” A topnotch caterer, Nonno Alby’s is “constantly refilling the offerings.”
Photo Courtesy Nonno Alby’s
Typically, standard offerings are charcuterie, appetizers, salad, pizza and sweets like Italian s’mores made with marshmallow and Nutella on pizzelles, cannoli or tiramisu. Flavors wafting in the breeze stir the appetite with gusto. There’s the alluring, bold, spicy scent of Salame Piccante Pizza, featuring soppresata, as well as the unique aroma of black truffle and basil in Tartufata Pizza mingling with delicious specialty cheeses — Buffalo mozzarella, justshaved Parmigiano Reggiano and mascarpone.
Photo Courtesy Nonno Alby’s
To book an event, check their website under “Mobile Catering” and fill out a questionnaire; the event coordinator will respond ASAP.
nonnoalbyswoodfire.com | 610.376.1011
3. Not Your Everyday Ice Cream Truck!
Photo Courtesy The Cherry on Top
Anne Marie Lander, owner of The Cherry on Top in Exeter Township, wanted to offer a dessert truck featuring handdipped, artisanal ice cream by Leiby’s Dairy with traditional flavors onboard. “There’s no soft serve,” laughs Landers, “but we do always have the basic flavors like vanilla and chocolate and a variety of toppings for sundaes — hot fudge, chocolate syrup, caramel, sprinkles, whipped cream, chocolate syrup and cherries.” Hence the catchy business name. She adds, “A lot of people love the Fluffer Nutter.” As for her personal fave? “I love Cookies and Cream, mixed in with some brownie and, of course, whipped cream and a cherry on top.”
Super aware that not everyone can tolerate dairy, gluten or certain nuts, etc., Lander takes great care to avoid cross-contamination in her truck. When her son was diagnosed with celiac disease, the family had a hard time finding gluten-free options. “I feel like everybody should be able to enjoy dessert,” she says, “so I have dairy-free and gluten-free options and usually a glutenfree cone, too.” (See Facebook for updates on the menu.)
thecherryontoppa.com | TheCherryonTopPA | 973.270.4585
