UVA is lucky to be centered in Charlottesville, with one of the top food scenes in the country. Students have the freedom to explore the collection of restaurants on the downtown mall, the corner, and everywhere in-between in surrounding areas of the city. We also have the food trucks on weekdays that are available for lunch, a snack, or early dinner. The Dumpling Truck, the Pie Guy, and the newest addition of Yum Yum Xpress are the located in between the amphitheater and McCormick Road for students to enjoy as they please.
Disclaimer, I have not yet eaten at Yum Yum Xpress, a food truck offering Mediterranean selections, so it will not have equal representation in this article. But to quote a friend, “It is really great,” so a follow-up publication is on the horizon after I finally try it.
First, The Dumpling Truck.
Pro: The dumplings are fabulous. And so are the sides. You really can’t go wrong with anything on this menu, from the variety of chicken, pork, or shrimp, to the seaweed salad or noodles as a side. This food is where it’s at.
Con: THE LINE. Not to discredit the pro, the food is very good, but is it this good? On any given day, the line at the dumpling truck wraps around the side of the amphitheater and close to the buildings on the other side of the sidewalk. If the point of a food truck is a quick eat, so we are defeating the purpose with this line.
Pro: The efficiency. Again, piggybacking off the last con, this line might stay this length because people are willing to wait, as once they reach the front, they will have their dumplings almost instantly.
Con: Running out of sauce. Enough said.
Pro: Plus dollars! It’s like Monopoly money (just kidding, parents).
Con: Honestly, I’m having trouble picking another, because this is how much I love the dumplings. Maybe forgetting to grab a napkin?
Next, The Pie Guy.
Pro: There is seriously never a line here. You’re always first. Get your pie NOW.
Con: The Pie Guy has to be lonely. He has to just stand there and stare at the dumpling line.
Pro: You don’t have to decide whether you’re in the mood for breakfast, lunch, or dessert. Well, actually, I guess you do, but all of the options are there.
Con: You are so excited to eat your pie that you WILL burn your mouth. Every time.
Pro: These pies are extremely portable. In a rush? You can actually keep walking and eat your lunch. You might spill some, and you might not enjoy it as much, but it is definitely a possibility.
Con: Again, not enough cons for this one either. Maybe having a spork instead of a fork. That’s more of a thing for the suggestion box.
With this being said, if you are tired of your old lunch spot as you settle into the middle of the semester, it’s time to check out the food trucks at UVA. Maybe you will see me in line for Yum Yum Xpress while you’re there.
