Bites Around the Block: Magic for Meat-Lovers Too

I have always been a meat-lover. Having been raised in a family of carnivores, I was admittedly skeptical of the meat alternatives presented at many vegan and vegetarian restaurants, whose greatest claims were that they “tasted just like meat.” However, after seeing the incredibly long lines and hearing many rave reviews, I finally caved and tried Penn’s vegetarian (and mostly vegan) food truck, Magic Carpet. While I would not  say that I love fake meat everywhere, there is something about Magic Carpet that is irresistible.

Although the lines are somewhat daunting, the servers have everything down to a science and the line moves surprisingly quickly.My favorite and usual order is the falafel salad with tahini, hot sauce, and sesame seeds. While the falafel is great in a meal or in a pita, the crisp greens of the salad, offset by just the right amount of tahini and hot sauce, are my favorite complement to the rich, earthy taste of the chickpeas. The tofu meatballs are also a crowd-pleaser, although I prefer Friday’s veggie burger special.

With service that’s incredibly friendly and helpful (if you’re unsure of what to order they will provide you with  suggestions, trust them, and let you sample some of the signature dishes) and  vegan cookies that are the perfect way to end the meal, Magic Carpet is worth driving for vegetarians and meat-lovers alike.