On spring break, many Rams devoured matzah and chocolate bunnies, but one Saturday, there were much more unique options to be choosen from. Under a clear blue sky on Saturday, April 12, from 11 AM to 5 PM, hundreds of hungry adventurers braved the densely packed sidewalks of Manayunk’s Main Street. They had one delicious mission: to sample foods from over forty of Philly’s best food trucks and gourmet vendors. The second of Manayunk’s annual food festivals and the kickoff to Restaurant Week, the StrEAT Festival was strawberry-themed, but offered much more than just the fruit.

Wading into the crowds, a casual observer would have savored the color and variety of the trucks and people around him or her. Since the streets remained open to traffic, festival-goers packed onto the sidewalks, edging past the food lines in search of their next bite. From their vivid, light clothes, it was clear that the dog-walkers, couples, and families were embracing the belated beginnings of spring. Watching these people could satisfy one for half an hour as one ogled the tempting dishes cradled in their hands and wondered which truck to hit next.

The trucks themselves came in a wide variety. Samosa Deb’s gourmet Indian fare was next door to Smokin’ Tacos and Ka’Chi’s “Korean with a twist”. The festival offered many options for lunch or dinner with trucks like The Dapper Dog (hot dogs), Mac Mart Food Truck (addictive mac ‘n’ cheese), and Mama’s Meatballs (enough said) and let visitors cool down with rave-worthy dessert places, from Zsa’s Gourmet Ice Cream to Bonjour Creperie to Sweet Box Cupcakes. For those who wanted to rest their legs, there were three lots with free public seating and more vendors to try.

What could disappoint in this foodie’s paradise? Long lines. Some eating decisions were based not on what item tasted great, but on which line looked manageable. With a line that snaked down the block, Zsa’s Gourmet Ice Cream seemed to be everyone’s favorite, just one of the many trucks in a similar situation. However, for those who could stand the wait time, the ice cream was worth it. The dark chocolate cookie and sweet cream ice cream sandwich was a Oreo-lover’s heaven, so large that eaters had to open wide for the explosively rich taste.

The advantages of any street food festival are many. It allows one to enjoy the outdoors, socialize with friends, try new and diverse foods, discover new restaurants, and return home feeling outrageously satisfied in stomach and soul. On April 13, visitors to the spring Manayunk StrEAT Food Festival must have already been planning to return in September.

Check out http://manayunk.com/signature-events/streat-food-festival-restaurant-week/ for more information about the next StrEAT Food Festival and the current deals of Restaurant Week.