On the evening of May 15th, Night Market Philadelphia kicked off its summer series of food-truck festivals with a Night Market in Old City, Philadelphia. Spanning two blocks of Arch Street plus two blocks of 3rd Street, the market certainly brought high expectations of providing the perfect meal for everyone. Though a gloomy sky seemed to promise a downpour, the rain refrained from drenching the multitudes of anxious foodies who had gathered. The charming cobblestone streets of historical Old City were chock-full of the fun atmosphere, food connoisseurs and flavors that make Night Markets so memorable.

The narrow streets were lined with the bustling food trucks that churned out their specialties in a matter of seconds. Hundreds of food-seekers queued up to savor the cuisine of their chosen food truck. One could tell which trucks to stop at just by looking at the lines – the longer the line, the better the food! I sampled food from two of the trucks: the ‘Lil Pop Shop and Calle Del Sabor.

What drew me to the ‘Lil Pop Shop van was not only the bold patterns and colors that enrobed the truck, but also the exotic flavor combinations, such as Vietnamese iced coffee, coconut hibiscus, andpineapple basil. Calle Del Sabor had great Mexican fare to offer. Their deal of 3 tacos of your choice for $10 had overwhelmed them with orders. I also caught sight of some tried-and-true favorite trucks that never fail to attract tremendous lines at night markets: Ka’Chi’s with its esteemed Korean menu; Zsa’s small batch ice-cream; and The Tot Cart, serving up tater tots with a twist.

Adding to the overwhelming food choices (picking from over 85 eateries is a daunting task), musicians and artists displayed their talents, too. The Clay Studio and The Center for Art in Wood, two city art studios, both had stands advertising their businesses. Street musicians and DJs lent to the lively ambiance of the night.

The Old City Night Market was one of the best Night Markets I had ever attended. The selection of food and the excitement in the air kept spirits high as everyone enjoyed the carefree and jubilant market vibe. Having been to four Night Markets now, I can attest that getting to the event early helps a great deal, because lines become horrendously long about 1-2 hours into the festival. Gear up for huge crowds, since the people on the streets are inevitably packed like sardines. Food-lovers will anticipate the next Night Market with bated breath and with fond memories from their May 15 experience in the colorful streets, a people-watcher’s paradise, and in the lengthy lines that, like rainbows, were worth it when you reached their ends.

Night Markets run the rest of the summer. More events will be held at West Oak Lane on June 19^th, Lancaster Avenue at 35^th on August 21^st, and Chinatown on October 2^nd. Check out thefoodtrust.org/night-market for more details.