This article was originally published in the August 2017 Princeton Echo.
The annual spectacle known as the Princeton Waiters’ Race was held last month at the Princeton Shopping Center under the direction of the Princeton Merchants Association.
The winner in the men’s division was Dan Speck from Witherspoon Grill. Second place finisher was Mario Lorenzano of Teresa Caffe. Tied for third place were Ryan Prendergast of Winberie’s and Miguel Gonzalez of Agricola.
In the women’s division Lindsey Snyder of McCaffreys took first place. Shellbe Randall of the Yankee Doodle Tap Room finished second. Christine Becker of Blue Point Grill was third.
Participating restaurants included Agricola, Alchemist & Barrister, Blue Point Grill, Ivy Inn, Jammin’ Crepes, Main Street Bistro/Cafe, McCaffreys, Mediterra Restaurant, Nomad Pizza, Peacock Inn, Teresa Caffe, Triumph Brewing Co., Winberie’s, Witherspoon Grill, and Yankee Doodle Tap Room.
Food trucks take center stage
McCarter Theater’s seventh annual block party — Wednesday, August 23, from 5 to 8 p.m. on the theater’s front lawn — is meant as a community kick-off event for its season of drama, music, and dance. But the growing event is increasingly a showcase for the area’s restaurants and food trucks.
In addition to live music from the Philadelphia Jazz Orchestra, tours of the theater, activities for kids, and a beer garden for the grown-ups, there are 12 confirmed food vendors.
The Feed Truck, a project of Feed Truck Ministries in cooperation with Kingston Presbyterian Church, serves breakfast and late-night fare with a broader mission of fostering “spiritual engagement and a love of neighbor among young adults in central New Jersey, particularly on and around the college campuses of Mercer County,” according to its website, thefeedtruck.org.
Other offerings include Hulfish Street’s Medittera Restaurant; Nomad Pizza, with locations at Princeton Shopping Center and in Hopewell; Mobile Mardi Gras Food Truck, a Franklin-based purveyor of Louisiana-inspired cuisines; My Four Suns, a Korean fusion food truck based in Mercerville; Oink & Moo BBQ of Florham Park; and Surf and Turf Food Truck.
For dessert, the Chilly Banana, based in Philadelphia, offers frozen banana treats, and Gil & Bert’s Ice Cream, based in Cranbury, serves up scoops. Nassau Street’s Jammin’ Crepes and Ringoes-based Maddalena’s Cheesecake will serve their signature dishes. Tico’s Eatery and Juice Bar, on Spring Street, offers healthier dessert choices.
