There just may be a new BBQ boss in town.
Oink & Moo BBQ, a nomadic New Jersey food truck that’s packed on a ton of mileage over the past few years, added a second signature pink-and-maroon vehicle to their barbecuing battalion this past spring that is dedicated to solely serving us Philadelphians.
I only recently became informed about the nearby presence of this truck while searching for a new mouth-watering-mobile to test out—and was lucky enough to hear about it while it still had a lunch spot every week in October at The Porch at 30th St. Station. This timely discovery has lead me to believe that I may actually possess a sixth sense for detecting barbecue in my vicinity (although the theory has yet to be tested).
Photo by Ella Rubin
So last week, I decided to trust my internal BBQ radar and see what Oink & Moo is all about. My friend Ella and I made the walk on a sunny yet brisk day, and when we reached our destination all I could think about was my excitement for warming up with some succulent slow-cooked-to-perfection meat made right in the truck over their special combination of hickory, cherry and apple woods.
After taking a few moments to deliberate over the tempting menu, I finally made a choice to try their award-winning chili after asking if it would be filling enough for lunch. The guy inside the truck said, “It’s got both brisket and pulled pork in it. What do you think?” That was all the convincing I needed.
A few moments later, my meal was in front of me, topped with a piece of cornbread that was just the right amount of gooey (side note for gluten-free readers: the chili is completely gluten free, just ask for no cornbread). This chili was aromatically incredible with the spices from the meat, sauce and beans blending impeccably to add a unique tang to a classic recipe. The brisket was tender and the pork strengthened the overall flavor of the dish, together creating a fully-rounded mélange of meats, seasoning and smoky undertones in each mouthful. Once I had finished devouring my chili, I was convinced that this ain’t no basic barbecue.
Photo by Ella Rubin
Ella, on the other hand, went a different route and tried the chicken chipotle tacos. The tacos came filled to the brim with poblano peppers and–wait for it–homemade cilantro-lime sour cream (see, I told you this was not your basic barbecue), wrapped all together in three mini flour tortillas. Luckily for me, Ella selflessly let me polish off her last taco, and afterwards we both smiled in agreement–these tacos were truly out of this world. The ratio of ingredients was near immaculate, allowing the peppers and sour cream to complement the chicken without overwhelming it. Oink & Moo really has their flavor combination down; like the chili, the tacos contained tastes of tons of different flavors that interacted to produce the ultimate tang and zest one hopes to find in their filled tortillas.
Photo by Ella Rubin
While Oink & Moo’s month at conveniently-located The Porch has come to an end, you can still track their ever-changing location on their website or Twitter page.
So for now, we must stick to stalking our new favorite BBQ food vendor on social media until co-owners Josh Sacks and Sean Parker (no, not the guy from The Social Network) realize that our Philly-dwelling bellies may need more than one truck to satisfy our hungry demands. On the bright side, you can also get Oink & Moo to cater any event or group meeting, and if they do, they come armed with even more meaty treats than the ones available on their normal menu. So whether you want to liven up a boring event, or want a new lunch spot for when you’re craving something quick, cheap and covered in barbecue sauce, look no further–and let Oink & Moo take the wheel.
Hours: Vary
Address: Nomadic. See website!