By Domi Watkins
Truck #1: Pandamonium Doughnuts
It’s difficult for a person to walk near the Krannert Center for Performing Arts and miss the adorable pink and black food truck of Pandamonium Doughnuts. Passerby are immediately captivated by the charming panda with doughnuts for eyes on the side of the truck.
However, if you’re looking for a simple chocolate doughnut or a bear claw, this place is not for you. Pandamonium Doughnuts brings new, imaginative creations to Urbana-Champaign. Partiers looking to celebrate ought to try their Birthday Cake doughnut. Outdoorsy folks who love camping and roasting marshmallows by the campfire will get a kick out of their S’mores flavor. Lovers of peanut butter and chocolate are in for an explosion of taste once they bite into a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup doughnut.
I am a huge fan of the chocolate and mint combination, so after hearing that Pandamonium has a Girl Scout Thin Mints doughnut, I was more than willing to brave the cold morning to buy one. A dense chocolate cake doughnut drizzled with homemade peppermint chocolate icing and topped with crushed Thin Mint cookies, it is the perfect way to start the day!
Truck #2: Cracked
I have always been a fan of breakfast food. I love making my way to Brinner (Breakfast for dinner) every Tuesday evening with my friends. There is something about hash browns, eggs and bacon that gets my mouth watering.
In spite of this, I could never find time to try food from Cracked. Also normally located across from the Krannert Center, the yellow food truck is decorated with a string of omelet ingredients like cheese, sausage, green peppers, tomatoes and onion, and ending with the titular egg. Since I had never eaten there before, it took me a while to decide what to eat. I asked one of the workers his opinion, and after hearing his recommendations, I chose to order the “Morning Bender” which is a sandwich consisting of a fried egg, hash browns and sharp cheddar with cream cheese.
After opening the foil wrapper and taking a bite, I was reminded of why I love breakfast food. The soft texture of the fried egg, the crunchiness of the hash browns and the creaminess of the cheese complimented each other perfectly. The only issue I found was that there was too much in my sandwich, and it oozed out with every bite.
Both of these food trucks offer great experiences! I would encourage students to stop by and taste the sweet creations of Pandamonium Doughnuts or the savoring breakfast meals of Cracked.
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*Image Sources:
All images courtesy of Domi Watkins
The Spread 