Best New Food Truck | Eat Out Awards 2012

Best New Food Truck

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  The nominees, front row: the Southern Mac and Cheese, 5411 Empanadas and Bridgeport Pasty. Back row: Isla de Café and Lillie’s Q Meat Mobile.

  Photo : Dave Rentauskas373.rb.ft.eoa.readers.foodtrucks1.jpg152650411
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  The Southern Mac and Cheese

  Photo: Dave Rentauskas373.rb.ft.eoa.readers.BestFoodTrucks.SouthernMacx476.jpg152508612
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  5411 Empanadas

  Photo: Dave Rentauskas373.rb.ft.eoa.readers.BestFoodTrucks.5411Empanadasx476.jpg152508413
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  Bridgeport Pasty

  Photo: Dave Rentauskas373.rb.ft.eoa.readers.BestFoodTrucks.BridgeportPastyx476.jpg152508464
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  Isla de Cafe

  Photo: Dave Rentauskas373.rb.ft.eoa.readers.BestFoodTrucks.islaDeCafex476.jpg152508515
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  Lillie's Q Meat Mobile

  Photo: Dave Rentauskas373.rb.ft.eoa.readers.BestFoodTrucks.LilliesQx476.jpg152508566

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The nominees, front row: the Southern Mac and Cheese, 5411 Empanadas and Bridgeport Pasty. Back row: Isla de Café and Lillie’s Q Meat Mobile.

Photo : Dave Rentauskas

Best New Food Truck The Southern Mac and Cheese

Never doubt the power of macaroni, cheese or those two things on wheels. On-board cooking was—and still is—illegal in Chicago, so the Southern took a chance that mac and cheese prepared in the restaurant’s kitchen, and warmed on the truck, would be good. It was. Instant success led to a permanent Loop storefront a few months later, allowing the Southern Mac to emerge as a separate brand. Since pretty much everything tastes better with melted cheese, chef Cary Taylor isn’t short of options, topping his signature pasta with everything from smoked bacon and blue cheese to roasted mushrooms. Just be ready to wait in line for an order. @thesouthernmac.

Other nominees 5411 Empanadas, Bridgeport Pasty, Isla de Café, Lillie’s Q Meat Mobile

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