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By Will Bredderman
Brooklyn Daily
A Red Hook food truck took home the top honors at the Ninth Annual Vendy Awards — the Oscars of the sidewalk dining world.
El Olomega, a 23-year fixture in the Red Hook Recreation Area, won the Vendy Cup for its Salvadorian pupusas — corn flour tortillas stuffed with meat, cheese, and beans. The owners of the Latin American snack wagon credited their authentic traditional cuisine.
“We specialize in traditional home-style cooking, and our products are hand made, fresh and worth the wait,” said El Olomega co-owner Marcos Lainez. “Our attention to the heritage of Salvadorian cooking is what we take pride in and is reflected in our pupusas.”
More than 1,000 meals-on-wheels lovers converged on Sunset Park’s Industry City on Sept. 7 to gorge on a smorgasbord of a la cart delights. The festivities came courtesy of the Street Vendor Project, a sometimes controversial team of attorneys dedicated to defending pavement peddlers.
Organizers also honored some 50 rolling kitchenettes for bringing food to the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
The Street Vendor Project called the food festival a satisfying success, and a demonstration of all vendors of vagrant vittles have to offer.
“The event was a true celebration of vendors and their contributions, and continues to highlight their intricate role in city life,” said spokeswoman Helena Tubis.