As freshmen at Tulane University, we did not realize that the food trucks on campus were open to students because we never saw many students around them. However, these food trucks are featured as a part of Tulane's dining menu. So, throughout the semester, we traveled to Bowlful, Global Mobile Bistro, and Roulez, and below are our comprehensive rankings and critiques of the campus food trucks.
3. Roulez
Starting off with our least favorite campus food truck is Roulez. It is located on the Academic Quad in front of the Stanley Thomas Building. While the food truck has the phrase “NOLA comfort food” plastered on its side, it basically only serves classic American foods. From 8 am-10:30 am, breakfast is offered. The only breakfast option we tried was the breakfast platter (one meal swipe), which is made up of creamy grits, a ripe banana, a soft buttery biscuit, and scrambled eggs. The other breakfast options are waffles and pancakes, however, each time we ordered, the truck claimed not to offer them (despite being two-thirds of the breakfast menu).
Additionally, from 11 am-5 pm, Roulez switches up their menu to a variety of burgers (vegan, turkey, or beef) and fries for our lunchtime cravings, with the additional option of crispy salty hot fries. Therefore, we recommend Roulez for its lunch rather than its breakfast.
2. Global Mobile Bistro
Global Mobile Bistro, a campus food truck parked next to the library, serves street food from around the world and keeps it fresh by switching up its cuisine each semester based on student votes. This past semester they offered Caribbean Bowls with the ability to build your own bowl.
The jerk chicken is juicy and zesty, packing a punch with traditional Caribbean spices. However, if you struggle with spices, we would advise you to skip the Jerk BBQ Sauce and go for the more refreshing Mango Salsa, although expect a more Pico de Gallo-like composition. Furthermore, don’t be shocked if they run out of your favorite chicken, sauce, or side, as we have run across this issue each of the three times we’ve visited. Still, we’re excited to see what Global Mobile Bistro will offer next semester!
1. Bowlful
Our favorite food truck is located to the right of McAlister Auditorium. It offers a variety of plant-based bowls that cater to more than just your regular meat-lovers. The truck’s menu ranges from grain bowls to salads with falafel, brussel sprouts, and avocado as add-ons. Our favorites were the Green Grain Bowl, comprised of smooth edamame, broccoli rabe, tender kale, crispy golden brown falafels, pistachios, pickled vegetables, and green harissa dressing, and the Fall Farro Grain Bowl with falafel, consisting of diced butternut squash, fresh, Honeycrisp apples, sweet pecans, and a savory vinaigrette. Both of these bowls blew our expectations out of the water with their combination of healthy foods and flavorful tastes, therefore becoming our favorite campus food truck of the three!