Photo by Tayhlor Stephenson / Lifestyles Editor
It was a hot September day, and it felt as though the blazing sun was aiming its rays right at me. Live music filled the Franklin air at the Park at Harlinsdale, and food trucks lined up awaiting exhausted customers — like me — looking to fuel up.
There was just one problem: The heat of the day drained my desire to stand in a mile-long line for food. Luckily, as I staggered across the Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival grounds I stumbled upon a hidden gem tucked away in the back corner, and that gem was Bob’s Fish Fry Food Truck.
It’s important to establish my execrate feelings toward seafood before we go any further. I don’t do crustaceans, fish or anything else that derives from the salty sea. But I made an exception that blistering day only because every other line was way too long for me to stand in. But boy, am I happy I did.
I hopped in line behind four or five other people with my sights set on fish tacos. For $12, I was served two flour tortillas filled with fried fish and topped with reunion salad, a vinaigrette-based dressing complete with tomatoes, peppers and onions.
The white, flaky fish was perfectly battered and seasoned. It was served fresh, but it wasn’t too hot for me to eat. To top it all off, the reunion salad was refreshing, and that’s exactly what I was looking for.
I loved the fish tacos so much that when lunch time rolled around on the second day of Pilgrimage, I headed straight for Bob’s Fish Fry. Only this time, the fish tacos were no longer listed on the chalkboard menu. Unfortunate for me but fortunate for Bob’s, I wasn’t the only one who savored the fish tacos; they were completely sold out.
But because I gave the food truck a chance the day prior, I courageously gave them a second chance. This time I ordered a single fillet — apart from the two fillets for $10 — for $5, along with a side of three hush puppies for an extra $2.
The fillet mirrored the fried fish patty served with the fish tacos: It was battered and seasoned the same, which completely met my satisfaction. I caught a bit of a kick from the hush puppies every few bites, but the side of tartar sauce Bob’s provided me with tamed the spice.
Although I enjoyed every bite of the fillet and hush puppies, Bob’s fish tacos are unbeatable. The reunion salad gives the tacos a unique touch, and I’m already looking forward to my next dining experience at Bob’s Fish Fry.
Also available on the menu are fish & chips and a fish sandwich served on a hoagie roll with lettuce and tartar sauce. Apart from the hush puppies I mentioned earlier, sides include reunion salad, french fries and pinto beans.
I was also assured that there was a bit of a price influx due to serving at a festival, meaning that Bob’s everyday prices aren’t quite as high as they were at Pilgrimage. Regardless, I would gladly fork over another $12 for the fish tacos.
On a star rating system, Bob’s Fish Fry Food Truck earns the full five stars.
For more information on Bob’s Fish Fry Food Truck and to view their schedule, click here.
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