Grub on the Go

In cities across America, food trucks have been all the rage in recent years. Specializing in ethnic, artisan and fusion cuisine (Mexican-Korean barbecue, Japanese-Peruvian, high-end grilled cheese) and utilizing social media to inform customers of the truck’s everchanging location, today’s trendy food trucks have taken the urban food scene by storm.

Now, Biola University has a food truck of its own. In November, Biola’s food management company, Bon Appétit, launched “Soaring Eagle,” a mobile eatery offering the Biola community a diverse array of funky fare for on-the-go dining: things like Irish cheddar-stuffed turkey burgers, shrimp spring rolls and Banh Mi sandwiches.

Bon Appétit involved Biola students in both the naming and the design of the new truck. Sophomore Courtney Coker submitted the winning design of the truck, winning a $1,000 scholarship, while sophomores Josh Nordstrom, Eva Kong, Cameron Henry and Locy Durant submitted the winning name, “Soaring Eagle.”

Biola’s truck is the latest in a growing trend of university food trucks. Today there are nearly 100 university-run food trucks across North America, compared with only a dozen five years ago, according to the National Association of College and University Food Services. This fall, Bon Appétit added five new college food trucks, including “Soaring Eagle” at Biola. Food trucks are increasingly a popular option for colleges because they can serve more remote areas of campus and offer late-night dining options.

At Biola, the new eatery-on-wheels can be followed on Twitter (@BUSoaringEagle) or through Facebook. Check out a sample listing of the menu below.

"Soaring Eagle" Sample Menu

Pan-seared Wild salmon Burger  $6.75
Pickled mango salsa and dilled aioli spread on toasted brioche bun.

Cabo Fish Tacos  $2.50 each
Cabo fish (cooked with tomatoes and onions), Mexican crema, cilantro, cabbage and scallions.

Lumpia  $5.50
Filipino eggroll with pork, onions, carrots, scallions and shredded cabbage with sweet chili dipping sauce.