Mobile eateries are becoming an increasingly popular dining option in Durham, proving that meals on wheels are not restricted to the geriatric crowd. The holy grail of the local traveling food scene is perhaps OnlyBurger, the truck that serves what it dubs "the only burger you'll ever want." The restaurant has attracted a large and loyal following, in part because it often parks on the East Campus circle and under the Bryan Center during the school year. Its popularity, however, can be attributed primarily to its acceptance of food points.
On a recent summer afternoon, when most students were still at home, a group of locals tracked down the OnlyBurger truck to test the fare. Josh Harris, a clinical social worker at Duke University Hospital, often seeks out the business for lunch, and this particular Friday proved no exception.
"It's a really good burger, and it has such a rich flavor and they cook it just right," said Harris, adding that the crowds have been growing since his first visit.
"This comes highly recommended from a co-worker of mine, so this will be my maiden voyage," said Chad Saleka, a designer from Chapel Hill. "When she told me that she couldn't eat Cookout and Chargrill because of this place, I had to try it."
When asked why OnlyBurger is so popular-why the eatery's growing reputation brings out a growing stream of those ready to take the plunge-customers say that there is something pure about an old-fashioned hamburger stand, even if it is on wheels. "Everybody loves a burger joint," Saleka said. "I mean, I'm an American."
Though OnlyBurger may be the most popular of the mobile food providers, with more than 700 people keeping tabs on the truck's location on Twitter and its real-time GPS point on its Web site, the burger shop is only one in an expanding field. Bull Dogs is a food cart with a small, but growing following, and unlike the constantly traveling OnlyBurger, Bull Dogs generally stations outside a few bars downtown. When TOWERVIEW caught up to the cart, it was in front of The Pinhook on a bustling West Main Street.
"I've been cooking all my life and I really enjoy the freedom of coming outside the restaurant," said Scott Curran, Bull Dogs' proprietor. "I have friends who own some bars around here who said to me, 'Hey, when people leave here, they don't have anywhere to grab a bite to eat.'"
Curran said he serves hot dogs daily, as well as a home-cooked option that changes from one day to another. Today, the home fare was soft tacos. He added that his business has been doing well lately, and he has seen a large proliferation of mobile food options in Durham.
The competition doesn't bother him. "I guess," he said, "it's just for the love of cooking."
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