Ben & Jerry's

The Ben & Jerry's truck is back in Miami.

The Ben & Jerry's truck is back in Miami now through June 16, offering free frozen treats in time for the unofficial start of summer.

The truck will be traveling through Miami, giving away scoops of the new Greek frozen yogurt. The flavors being sampled include:

• Strawberry Shortcake: Strawberry Greek frozen yogurt with shortbread pieces
• Raspberry Fudge Chunk: Raspberry Greek frozen yogurt with fudge chunks
• Blueberry Vanilla Graham: Blueberry and vanilla Greek frozen yogurt with a graham cracker swirl
• Peanut Butter Banana: Banana Greek frozen yogurt with peanut buttery swirls

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Laine Doss

Burger King food truck makes it to Miami

While shopping in South Miami, we saw a curious sight...the Burger King food truck parked right in the middle of Shops at Sunset Place. The truck was there as part of a nationwide tour to sample the king's new line of smoothies, frappes, and chicken strips in an effort to mimic McDonald's remain relevant.

We tried the tropical mango smoothie that was offered and found it surprisingly fruity, with a fragrant mango flavor and yogurt tartness. According to Burger King's website, the smoothies are made with real fruit, low fat yogurt, and made fresh to order in each BK kitchen. A medium serving contains 330 calories, 3 grams protein, 78 grams carbohydrates, 63 grams sugar, and 1 gram fat, which actually isn't too bad.

If you want to try one of the smoothies or a frappe, the BK food truck will be rolling over to Marlins Park for a little pre-game sampling. Here's the schedule:
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North Beach will hold food truck roundups as part of a pilot program passed by the Miami Beach City Commission.

The City of Miami Beach will allow a limited number of food truck roundups, starting as early as June. The issue of having food trucks on Miami Beach was pushed back many times, as local restaurants felt it would take away business.

On May 9, the Miami Beach City Commission moved forward with a long-discussed (and fiercely debated) pilot food truck program in North Beach. The program was first introduced jointly by city commissioners Michael Gongora and Edward L. Tobin over a year ago as a means of encouraging more resident activity in North Beach, but was finally passed this week. Latin Burger's Jim Heins represented food truck owners at the meeting, stating that roundups would encourage families to experience North Beach.
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Wynwood food truck roundup cancelled again.

Beached Miami reported yesterday that the Second Saturday Street Food and Music Festival in Wynwood, scheduled for this Saturday, May 12, was cancelled due to permitting issues.

Sakaya Kitchen's manager, Szilvia sent out an email to food truck owners simply stating,
"Hello Everyone, Unfortunately the Wynwood event is not going to happen this month on the lot; the City will not give the permission. See you hopefully next month."

Short Order called Sakaya Kitchen, where the message was confirmed.
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Charges have been dropped in Beltran assault case.

In a hearing yesterday, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Migna Sanchez-Llorens dismissed charges against Frita Man owner Jean Beltran, closing the case with a "no action" disposition. Beltran was arrested April 9 after Grill Master Cafe food truck owner Raymond Delgado accused him of pulling a gun outside his home.

According to Beltran's attorney, Jorge Del Villar, the State Attorney's Office decided to drop all charges because it could not prove the case. Beltran was released from jail April 23 but had to wait until the formal hearing April 30 for the judge to close the file.

Del Villar told Short Order that even though the burden of guilt is placed on the state to find a defendant guilty, he has ample proof of Beltran's innocence. "We have witnesses who can account for every minute of Mr. Beltran's day. We also have a video from a neighbor that shows Mr. Beltran's comings and goings throughout the day." Del Villar said several people have come forward to attest that Beltran was either with business associates or his son during the time in question.
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If you've been waiting for the day a Dos Equis taco truck drives into your city, stay thirsty my friend. It's coming soon.

The "most interesting" food truck in the world is on a multi-city tour and coming here on Wednesday, partnering with Jefe's food truck and chef Jack Garabedian to throw a 10-day Cinco de Mayo free taco binge for all.
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Dim Ssam a Gogo will be out at Wynwood, along with over two dozen other trucks.

A little over 24 hours before the Wynwood Street Food and Music Festival was set to start, organizer Richard Hales was waiting at the phone for word the event permit was granted. Hales told Short Order shortly after he heard that the City of Miami had put the seal of approval on the event that he felt great. "It's a relief to get this done", he said.

The monthly event, in conjunction with the monthly Wynwood Art Walk, brings together people of all ages to eat, drink, and listen to music before or after heading out to peruse the galleries that stay open during the second Saturday of each month.

Hales, who owns Sakaya Kitchen and food truck Dim Ssam a Gogo, says he loves Wynwood and feels the food truck roundup is a great way to introduce both people and potential business owners to the neighborhood. "People come here and walk down the streets and see it's a great area with tons of potential", he said.

The Wynwood Street Food and Music Festival runs tomorrow from 6 p.m. to midnight at the lot on 210 NW 22nd Lane in Wynwood. Local bands Arboles Libres, The Jelly Fish Brothers, and Eyelash will perform live, and DJ Kiko de Gallo from Spain will spin tunes between sets.

As part of their promotional campaign to re-introduce its brand, the Hatuey Beer mini-truck will be on-site with samples and promotional items.

Food trucks at the event include:
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Laine Doss

Wynwood food truck organizer Richard Hales will not have an unpermitted event.

The Second Saturday Wynwood Artwalk food truck roundup is still one of the most successful and well attended events in Miami.

Each month, thousands of people gather for a little street food sustenance and shopping at local crafts vendors before of after heading out to peruse the galleries that stay open for both serious art collectors and casual observers.

But last month, the lot on 210 NW 22nd Lane which houses the roundup was quiet. The event, made lively by laughing families, DJ's, and live musical performances, was cancelled due to a tipster informing zoning officials that organizer Richard Hales permit was stuck somewhere in the slow-moving cogs of the City of Miami Zoning Department.

At the time, Hales told Short Order that the property on NW 22nd Lane had changed ownership and that he had to re-apply for an event permit. Hales was confident that the April event would happen, with Hales having secured a permit by then.
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Jean Beltran of Frita Man.

Frita Man's Jean Beltran was arrested Monday, April 9, outside his home after allegedly pulling a gun on Grill Master Café owner Raymond Delgado.

According to Delgado, Beltran called him Monday around 2 p.m. after he found his website had been hacked. There was a picture of the Grill Master Café truck posted on the site. Beltran accused Delgado, who denied any knowledge of the hacking.

Delgado said, Beltran "threatened to kick my ass. I said, 'Let's meet somewhere and talk it out.'" They hung up and Delgado went home to shower and change.

Around 3 p.m., Delgado said Beltran was "waiting for me outside my front door. He put a gun to my head. Then he left and I called the cops, and they went to his house and they arrested him."
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All photos by Laine Doss

What are they all looking at? (Hint: Check the reflection behind them)

​Just another day in the life at Miami New Times. Editorial meeting, a little writing, beautiful girls pole-dancing in the parking lot.

Are you jealous yet? Yesterday at lunchtime, the staff at New Times was treated to a little ice-cream party. We know, we know, big deal. Lots of offices have ice-cream parties, right? Well, yes. But maybe not exactly like we have them.

Justine Price, Jacqueline Suzanne, and Jessica Jones from Aphrodisiac Ice Cream served us some delicious ice cream -- with a side of show!

Let us remind you that Aphrodsiac Ice Cream features homemade ice cream served by beautiful models. The company van is well equipped with a freezer, a counter, and stripper poles. The girls, by the way, are well equipped too.

While our employees were delighted at the midafternoon treat, our building management staff was immune to the charms of ice cream and eye candy, making the van and girls move off the property. Oh well, that's the way the ice-cream cone melts, we guess.

Pictures of our ice-cream party, after the jump:
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