Lucy I'm Home!

If you love I Love Lucy, you'll love the show inspired Babaloo Cuban Food truck that makes its way all around Monterey County, bringing delicious, organic food on wheels. This is not a roach coach, or a dingy truck looking to escape the scrutiny of health codes. In many metropolitan areas, food trucks are widely becoming places where chefs are experimenting with mobile gourmet cuisine. In New York, they have awards every year for food truck vendors. Babloo is one of, if not the only food truck operating in Monterey County. Gladys, the owner, can talk to you about the long process it took to get all her health and food licenses to operate. The window was too big here, but too small there, and it was an ordeal, but in my opinion, worth it. She makes amazing sandwiches (I love the Ricky Ricardo classic cuban and the Fred and Ethel fish sliders on mini brioche buns). If you need something more filling, the platters come with a hefty portion of rice and beans and tropical cole slaw. Today was so beautiful at lunch I took advantage of her "Virgin" Berry Mojito and was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't too sweet. That is a real plus for me because if drinks are too sweet I get really turned off. All of her containers are recyclable and she even serves her drinks with biodegradable straws, but drink fast! The straw will get flimsy if you wait too long (but I would find it hard to believe someone could let such a tasty beverage sit long enough to not be able to sip it through the straw). Gladys works hard and so show her some love by trying out her food. Oh, and if she's got Ropa Vieja (beef brisket) as a special, get it before its gone!








Here's the low down on her regular schedule:

• Mondays: Pacific Grove Farmers' Market from 3-7pm
• Tuesdays: "Off the Truck" at the Monterey Farmers' Market on Alvarado Street from 4-7pm
• Thursdays: Behind the Salinas Courthouse on Cayuga Street
• Fridays: 11:30-12:30am at Ryan Ranch; 1pm-2pm at Oya Salon in Pacific Grove
• Sundays: Marina Farmers' Market from 10am-2pm

She is affected by rain so always check out her website before heading out on a rainy day. You can also call and Gladys will pick up her phone. The other great thing...no cash? No problem! Unlike most food trucks that take cash only, Gladys can accept credit cards. So now there's no excuse! Eat your heart out Castro, Monterey has you covered.