Spencer Thomas | Sports Editor
Sept. 15, 2022
Engines revved and rubber rolled onto a sunny A-Walk on Friday afternoon, and Food Truck Fridays were back. Duquesne’s most alliterative student engagement tradition made its long-awaited return to the Bluff, set to supply students with food that couldn’t be found at traditional dining locations on campus.
From 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, five different food trucks set up shop outside of the Union, offering a variety of cuisines for students to enjoy. Tu Mangi, Pgh Crepes Truck and Lemonade, Forlini’s Kitchen, Brother Andre’s Cafe, and Delicious Sinkers and Dunes Donuts and Coffee all made appearances.
Despite being on the schedule, the event was by no means set in stone. The trucks had actually been scheduled to make their semester debut on Sept. 2, but failed to show up. Perhaps that tease was simply to increase the anticipation. When the trucks did show up this time around, there were more than 100 students, either in line or scouting their options.
Among them was junior student Domenic Sileaggia.
“I like it, it gives options besides the food they already have on campus, and it’s nice to have something different,” Sileaggia said.
He was in line for Sinkers, his favorite truck, and was also hoping for some sushi options in the future.
Besides the food, Sileaggia was also appreciative of the social opportunities created by such a popular event being held in the heart of campus.
“You can talk to people while you’re in line or friends outside while you’re waiting,” Sileaggia said.
While enjoyed by students, the event was also a great opportunity for local businesses, especially those with ties to the university. Brother Andre’s is one of those. They were making their first appearance at the event, having their arrival coordinated by Scott Richards.
Our goal is to help and to work with the IDD (Intellectual Developmental Disability) community,” said director of cafe operations Ree Mitra. “We have three graduates from the St. Anthony’s program here, too, who work with us, so Duquesne is very close to us.”
The cafe employs those who live with a variety of intellectual disabilities, from autism to cerebral palsy.
Mitra appreciated the event’s ability to foster such a charitable business that aligned so closely with the school’s mission, and also showed love to some of the food trucks with him.
“I love [the event]. [Sinker] donuts. Have you tried them? They’re amazing,” Mitra said, laughing. “All the other food, we’re just waiting for a break to go get lunch. We’re big supporters of Duquesne.”
Sileaggia was thrilled with the event’s quality, but hopes that the frequency of the trucks will increase.
“[I hope they] just make sure they do it more often,” Sileaggia said. “They’ll do it for a bunch of times, then they’ll stop.”
The event is scheduled to run until the end of October, and will return in the spring.