Yesterday, through the kindness of others, I was able to hit up yet another downtown Minneapolis food truck which had been on my list for quite sometime, Vellee Deli. When Vellee Deli first hit my radar I was fairly unimpressed by the menu however reports had been coming in from coworkers and friends about their “kickers” which are the three levels of hot sauce Vellee offers to give their items a little spice. With spicy and inexpensive food waiting for me, sometimes right outside my building, I was chafing at the bit to get out there and give this truck a taste.
We arrived at around 11:45 on a clear but cold and windy day. Vellee Deli noted on their Twitter account that they had a heater and they were going to be serving up food fast so it seemed almost like it was worth it to brave the October cold and get some spicy food. The line was fairly short and only a few people were around waiting for their orders. We went up to the window and placed an order for their Koren BBQ Burrito (grilled boneless short ribs, kim chi, romaine lettuce, seasoned rice, and salsa rojo) for $7, the Dragon Melt Quesadilla (chicken, fresh shallots, cilantro, lime, queso cheese and baja sauce) for $5, and an order of Vellee Rolls (5 crispy, golden, eggrolls served with sweet and sour) for $4. While the heater was nice when you were ordering, you were still stuck out in the cold while they prepared the food however Vellee Deli’s promise to have our orders up in a flash was true and we were soon making our way to find a place to sit and enjoy our food.
The first thing I noticed about the items we ordered were that they were quite large for the prices charged. While I felt that our recent trip to YumMi was a bit underwhelming in the size to cost department, Vellee Deli had definitely delivered there. The Dragon Melt quesadilla looked much like any other chicken quesadilla I’ve ever seen but after the first bite it definitely set itself apart from the dry, crispy and tasteless versions straight from the microwave that I’ve had far too many times. Vellee Deli’s play on the traditional quesadilla was a complex masterpiece with each bite playing off the one before it beautifully. While most quesadillas are cheese and not much else, the Dragon Melt provided glimpses of the cilantro and lime tucked just behind the gooey queso. The chicken was still juicy and the shallots just perceptible while the “2 Kick” sauce pulled up the rear and provided just enough oomph to make you suck your breath in through your teeth in a nearly futile attempt to cool the growing burn. While I never thought I’d have anything at all good to say about a quesadilla, Vellee Deli’s Dragon Melt definitely gave me a new outlook on the usually tired dish.
Next up was a bite of one of the five eggrolls laid out before us. Similarly unappealing as the usual quesadilla, I have never really been a fan of eggrolls as they are usually tough, over-fried belly bombs with little flavor aside from the remnants of whatever product was previously fried in the same oil. However, much like the Dragon Melt, the Vellee Rolls were nothing like the mental picture I drew for myself. These were light, crispy and definitely not doused in 16 day old oil. The innards were flavorful and bright. The only downside was the sweet and sour. While not the usual orange and pink, syrupy mess which normally accompanies such treats, Vellee’s was still too sickly sweet for me and if I ever ordered them again I’d request a side of their kicker sauces or an empty cup to dump some Sriracha in for dipping. Even so, I was pleasantly surprised with the eggrolls and I wouldn’t hesitate to eat a piece or two again if someone offered them to me.
The final item I bit into was Vellee Deli’s Korean BBQ Burrito. A larger-than-Chipotle sized behemoth, this meal monstrosity made my arm tired as I made my way through the sandwich. Stuffed full of rice which was actually worth eating, tons of cubed short ribs, and some lettuce, my sole complaint came from the lack of obvious kimchi which was I hoping to be able to see and taste throughout the burrito. The meat itself was tasty, tart with the level three kicker and lined up with the rice provided a perfect filler for this Chipotle and World Street Kitchen killer. While I describe the highest level of “kicker” as “tart” above, it started out that way but by the time I reached the bottom folds of the burrito it had unleashed a fiery inferno in my mouth which continued to burn its way throughout the rest of the afternoon.
While I didn’t think it was possible to dethrone World Street Kitchen’s Minneapolis food truck reign, I really have to admit that I was quite impressed with what I had at Vellee Deli yesterday and the wide variety of regular options, low prices, spicy sauces and excellent overall quality put them at the top of the list for downtown food truck eats. Overall I highly recommend you check out Vellee Deli next time you’re out and about and I’m absolutely certain you won’t be disappointed.
Have you eaten at Vellee? If so what did you think? What items did you order and what level of kickers did you spice up your food with? How do you think their offerings compare with the other downtown trucks? Whatever you have to say about Vellee Deli’s street food go ahead and comment on as I’d love to hear what you have to say.
See all the pictures from Vellee Deli on Flickr here.
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October 21st, 2011 at 8:03 am
I hit up the Veelee truck 2 weeks ago, and have meaning to get back there again! I went with 3 coworkers – none of us had been there before. Once we saw the menu, it took us quite awhile to figure out what we were going to order. Not because nothing looked good, but because EVERYTHING looked good! Three of us settled on the Chicken Currito and one got the Dragon Melt Quesadilla. We also order 2 orders of the eggs rolls to split.
The service was crazy-fast – I’ve come to expect a bit of a wait from food trucks, but our food was up within a minute or two, it seemed! The egg rolls were good – light and crispy. The Chicken Currito was awesome! I think I would take that any day over a Chipotle burrito – for $6 I thought it was a great lunch value. It’s described as spicy Thai curry, romaine lettuce, seasoned rice and a creamy zing sauce. The chicken curry was great – a little spicy, creamy with coconut. The rice was good, too (wonder if they use the same rice as the Korean BBQ burrito) and the sauce was delicious – I’d take a bowl of just the rice and that sauce!
I was only disappointed that 3 of us ordered the same thing (which we all loved) because I would have liked to see some of the other menu items and get their take on them. I guess I’ll have to head back there and try something else myself!
October 21st, 2011 at 9:09 am
Bill, here is a pic of my Korean BBQ Burrito for comparison:
http://a.yfrog.com/img734/9240/qrqo.jpg
Your’s had more beef and more sauce on it. The sauce part could be due to the fact that you got kicker sauce added to it (they hadn’t introduced it yet when I ate there early this summer) which also explains why my rice is much whiter in color and – as I mentioned on twitter – overpowered the meat. I enjoyed the burrito but I didn’t love it. Perhaps I’ll need to give it another try with some kicker sauce. Although the way KC describes the Chicken Currito, I might have to try that first.
Also, it’s called Vellee deli because the food is Vellee good (their words not mine).
October 21st, 2011 at 9:56 am
Hands down, my favorite food truck. The Korean BBQ burrito and the Chicken Currito are out of this world, as is the Bahn Mi, and the eggrolls were fantastic as well!
October 21st, 2011 at 11:31 am
The Chicken Currito was one of my favorite items at the Heavy Table’s North Coast Nosh a few weeks ago so I’m not too surprised you liked Vellee Deli. Damn good.
October 21st, 2011 at 12:06 pm
I really need to start working downtown again as I’m really missing out on these food trucks.
October 21st, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Just ate the Chicken Currito. It is just as big as the Korean BBQ Burrito (Chipotle sized) but much more flavorful. Without any kicks or Sriracha, it’s about a 3 (out of 10) in terms of spiciness. Definitely enjoyed it but I still prefer World Street Kitchen’s Curry Chicken Banh Mi. Probably because they use Vietnamese curry versus Thai curry. WSK is still my #1 choice for food trucks.
October 24th, 2011 at 4:33 am
[...] of Schell’s Stag Series #4: Burton Ale; some fan mail for our own Louie the Loon; Bill Roehl visits Vellee Deli; and a dueling piano bar from the national chain Howl at the Moon is opening in downtown [...]
October 24th, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Have only been once, and I got the eggrolls. I, too, was very pleasantly surprised at how good they were. I was in the mood for deep-fried whatever, and got something excellent. My Thai boss said they were great, like her Mom’s eggrolls.
October 24th, 2011 at 10:39 pm
I’ve had the BBQ Bahn Mi a couple of times. I didn’t order extra kickers. The jalapenos were enough for me. I did enjoy the sandwich and they were speedy – which scored points since Dandelion Kitchen makes a good sandwich, but they’re SLOW.
I sent Sank a link to this one as he’s pretty discerning in the Korean BBQ realm. I haven’t tried that item, but your description puts it on my list for the next try. Thanks!
November 16th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Coworker treated a couple of us to lunch today at Vellee Deli. I tried their BBQ Banh Mi with three kicks. Aside from the tough bread, this was a stellar sandwich for the price. The kicks were enough to give me a long-lasting burn and the veggies were fresh as can be. While I would have preferred a bit more crunch and vinegar from the veggies, the overall was quite nice.
Definitely better than YumMi’s sandwiches and much less expensive.
January 10th, 2012 at 7:02 am
[...] dipping sauce was a very light sweet and sour somewhat reminiscent of what you’ll find on the Vellee Deli food truck. While I thought they were great, The Wife seemed to think they weren’t anything [...]
January 25th, 2012 at 7:54 am
[...] The Nook 2. Black Sheep 3. Palace’s Pizza 4. The Wienery 5. Vellee Deli 6. Wolves Den 7. Blackbird 8. Hola Arepa 9. D-Spot Wings 10. Origami 11. Shorty and Wags Chicken [...]
May 23rd, 2012 at 1:24 pm
Where I work, we have designated this summer as the Summer of Food Truck Wednesdays. If the trucks are out, we are there.
Since we started that, I have tried Smack Shack (wonderful), Hola Arepa (pretty good), Anchor Food Truck (fair) and today the Vellee Deli.
Got the Korean BBQ burrito and asked to have it as spicy as it gets. It was the best thing I have eaten recently. Every bite was a tasty treat and it had a very good kick to it as well. While I have been planning on trying a lot of different trucks this season, I am going to have a hard time passing this one by…yum.
May 24th, 2012 at 9:02 am
Started the new job downtown 3 weeks ago and I’m working my way through the food trucks. Agree — the Vellee Deli burrito is very good. I didn’t request spicier and probably will add some heat next time.
I expect to see an invite to the “Summer of Food Truck Wednesdays” lefty.
May 24th, 2012 at 9:14 am
Sure thing MSPD. Let’s try to meet up one day in the near future for a new challenge.
Got any recommendations other than the places I have tried above? I have also done Potter’s (fair) at the Fulton tap room a few weeks ago, not to mention a number of the St. Paul based ones, but I obviously won’t go there for lunch.
May 24th, 2012 at 9:24 am
I was with Bill when he reviewed the banh mi at “Yum mi”. It’s worth a try if you and your cohorts like banh mi. You seem to have hit the same ones I started with. World Street Kitchen seems to be the gold standard and I haven’t hit that one yet.
Unfortunately, they all pale in comparison to my constant daydreaming about Dan Dan’s Rise and Whine (the Wicked Palate). Makes me wish I had forced myself into a position at Goodrich instead of downtown.
May 25th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Counted 16 food trucks on a 2-block stretch of Marquette Ave today, this does not include the trucks on Nicollet Mall. I think we may have reached the quality vs. quantity tipping point.
May 25th, 2012 at 12:39 pm
I think the Wicked Palate’s entry into the market was that defining moment.
May 25th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
While we’re on the subject of food trucks in general – with the explosion into the market, has anyone had anything at one of the food trucks that sucked? I know Bill wasn’t crazy about Dandilion Kitchen, but I wrote that off as Bill’s horrible opinion on food.
So far, everything I’ve tried has been between good and flat out great.
May 25th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
I was very fair in my review of DK. The chicken sandwich was shitty. The rest was fine.
I’m, right now, eating a Carvel ice cream cone. Bite me.
May 25th, 2012 at 3:47 pm
Thanks for answering my question, you tool.
May 25th, 2012 at 3:49 pm
Anytime.
May 31st, 2012 at 5:28 pm
http://blogs.citypages.com/food/2012/05/vellee_deli_coming_to_u_of_m_dinkytown.php