For the past two weeks, we've had lunch at Captain Marden's Cod Squad Truck at their Thursday spot on Belvidere Street near the Christian Science Center fountain. Last week, the full complement of three trucks was on hand offering some great choices.
Biryani Park, the Cod Squad, and the Pasta Pot are together for Thursday Lunch.
A conversation with The Cod Squad crew on twitter ensured where and what we would be ordering last Thursday. After they read our post last week, they made an offer we were not about to refuse!
Any time a chef is willing to make something especially for us, we are honored. And, it has been a long time since we enjoyed some great RI style chowder and clam cakes so that's what we asked them to make. Penny even sent the recipes for Rocky Point Clam Chowder and clam cakes.
When we arrived, there it was on the special's board. And, the woman in front of us in line ordered it too!
We both ordered our special and have to say that Chef Brian Sway did a masterful job of recreating the chowder of our youth. It had nice big pieces of clams, perfect spoonable size potatoes, and perfect seasoning. Turns out, he had some special memories of Rocky Point of his own.
In the case of the clam cakes, chef outdid himself and certainly improved on what we used to call "sinkers" when Rocky Point made them.
Chef Sway's were light and airy with plenty of clam bits, a touch of scallion, and a perfect fry job. These floated as we dipped them in our chowder (the traditional Rhode Island way to eat clam cakes) and in the spicy remoulade he served with them for those new to this treat.
Penny chatted with the chef when she went to thank him for making this for us. Now that he has satisfied our cravings with a very tradtional rendition, he has plans to change it up a bit and make it his own. We look forward to trying it.
But, we don't think he should change a thing about his clam cakes. This could be a new Boston Food Truck sensation, like The Dining Car's Crispy Cauliflower. These could become a trademark treat you seek out the truck to enjoy.
By the way, food trucks like The Cod Squad Truck are another great reason for downloading & using the LevelUp App. We just had to hold out a phone to put the $20 meal on our card and we gained credits that will one day buy another meal from this small business.
If you join LevelUp through this special link you will get a $5 credit to spend on your first purchase and we'll be rewarded with a credit, too!
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino