They say it’s an Aphrodisiac, some say an elixir. All you have to do is swallow. I’ve tried several times, but was never able to enjoy that delicacy everyone was talking about. Trust me I tried—ugh. I really want to experience the pleasure. I gave up until I found out about The Oyster Lover Food Truck- oh shucks! I was excited and had to try it. After all, that’s what I do, eat at amazing food trucks.
An oyster is a hard lumpy thing with a squishy gray inside found on the beach. What possesses us to try it, I don’t know. But some curious person did, and some thousand years later I joined the bandwagon! The Oyster Lovers Food Truck feeds our desire.
They serve Blue Point oysters in many variations; raw, broiled, fried and the best part is they own the farm where they cultivate the oysters — excited yet! Their raw oysters are fresh with a firm texture, a little briny, and a sweet taste. The flavor of an oyster changes drastically depending on the water and the time of year. When you get your oysters, don’t forget to choose a topping which makes it more exquisite. My favorite was the Prosecco sauce! The acidity of the Prosecco married with the salinity of the oyster, and a tang of vinegar, created the perfect burst of flavor in my mouth. However, if you are looking for a little more added flavor to help with the slippery texture of an oyster, try the mango salsa or the chimichurri condiment.
Sucking down raw oysters isn’t for the faint of heart.
If you’re not sure whether you are ready to eat a live raw animal, let’s talk about the broiled options. It’s the perfect dish for those who want to enjoy the pleasure of an oyster but can’t eat it raw. The oysters are topped with butter and yummy garnish like herbs, parmesan, garlic, tomato and more. The oysters get a quick blast of heat without losing the flavor. I enjoyed the broiled Parmesan. It was rich, creamy, and a little nutty. Still can’t handle that? Seek and you shell find — haha, new to the menu is Po’ Boys. Perfect for those who are squeamish of the little slimy creature. The oysters are seasoned, battered, and deep fried. They are served on a toasted baguette with lettuce, tomatoes, and a beautiful aioli sauce. They are perfectly cooked, crunchy on the outside yet soft and fresh inside. It will satisfy any seafood lover’s craving.
They say the world is your oyster, but in the 1800’s New York City was the world’s oyster capital. It was the go-to street food before hot dog and pretzel carts. Oystermen’s stands lined the streets of Manhattan and most registered oystermen were Black. The most famous of them all is Thomas Downing. He opened his oyster house in the heart of the financial district called Downing’s Oyster House. His clientele were high class bankers, merchants, and dignitaries from all over the world including Queen Victoria- word! It may be a hard shell to crack, but you read it right. He was known as the “oyster king of New York”. You can try Downing style oysters at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. — road trip! Wink. Ironically, the best and only oyster food truck in New York is owned by a Black family. Not only do they serve fresh succulent oysters on a half shell straight from their farm, you can also take their class to learn all about how to shuck an oyster, the history, health benefits,and more. The most important thing I’ve learned is “DON’T SWALLOW” — gag effect! kidding. An oyster is meant to be enjoyed. Start with sipping the oyster liquor while slurping the meat then chew to savor the flavor that will transition from salt to sweet. It’s the best way to experience eating an oyster. You get to appreciate the full flavor.
Now let’s talk about the different types of oysters. Oh wait— literally, for the upcoming 3-part miniseries with The Oyster Lovers Food Truck coming soon. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
2 thoughts on “Oh Shuck! Exploring the World of Oysters”
Thank this was a fun read. Now I know “Don’t Swallow”.
Thanks for the insightful history lesson on oysters lol. Now I feel like I’m an oyster connoisseur minus the raw oyster tho… def gotta give this truck a try or maybe take that road trip, anyways see you later in part 2!!