Ep 5. Arepas and Mac 'n' Cheese

In season 2 episode 5 of Food Truck Nation, host Brad Miller sets out on a culinary adventure in search of the best arepas and mac 'n' cheese dishes. The episode features a variety of food trucks across the United States specializing in these two popular comfort foods.

The first stop on the journey is in Miami, Florida, where Brad visits Pepitos Plaza, a food truck known for its delicious arepas. He tries the classic cornmeal dish filled with shredded beef, black beans, and plantains. Brad is blown away by the flavors and even gets to try a sweet arepa filled with Nutella and fresh strawberries. Pepitos Plaza's owner, Pedro, shares his passion for bringing traditional Venezuelan cuisine to Miami and discusses the challenges of running a food truck business.

Next, the show travels to Fort Worth, Texas, to visit Savor Da Flavor Catering, a food truck that serves up a unique take on mac 'n' cheese. Owner Leida prepares a dish with smoked turkey and jalapeños that has Brad's taste buds tingling. She also shares one of her secrets to perfect mac 'n' cheese texture – using evaporated milk instead of regular milk. Leida talks about her inspiration for starting the food truck and how she's grown her business through community events and social media.

In Los Angeles, California, Brad makes a stop at The Mac Shack, a food truck that specializes in creative mac 'n' cheese dishes. He tries the "BBQ Mac Attack," which features pulled pork, barbecue sauce, and crispy onion straws on top of creamy mac 'n' cheese. The Mac Shack's owner, Jeremy, talks about the challenges of running a food truck business in a competitive market and how he's found success by constantly innovating his menu.

The episode also features a visit to Atlanta, Georgia, where Brad tries the arepas at Arepa Mia. Owner Lis Hernandez shares her family's recipe for the dough and talks about the importance of sourcing fresh and local ingredients for her dishes. Brad tries a variety of fillings, including cheese and avocado, and is blown away by the bold flavors.

Finally, the show heads to Portland, Oregon, to visit the People's Pig food truck, which serves up a mac 'n' cheese topped with bacon and green chilies. Chef Cliff shares his philosophy of using high-quality ingredients and letting them shine in simple yet flavorful dishes. Brad also learns about the challenges of running a food truck in a city with a thriving food scene and how The People's Pig has carved out a niche with its classic, no-frills menu.

Throughout the episode, Brad highlights the unique flavors and experiences offered by each food truck and shares the stories of the passionate entrepreneurs behind them. From Miami to Portland, viewers get a taste of the diverse and delicious arepas and mac 'n' cheese dishes being served up around the country.