By Anel Ceballos, Nov. 2, 2021
The Poly Trolley 2 made an appearance ahead of its announced Nov. 5 grand opening date last Tuesday and served Cal Poly Pomona students, staff and faculty with the new Poly Trolley, which does not hold back in looks or flavor.
Like many CPP students, I was excited when I heard the news that the new Poly Trolley would come back in early November. I was a regular at the original Poly Trolley and was thrilled to know that I would get the chance to try the new food items, such as the tacos, bowls and street fries, before I graduate this December.
When I viewed the Poly Trolley 2 for the first time after more than a year, I felt joyful. It was different from the original. Instead of CPP green, the food truck was a royal blue, creating a modern feel. The new change caught mine and other students’ attention. The font on the truck was simplistic and used for the text that wrapped the truck. They were all CPP phrases such as “Billy Bronco,” “BRIC,” Campus Market,” “The Japanese Garden” and more. This new marketing elevated my expectations of the food.
Coming from a Latinx household, I had high expectations for the food. When I saw Mexican street corn, also known as “esquite” in Spanish, on the menu, I knew I had to get it. My excitement was soon met with disappointment after the first bite. I ordered the Mexican street corn because of the expectation of it being a creamy, cheesy and buttery dish, but the dish was anything but that. It was plain and unusually sweet. It was missing the fatty flavors that make an “esquite” so unforgettable. The corn had a watery taste, and although it was covered in butter and sprinkled with chili powder spread on top, I could not taste those flavors at all.
Next, I was seeking one of their protein dishes. There are various protein options on the menu such as al pastor, carne asada and pollo asado. For vegetarian options, avocado frito and elote are offered. The menu also provides keto choices.
All combos include black beans, your choice of cilantro lime rice or cumin and tomato rice and a drink.
My favorite was the pollo asado street tacos combo. The tacos were topped with onions, cilantro, cabbage, lime, sour cream and salsa. For those with other preferences, all of these ingredients can be removed. The combination of the ingredients mixed well, and in every bite, I was able to taste what I saw with a perfect balance. The salsa was not too spicy and had a sour flavor. There was a decent amount of sour cream in the taco which complimented the citrusy flavors and did not feel too overpowering.
Instead of the Starbucks drinks options like the original Poly Trolley had, the Poly Trolley 2 offers a variety of aguas frescas.I ordered the watermelon agua fresca, and it was top tier. From the first look of the beautiful bright red color, I had high expectations and they were quickly met with the first sip. It was sweet and I could taste the natural flavors of ripened and juicy watermelon. The drink came without ice so it was not watered down, which happens often when you order aguas frescas at a restaurant.
The next food item I dove into was the carne asada bowl. The bowls come with your choice of protein, rice, black bean, lettuce, onions, cilantro, avocado, sour cream, cabbage and salsa. All of the ingredients were rich in flavor but, surprisingly, the bowl was acidic and light; it felt good to not feel bloated after eating their take of a “burrito” bowl. Biting into the different textures was a surprise that I enjoyed. It was crunchy, chewy and soft all at the same time. This choice is perfect for customers who want a filling meal that leaves them satisfied and feeling light.
For dessert, I ordered the cinnamon sugar churro which was a great way to end my meal. It was warm, fresh and just the right amount of sweetness. The crunchy and crispy outside complimented the soft and airy inside. This churro was everything that a churro should be.
The Poly Trolley is now open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Olive Lane Walk near the Library. For more information, please visit the Poly Trolley website.
Featured image courtesy of Anel Ceballos.
