Memphis food truck wins $10,000 ‘Big Food Truck Tip’

Soi No. 9 owners Tim Vimonnimit and Mai Mitrakul won the $10,000 tip on Sept. 19 Food Network’s new primetime series “Big Food Truck Tip with Andrew Zimmern.”

Zimmern traveled the country over six episodes in search of the most passionate food truck entrepreneurs who are “chasing the American dream, serving up exceptional food to the public and daring to become their own boss.”

In each city, three food truck operators showcase their culinary point of view, sharing their dishes and the stories behind them. In each episode, Zimmern rewards one of them with a $10,000 tip.

“We plan to use the money to help improve our business and save a bit of money for our daughter’s education,” Vimonnimit said when asked what they plan to do with the tip.

Sept. 19’s episode was all about Memphis. Soi No. 9, El Mero Taco and Stanley’s Sweet Street Treats were the three featured food trucks.

Zimmern visited both Soi No. 9 and El Mero Food Truck at the weekly Court Square Food Truck Thursday event.

Vimonnimit and Mitrakul serve authentic Thai street foods from their truck, Soi No. 9. They wowed Zimmern with their popular Basil Chicken — stir-fried ground chicken seasoned with garlic, fresh chilies and Thai basil is served over jasmine rice and topped with a fried egg, and their Khoa Soy Noodles — egg noodles in a flavorful yellow curry sauce with sliced chicken.

El Mero Taco, owned and operated by husband and wife duo Clarissa and Jacob Dries, also received high praise from Zimmern for its Mexican street tacos with a Southern twist. They served Zimmern their Southern Fried Chicken Taco and Brisket Quesadilla.

Zimmern caught up with Mike and Rose Stanley of Stanley’s Sweet Street Treats at a Levitt Shell concert. Stanley served Zimmern his award-winning Soft Shell BLT. For dessert, Zimmern enjoyed the Chocolate Crème Brulee — a dish he raved about more than once in the segment.