WELLFLEET — Like a hummingbird that catches your eye as it flies by, you notice the artfully painted Sunbird food truck parked off Route 6 as you whizz past. It’s worth turning around. Owners J’aime and Christian Sparrow have created a small oasis alongside the highway, nestling their food truck among potted plants, thatched-roof picnic tables, and Adirondack chairs. The couple offer a menu of made-to-order salads and sandwiches using many local ingredients. Market salad ($7.75) changes often and has greens from Halcyon Farm in Brewster and Dave’s Greens in Truro. Fish tacos, a signature dish offered since the couple launched the business two summers ago, are moist and delicious with griddled cod and a layer of slaw in lime vinaigrette inside charred corn tortillas spread with chipotle cream ($10.50 for two). A porchetta sandwich has a thick slice of pork shoulder slow roasted for nine hours, topped with greens, pickled onions, and a fried egg, and stuffed into toasty ciabatta slathered with citrus mayonnaise ($9 to $11.50 with add-ons). For customer Andy Wilkes of Providence, “The porchetta is a 10 plus. I’m going to be dreaming about it,” he says.
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The Sparrows have known each other since they were teens. Christian, 40, grew up in Orleans and met J’aime, 39, when her Connecticut family summered nearby. The two spent 10 years in San Francisco, and moved back to the Cape four years ago. Next month, the couple plans to open a brick-and-mortar Sunbird in Orleans. “We’re ready to spread our wings,” says J’aime.
Sunbird food truck, 2520A State Highway Route 6, Wellfleet, www.birdinthesun.com.
ANN TRIEGER KURLAND