The Foxey Foodie:

By Jules Fox
Reader Food Reviewer

I heart Soul Picnic.

When you come home and your mom cooks you a nutritious and delicious dinner to counter all the poor choices you have made in life—that is Soul Picnic. The only difference is you can go get it on your lunch break, and they won’t criticize you for not calling often enough.

Soul Picnic is conveniently located next to the coolest building in town, the old Granary tower in the Evans Brothers parking lot. Photo by Jules Fox.

In an unassuming food truck outside Evans Brothers Coffee lies an organic and gluten-free treat mine serving up fresh smoothies and mint lemonade while you pick out nutrient-dense foods that will enrich you. Good luck choosing from bagels, tacos, burritos, sandwiches and eggs (not to mention specials like spaghetti squash noodles topped with Wood’s beef, marinara and three cheeses!) Good ideas: Bring an appetite and share with friends!

If you enjoyed the café at Common Knowledge then you’re in luck—this is a similar menu offered up by Soul Picnic owner Charlotte Wright, who had been running it for six and half years.

The Details
Surrounded by indoor and outdoor eating areas, you can get it to go, or laze away your day at the coffee shop next door. My family opted to share dishes though I literally wanted to order everything on the menu.

The Southwest Bowl was filled with beans, cheese, salsa and rice, and covered in organic greens and avocado. It was topped with a creamy seed sauce that might be addictive. I could probably order a side of it and drink it as a smoothie.

The huevos rancheros were not authentic, and I mean this in the best way. While traditionally the ingredients would be fried in sun-baked lard, these are golden yolked organic eggs over a cozy tortilla and topped with avocado, shredded carrots and greens.

To quote Jules’ daughter: “Omm nom nomm.” Photo by Jules Fox.

The squash noodles should not be thought of as pasta, but as their own unique and flavorful base to launch the delicious sauce and beef that bolsters it to the bowl. Melted cheeses pile up a hearty delight for any wayfarer.

I totally agreed with my daughter as she proclaimed “omm nom nomm,” trying to keep her mouth closed. My wife and I nodded and smiled, choosing to save the talking with your mouth full lesson for another time as we watched out little girl devour organic greens.

Yes, this!

Myth 1: Healthy Food Tastes Bad
I think this is why most people shirk vegetables and anything they deem to be too healthy. Just as most meat wouldn’t taste good raw, you need to cook it and add spices. Same here, the veggies are sauced, sautéed, and served up as an accessory to good flavor.

Myth 2: Organic and Gluten Free Food Is Just Vegetables
Some people ask me if I am a vegetarian as they watch me eat a chicken salad. Vegetables don’t turn meat into not-meat. Soul Picnic offers plenty of hearty meats including local Wood’s beef.

Myth 3: You Have to Wear Spandex to Drink Smoothies
Totally false. I was able to sport my board shorts and button down while sharing a smoothie with my family. The girls sipped them in their jeans jackets. It turns out that this one was filled with yummy fruit and coconut!

Options For Restricted Diets
Gluten-Free? Yes
Organic? Yes
Vegetarian? Yes
Paleo? Yes

Additional Notes:

Soul Picnic is open Monday through Friday for breakfast and lunch. They will be closed for the snow season but will return mid-March.