Panel Discussion: Mark's Carts: All You Need to Know & Taste! at Ann Arbor District Library, Downtown (main) Branch

Mark Hodesh, along with folks from the Lunch Room and San Street Carts will talk about how things are going with Ann Arbor's first food cart courtyard, give you some food tastes, answer some questions and let you know what you can look forward to, culinary and otherwise in 2012!

Mark’s Carts is a brand new food venture in Ann Arbor, open in the warmer weather of spring, summer and fall, and offering an array of fresh ethnic dishes every day in an intimate courtyard garden on Washington Street between First and Ashley. Each food cart is individually owned by the vendors, and each presents a different style of ethnic or regional food. All carts are licensed by the Washtenaw County Health Department, and prepare their food in an adjacent commercial kitchen, also inspected and licensed by the County Health Department.

The Lunch Room is run by Phillis Engelbert and Joel Panozzo - good friends and next-door neighbors who love to cook together and feed people. Their mission: to provide high-quality, delicious, and nutritious vegan food that demonstrates the breadth and versatility of plant-based whole foods. They serve entrees and sides, including BBQ tofu sandwiches, tangy Thai slaw, Caesar salad, curry roasted potatoes, Mexican hot chocolate cookies, and more and also offer bike delivery!

Ji Hye Kim and Kristen Hogue Jackson own San Street and take their fond memories of home cooking and Asian street market treats to the streets of Ann Arbor, dishing up some really great Asian street food with the freshest ingredients. These creators of San Street (pronounced 'sahn'), hail from the Ann Arbor culinary institute, Zingerman's Community of Businesses, as they aspire to turn their food cart into the next Zingerman's restaurant.

Mark's Carts is currently accepting applications for food carts for the 2012 season and have a couple of open spots next year! Marks Carts is scheduled to open April 1, 2012. Join us and learn about this exciting new Ann Arbor venture!