Champion crowned in first Las Cruces food truck battle
LAS CRUCES - Seven food trucks entered the downtown plaza on Friday night, but only one food truck owner would drive away with a championship trophy.
Xanthe Phillips of Xanthe's Greek Grill was crowned champion of the first Pat Gavin Farmers Insurance Agency Food Truck Battle.
Gavin, the organizer, said that he's been wanting to create a community event since opening his insurance agency less than a year ago. At the food truck battle, patrons could purchase food from any of the seven food trucks and then vote on which they liked best.
The seven participating food trucks: Lalo's Sonora Style Dogs, Wannabe, Taste Tea Boba, Xanthe's Greek Grill, Green Chile Paddy Wagon, Milagros and Los Corrales.
After vote counting, Xanthe's Greek Grill was determined the winner, followed by Green Chile Paddy Wagon in second place and Wannabe in third place.
Restaurant profile:Head over to Boba 2 on North Main for your fix of wontons and tea
Phillips was a teacher for 30 years before she decided to retire and open the Greek food truck, which first served customers just before the pandemic but almost immediately closed. Phillips said she's been back less than a year.
"For me, to win this on my first official year, blows my mind," Phillips said.
She said she uses ingredients from Greece to make the fare as authentic as it can be, aside from the beef and organic vegetables which are from New Mexico.
If you weren't there Friday, you'll have to wait awhile before trying the gyros or hummus at Xanthe's Greek Grill. She said she and her husband will be travelling abroad in Europe for the next month.
Follow the food truck on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Xanthes-Greek-Grill-106092631061568.
Gavin said he'll be bringing food truck battle back next year and plans to increase the number of contestants.
"This is to keep Cruces growing together," he said.
Annya Loya is a general assignment reporter and can be reached at aloyaorduno@lcsun-news.com or @annyaloya on Twitter.