Special delivery
Anthony DiNinno, left, of North Strabane Township, his son, Luca, 8 months, and his wife, Danielle, right, spent part of the afternoon at Tanger Outlets with Anthony’s parents, Patricia and Frank DiNinno of Murrysville. Patricia and Frank tried various dishes from a variety of food trucks at “Tanger Taste and Style Experience.”
Crowds jammed the Tanger Outlets Saturday for the first “Tanger Taste and Style Experience.” Washington &Jefferson College’s George and Thomas macots joined other mascots to entertain the large crowd.
Leona Leidig, 2, keeps her eyes out for anyone stealing her french fries at rthe Tanger Outlets. Leona was with her dad, Tim Leidig of Crafton and Cheryld Emala.
Frank DiNinno said he was in Washington County Saturday, more specifically Tanger Outlets in South Strabane Township, so he could spend time with his 8-month-old grandson.
But he certainly seemed to be enjoying sampling some of the offerings from the Pierogi Truck which was part of the first “Tanger Taste and Style Experience.” The truck was among a dozen or so Pittsburgh-area food trucks and vendors to set up shop in the parking lots.
“This is one Italian who loves stuffed cabbage,” DiNinno said, as he ate from his Polish Platter No. 2, which included two stuffed cabbage and haluski.
His wife, Patricia, also was enjoying the Polish fare.
“Just last night, we were with friends who remembered the first meal she made for them when they were first married was stuffed cabbage and mashed potatoes,” she remarked as she enjoyed some of her own.
Their daughter-in-law Danielle DiNinno of North Strabane Township and husband, Anthony, also were there for the food, They brought along their 8-month-old son, Luca, who was bundled up in his stroller while the adults ate.
“I learned about it when it I saw it on Oh My Grill’s Twitter feed,” Danielle DiNinno said.
She tried a turkey burger from The Steer and Wheel. Anthony, who had a double- bacon cheeseburger, also admitted he tried a few pierogies.
The DiNinnos were among hundreds who braved the stiff breeze while sitting at picnic tables.
Cheryld Emala and Jim Leidig of Crafton had planned to go shopping Saturday at the outlets with their 2-year-old daughter, Leona Leidig.
“But we didn’t know the food trucks would be hear,” Emala said, as she finished off a bacon burger from The Steer and Wheel. “So this is a bonus for us!”
“I had eaten at BRGR before so I knew what they had,” said Emala, who works in Washington. “I wanted to try something different.”
While Emala wanted to try something new, dozens stood in line at BRGR waiting to sample the Fire in the Hole burger made with guacamole, jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, chipotle mayonnaise and sriracha to take away the chill of the wind.
After her burger, Emala said she might try some of the goodies from the Dozen Dessert Truck. The truck is from Dozen Bake Shop, with locations in Lawrenceville and Oakland.
“The line is pretty short, so I might get a cup cake,” she said.
Events Saturday also included a fashion show and Kids Kitchen Kreations area.