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You may have noticed that I’ve been on a food truck craze of late. Credit it to a global pandemic along with the resurgence of top-notch mobile eateries popping up all over the Arkansas landscape. Well, add Lola’s Filipino American Eats in Conway to the list. After a recent lunchtime visit, I can tell you it is definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re in the area. I drove from Little Rock and ended up not regretting the decision one bit.
Lola’s is conveniently located in a parking lot shared with several other businesses–including an Eat My Catfish–about one minute from the Hendrix College campus. Owner Zachery Cadiente has carved out a little slice of heaven in his corner of the lot. The truck itself is beautiful, but so too is the quaint set-up of AstroTurf, roped lights, and tables. Hay bales and pumpkins are a nice touch. Inside the truck, it’s a family affair. Jessye, Zach’s wife, is manning the window while he’s busy cooking. Zach’s mom, Tracie, is a partner in the business, and many of the Filipino dishes the truck cranks out are inspired by Zach’s grandmother, Lola, who the business is named after.
Notice what I have not mentioned?
The food, and boy, is it delicious!
Start out with an order of lumpia, the Filipino version of a spring roll. Lola’s is long, tightly rolled, and filled with ground pork, carrots, garlic, onions. Dip each bite in the accompanying Thai chili sauce. Just make sure to save plenty of room for orders of Spicy Pork Adobo and Pancit Bihon Noodles. I’m told the former is the most popular dish on the truck, and for good reason. The tender chunks of marinated pork shoulder are irresistibly good and pair well with the pancit, a rice noodle dish laced with bell peppers, carrots, cabbage, onions, and seasoned chicken and shrimp.
On the “FIL-AM” (Filipino American) side of the menu, you’ll want to try out The Pacman Burger, a gut-bomb of an offering, complete with Angus ground chuck, spinach, grilled onion, jalapenos, sriracha mayo, bacon, and a fried egg. While I tend to lean toward a more basic cheeseburger, it’s hard to deny The Pacman’s greatness. A dripping egg yolk combined with a heavy hand of spicy mayo tends to do wonders for presentation and taste. If you’re up for a more eclectic burger, this one might just be up your alley.
Lola’s even does desserts. I’m intrigued to try out the deep-fried cheesecake, but on my recent visit, scratch-made fried pies (chocolate and peach) were on the menu. The chocolate oozed out like a warm lava and came doused in powdered sugar. As for the peach? Imagine an enclosed peach cobbler covered in cinnamon and sugar.
Hungry yet?
You should be. Now please go check out Lola’s.
Did You Know?
Definitely consider online ordering ahead. Remember, food truck food is not fast food. It takes time to make. By ordering ahead, you eliminate the wait.
Lola’s Filipino American Eats
2125 Harkrider (Conway)
Phone: (501) 428-3751
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
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