Which Is Philly’s Best Food Truck? You’ll soon find out as the 1st annual Philadelphia Vendy Awards comes rolling into town next month. Modeled after the Big Apple’s annual event, the awards seek out the mobile chefs with the best curbside cuisine.

Street vendors have been a big part of the city’s culinary fabric for decades, but more recently a gourmet movement has taken things to the next level.

Judging the inaugural contest on July 9 inside the Piazza at Schmidt’s will be 20er and food writer Drew Lazor, 10 Arts chef and former Top Chef competitor Jen Carrol, Zahav chef Michael Solomonov and Philadelphia Weekly’s Brian McManus.

You’ll also get to taste good eats too. Tickets start at $55 for adults and $35 for kids and are selling fast. And before you balk at the price, proceeds from the event are going to The Food Trust — an organization working to provide healthy food for all.

-VL

[@drewlazor, #PhillyVendyAwards, EventBrite, The20 Philadelphia]

Beer Me, Philly.  Philly Beer Week, the huge festival that pays homage to everything hops and barley, starts this weekend. In its fourth year, the 10-day festival highlights all that is great in the region’s bustling beer scene.

Even if you don’t usually drink beer, this is your chance to try out something new and most likely local — responsibly, of course. There’s plenty of specials, so no excuses!

-VL

[@PhillySmurfette, @PhillyBeerWeek, Philly Beer Week]

Gotta Make the Doughnuts! If you didn’t know, today is National Doughnut Day. You can pick up a free glazed circle of deliciousness from area Krispy Kreme shops — yes, they’re back. And Dunkin’ Donuts is offering a complementary doughnut with the purchase of a drink.

-VL

[@PhillyGG, @KrispyKremePHL, @DunkinPhilly]

(Photo: Dunkin’ Donuts Philly/Facebook)

Taco Truck War in the Making? Food trucks have always been a staple in this city, but there’s been a few upscale additions lately — particularly in the Mexican/taco cuisine area.

Food blogger and 20er Jessica Rossi likes La Marqueza when she takes a break from burgers. While others search the city for Iron Chef Jose Garces’ Guapos Tacos gourmet truck. 

I volunteer to be the Chairman for any planned throwdown…

-VL

[@burgerbaroness, Drawing for Food, Philadelphia Weekly, Guapos Tacos, YouTube]

Start Sippin’. You’ll have your pick of 80 different places to get happy in Center City this summer as Center City Sips kicks off once again Wednesday.

Drinks range from $2 to $4 and there’s half-priced apps from 5-7 p.m. every Wednesday across Center City. Spots with asterisks on this list will also offer 15 percent discount for those wishing to extend happy hour into a nightcap.

-VL

[@PhillyGG, Center City District]

“Hoagiefest Is Here Again…” Yes everyone, it’s that time of year again! It kinda just sneaks up on ya, doesn’t it. But a good kind of sneak — like the delicious and cheap kind.

Oh, and by the way, now you can turn your friends into Hoagieman. Let the fun begin.

-VL

[@DrewLazor, Hoagiefest]

Beer Week is Approaching, Philadelphia. The most wonderful time of the year is nearly upon us hopheads. This year, America’s largest beer celebration is not only hosting “Beer Geek” competitions and bar crawls, but also a culinary collbaoration between brewer, chef and farmer.

We’re talking Garces, Vetri, Waide and Macri paired with the likes of Stoudt’s, Victory and Yards — among others. Foodies: swoon.

-VL

[@drewlazor, Philly Beer Week]