Blue Basil

*Updated Review*
I’m updating my review as it appears that Blue Basil has addressed a few of my issues.
1) It appears that the chicken & rice dish now brought back the carrots and cucumbers (they should add that to the pad thai imo).
2) The containers they are using went back to the full-​sized old style that the original owners used. The amount of food is more than enough for lunch and very filling.

Although I often think of me as «Anthony Jordain» type of guy, I didnt know basil was ever blue. But whatever, let’s do this.
My friend Anthony asked me to meet him here because of tofu options galore. He stopped eating meet products last jan. Anthony is a pretty funny guy. Always try out something you havent done before! Thats Anthony’s moddo.
He got tofu with rice and I also tried that too. I had a egg with mine. Yum! No basil in my mouth tho. I asked Anthony if he had basil in his dish. He had silantro (green).
Thanks blue basil for an evening of tofu and friendship! Can’t wait to bring my coworker Paul and his daughter here. Paul has a basil garden in his back yard. Pretty sure this is his kind of place, plus his daughter just graduated.

Love the rice and tofu and egg!

The Blue Basil truck is parked outside of my office every Monday. I had my first banh mi here a while back, and I really enjoyed it. Along with it, I ordered some tater tots, which were really crispy and topped with a sweet soy mayo sort of sauce that was really tasty. I had the banh mi one more time there before trying it elsewhere. The first time I had the sandwich, I really enjoyed it, but it was very heavy and greasy (especially along with the fries), so I knew it’d only be something I indulged in occasionally. The second time I had it, I enjoyed it less, and it somehow tasted even greasier and heavier.
Then I had «real» banh mi from baguette house, and now I could never order it here. Once I tasted what it was supposed to be like, with fresh pickle, cilantro and jalapenos, and a delicious crispy/​chewy baguette, what I had here just doesn’t compare, with the heavy, buttery soft bun and lack of fresh, crispy veg.
It’s not terrible food, but it does all seem rather heavy, and I must say, now that it’s been coming here for months, the consensus on it around the office seems to be ‘meh’. Definitely not bad, especially if it’s in a convenient spot for you, but a lot of what they offer is probably best not eaten on lunch at work. Unless you work in one of those offices that has a nap room, and allows for judgment-​free post lunch snoozes.

I am absolutely OBSESSED with the Tofu Pad Thai. It was made quickly and the moment I started munching I realized it had been made with LOVE. There were more than two different kinds of sauces on top that just blew my mouth with spices and delishiousness until it was gone. It was the kind of food that makes you lick the container.
My mouth is watering for it… I gotta go back now!

Came here after a night out on 6^th street so my memory of this place maybe a little spotty. We ordered the pad Thai and it hit the spot. It reminded me of the street food I got in Thailand — which was good. I would recommend it as a snack/​food on-​the-​go type of meal. Nothing to really wow you but you’ll keep eating it.

Love their entire menu. I’ve tried their chicken over rice. Twice now. Just phenomenal taste profile and perfect tenderness to the meat. Not sure how they do it. And the flavor of the rice and cabbage. Wow. Just delectable. Keep it up guys!

After a long night of fist pumping, dancing, twerking and sing alongs on 6^th street not just 1 but 2 nights in a row I came across this food truck. Actually I tripped along my way and found this food truck the first night lol the and, second night i drifted my way there as best as i could by the amazing smell of phở that shoots out of that truck! The phở this shi** right here that sh** right there will make you wanna be swimming in it! The bahn mi was the bomb dot com. I have never had a soft fluffly bahn mi before i have always eaten the crispy crunchy one’s. This was a first and now that is all I will ever look for now it just won’t be the same anymore it was literally life changing. You can’t possibly miss the bright green truck unless you are doing the 6^th street crawl so keep an eye out it is a must!

The spicy phở is more like a watered down beef broth with phở noodles in it, it tastes nothing like phở and it’s not spicy at all. Be prepared to add copious amounts of cock sauce to it. That being said it’s phở, coming from a trailer, that’s open when your hammered. So yes, I would probably eat it again just for that fact.
They lost stars for the poor quality meat they include with the phở. If you’re using cheap meat you might as well give more of it also. It’d be nice to have more basil in my phở when I ask for it, I mean come on. you’re called blue «basil».

Always a line but always a good time! Blue Basil keeps it hot n fresh. Chicken, Pork, Beef over rice with an egg and some veggies is what most folks get. Me? It’s the original #10 Tofu over noodles! The !!
T and Mario cook their asses off!
Stop by the mean green machine on Trinity @ 7^th. Tell them the #10 man sent ya!

Had lunch from their truck in our office lot today. I ordered the potato pie. It’s described as «fried, pressed potato slices with onion, pickled cabbage, and chinese sausage, topped with special mayo sauce.» It’s actually tater tots. It does come with all the toppings listed, and they were nice and accommodating when I asked for no sausage, but it’s still tater tots. Not that I have anything against tots, I enjoy them now and again. And I suppose one could argue that «fried, pressed potato slices» is a somewhat accurate, if misleading, description of tater tots. But I like to know what I’m ordering, and I was disappointed to see that it wasn’t made from fresh potatoes but from frozen tots.
Anyway, they tasted ok, and they were cheap ($ 4.50 for a pretty big pile of tots). But they don’t compare to the kimchi fries at Chilantro.

I was gettin’ real sick of pants and responsibilities, so I crashed the Facebook SXSW party wearing tights and sparkly silver jellies. All the free drinks, all the free food, MY FAVORITE LOCAL BAND PERFORMED AND IT WAS THE BEST SURPRISE EVER, all the photobooth pictures, and all of the happiness. If you don’t think that’s the tightest shit, then get out of my face.
After all the fun and debauchery, of course I had worked up a hunger. Duh, that’s how bodies work, son. I needed to refuel and I was getting impatient because somehow, my friend and I got all sorts of directionally fucked and ended up walking all over fucking downtown. Like, what? «35 is this way! Mopac is the other way!» No, honey, uh-​uh. That’s not right, is it? That is so not right. After walking through construction and getting mud all over my sparkly silver jellies, I was actually pretty chill with it all because it was hilarious.
We finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel and located the food truck mecca. Thank you, based god. Blue Basil has no line? Hell to the yes. Let me just saddle on up to the counter and order some of your delicious wares. I’ll have the grilled chicken with rice, please.
Oh, wait — what? There’s sweet shit on it? Nuh uh. We all know by now that I do not do sweet and savory. Hell to the no. I very politely asked, «Can you not put any sweet shit on it?» The guy at the counter promised me he’d make it happen. Thank you, baby Jesus. Le friend ordered some kind of sandwich. I did not pay attention to what he ordered because it was not what I ordered and it was not going into my mouth, therefore I did not care.
FOOD. We got it and then sat on a wall and ate while watching the Drunken Games. Two people will enter, but only one shall emerge victorious. I watched a guy pick his drunk girlfriend up and carry her away because her mouth was writing checks that her fists were definitely not going to be able to cash.
The chicken was tasty and so was the rice. They still put some sweet tasting slaw on the side, though, but I just picked around it. I’m also pretty sure there was an egg — yeah, there was definitely an egg. Look at all this protein I am putting in my body. All this protein is gonna turn me into a brotein.
Okay, now I’m just making up terrible jokes. Back to being super serious: their menu is a little smaller for SXSW and that makes me sad because apparently they usually serve spicy phở. Spicy and phở are two of my favorite things and I am definitely coming back to try that. If you are drunk and find yourself craving some tasty eats, stop on by and get yourself some tasty treats.
TL;DR: Yesterday (that day) I a human was walking I saw an chicken and rice for tasty the eat. I went to get for me (me) and but dog got. #thanksobama

Chilantro and Blue Basil come by our offices weekly.
And every week, that Chilantro line is crazy ridiculous. So, I don’t eat it that often, but when I do, I am always flummoxed why it is so popular. I mean, it’s fine; it’s perfectly edible.
I always get the rice bowl with tofu and egg. And every time I’ve ordered it, the tofu is dry and overcooked.
EVERY TIME.
And every time I’ve ordered it, Chilantro is out of lettuce.
And sometimes, they’re out of rice.
So I am basically ordering rice, tofu nugget bowl, and soggy egg, or lettuce with tofu nuggets and soggy egg.
Anyway, Blue Basil, on the other hand, hardly ever has a long line, which is a damn shame – for them.
And their tofu rice bowl is REALLY good. Like, ridiculously good.
Their tofu is perfectly cooked and seasoned. Their egg is well cooked. Their sticky rice is delicious.
And their sauces add just the right amount of sweet and spicy.
I am a major, major fan.

The other commentators have nailed it. My only complaint is that you aren’t open earlier. I work downtown, and would gladly eat there before work if you opened about 2 hours earlier on weekends.

Pretty much one of the most amazing meals I’ve ever had. The chicken was perfect over the sticky rice. The sauce on the rice was sweet but not overwhelming. The fried egg was a wonderful topping. Good price and good service. Blue Basil makes me sad that I don’t live in Austin. Why, God, why can’t they offer this everywhere!!!

Food was excellent. Pork was very tender, egg was fried perfectly, rice came out very sticky with great texture. Owners were friendly and the food came out relatively quickly. Prices are very fair.
I wish they were open for lunch – I’d be here a lot more often. Get here before this place gets too popular!

#1: Pork over rice with a fried egg –delicious. Their version has blown some of the broken rice I’ve had in restaurants (cough cough, Duy Vietnamese Restaurant) out of the park. Everything was hot and fresh –none of that dried up, questionable veggies here. I should of taken a picture of the presentation because the cuts were gorgeous. Translucent cucumber slices that complimented the dish well.
And then there was a fried egg. The perfect sunny-​side up fried egg. Crispy on the edges, gooey and soft in the middle with a yolk you could pop over your rice.
I wish I had taken a picture to show other places how I want my eggs.
My friend ordered the pork sandwich and I had single bite of it. Buttery and the bread was warm and soft. I can’t say much else about it because I’d be damned if I didn’t give my own meal the attention it deserved.
I will return. Potato Pie, I have my eyes on you.

Are you freaking kidding me?! I almost feel this quality of food isn’t being appreciated like it should be by all the drunkards of 6^th Street. This food should be served on a porcelain plate by a server at a place where reservations are required. On the other hand I’m grateful it’s served in a styrofoam to-​go box because I’ve yet to finish all the food in one sitting and is an awesome surprise the next morning. I’ve had the chance to check out both chicken and pork dishes that are served over a bed of rice with an Asian slaw salad and a fried egg. And they serve Phở, that alone deserves an award since it’s the perfect food for 2am noshing.
Here’s what’s great about Blue Basil that other surrounding food trailers fall short on: Fast service, especially for the quality of food, I don’t know how they do it but they’re magicians. Friendly and appreciative staff, they really enjoy what they’re doing and are happy to be sharing their great food with drunk a-​holes. No-​to-​short lines, which is bewildering to me but may be due to the trailer being relatively new. Whatever the case might be, take advantage of it.
There are few trailers in the downtown district that delivers on so many levels like Blue Basil. Do yourself a favor, drop everything you’re doing, and check them out.

I haven’t tried everything on the menu quite yet, but I will soon!
What I have tasted so far are the sandwiches, potato pie, and phở. Did I mention phở? Yes! They have phở here! Perfect after a long night out drinking and even better since the weather is getting colder. So far everything I ordered is so good! I definitely recommend trying this place out. The prices are great too! Great food that won’t break your wallet :)

New and unique food truck. Owner is very kind and food is delicious!