Eating at the 'Open'

Even if you’re not a tennis fan, the Volvo Car Open (VCO) is still worth the price of admission. Thanks to six food stands and six food trucks, the event has never tasted better.

This article will give you a few interesting choices and introduce you to two burgeoning food critics (see photos and captions).

In the stadium area, you’ve got Chick-fil-A, with chicken dishes and their great waffle fries. Verity has imaginative wraps, and Half Court Hot Dogs has a couple of interesting items: a barbecue pork sandwich and barbecue nachos.

Out in the food court are Daniel Island Grille, Hamby Catering, and Zeus Grill.

Daniel Island Grille’s most interesting offering is Jumbo Chicken Wings. They come with three different sauces and three different dry rubs – chicken wing heaven.

Zeus Grill and Seafood continues their VCO tradition serving great gyros.

Hamby Catering takes the “Interesting Sandwich Award” with its Palmetto Sandwich Sampler. That’s three half sandwiches: chicken salad, pimento cheese and egg salad served with pickle veggies and hand cut fries.

The ‘Open’ menu really gets interesting with the food trucks.

Three trucks, Bac’n Me Crazy, BKeD and Mac Daddy are on site all week, while Semilla, Immortal Lobster and Caribbean Creole rotate into the lineup.

Bac’n Me Crazy specializes in BLTs, but save room for their famous bacon brownie.

BKed’s most interesting dish was their curry chicken salad.

Mac Daddy makes “The Most Life Changing Mac N Cheese in America,” according to Esquire magazine. Made with 10-year-old cave-aged sharp cheddar from California, imported parmigiano, hand-made mozzarella, Italian cavatappi pasta and secret ingredients, it’s worth standing in line for.

Semilla – Mexican Street Food sells the most unusual dish at the Open – a soft-shell crab sandwich made with avocado, pickled onion and salsa verde.

Immortal Lobster sells a lobster roll that’s the real thing. Truly authentic, you could sell these lobster rolls in Kennebunkport, Maine.

Caribbean Creole has all your island fare, including Cuban Ropa Vieja, which is braised pulled beef brisket, stewed with garlic, fresh herbs and root vegetables in a rich gravy.

You can supplement any of these meals with offerings from 19 different vendors of everything from candied nuts to champagne.

No matter your age, food sophistication, or tennis knowledge, you can find something really good to eat at the Open.