Congratulations to the West Philly-based gourmet popsicle vendor Lil’ Pop Shop (Facebook page), which won the “Desserts” prize on Saturday at the annual Vendy Awards. The Vendys celebrate the bustling mobile food culture in Philadelphia.

In addition to their shop on 44th Street between Spruce and Locust, Lil’ Pop Shop runs a small cart, which qualified them to compete. They continued a West Philly tradition in the Vendys. Last year Gigi and Big R’, a staple in Penn’s food truck scene, won the top prize – The Vendy Cup.

This year, The Smoke Truck, which serves Southern barbecue, won the Cup.

The sign in the windows at Saad’s (45th and Walnut).

Ramadan began on Friday and some businesses will be closed or have limited hours until late August. Saad’s Halal Restaurant (45th & Walnut) will be closed until August 27. Manakeesh Café Bakery (45th & Walnut) is open ever night, from 7:30 p.m. to midnight (taking meal orders from 8:15 p.m., serving food from 8:30). For more information go to: http://www.manakeeshcafe.com. Kabobeesh Restaurant (42nd & Chestnut) is open regular hours (Mon-Sun noon-11:00 pm) and serving free Iftar (evening meal) for neighbors who fast during this holiday. For more information and menu, visit Kabobeesh website or Facebook page.

Here’s the detailed map of tonight’s Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll (5:30-8:30 p.m.). Click to enlarge.

(Courtesy of University City District).

Are you ready for your first Baltimore Avenue Dollar Stroll this summer? This is one of the coolest summer events in West Philly. You can get $1 food, drink and other items from local businesses. The first of three Dollar Strolls schedule will be Thursday, July 19, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., as always along Baltimore Avenue between 42nd and 51st Streets.

Over 20 businesses are participating in this stroll, both the usual suspects – Milk & Honey, Green Line Cafe, Dock Street Brewery, Baltimore Pet Shoppe, VIX Emporium, Elena’s Soul, Mariposa Food Co-op, etc. – and new businesses and vendors. Look for $1 items and deals from such new participants as Thrive Fitness, The Sunflower Truck Stop, Studio 34, Maru Global Takoyaki, Independent Rock, and a few others. And yes, Subway is participating too.

In addition to shopping for $1 items, don’t miss live music by The Makes (between 46th and 47th Streets), the Independent Rock School (50th Street), the Give & Take Jugglers and entertainment by various street performers and fire artists.

Check out the event’s flyer below for the full list of participants and what they are offering.

(click to enlarge)

And the winner of Honest Tom’s venerable taco truck is … Maru Global (Facebook page), the folks who specialize in authentic Japanese street food.

Maru Global’s plans for the truck are still coming together, but it is sure to feature takoyaki – a fried dough ball typically filled with octopus, ginger, onion and other delectables – maybe some curry fries, onigiri or their famous desert balls.

Maru Global won the truck as a result of a contest Honest Tom ran earlier this month asking would-be entrepreneurs to write him and explain why they should get the truck.

The winning of the truck is the latest in a tumultuous string of recent events for Maru Global’s Chef Ryo Igarashi and his wife Nicole Igarashi, who handles the business side of the operation. They had to close their restaurant, Tokio Global, near Headhouse Square in April after Ryo underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain. As he recovered they returned to the kitchen to prepare a whittled down mobile menu for events and festivals around the city.

“Honest Tom” McCusker’s 1970 step van, which he bought with credit card cash advances, will now be a key part of that mobile operation.

Congrats to Maru Global and well done to Honest Tom for paying it forward.

Beat the heat this summer and grab some great food at a great price during the seventh annual University City Dining Days, sponsored by Wells Fargo. From July 12-26 enjoy a meal at the fixed price of $15, $25, or $30 (not including tax or tip) at one of the 34 participating restaurants in University City, including Distrito, Dock Street Brewery, and World Café Live, among others. Enjoy cuisines ranging from good old-fashioned pub food (New Deck Tavern) to Thai (Pattaya Thai Cuisine) to Indian (New Dehli Indian Restaurant) to Middle Eastern (Aksum Café) and everything in between.

Visit the University City District website for a full list including phone numbers and links for each restaurant. Reservations are encouraged, so make sure you call soon and save a spot! UCD is pulling out all the stops this year, including several commercials for the event, which you should check out below.

– Kelly Lawler