A Virginia Square park is becoming something of a destination for local food trucks.
At least three portable establishments have set up shop at Oakland Park since 2023. Though it only takes up a single block, the green space at 3705 Wilson Blvd is becoming a destination for locals in need of a hot drink or a bite to eat.
Rossana
Serving up espresso drinks and drip coffees with inventive, homemade syrups is Rossana, a mobile coffee truck opened last spring by sisters Randi and Maria Milton.
The truck is named after the pair’s mother, a social butterfly and hospitable personality who was “a really big fan of engaging with her community,” Randi Milton told ARLnow.
The sisters opened for business in May 2023 with a cart they made with their dad. They upgraded to a truck in November and have been contributing to customers’ “happy little coffee routines” ever since.
“The routine of coffee is very important to people and to us, and having it be uplifting and a happy experience every day, that is part of our mantra,” Randi Milton said.
The menu includes signature and seasonal drinks like the peach and basil latte. The truck offers more “traditional” coffee flavors like brown sugar, but is also inspired by fruit and herb pairings to create balance. These drinks join other offerings like teas, tea spritzers and baguette-style sandwiches.
With fall approaching, the sisters recommend an Autumn Apple Espresso Tonic with an apple syrup, made in-house, that includes ginger and cinnamon.
After working at local establishments like Northside Social, the Milton sisters have spent the past year bringing their truck across Arlington for pop-ups, private events and partnerships with organizations like the Museum of Contemporary Art.
But Rossana’s “main hub” is Virginia Square, where the truck is a go-to for early risers, walkers, commuters and dog walkers, who can order a whipped cream “puppacino” for their pooch.
“We live in this neighborhood, so it’s really great. We get to see a lot of a lot of people that we know,” Randi Milton said. “[Oakland Park] is a great space, because we run into a lot of dogs, and dogs, as we know, go really well with coffee.”
As for the coffee itself, Rossana rotates roasters every two months or so, and “we try to be as local as possible,” Randi Milton said.
Currently, the coffee comes from Baltimore-based Southeastern Roastery. The sisters connected with Southeastern through nonprofit Regarding Her, which hosts an academy for women entrepreneurs in the D.C. area. Rossana and Southeastern are both part of the current cohort.
The truck is typically open from 7 a.m. to noon, depending on the weather, and is usually in Oakland Park on Thursday mornings. Information on Rossana’s locations, hours, community giveaways and merchandise can be found on the truck’s website and social media pages.
Sugusto
New to Virginia Square as of last month, Sugusto brings a menu of sandwiches, coffees, cold drinks and other sides to Oakland Park most days of the week.
The truck is the brainchild of Cemre Su Aydin, who created a menu inspired by sandwiches she tried in Greece last summer — though its current bestseller is a New York-style chopped cheese sandwich.
“I’ve always dreamed of starting my own business,” Aydin said. “Last summer, while researching entrepreneurship, I thought, ‘why not a food truck?'”
Aydin’s passion for food is evident, from her hot dog ankle tattoo, to her truck’s name. “Sugusto” combines Aydin’s middle name, Su, meaning “water” in Turkish, with gusto, meaning an “enthusiasm for taste.” The truck’s current offerings will soon expand.
“We’re excited to share that we’ll be introducing daily and seasonal specials soon, so there will always be something new to enjoy,” Aydin told ARLnow.
The truck is open from 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. It is in Oakland Park most days, except for Tuesdays and Thursdays, Aydin said.
On Thursdays, Sugusto sets up at nearby Quincy Park.
Portal Maya
The Guatemalan food truck Portal Maya also opened for business in Oakland Park earlier this month.
Advertising an “entry to the Mayan world” for the local community, the concept by Bayron Cisneros features treasured family recipes like garnachas and carne asada, Cisneros previously told ARLnow.
Portal Maya is open from noon to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
