Photos: Summer block party in Arts District saw high demand for food trucks

The Arts District was everybody's neighborhood on Friday night.

Summer Block Party in the Dallas Arts District (June 17)

Photos by Alexandra Olivia

DALLAS — Summer’s official start may be three days away, but that made no difference to the wave of heat felt at the Arts District summer block party. As the temperature broke 100 degrees Friday evening, people came strolling to the transformed block of Flora Street between Harwood and Pearl to enjoy a laid-back night pulled together by the Crow Collection, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Nasher Sculpture Center.

Robyn Darley

Ssham BBQ: Korean kalbi taco, kimchee fries, crushed pear juice

Parking lots filled, people lined up for food, and the museum doors were ever-revolving, but between the options of activities, the crowd did not feel overwhelming. An inviting spirit filled the air for a light atmosphere -- an atmosphere that felt like the Arts District was a neighborhood where you could belong.

My personal draw to this event sprung from the huddle of food trucks scheduled to set up shop. It’s a craze I confessed to indulging in earlier this week. I was not disappointed. Determined to try Ssham BBQ after reading its rave review, I joined the growing line. My rounded meal included the kalbi (beef) taco, kim chee fries, and crushed pear juice. The flavor combinations provided just the right heat and spice for my palate. Not long after finishing my meal, we heard, “Sorry, we’ve sold out.” It appeared that Ssham BBQ may have been the first of the several food trucks to end the night sold out.

Robyn Darley

Nammi: Vietnamese BBQ pork bahn mi

The complete food truck line up included City Street Grille, Enticed - shaved ice, Gandolfo’s Deli, Nammi Truck, Ssahm BBQ, Trailercakes - cupcakes, and Yum Yum. It was a successful night for the food trucks, with demand stretching further than supply.

Fed and cooled off from a stop inside the Nasher, The Polyphonic Spree played on the lawn in front of the DMA. With the sun finally set and a light breeze blowing, the concert started shortly after 9 p.m. The symphonic pop rock sent much of the crowd to their feet through the set, which ended at 11 p.m. Quietly, the night ended and the block cleared out. In all, the trio of museums did an excellent job of making the Arts District everybody’s neighborhood on Friday night.