Gigi and Big R

Quick comfort food from a reliable Philadelphia food truck – not much more to say.

I have never been to this location. I usually got to the 30^th and Market location or 23^rd and Passyunk, and the food at BOTH locations is absolutely the best I’ve ever had from a food truck. «Woo» who works at both locations is friendly. I usually call ahead (large orders) and the food is always ready when I get there. Portions are Large enough for two ppl to share, and at $ 12.00 for a large platter you can’t beat it.

I discovered this food truck when I had went to the Made in America Budwiser festival. I had the oxtail platter with Mac and cheese collard greens and candied yams. The yams were really good and so was the Mac, very cheesy and smooth & baked just right. The oxtails were okay nothing special, being that I am West Indian and had way better oxtails. They were kind of tough and not seasoned that much. The sauce was a little watery. The greens had no taste to me. For $ 15 I don’t think it was worth it. But I also had the fried chicken and I would say that was the best fried chicken I ever had. It was so golden and crispy on the outside and so tender and white on the inside. In my time at the festival the chicken became the first thing to sell out. It was so good. I also got a chance to meet the owner, Tony who was very cool and accommodating. I told him to bring his chicken to NYC !

What can I say, Gigi’s fried chicken is delicious. On a cold day when the trek to Crown Fried Chicken is too far and too treacherous, this is my go-​to place for those fried chicken cravings. Taste wise, the food here is definitely 5-​star worthy!
Why the down grade? This place is slooooooooooooowwwwwww. I understand that they mostly make it fresh after your order, but still; there is no shelter from the blizzard! Jokes aside my terrible experiences with the Philadelphia winter, time is of the essence when you’re a Penn student, so I see why this is not frequented by the typical undergrad. Adding onto the lack of speed, Gigi’s is also expensive. I got the medium platter for $ 11, and to think I could’ve gotten 2 New York gyro boxes to go and still have $ 1 to spare kills me! Crown is so much more affordable.
I’m glad I found this place half way through college, and on those rare days where I just needed fried chicken ASAP, I’m glad Gigi’s is just across Wawa and the high rises.

ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! This food truck surpassed my expectations. While at the Made in America festival, my boyfriend and another couple who was with us decided to try this truck out. We were pleasantly surprised. Not only was the food good, the portions were huge. It was so good, we ate here on both days of the festival (sat &sun). The first day, I ordered the jerk chicken platter with a side of mac n cheese & cabbage. Everything was so good. I’m big on soul food and this was perfect.
The second day, I had the fried fish platter with the same sides. My boyfriend opted for the ox tails platter with cabbage & sweet potatoes. Before this, I had never eaten ox tails. After tasting his, I was so shocked at how good they were. Meat falling off the bone and everything. The next time I’m in Philly, I will definitely be on the lookout for this truck. I wish they had a restaurant.

I had GiGi and Big R at the Made in America Festival.
Whilst traveling from stage to stage you encounter your food trucks, your beer stands and promo booths.
GiGi’s truck stood out almost immediately.
Aside from the crazy long line, there’s the menu.
Amongst a plethora of what I’ll call carnival or boardwalk food. The thought of big food platters of jerk chicken, oxtail and fried chicken was like a blessing!
The prices were damn reasonable considering what other places charged.
Servings are grandma sized, like how you’d expect your nana to throw down a plate for you, so it’s a ton of food.
The line was crazy, we sat on this line for near an hour and we fought and pushed out way to the front to get to this group of tired but smiling group of 4 women serving food.
I had the oxtail, rice and beans, Mac and cheese.
Hot damn. So good. I got transported back to the West Indies for a quick second.
The sounds of the concert drowned out. The clouds stopped moving. Time stopped.
All I was tasting was the delicious strewed meat, perfect rice and devilish mac and cheese.
Right then and there it hit me. Only in America can we have these experiences.
A Vietnamese dude with his British-​Indian wife, sitting on the grass amongst a sea of people, listening to Meek Mill (R.I.P. btw #backtoback) and eating oxtail.
Made in America.

Utterly satisfying. Soul food at its finest.
I had the pleasure of dining with Gigi and Big R by happenstance; they were parked in the VIP section of a Roots concert, and the queue was very lengthy every time I walked by. I stood in front of the truck and stared at the menu for some time, It was not until I watched platefuls of food pass by me that I gave into the temptation and ordered the platter of curry chicken, with a side of beans & rice, and cabbage.
Ugh. I had never had this cuisine before, and can’t stop thinking about it since. Forget falling off the bone; the chicken melts in your mouth. I also appreciated how there was still a bone, and the skin and cartilage was still left on. The beans and rice were just soft enough, and the cabbage had a light meaty flavour– it was perfect. I was surprised as the woman who served me keep ladling food onto the takeaway plate. It must have weight at least a pound or two! The curry was not too strong, and not spicy at all.
I’m so glad this cart was here; I can’t wait to go back.

I wouldn’t waste my time coming here again honestly. The food isn’t horrible, but it’s definitely not great either. The Mac n cheese is disappointing (mushy with no flavor) and they didn’t have any rolls or cornbread available to go with the platters (major let down).

Excellent food. The fish is seasoned and fried to perfection. They give you generous portions. The greens are awesome. The mac and cheese is awesome as well and the cabbage. The hot sauce is almost made for the greens and fish not too hot just right. This is my go to food truck. I usually get a large fish platter that my fiancé and I share. There is enough for the both of us to be satisfied and stuffed and always food left over to where we can both eat from it again!

This is another one of those places that I’ve passed by more times than I can count… Gigi’s in particular on transit. I’ve heard good things and really had a taste for some «island» food one day.
Right from the rip, it killed my buzz that they didn’t have any plantains. Mannnnn…
The woman working at the time was very friendly. She was kind enough to offer me a sample of a several things. Now here’s the thing with that. I came down with something! I had not been sick in 6 years because I’m a germophobe. SIX. I caught one of those 3 day colds. I don’t know for sure if it was because of Gigi because I definitely shared my food and no one else got sick. Maybe it was Wawa across the street? I don’t know.
So the portion for a large was major… and the price was pretty major too at $ 15 I think, but it was enough food for about 3 people to share, 2 people to dine, and 1 person to simply indulge. I’m inclined to indulge next time. I had rice/​beans, mac and cheese, greens, and stew chicken. It’s funny this comedian used to say that Jamaicans say stuff backwards… like is that brand new? Yeah, it’s a new brand. So I said is that chicken stew and she nah that’s a stew chicken. I was rollin!
The rice and beans were right and so was the mac and cheese. The stew chicken was pretty good, but the greens didn’t do it for me. And there was no bread. I only tried a sample of the jerk chicken, but I bust out into full-​fledged coughing mode! One bite opened my nose up. If it wasn’t so late in the evening I would’ve gotten that instead, it was OFFICIAL! …but I could see the hearburn from down the street and around the corner.
I’d be willing to give Gigi and Big R another shot… and if I end up coughing it better be because of that jerk chicken and nothing else.

This is a sould food food truck that lacks much of the heartwarming, homey qualities of soul food.
I came here about twice now, and the food is just average for me. The fried chicken is pretty good and for $ 5, they give you a very generous portion. I’ve also tried their platters. My boyfriend and I shared the fish with sides of potato salad and cauliflower. We thought the fish was very disappointing. It still had a very fresh fish smell to it, which we personally thought was a little weird. The skin of the fish was still on the fish too making it really hard to eat because it was often chewy at some parts. We loved the sides though. I particularly liked the cauliflower as it had a great flavor to it!
Overall, this is a convenient food truck located by campus that I wouldn’t mind grabbing food at if I was hungry. It’s not the best but it’s not bad.

I’m halfway into senior year and finally decided to venture out to Gigi and Big R’s side of the intersection one day because they didn’t have a line. (Note: They do take a while to cook the meat though.)
The food is awesome, but I was blown away by how nice they were! They realized I was new since I was trying to read the menu and gave me (and a few loyal customers who were there) a few different samples. The jerk chicken is super good, but way too spicy for me! I wish their fried chicken wings had more meat on them. The potato salad and cabbage are excellent, and their mac and cheese is the best I’ve tasted in years! I am currently writing this review while drooling– I mean, deciding which sides to choose with my platter…
The only issue is the price. I’ve learned to get the $ 13 large and eat it for 2 meals instead of the $ 11 medium for 1.5 meals.
If you like their sides more than their chicken, you should try the $ 10 «vegetable» platter that comes with 4 sides and is prepared much faster because you don’t have to wait for them to fry the chicken!

Had the fried chicken sandwich… It was just fried chicken on two slices of fucking bread. Fail.
Ordered the mac and cheese and I actually like that dish a lot. The chicken on the other hand lacked a savory rich flavor that soul food is known for. It didn’t have that ‘umph’ to it. It was good, but could have been better honestly. Even Diddy wouldn’t dance if Gigi’s was featured as a cameo appearance in a music video he was part of.
Thanks for the two pieces of bread. It sure helps to feed the birds.

The food here is really good. But they are painstakingly slow. I mean, I once waited 45 minutes for a fish sandwich, when the estimated time was 10 min, and I was the only one waiting around. I did notice something though: the faithful patrons tend to do sneaky things. For example, they’ll place an order and then walk over to Wawa. Or they order and then hang out in their cars. Or, the three people ahead of you actually order for the 55 members of their family reunion. Giving you the ‘impression’ that there’s only 1 – 3 people ahead you when there’s really 58.
BUT, if you manage to fight the good fight and your patience wins, what you take home will likely be worth it. For me, the fish was perfectly seasoned, crunchy golden batter on the outside and flaky juiciness in the inside. Mac and cheese was good as well, creamy and cheesy the way it should be. I will say that not all my experiences have been like this. A few times the fish was bland, but still cooked well (hot sauce fixed the former issue right up). And a few times the cooks seemed intent on pissing each other off (the food always takes a hit in this case). But most of my experiences have been positive enough to make me come back again.
Beware that they are cash-​only. I understand it’s a food truck, but it’s university city and it’s 2014. Gotta knock off a star for the cash-​only situation and inconsistency. Otherwise, bring cash and lots of patience!
Note to Owner: I have seriously driven to your location, found parking during the lunch rush (quite a feat on its own), only to remember that you are cash only. Subsequently drove home and made a PB&J in place of your fish platter. You are likely losing good business because of this. Get one of those swipey thingys that attach to cell phones… hell, something so I can get my fish platter! Please and thank you.
Sincerely,
Me

Gigi and Big R is soul food done right. I know very few people who visit his joint because it occupies it’s own corner on the SW side of the 38^th and Walnut. However, anyone with an open mind and open stomach needs to try this spot before they graduate.
I have only ordered the jerk chicken and chicken wings, because I am always craving more. The meat is juicy and just the right amount of spicy. The sides are no joke either, especially the potato salad and mac and cheese. Hopefully I’ll be able to diversify my choices in the near future.
The only knock on this truck is it’s price point, which at $ 10 – 13 is easily double most other trucks. However, a platter can easily be at least a meal and a half. That may be why I tend not to frequent the place, but I find the authentic taste worth the pretty penny.

Gigi and Big R serves up Caribbean or soul food that’s all right — it’s not the best but also not bad.
Fried fish: okay, but too dry 2.5
Jerk chicken: flavour was fine, chicken was overcooked 3
Curry chicken: flavour was okay, chicken was stringy 3
Mac & cheese: not very good, I wouldn’t get this again 1.5
Candied yams: very nice, soft and sweet 3.5
Collards: basic but done right 3.5
Out of what I’ve tried, my favourite foods are probably the candied yams and collard greens (these are side dishes).

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: One of the most pathetic feelings in life is running for a bus with your big dumb bag and seeing that bus pull away. So close, so close… Oh I’ve been there and I’ve vowed never to be that particular feeb again.
I was reminding myself of this very promise to myself the other day when I saw Gigi and Big R’s food truck parked outside of 30^th Street Station. I was already on the verge of being late for that accursed megabus to NYC, but I still found myself tempted to stop for some of this truck’s Caribbean stylins.
NO. I had to put my foot down with me. You know why? Cause if runnin late for a bus with your big dumb bag is pitiful, nearly missing a bus, running with luggage and a styrofoam container heavy with fried flaky white fish, rice & beans, cabbage, and plenty of hot sauce shakings is even more risky business. But I WAS tempted, cause that was some good cookin there. I mean, I thought about it.
We had split that hefty platter when we encountered Gigi and Big R at the Mann Center in September. The deal was kinda pricey at about $ 15, but I will say that they did give you plenty. We shared it in the rain, under an umbrella on the lawn: Crispy fish fried in long strips, tender sauteed down cabbage, rice and beans, and hot sauce.
See, that would be a nice lunch for you on the bus, if you indeed made it, except that everyone would want to murder you dead for fillin the bus with the delectable smells, and for enjoying your life or whatever. Yeah, you can’t be eating on the bus. I reminded myself of that fact too. That’s another thing. What everyone on the bus has in common with each other is that they inherently loathe everyone else on the bus. Why? I can’t tell you, but damn don’t it seem to be so. On my way back from NYC one time some cat brought on the bus with him some dirty water dogs from a cart. You could feel the hate for him grow every time he pulled another one outta the brown bag. Like, the nerve… who does he think he is?
So yeah, I wanted that fried fish platter, alright. I wanted it. I’ll get it the next time that I’m not running late for the bus. Plan ahead, sister.

After a few times seeing their truck parked on Passyunk Ave and 24^th I decided to give them a try. At first I was concerned that there were no prices listed but what the heck, I wanted Curry chicken and nothing was going to stop me.
I tried the small curry chicken platter with two sides (yams and Mac and cheese) and an additional side if cabbage. The chicken had little flavor, was mushy… the texture really turned me off. The yams weren’t sweet, just taste like cinnamon and/​or nutmeg, couldn’t really tell. The Mac and cheese was a crime… tasteless, separated and eggy. The cabbage was ok.
All in all I wouldn’t go there again, of all the things I purchased, had I found anything that was some what good I’d be willing to give it another shot. Also, I paid $ 16 bucks, according to my brother I may have overpaid but how could I know since there’s no price list.

Came a few times and basically always the same experience over and over. Slow service and food is never consistant.
One time, I ordered chicken curry. The chicken curry was on the extremely salty side but the rice and beans balanced it out.
Next time… ordered the oxtail. Oxtail flavor was delicious, but not cooked long enough, so it was knawing to try and get the meat off. The rice was way way way beyond peppery.
Third and final time was jerk chicken. Jerk chicken was ok. Needed a lil more flavor. But the sides were HORRIBLE! Mac n cheese was not cheesy and bland. The rice was actually really good this time.
If you want good carribean food. just go about two trucks down! :-)

Nothing makes me happier than seeing GiGi and Big R’s Soul Food Truck at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Honestly, I get excited seeing the other food trucks too, but this is the only place I’ve seen Gigi and Big R.
This is serious soul food! Ask for a sample and see if you don’t love the chicken… I normally get a platter, which includes 2 sides, for 15 bucks… when you pickup the platter you will be shocked at how much it weighs! I’ve had the fried chicken breast several times, and this past weekend at the Furthur concert, tried the Jerk Chicken… YUM! The jerk chicken had some serious heat. I got 2 drumsticks and the meat was just falling off the bone. It was NOT as much chicken as you get when you ordered fried… but plenty for one person…
I *always* get the Mac and Cheese and Candied Yams as my sides… the yams are so sweet its practically a desert offering… and the mac and cheese is cheesy, and delicious.
They have platters and «sandwiches»…the sandwich is basically the meat from the platter with 2 pieces of bread that you can use to make a sandwich… never made a sandwich, but have used the bread as a napklin in a pinch… very aborbent! If you aren’t hungry for the sides, that’s the way to go… the sandwiches run 10 bucks… to me its worth 5 more for the 2 sides and skipping the bread napkins…
Going back to the Mann Thursday for BareNaked Ladies… I hope Gigi and Big R are there too!