LIFE

Soda found in hardware store; Kapow truck rolls along

By Patricia Talorico
The News Journal

Enthusiasm for Dr. Brown's sodas has been bubbling over.

The July 18 column featured a letter from Michele C. Jackson, of Wilmington, who asked where she could find Dr. Brown's Diet Cream soda in Delaware. Jackson drank the soda, frequently found in Jewish delicatessens, during a trip to Chicago.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the soda, which dates back to 1869, was once sold almost exclusively in New York, but in the early 1980s, it could be found nationwide in select delis, gourmet shops and restaurants.

Paula Janssen, whose family owns Janssen's Market at 3081 Kennett Pike in Greenville, wanted to share they sell Dr. Brown's.

"We carry the Root Beer, Black Cherry, Cream Soda and Diet Cream Soda flavors, all in six-packs of 12-ounce cans," she said.

Another reader called and said she found Dr. Brown's sodas at Giant on U.S. 202 for $4.99 a six-pack.

Reaching out to readers sometimes brings back unexpected suggestions, like this one:

Hardware store carries sodas, and hot sauces

The True Value Hardware store located in Prices Corner carries Dr. Brown's sodas.

I don't know what flavors they carry, but Ms. Jackson may want to contact them for more specific details.

They provide excellent customer service and if they don't carry it, they may even be able to order it for her.

The store has a wide selection (and unusual) variety of sodas, hot sauces, hand and foot creams, items that I would not expect to find at a hardware store.

The staff has been there for years and are very helpful, which is why customers like me keep coming back, even though sometimes their prices are slightly higher than the big chain stores.

Their store information is: True Value Hardware, 1302 Centerville Road, Wilmington, DE 19808; (302) 999-0523.

I hope this information is helpful.

Carmen Casanova

Carmen, thanks for this great information. I've long shopped at True Value – and, yes, they do have terrific customer service – but never noticed the sodas, hot sauce or hand and foot creams.

So, earlier this week, I called and also stopped in. Yep, they do have a shelf of hard-to-find bottled sodas – you can buy a single bottle or put together a mix-and-match six-pack – and they also have a variety of hot sauces. Pretty cool.

A store employee said they started carrying the sodas, including Dr. Brown's, about two years ago. Sometimes, you can purchase a 24-pack case, but not always. They only restock the sodas every few months.

The hot sauce collection, on a separate shelf, began back in November 2012. It's nowhere close to the collection found at the Peppers store in Lewes –visit peppers.com – but the True Value selection isn't bad. My favorite name: Professor Phardtpounders Colon Cleaner Hot Sauce.

Regarding the foot and hand creams, an employee said, "we have stuff you wouldn't expect to find in a hardware store."

So, there you have it.

What the 'Dr.' ordered

Many emails and calls came from readers who wanted to direct Jackson to the kosher section of ShopRite on Concord Pike. Thanks to Maryann Rothberg, Carol Fiederlein and Barbara Jacobson.

Here are some more thoughts:

Dr. Brown's Cream Soda (both regular and diet) are generally available at the ShopRite on Route 202 (Concord Pike). Sometimes they'll carry another flavor, too.

And yes, it's terrific stuff.

Jerry Hyman

Soda brings back childhood memories

I knew that the Concord Pike ShopRite began carrying Dr. Brown's soda recently and when I rechecked this morning, they have almost the full line of flavors, in both regular and diet, including the diet cream.

The store carries single bottles and six-packs; however, they are somewhat expensive. They are located directly across from the Courtesy Counter in the front of the store. Bialies are also available in the bakery section.

I remember Dr. Brown's from my childhood, when we would visit family and friends in lower Manhattan and go to Katz's Deli, which is also still around, thank goodness!!

Joan B. Greenhalgh

Wilmington

Food truck on the move

I have visited a food truck, Kapow, that used to park on Union Street on Tuesdays. For the last couple of weeks, he has not been there. I asked a local merchant and they said someone complained about it. The food was very good and is missed.

How can we find out where the food truck is now parking?

Thanks.

Chris B.

Wilmington

Wit Milburn, aka "The Thai Guy," and his wife, Jody, operate the Kapow food truck featuring a variety of foods with Thai, Korean and Hawaiian influences.

Last week, Milburn suffered heat stroke while in the truck during a hot, humid day – "it's one of the hazards of having a food truck," he says – but after a few days off, he's fully recovered and back in business.

However, you're right, the Kapow truck is no longer parked on Tuesdays in the lot off Union Street.

Chef Milburn says he has found a new Wilmington location that is welcoming and he'll be parked in the lot of the Union Park BMW at 1900 Pennsylvania Ave. on Tuesdays starting Aug. 19.

The Milburns and Kapow Truck are currently on vacation. But they'll be back and you can find their schedule on their website, www.kapowtruck.com, the Kapow Food Truck Facebook Page and on Twitter @kapowtruck.

Milburn says he plans to have new dishes soon, inspired by his travels. Stay tuned.

Contact Patricia Talorico at (302) 324-2861

or ptalorico@delawareonline.com. Read her culinary blog Second Helpings at www.delawareonline.com/blog/secondhelpings and follow her on Twitter @pattytalorico.