A past column by editor Andy Hobbs from the Nov. 4, 2011, issue of the Federal Way Mirror got me thinking about something:

“Speaking of enriching Federal Way’s culture and economy, here’s some genuine food for thought. A food truck festival fad is sprouting in several U.S. cities. For example, the Mayor’s Food Truck Fiesta in Tampa, Fla., kicked off last week with a bunch of wheeled restaurants doling out everything from tacos to burgers to sandwiches.”

My wife Karla and I had the fantastic opportunity to drive back from Florida in a “hot” merlot colored Nissan 350Z, or I should say the weather was hot, so hot in fact that we couldn’t put the top down at any point in trip. The coolest temperatures were found here in Federal Way, of course, on the day we pulled into our driveway. It was 96 degrees and screamingly beautiful.

On the trip, we used our smartphones to find interesting places to visit, restaurants to tickle our palates, and hotels to rest our weary heads. But, as we were closing in on Portland, Ore., Karla was checking out places for lunch on her iPhone.

Portland has more than 500 food trucks/carts situated in what they call pods, as small as three and as large as 15 or more.

We stopped at one that had roughly 12 dining opportunities clustered around a large lot.

There were all kinds of selections from pizza to some pretty fancy Asian plates. The prices were very economical, but the flavors were astronomical — or perhaps that should be “gastronomical.”

What a great opportunity for Federal Way to maximize the AMC Theatres site for something many residents have been asking for and something that will definitely set Federal Way apart from its sister cities.

It will easily fit within the scheme of development, and it’s extremely flexible in operation. And with the proposed fountain in that area and Mount Rainier as a backdrop, it will be enchantingly funtastic.

Roger Flygare, Federal Way