BY MARY LEONARD

 

Upper King Street is full of life at all hours of the day and night. History infiltrates all corners of the historic district, delicious restaurants stand at every corner and the nightlife is incredible. Around 2 in the morning, however, the popular bars are shutting down. The lights are being turned off and the musicians are packing up, signaling the customers to leave.

      People of all ages are left on a mission to find some late-night food, and they find it—in a truck brightly painted with a mural of Santorini, Greece. It’s the Platia Food Truck, located on the corner of King Street and Woolfe Street, which has gained a following with many late-night eaters for its delicious gyros, Greek salads, yogurts, falafels and other Greek foods, all priced under $9.

      The Platia Food Truck came to Charleston in summer 2014, when Greek cousins Tommy Diangikes and Tonys Angelakis’ launched this Greek-inspired meals on wheels. Since then, the cousins have not only created great food, but a unique barter system for trading food for entertainment and services. "If something is worth hearing, or if a customer is willing to show off a special talent," Angelakis’ says, "we will trade them these non-cash items for food." Songs, humor and other talents are known to win meals.

      Unlike some food trucks, the Platia Food Truck values a regular schedule. "We commit to the same spot every weekend." Angelakis’ says. "We have been going to these specific spots for months. Our customers enjoy the dedication we have to the downtown area."

      The Platia Food Truck also serves lunch and dinner weekdays in Mount Pleasant, Daniel Island and James Island. But for late, late-night service, customers must come to the downtown location, where the cousins cook from 6 in the evening until 3 in the morning.

      "We make everything from scratch," Diangikes boasts. "Our ingredients are always prepared that day." The two cousins promise to continue to serve authentic Greek signature dishes for a price—or for a good demonstration of talent.