With the number of food trucks in the LA area numbering in the hundreds one might think that the number of ways you could combine things would be almost endless. And you would be right. But the possibilities become even wider when you think in terms of putting two trucks together in a kind of a mosh up.
Today at work I did one of the best mosh ups I've ever tried.
The two trucks in this one were Barbie's Q, (already one of our favorites), and Brats Berlin. The mosh up starts with a bbq beef sandwich from Barbie's Q. We ordered the sandwich with just the beef and cole slaw. Then I walked over to Brats Berlin and got a kielbasa sandwich without the roll. Just the kielbasa and some sauteed sweet peppers and onions. I split the sausage length wise and put it on top of the sandwich and then put the onions and peppers on top of that.
All in all I think I just consumed about 10,000 calories worth of food coma inducing, messy deliciousness.
Probably one of the best sandwiches I've ever tasted.
It's awesome what a little imagination can come up with.
Now if you'll excuse me it's nappy time........!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
OK, so I'm gushing!
Every once in a while a truck comes along that your Stalkers look forward to in anticipation.
Anyone who has tried Global Soul before would agree, this is one of L.A.'s best.
We've tried several different things they make and have never been disappointed.
So the only way to make a good thing better is when it comes to us!
Yes, today the ladies from Global Soul came to our workplace to serve lunch.
Nice thing about working for a large company, we support 2 or 3 trucks every day.
And where that may be rough on our wallets and wastelines, it makes us happy at lunch!
Here's your stalkers with the crew from Global Soul.
Great food, great lunch.... now it's sleepy time!
So when you see that green truck L.A., show them the love! and have a Toastie!
Anyone who has tried Global Soul before would agree, this is one of L.A.'s best.
We've tried several different things they make and have never been disappointed.
So the only way to make a good thing better is when it comes to us!
Yes, today the ladies from Global Soul came to our workplace to serve lunch.
Nice thing about working for a large company, we support 2 or 3 trucks every day.
And where that may be rough on our wallets and wastelines, it makes us happy at lunch!
Here's your stalkers with the crew from Global Soul.
Great food, great lunch.... now it's sleepy time!
So when you see that green truck L.A., show them the love! and have a Toastie!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The little truck that could....
One of these days I'll learn not to make assumptions.
Today's mobile culinary visit was from The Dosa Truck.
Every time I see that truck my mind goes to "Oh the vegetarian truck!" and I keep going.
Even though both times I've tried this truck in the past I've been pleasantly surprised by how good it is.
And of course today was no exception.
Plus now my stereotyping of this truck as a vegetarian truck has now been dispelled.
Their special of the day was a Tandoori Chicken Dosa.
They generally describe a Dosa as being much like a tortilla but I would say it's more like a crepe.
Anyway, the Tandoori chicken filling was scrumptious with a slight lime citrus undertone and a note of paneer (Indian cheese).
I was very satisfied and pleasantly surprised as I consumed it with an order of their masala fries.
Bottom Line, never underestimate the Dosa.
You might miss out on something good....
Today's mobile culinary visit was from The Dosa Truck.
Every time I see that truck my mind goes to "Oh the vegetarian truck!" and I keep going.
Even though both times I've tried this truck in the past I've been pleasantly surprised by how good it is.
And of course today was no exception.
Plus now my stereotyping of this truck as a vegetarian truck has now been dispelled.
Their special of the day was a Tandoori Chicken Dosa.
They generally describe a Dosa as being much like a tortilla but I would say it's more like a crepe.
Anyway, the Tandoori chicken filling was scrumptious with a slight lime citrus undertone and a note of paneer (Indian cheese).
I was very satisfied and pleasantly surprised as I consumed it with an order of their masala fries.
Bottom Line, never underestimate the Dosa.
You might miss out on something good....
Thursday, September 15, 2011
An Italian Deli on Wheels
Who doesn't love a good Italian deli sandwich?
Nobody with any taste that's who!
Rosa's Bella Cuccina came to our workplace.
What I really liked about this truck is that I could smell it before I even got out of the building.
Our entire lobby was filled with that awesome aroma of fresh pasta sauces and italian herbs being prepared.
I tried their #1 sandwich in slider form. My partner got the bigger version. She couldn't finish it.
This sandwich is a wonderful combination of Proscuitto, Buffalo Mozzarella and, marinated sun dried tomatoes on ciabatta bread. Simple but awesome!
I also tried their special of the day which was an Italian sausage and peppers sandwich. Not quite the masterpiece that the #1 is but worth eating just the same.
I can't wait for this one to come back. Just wish I would have tried them sooner!
Nobody with any taste that's who!
Rosa's Bella Cuccina came to our workplace.
What I really liked about this truck is that I could smell it before I even got out of the building.
Our entire lobby was filled with that awesome aroma of fresh pasta sauces and italian herbs being prepared.
I tried their #1 sandwich in slider form. My partner got the bigger version. She couldn't finish it.
This sandwich is a wonderful combination of Proscuitto, Buffalo Mozzarella and, marinated sun dried tomatoes on ciabatta bread. Simple but awesome!
I also tried their special of the day which was an Italian sausage and peppers sandwich. Not quite the masterpiece that the #1 is but worth eating just the same.
I can't wait for this one to come back. Just wish I would have tried them sooner!
Monday, August 29, 2011
An Unexpected Burger...
Burgers!
So many different ones available.
So many different ways to create one.
Many trucks have them.
So coming across something new and unique is well, special!
Especially coming from a truck not known for it's burgers.
Enter Ta Bom! The truck touting it's "Brazillian Taste"
They have a burger, (Brazillian style I imagine), they call the Hamburgao.
This is a very imaginative Brazillian treatment of what has become an American classic.
First of all this burger is big. Although it doesn't say it anywhere, the patty looks to be about 1/4 to 1/3 of a pound. It's topped with scrambled eggs, bacon, potato stix, corn, mayo, lettuce, tomato and thousand island. I know that sounds like a lot of ingredients but it totally works. Those ingredients come together to create a new and unique taste. unexpected on a burger. The bun is soft and fluffy and the meat is perfectly cooked medium rare.
The comb comes with nicely seasoned fries and a drink for 10 bucks.
This is a food coma waiting to happen, absolutely one of the better burgers I have ever tasted.
So next time you come across Ta Bom, Give the Hamburgao a try. That is if you can get past the pastels, tacos, burritos, the Giselle wrap and the coxinhas!
This truck certainly will get a "Stalker Approved" sticker if we ever get around to having some made!!
Ta Bom is truly the bom!
So many different ones available.
So many different ways to create one.
Many trucks have them.
So coming across something new and unique is well, special!
Especially coming from a truck not known for it's burgers.
Enter Ta Bom! The truck touting it's "Brazillian Taste"
They have a burger, (Brazillian style I imagine), they call the Hamburgao.
This is a very imaginative Brazillian treatment of what has become an American classic.
First of all this burger is big. Although it doesn't say it anywhere, the patty looks to be about 1/4 to 1/3 of a pound. It's topped with scrambled eggs, bacon, potato stix, corn, mayo, lettuce, tomato and thousand island. I know that sounds like a lot of ingredients but it totally works. Those ingredients come together to create a new and unique taste. unexpected on a burger. The bun is soft and fluffy and the meat is perfectly cooked medium rare.
The comb comes with nicely seasoned fries and a drink for 10 bucks.
This is a food coma waiting to happen, absolutely one of the better burgers I have ever tasted.
So next time you come across Ta Bom, Give the Hamburgao a try. That is if you can get past the pastels, tacos, burritos, the Giselle wrap and the coxinhas!
This truck certainly will get a "Stalker Approved" sticker if we ever get around to having some made!!
Ta Bom is truly the bom!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
3 New Favorites
Your food truck stalkers in our efforts quest to try them all are always coming up with new favorites.
We seem to keep finding things that totally rock!
So rather than continually modifying our list, (that's just too much work) we'll feature our "Stalk of the Month"
Since this is our first one we're featuring 3 new, (to us), trucks.
We actually have the luxury of doing truck lunches 5 days a week if we choose to. So you can imagine we try a lot!
Our fist purveyor of culinary orgasmic bliss is Curb A Peel. We've now tried most of their menu and will keep coming back. To pinpoint down what these people serve is difficult. There are 4 tacos, a burrito, a sandwich and a quesadilla on their menu. But to call this Mexican food is doing it a disservice.
One of their tacos, if you could call it that, is the tacodilla. They take a quesadilla, fold it in half and fill it with taco fillings. What hasn't someone thought of this sooner!!??! This thing rocks!
Their red sorrel quesadilla is a quesadilla with red sorrel flowers in it and a gastrique on the outside I can't quite identify but boy is it good. The tacos, especially the drunken sailor are also set to this high standard. The top all that off with their awesome electronic menu and display window kitchen and you just want to make a pig of yourself. So on the 1 to 10 oink meter this one surely gets 10 oinks!
Next on our stalk of the month we find "Clean Street Food". This is a sandwich truck that just goes the extra mile. Chef/Owner Jack Harding clearly has a relationship with food. You can get any entree as a sandwich or naked, (no bread). This works because these fillings work on a bed of greens or between slices of bread. I tried the grilled pork and my partner tried the steak. We opted for bread. When we told him we were trying his truck for the first time he went out of his way to explain each thing and you could tell how much this man loves his food. He definitely showed pride in his food and well he should Every thing was perfectly balaced and well executed. This food rivals the cafes and bistro in Paris in my opinion. Kudos Mr. Harding for raising the bar for everyone else!
Finally, the farm gets loaded into the truck for Flatiron. This farm to street themed truck is quirky in a lot of ways except one. The food. Put simple, it rocks! The superstar here is the pork burger. A wonderful concoction of chorizo and ground pork, bacon, (it just keeps getting better), pickled onions, arugula and Manchego cheese on a bun. This thing is habit forming and yes, we would go out of our way for one. This thing is so good that I've never even tried their signature flat iron steak. I did however sample one of his dome made donut holes. Of course it melted in my mouth. One of the quirky things about this truck is that only a small part of their menu is set. There are usually daily specials that keep things interesting. And you never know what they'll be until you get there.
So there you have it, our Stalk of the month for July and August. If you get a chance to try any of these 3 by all means do so! They are all Stalker Approved
We seem to keep finding things that totally rock!
So rather than continually modifying our list, (that's just too much work) we'll feature our "Stalk of the Month"
Since this is our first one we're featuring 3 new, (to us), trucks.
We actually have the luxury of doing truck lunches 5 days a week if we choose to. So you can imagine we try a lot!
Our fist purveyor of culinary orgasmic bliss is Curb A Peel. We've now tried most of their menu and will keep coming back. To pinpoint down what these people serve is difficult. There are 4 tacos, a burrito, a sandwich and a quesadilla on their menu. But to call this Mexican food is doing it a disservice.
One of their tacos, if you could call it that, is the tacodilla. They take a quesadilla, fold it in half and fill it with taco fillings. What hasn't someone thought of this sooner!!??! This thing rocks!
Their red sorrel quesadilla is a quesadilla with red sorrel flowers in it and a gastrique on the outside I can't quite identify but boy is it good. The tacos, especially the drunken sailor are also set to this high standard. The top all that off with their awesome electronic menu and display window kitchen and you just want to make a pig of yourself. So on the 1 to 10 oink meter this one surely gets 10 oinks!
Next on our stalk of the month we find "Clean Street Food". This is a sandwich truck that just goes the extra mile. Chef/Owner Jack Harding clearly has a relationship with food. You can get any entree as a sandwich or naked, (no bread). This works because these fillings work on a bed of greens or between slices of bread. I tried the grilled pork and my partner tried the steak. We opted for bread. When we told him we were trying his truck for the first time he went out of his way to explain each thing and you could tell how much this man loves his food. He definitely showed pride in his food and well he should Every thing was perfectly balaced and well executed. This food rivals the cafes and bistro in Paris in my opinion. Kudos Mr. Harding for raising the bar for everyone else!
Finally, the farm gets loaded into the truck for Flatiron. This farm to street themed truck is quirky in a lot of ways except one. The food. Put simple, it rocks! The superstar here is the pork burger. A wonderful concoction of chorizo and ground pork, bacon, (it just keeps getting better), pickled onions, arugula and Manchego cheese on a bun. This thing is habit forming and yes, we would go out of our way for one. This thing is so good that I've never even tried their signature flat iron steak. I did however sample one of his dome made donut holes. Of course it melted in my mouth. One of the quirky things about this truck is that only a small part of their menu is set. There are usually daily specials that keep things interesting. And you never know what they'll be until you get there.
So there you have it, our Stalk of the month for July and August. If you get a chance to try any of these 3 by all means do so! They are all Stalker Approved
Friday, July 22, 2011
Good Day At Work
Some of us are lucky enough to work for a cool place and like what we do.
I, for one, don't mind going to work every day because I like my job and I work for a good company.
How good?
This picture is behind the building I work in during lunch this past Friday.
We get the truck 3 days a week but 3 of them is unusual.
And amazingly, I avoided a food coma by only eating from 2 of them instead of all 3.
In case you cant make them out that's Nom Nom on the left, Crepe 'N Around in the center and Ragin Cajun on the right.
I do love my job!
I, for one, don't mind going to work every day because I like my job and I work for a good company.
How good?
This picture is behind the building I work in during lunch this past Friday.
We get the truck 3 days a week but 3 of them is unusual.
And amazingly, I avoided a food coma by only eating from 2 of them instead of all 3.
In case you cant make them out that's Nom Nom on the left, Crepe 'N Around in the center and Ragin Cajun on the right.
I do love my job!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Food trucks in Granada Hills.. My thoughts here
Your Food Truck Stalkers are not ones to take sides in political debate.
Particularly when it involves local politics and regulation of business.
But when it concerns the Food Trucks we have to speak up. Nobody wants to see what happened in Venice happen again. Thankfully, they got past it.
But it seems that controversy abounds with regards to Friday nights in Granada Hills.
Now it's not surprising that there will be some people who will take exception to this gathering. Local residents who live in and around this quaint area may not want to see their quiet neighborhood give way the throngs of people this gathering attracts. I get that. Anything that draws the press is usually not a good thing.
But that's not always the case. I've been a Valley resident for all of my 50 plus years. I've seen vast amounts of West and North Valley open land give way to urban sprawl.
And as much as people say "Things were so much simpler then" the mind has a tendency to forget the things we didn't like back than and focus on the nostalgic things we did like.
Chatsworth Street in that neighborhood has always been a quaint little street in a quiet neighborhood. But that went away long before the food trucks came along. Granada Hills High School and the 2 huge shopping centers to the west of Zelzah pretty much did that in. What it didn't do was revitalize the area. Instead it pulled shoppers away from the small mom and pop businesses to the east. That area was well on it's way to becoming as depressed as multitudes of strip malls in LA have become since the financial meltdown of the last 10 years.
Then the food trucks happened.
Now there are no vacancies in the shops along this strip of Chatsworth St. The food trucks have actually created demand for retail space here. What other neighborhood is this happening in?
Now of course I'm going to be on the pro food truck side of this debate.
But many have pointed out that the business owners along here might be looking a gift horse in the mouth. This phenomenon brings people to the area. Until the food trucks came I can't remember the last time I was in this area and I live about 3 miles from there.
Now if the trucks are creating a litter problem, I'm sure that they would be glad to police up the area after the doors come down. I've talked to a lot of owners of these trucks. The ones I've met are the nicest people you'd ever want to meet and most are very civic minded.
It's my opinion that instead of fighting with the Business owners of the stores along this strip that they should be working with them to do cross promotions and the like.
I've noticed that the few tines I've been there, that the restaurants and shops that are open are doing good business. And their businesses are being exposed to folks who otherwise wouldn't even know they were there. And this opportunity comes up every week.... for free!
It's my hope that this gathering survives and flourishes so that other jurisdictions see this and follow suit. The food trucks have become a signature of the L.A. landscape. Embrace it is what I say. There are great rewards here.
Particularly when it involves local politics and regulation of business.
But when it concerns the Food Trucks we have to speak up. Nobody wants to see what happened in Venice happen again. Thankfully, they got past it.
But it seems that controversy abounds with regards to Friday nights in Granada Hills.
Now it's not surprising that there will be some people who will take exception to this gathering. Local residents who live in and around this quaint area may not want to see their quiet neighborhood give way the throngs of people this gathering attracts. I get that. Anything that draws the press is usually not a good thing.
But that's not always the case. I've been a Valley resident for all of my 50 plus years. I've seen vast amounts of West and North Valley open land give way to urban sprawl.
And as much as people say "Things were so much simpler then" the mind has a tendency to forget the things we didn't like back than and focus on the nostalgic things we did like.
Chatsworth Street in that neighborhood has always been a quaint little street in a quiet neighborhood. But that went away long before the food trucks came along. Granada Hills High School and the 2 huge shopping centers to the west of Zelzah pretty much did that in. What it didn't do was revitalize the area. Instead it pulled shoppers away from the small mom and pop businesses to the east. That area was well on it's way to becoming as depressed as multitudes of strip malls in LA have become since the financial meltdown of the last 10 years.
Then the food trucks happened.
Now there are no vacancies in the shops along this strip of Chatsworth St. The food trucks have actually created demand for retail space here. What other neighborhood is this happening in?
Now of course I'm going to be on the pro food truck side of this debate.
But many have pointed out that the business owners along here might be looking a gift horse in the mouth. This phenomenon brings people to the area. Until the food trucks came I can't remember the last time I was in this area and I live about 3 miles from there.
Now if the trucks are creating a litter problem, I'm sure that they would be glad to police up the area after the doors come down. I've talked to a lot of owners of these trucks. The ones I've met are the nicest people you'd ever want to meet and most are very civic minded.
It's my opinion that instead of fighting with the Business owners of the stores along this strip that they should be working with them to do cross promotions and the like.
I've noticed that the few tines I've been there, that the restaurants and shops that are open are doing good business. And their businesses are being exposed to folks who otherwise wouldn't even know they were there. And this opportunity comes up every week.... for free!
It's my hope that this gathering survives and flourishes so that other jurisdictions see this and follow suit. The food trucks have become a signature of the L.A. landscape. Embrace it is what I say. There are great rewards here.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Iron Chef Truck Edition???? Battle Banh Mi
We have been blessed with the creation of a days old eastern tradition in our own back yard. The creation of Food Truck Kitchen Stadium!
Here, Iron Food Truck chefs compete for glory and to answer the question "Who's food truck cuisine reins supreme?"
Today in Battle Banh Mi we have 3 competitors.
Team one's combination of business sense, speed, top quality ingredients and a cute logo make them the team to beat. The Nom Nom Truck
Our second team is one woman's vision of a fusion between the Vietnamese tastes and Hawaiian tastes combined with recipes learned from her family. The Mandoline Grill
Our third team is a family owned truck that serves a more complete Vietnamese home cooked menu and offers some variety. Now entering Food Truck Kitchen Stadium, Eat Phamish
The Nom Nom truck is probably the most well known of the 3. Started by two college girls after graduating they adhere to the sound philosophy of doing one thing and doing it well. Their truck is always clean, service is very fast and the food is very good. I've stood in line at the Nom Nom truck on a couple of occasions and was very surprised how fast they are able to move that line. On one occasion I was actually first in line and my sandwich was ready before I was even done paying for it. The quality is good and reliable. Nom Nom definitely doesn't disappoint.
Next up we have Mandoline Grill. Here we have the vision of one woman inspired by her family's fusion of Vietnamese and Hawaiian flavors. She spent years researching and perfecting these recipes to the point where they could be reproduced with constancy. All that research paid off in spades. These are some of the best quality sandwiches I've ever had. And there are some other very imaginative uses of the ingredients here as well. The Vietnamese Nachos are wort trying as well for something a little different.
Finally we have the family owned Eat Phamish truck. This is more of a restaurant on wheels in the sense that their offerings go beyond the Banh Mi's to spring rolls, Pho and Vermicelli/Rice dishes. This was also the first Banh Mi I ever tried. Clearly it hooked me in. The Banh Mi was meaty, big and delicious. The spring roll is also very good here.
So who's cuisine reins supreme?
That's the decision of our judges.
Who are our judges?
Why, you of course!
Here's the way I see it. The flat out best one in my opinion is Mandoline Grill. For me, the flavor is best and the sandwich satisfies me.
Only a very short distance behind is Nom Nom. Technically well executed, these girls know what the sandwich should taste like and hit it consistently. Great truck if you're in a hurry. Very fast service.
And almost in a dead heat with Nom Nom is Eat Phamish.The food here tastes as if it came from somebody's kitchen. The Banh Mi itself, large and meaty with great flavor. The spring rolls here are worth a try as well, but beware, they're bigger in person than the pictures on the truck make you think they are.
So try all 3 and you be the judge.
Make it an adventure. Then it's obvious who the winner will be, why you of course!
FTS
Here, Iron Food Truck chefs compete for glory and to answer the question "Who's food truck cuisine reins supreme?"
Today in Battle Banh Mi we have 3 competitors.
Team one's combination of business sense, speed, top quality ingredients and a cute logo make them the team to beat. The Nom Nom Truck
Our second team is one woman's vision of a fusion between the Vietnamese tastes and Hawaiian tastes combined with recipes learned from her family. The Mandoline Grill
Our third team is a family owned truck that serves a more complete Vietnamese home cooked menu and offers some variety. Now entering Food Truck Kitchen Stadium, Eat Phamish
The Nom Nom truck is probably the most well known of the 3. Started by two college girls after graduating they adhere to the sound philosophy of doing one thing and doing it well. Their truck is always clean, service is very fast and the food is very good. I've stood in line at the Nom Nom truck on a couple of occasions and was very surprised how fast they are able to move that line. On one occasion I was actually first in line and my sandwich was ready before I was even done paying for it. The quality is good and reliable. Nom Nom definitely doesn't disappoint.
Next up we have Mandoline Grill. Here we have the vision of one woman inspired by her family's fusion of Vietnamese and Hawaiian flavors. She spent years researching and perfecting these recipes to the point where they could be reproduced with constancy. All that research paid off in spades. These are some of the best quality sandwiches I've ever had. And there are some other very imaginative uses of the ingredients here as well. The Vietnamese Nachos are wort trying as well for something a little different.
Finally we have the family owned Eat Phamish truck. This is more of a restaurant on wheels in the sense that their offerings go beyond the Banh Mi's to spring rolls, Pho and Vermicelli/Rice dishes. This was also the first Banh Mi I ever tried. Clearly it hooked me in. The Banh Mi was meaty, big and delicious. The spring roll is also very good here.
So who's cuisine reins supreme?
That's the decision of our judges.
Who are our judges?
Why, you of course!
Here's the way I see it. The flat out best one in my opinion is Mandoline Grill. For me, the flavor is best and the sandwich satisfies me.
Only a very short distance behind is Nom Nom. Technically well executed, these girls know what the sandwich should taste like and hit it consistently. Great truck if you're in a hurry. Very fast service.
And almost in a dead heat with Nom Nom is Eat Phamish.The food here tastes as if it came from somebody's kitchen. The Banh Mi itself, large and meaty with great flavor. The spring rolls here are worth a try as well, but beware, they're bigger in person than the pictures on the truck make you think they are.
So try all 3 and you be the judge.
Make it an adventure. Then it's obvious who the winner will be, why you of course!
FTS
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Friday Night Madness... With Pictures!!!
Mobile food courts are a good thing.
Your friendly neighborhood food truck stalkers love this notion. Most of the trucks we've tried have been in this setting. Anywhere from 4 to 10 trucks all set up in a parking lot with tables and chairs, maybe even music.
They're organized, planned and usually go off without a hitch.
Then there are the places where trucks just gather with no real plan. These tend to be along the sidewalks in area that will support it. Downtown LA, Hollywood, Miracle Mile and Santa Monica come to mind.
Then there's Granada Hills.....
What happens on the 1 mile stretch of Chatsworth Street between Zelzah and Yarmouth on Friday nights could best be described as a disorganized foodtruckpalooza. It's utter insanity!
The sheer volume of trucks that gather here is staggering. This is NOT a place where you can sample everything, there's just too much... EVEN FOR ME!!!!
There are some regulars there every week and some newcomers.
Last time I went there were 32 trucks. And this is not planned, it's spontaneous. True guerilla dining!
Take a look here
This really doesn't even begin to show the size of this gathering.
Here's the part that bothers me, When I went to take all these pictures, I HAD JUST EATEN!!!!!
Ok, that was probably ill thought out on my part but I needed the pictures! Never mind the fact that there were about 10 here I had never tried! So I avoided the inevitable food coma and just took the pictures.
So the next time you feel like a little something different on a Friday night check out Chatsworth Street between Zelzah and Yarmouth in Granada Hills. And prepare to be overwhelmed..
And for good measure, Here's the list of trucks that were there this particular week.
1.Pranzo
2.The Shawerma House
3.Sloppy Gourmet
4.Chef Che Argentine
5.Breezy Freeze
6.Slap Yo Mama
7.Jogasaki Burrito
8.The Nacho Truck
9.Caridad Cuisine
10.OG Tempura
11.New Delhi Express
12.Ta Bom
13.Antonia's Nuts
14.Bower's Sausages
15.New York Galbi
16.La Rue De Paris
17.Fresh And Meaty
18.Curb A Peel
19.Aloha Fridays LA
20.Streets Of Thailand
21.The Pokey Truck
22.Street Kitchen LA.
23.The Twist Burgers
24.Bajamar Seafood
25.Lardon
26.The Wein Truck
27.Let's Roll It
28.Mossie Lee's
29.The Stacker Truck
30.Tornado Potato
31.Yummy One
32.Calbi
Even for the uninitiated, If you can't find something here to like then you have deeper problems than what to have for dinner!
Check it out!
Your friendly neighborhood food truck stalkers love this notion. Most of the trucks we've tried have been in this setting. Anywhere from 4 to 10 trucks all set up in a parking lot with tables and chairs, maybe even music.
They're organized, planned and usually go off without a hitch.
Then there are the places where trucks just gather with no real plan. These tend to be along the sidewalks in area that will support it. Downtown LA, Hollywood, Miracle Mile and Santa Monica come to mind.
Then there's Granada Hills.....
What happens on the 1 mile stretch of Chatsworth Street between Zelzah and Yarmouth on Friday nights could best be described as a disorganized foodtruckpalooza. It's utter insanity!
The sheer volume of trucks that gather here is staggering. This is NOT a place where you can sample everything, there's just too much... EVEN FOR ME!!!!
There are some regulars there every week and some newcomers.
Last time I went there were 32 trucks. And this is not planned, it's spontaneous. True guerilla dining!
Take a look here
This really doesn't even begin to show the size of this gathering.
Here's the part that bothers me, When I went to take all these pictures, I HAD JUST EATEN!!!!!
Ok, that was probably ill thought out on my part but I needed the pictures! Never mind the fact that there were about 10 here I had never tried! So I avoided the inevitable food coma and just took the pictures.
So the next time you feel like a little something different on a Friday night check out Chatsworth Street between Zelzah and Yarmouth in Granada Hills. And prepare to be overwhelmed..
And for good measure, Here's the list of trucks that were there this particular week.
1.Pranzo
2.The Shawerma House
3.Sloppy Gourmet
4.Chef Che Argentine
5.Breezy Freeze
6.Slap Yo Mama
7.Jogasaki Burrito
8.The Nacho Truck
9.Caridad Cuisine
10.OG Tempura
11.New Delhi Express
12.Ta Bom
13.Antonia's Nuts
14.Bower's Sausages
15.New York Galbi
16.La Rue De Paris
17.Fresh And Meaty
18.Curb A Peel
19.Aloha Fridays LA
20.Streets Of Thailand
21.The Pokey Truck
22.Street Kitchen LA.
23.The Twist Burgers
24.Bajamar Seafood
25.Lardon
26.The Wein Truck
27.Let's Roll It
28.Mossie Lee's
29.The Stacker Truck
30.Tornado Potato
31.Yummy One
32.Calbi
Even for the uninitiated, If you can't find something here to like then you have deeper problems than what to have for dinner!
Check it out!
Monday, June 13, 2011
BURGERS!!!........part1??
Ahh, the majestic hamburger! Truly as American as any dish could claim to be.
And VERY popular fodder for the food trucks.
Yes, there are many good burger trucks, so many in fact that I've yet to try them all. So I'll just prattle on about the ones I have tried.
I guess I should say that most of what I've had has been good so here's some of the better ones I've had so far.
Grill 'Em All.
The undisputed king of L.A. Burger trucks after winning "The Great Food Truck Race". This truck ALWAYS has a long line. But is it worth it. My opinion, it depends on the line and what else is around. But these guys know their burgers.The stalkers have sampled about half of their menu board and found some surprises. Our favorite is probably the Molly Hatchet with the Waste 'Em All right up there as well. We also liked the Samoa Joe. The Behemoth sounds a lot better, (or worse depending on your point of view), than it actually is. All in all this is a burger that does not dissapoint.
Patty Wagon LA
Ok, these are technically sliders but though they are small, they are burgers just the same. They tout the fact that the use only grass fed beef and it shows. The burgers are well crafted, imaginative and just plain good. And yes, I'd try them again.
Baby's Badass Burgers
This is a truck I certainly will visit again since all I was able to tasted was one of their sliders and it was good. I tried their "cougar" and even though they were out of the St. Agur Bleu Cheese, (They charged me a buck less and subbed in swiss cheese), I loved it. I'll go back again. And I have to say, the Burger Babes aren't too bad either. OH come on, a guy can look!
There are several more that I've got my sights set one but they'll just have to wait until I get to them. Fresh and Meaty, Da Burger Boss and a couple of others are on my radar.
And when One of us does, we'll let you know.
And VERY popular fodder for the food trucks.
Yes, there are many good burger trucks, so many in fact that I've yet to try them all. So I'll just prattle on about the ones I have tried.
I guess I should say that most of what I've had has been good so here's some of the better ones I've had so far.
Grill 'Em All.
The undisputed king of L.A. Burger trucks after winning "The Great Food Truck Race". This truck ALWAYS has a long line. But is it worth it. My opinion, it depends on the line and what else is around. But these guys know their burgers.The stalkers have sampled about half of their menu board and found some surprises. Our favorite is probably the Molly Hatchet with the Waste 'Em All right up there as well. We also liked the Samoa Joe. The Behemoth sounds a lot better, (or worse depending on your point of view), than it actually is. All in all this is a burger that does not dissapoint.
Patty Wagon LA
Ok, these are technically sliders but though they are small, they are burgers just the same. They tout the fact that the use only grass fed beef and it shows. The burgers are well crafted, imaginative and just plain good. And yes, I'd try them again.
Baby's Badass Burgers
This is a truck I certainly will visit again since all I was able to tasted was one of their sliders and it was good. I tried their "cougar" and even though they were out of the St. Agur Bleu Cheese, (They charged me a buck less and subbed in swiss cheese), I loved it. I'll go back again. And I have to say, the Burger Babes aren't too bad either. OH come on, a guy can look!
There are several more that I've got my sights set one but they'll just have to wait until I get to them. Fresh and Meaty, Da Burger Boss and a couple of others are on my radar.
And when One of us does, we'll let you know.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Food Coma!!!!
Ok Here's the dilema...
Mobile food courts are awesome, but what do you do when 3 of your top 10 appear at the same time?
What do you do??????
Answer, Make a pig of yourself and spend the afternoon in an unproductive food coma.
We've all been there before, frequently happens at pot lucks and gatherings.
That's when after your appointment with gluttony you slump down on the couch, loosen any tight clothing and assume what Yoga refers to as the "Reclining Al Bundy" position.
OK, I made that part up but you get the picture.
This week my weekly visit to the Century lot included 3 of our top 15 list. Global Soul, Flying Pig and, India Jones. ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!!!!
That's just not fair, The diet gods are mocking me!
Well, I can't pass up the duck taco and pork belly bun from the Pig and I can't pass up a Frankie from India Jones. Global Soul always has something on their board I want, after all they can't make anything bad. It's just not possible.
Hell, the trucks I passed on would make a great meal as well. What were they you ask? The Feast Truck, Lee's Philly, Gourmet Genie and, Me So Hungry!
So here I sit, slumped in my chair, almost asleep wondering how I'm going to get through the rest of the day.
If you see me in this state don't bother me, and don't tell me I'm snoring or that there's a little drool exiting my mouth, I DON'T CARE!
I just ate some of the best street eats money can buy!
I love L.A.!
Mobile food courts are awesome, but what do you do when 3 of your top 10 appear at the same time?
What do you do??????
Answer, Make a pig of yourself and spend the afternoon in an unproductive food coma.
We've all been there before, frequently happens at pot lucks and gatherings.
That's when after your appointment with gluttony you slump down on the couch, loosen any tight clothing and assume what Yoga refers to as the "Reclining Al Bundy" position.
OK, I made that part up but you get the picture.
This week my weekly visit to the Century lot included 3 of our top 15 list. Global Soul, Flying Pig and, India Jones. ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!!!!
That's just not fair, The diet gods are mocking me!
Well, I can't pass up the duck taco and pork belly bun from the Pig and I can't pass up a Frankie from India Jones. Global Soul always has something on their board I want, after all they can't make anything bad. It's just not possible.
Hell, the trucks I passed on would make a great meal as well. What were they you ask? The Feast Truck, Lee's Philly, Gourmet Genie and, Me So Hungry!
So here I sit, slumped in my chair, almost asleep wondering how I'm going to get through the rest of the day.
If you see me in this state don't bother me, and don't tell me I'm snoring or that there's a little drool exiting my mouth, I DON'T CARE!
I just ate some of the best street eats money can buy!
I love L.A.!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The Mighty Sandwich
The ultimate street food, the consummate lunch food. A food with as many variations as there are people who make them. To try to list all my favorites would be impossible, so I'll narrow it down a bit to some of the more imaginative things we've found.
And of course, this will be an ongoing series because the innovation never stops. But through it it we have found several honorable mentions.
If flat out innovation in a standard 2slice of bread with something in between is what you crave give The Munchie Machine a try. This man has a novel approach. First pick your bread, then pick your filling from 6 regular options or a couple of daily specials using check marks on a menu card. I tried a chicken pesto creation and was not disappointed. And the face on the menu does look disturbingly like the owner of the truck. But don't let that stop you. This man knows his way around a couple of slices of bread!
Perhaps a good deli sandwich is more to your liking. The 80 year Los Angeles institution, Canters Deli. prowls the streets serving better than average deli sandwiches to those in search of deli bliss. Is Canters the best? Well that's arguable, especially in an environment that hosts the likes of Label's Table, Brent's, Art's and Nate 'n Al's. But they don't have a truck. And that make's it the best deli sandwich on wheels! I tried one of their Ruebens and it melted in my mouth like a good Rueben should.
For something a little different keep an eye out for Naan Stop. This truck takes Indian Naan bread and wraps it around heavily spiced indian fare such as lamb, tandoori chicken, Paneer (cheese), and spiced turkey kebab. Need I say more?
Perhaps you like your entire meal on a roll. Meet 'N Potatoes makes one sandwich with 7 different meat choices. Each sandwich contains cole slaw, tomatoes, french fries, and cheese. And they are very generous with the portions. An entire meal between the slices.
Taking that notion a step further is Jersey Grub.An idea born on the grounds of Rutgers university these sandwiches could best be describes as bar food on a roll. With ingredients such as mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, french fries, white sauce and anything else they can come up with, you're guaranteed a belly ache if you chow down an entire one.
Perhaps a Philly is more your style. There are a few of players in this arena. Bera's, South Philly Experience, Sandwich Brothers and Lee's Philly all have tossed their hat into the hoagie pool and in my opinion there's not a bad one among them. Granted I haven't yet tried them all but give me time.
Then there's the Banh Mi, a Vietnamese variation of a sub sandwich. Using a specially made french baguette and sporting marinated daikon, carrots and cilantro these are a surprisingly inexpensive and satisfying treat. The 3 biggest players here are The Nom Nom Truck, Eat Phamish and Mandoline Grill. My favorite among them is Mandoline Grill for taste but hands down, Nom Nom takes the prize for speed and price. Both Mandoline and Phamish offer more on their menu as well.
I suppose you can't talk sandwiches without mentioning Grilled Cheese, everybody's favorite. And indeed the Grilled Cheese truck has brought the elevated version of grilled cheese to the streets. But they're not the only game in town. Keep your eyes on the menus. You don't always have to wait in a 1/2 hour line for a good grilled fromage!
And least we not mention my personal favorite, BBQ! But since I've covered that in another blog.....
I won't even got into the burgers and hot dogs. Each of those in a blog within themselves.
There are a great many I haven't listed here, I know, but I will when time allows.
Till then... EAT A SANDWICH!
And of course, this will be an ongoing series because the innovation never stops. But through it it we have found several honorable mentions.
If flat out innovation in a standard 2slice of bread with something in between is what you crave give The Munchie Machine a try. This man has a novel approach. First pick your bread, then pick your filling from 6 regular options or a couple of daily specials using check marks on a menu card. I tried a chicken pesto creation and was not disappointed. And the face on the menu does look disturbingly like the owner of the truck. But don't let that stop you. This man knows his way around a couple of slices of bread!
Perhaps a good deli sandwich is more to your liking. The 80 year Los Angeles institution, Canters Deli. prowls the streets serving better than average deli sandwiches to those in search of deli bliss. Is Canters the best? Well that's arguable, especially in an environment that hosts the likes of Label's Table, Brent's, Art's and Nate 'n Al's. But they don't have a truck. And that make's it the best deli sandwich on wheels! I tried one of their Ruebens and it melted in my mouth like a good Rueben should.
For something a little different keep an eye out for Naan Stop. This truck takes Indian Naan bread and wraps it around heavily spiced indian fare such as lamb, tandoori chicken, Paneer (cheese), and spiced turkey kebab. Need I say more?
Perhaps you like your entire meal on a roll. Meet 'N Potatoes makes one sandwich with 7 different meat choices. Each sandwich contains cole slaw, tomatoes, french fries, and cheese. And they are very generous with the portions. An entire meal between the slices.
Taking that notion a step further is Jersey Grub.An idea born on the grounds of Rutgers university these sandwiches could best be describes as bar food on a roll. With ingredients such as mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, french fries, white sauce and anything else they can come up with, you're guaranteed a belly ache if you chow down an entire one.
Perhaps a Philly is more your style. There are a few of players in this arena. Bera's, South Philly Experience, Sandwich Brothers and Lee's Philly all have tossed their hat into the hoagie pool and in my opinion there's not a bad one among them. Granted I haven't yet tried them all but give me time.
Then there's the Banh Mi, a Vietnamese variation of a sub sandwich. Using a specially made french baguette and sporting marinated daikon, carrots and cilantro these are a surprisingly inexpensive and satisfying treat. The 3 biggest players here are The Nom Nom Truck, Eat Phamish and Mandoline Grill. My favorite among them is Mandoline Grill for taste but hands down, Nom Nom takes the prize for speed and price. Both Mandoline and Phamish offer more on their menu as well.
I suppose you can't talk sandwiches without mentioning Grilled Cheese, everybody's favorite. And indeed the Grilled Cheese truck has brought the elevated version of grilled cheese to the streets. But they're not the only game in town. Keep your eyes on the menus. You don't always have to wait in a 1/2 hour line for a good grilled fromage!
And least we not mention my personal favorite, BBQ! But since I've covered that in another blog.....
I won't even got into the burgers and hot dogs. Each of those in a blog within themselves.
There are a great many I haven't listed here, I know, but I will when time allows.
Till then... EAT A SANDWICH!
Monday, April 25, 2011
What's your favorite??
What's your favorite truck?
We frequently get asked that question. And in the world of L.A. Food Trucks it's downright impossible to pick one. But we do have our top 10- 15 favorites so we thought we'd share this list with you.
Bear in mind of course that as we sample new ones, this list is subject to change! SO here they are in no particular order.
The Border Grill. Being a Too Hot Tamales fan from way back this was a truck I had to track down. And was I ever glad we did. Of the 8-10 menu items we've tried from here we haven't found one that disappoints. We both agree that this one is worth going out of your way for. The ceviche cone and tamal cones are standouts.
Papa's Tapas. Another one where no matter what we try it's always good. This is a family owned truck and the people running this truck are awesome. Another one we're always glad to see and won't pass up when given the opportunity. Try the croquettes and the Paella if they're available.
India Jones Chow Truck. The Frankie is what initially got our attention here then I started trying other items on this menu. All good. The Mango spareribs are a sloppy good time. Definitely Stalker approved!
Global Soul. This is the truck that first caused us to ask the question "Is it even possible for them to make something bad?" The Shrimp Toastie is not just a home run, it knocks it out of the park! Other items I've tried here are equally off the hook!
Barbie's Q, Smokin Willie's and Willoughby Road. Ok, so we're fans of great Q. See our previous blog on this trio. I think if I ever found a mobile food court that had more than one of these at the same time my head would explode!
Komodo. This one grew on us over time. We found that anytime this one appeared at Century a Komodo 2.0 was in order. Anything we've tried here has been good. So they get a place on our Stalker Approved list.
Rajin Cajun. Steve is a real character. Anyone who watched him on "The Great Food Truck Race" knows that. But he can cook some food. Southern Creole food in a favorite of ours to begin with, and he's found ways to create new things within that realm. Try his Gumbolaya, a fusion between Gumbo and Jambalaya. It's stupid good!
White Rabbit. There are several Philippino trucks on the scene. What sets this one apart is the Pork Sisig, a wonderful concoction made from deep fried pork belly. I'm fortunate enough to live near their brick and mortar establishment which has the same menu as the truck. It's irresistable. And don't forget the Lumpia!
Slap Yo Mama. OK, I really wanted to say that. But beyond the funny name is a woman who makes some of the best Po Boy sandwiches I've ever tasted. Try the fried catfish with a side of Mac and Cheese. And really nice people as well!
Flying Pig. We struggled with this one. Not everything on this truck is a home run but two things are so good that they are superstars in the food truck world. This truck makes what I think is the best slider I've tasted. It's their Pork Belly Bun. A chunk of Pork Belly on a Bao bun with marinated onions. Incredible. The other item is their Tamarind Duck taco. Duck meat, tamarind sauce and a piece of a clementine. Kudos! Their somoked chicken and regular pork sliders are also worth mentioning. Just don't bother with the burritos.
Louk's To Go. Who doesn't love good Greek food. Of the few things We've tried here we've been blown away every time. They make a sausage pita wrap with hummus that has a little bit of honey in it. Spectacular and try the Dolmas on a stick!
Lomo Arigato. Peruvian, Japanese fusion. Sounds great, but not exactly a new thing if you know your history. The result is a cuisine that has the heartiness of the South American cuisines tempered with the refinement of Japanese cuisine. The Saltado and Tallarin you get here are incredible. And he's got the grates hood ornament I've ever seen!
We have more recommendations but we'll stop here at 11, well 13 really. If there are a few here you haven't tried, track them down. You'll be glad you did!
We frequently get asked that question. And in the world of L.A. Food Trucks it's downright impossible to pick one. But we do have our top 10- 15 favorites so we thought we'd share this list with you.
Bear in mind of course that as we sample new ones, this list is subject to change! SO here they are in no particular order.
The Border Grill. Being a Too Hot Tamales fan from way back this was a truck I had to track down. And was I ever glad we did. Of the 8-10 menu items we've tried from here we haven't found one that disappoints. We both agree that this one is worth going out of your way for. The ceviche cone and tamal cones are standouts.
Papa's Tapas. Another one where no matter what we try it's always good. This is a family owned truck and the people running this truck are awesome. Another one we're always glad to see and won't pass up when given the opportunity. Try the croquettes and the Paella if they're available.
India Jones Chow Truck. The Frankie is what initially got our attention here then I started trying other items on this menu. All good. The Mango spareribs are a sloppy good time. Definitely Stalker approved!
Global Soul. This is the truck that first caused us to ask the question "Is it even possible for them to make something bad?" The Shrimp Toastie is not just a home run, it knocks it out of the park! Other items I've tried here are equally off the hook!
Barbie's Q, Smokin Willie's and Willoughby Road. Ok, so we're fans of great Q. See our previous blog on this trio. I think if I ever found a mobile food court that had more than one of these at the same time my head would explode!
Komodo. This one grew on us over time. We found that anytime this one appeared at Century a Komodo 2.0 was in order. Anything we've tried here has been good. So they get a place on our Stalker Approved list.
Rajin Cajun. Steve is a real character. Anyone who watched him on "The Great Food Truck Race" knows that. But he can cook some food. Southern Creole food in a favorite of ours to begin with, and he's found ways to create new things within that realm. Try his Gumbolaya, a fusion between Gumbo and Jambalaya. It's stupid good!
White Rabbit. There are several Philippino trucks on the scene. What sets this one apart is the Pork Sisig, a wonderful concoction made from deep fried pork belly. I'm fortunate enough to live near their brick and mortar establishment which has the same menu as the truck. It's irresistable. And don't forget the Lumpia!
Slap Yo Mama. OK, I really wanted to say that. But beyond the funny name is a woman who makes some of the best Po Boy sandwiches I've ever tasted. Try the fried catfish with a side of Mac and Cheese. And really nice people as well!
Flying Pig. We struggled with this one. Not everything on this truck is a home run but two things are so good that they are superstars in the food truck world. This truck makes what I think is the best slider I've tasted. It's their Pork Belly Bun. A chunk of Pork Belly on a Bao bun with marinated onions. Incredible. The other item is their Tamarind Duck taco. Duck meat, tamarind sauce and a piece of a clementine. Kudos! Their somoked chicken and regular pork sliders are also worth mentioning. Just don't bother with the burritos.
Louk's To Go. Who doesn't love good Greek food. Of the few things We've tried here we've been blown away every time. They make a sausage pita wrap with hummus that has a little bit of honey in it. Spectacular and try the Dolmas on a stick!
Lomo Arigato. Peruvian, Japanese fusion. Sounds great, but not exactly a new thing if you know your history. The result is a cuisine that has the heartiness of the South American cuisines tempered with the refinement of Japanese cuisine. The Saltado and Tallarin you get here are incredible. And he's got the grates hood ornament I've ever seen!
We have more recommendations but we'll stop here at 11, well 13 really. If there are a few here you haven't tried, track them down. You'll be glad you did!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Mobile Q
Ahhh Barbeque. Who doesn't like good barbeque!
Personally I think a great piece of smoked meat is one of those little pleasures that makes life worth living. In the food truck world bbq has 2 meanings. It can be the ribs, chicken and beef that we Americans have perfected or it can refer to the Korean variety found in the tacos and burritos of many of the "fusion" trucks out there.
Here I'm discussing the former variety, the good old American back yard developed, slow cooked, hard to control, mess up your clothes goodness that some people have spent their lives perfecting.
There are 3 trucks in particular that I've tried that serve up this variety. They are, Barbie's Q, Smokin Willie's and Willoughby Road. If you asked me to pick a favorite here I'd simply answer yes. All of the above. But each has their own little hidden gems that set them apart.
Barbie's Q was the first one I tried. To say that this man understands meat is an understatement. Mr. Bowler, the pit boss, personally smokes his meats each day and has got it down. His tacos and sliders are top notch. But the real hidde gem on his menu is his St. Louis style spareribs. You can buy the one at a time for 2 bucks each and they will send you to bbq heaven.
Willoughby Road came next. I've only had the pleasure once but that's all it took. I tried his smoked and deep fried spareribs. Eating this in my car was probably a mistake in retrospect but I totally didn't notice until I had finished and found that much of the sauce was on me rather than in me. I didn't care, I was in a food coma and bbq heaven at the same time.
Lastly came Smokin Willie's, This trucks best feature is the sauce which you can buy at Whole Foods separately. It's worth it. The regular and the spicy chipotle can make anything taste better. I tried them on sliders and was not disappointed.
All 3 of these trucks are stalker approved. As a side note, I had Barbie's Q cater a party I had a while back and that could not have gone better. It was a musicians party and what goes better with rock and blues than good Q???
Nothing, that's what!
Personally I think a great piece of smoked meat is one of those little pleasures that makes life worth living. In the food truck world bbq has 2 meanings. It can be the ribs, chicken and beef that we Americans have perfected or it can refer to the Korean variety found in the tacos and burritos of many of the "fusion" trucks out there.
Here I'm discussing the former variety, the good old American back yard developed, slow cooked, hard to control, mess up your clothes goodness that some people have spent their lives perfecting.
There are 3 trucks in particular that I've tried that serve up this variety. They are, Barbie's Q, Smokin Willie's and Willoughby Road. If you asked me to pick a favorite here I'd simply answer yes. All of the above. But each has their own little hidden gems that set them apart.
Barbie's Q was the first one I tried. To say that this man understands meat is an understatement. Mr. Bowler, the pit boss, personally smokes his meats each day and has got it down. His tacos and sliders are top notch. But the real hidde gem on his menu is his St. Louis style spareribs. You can buy the one at a time for 2 bucks each and they will send you to bbq heaven.
Willoughby Road came next. I've only had the pleasure once but that's all it took. I tried his smoked and deep fried spareribs. Eating this in my car was probably a mistake in retrospect but I totally didn't notice until I had finished and found that much of the sauce was on me rather than in me. I didn't care, I was in a food coma and bbq heaven at the same time.
Lastly came Smokin Willie's, This trucks best feature is the sauce which you can buy at Whole Foods separately. It's worth it. The regular and the spicy chipotle can make anything taste better. I tried them on sliders and was not disappointed.
All 3 of these trucks are stalker approved. As a side note, I had Barbie's Q cater a party I had a while back and that could not have gone better. It was a musicians party and what goes better with rock and blues than good Q???
Nothing, that's what!
Monday, April 11, 2011
OK, I get it now..
There are some trucks out there that just get long lines everywhere they go. And in some cases it's not because they're the best around. Sometimes it's a matter of popularity, sometimes it's the people on the trucks.
That was the case with The Nom Nom Truck for me. Probably one of the best known trucks out there and it always has long lines. Now I get that a big part of their popularity is due to their appearance in The Great Food Truck Race. But it seems like that only affected them and Grill 'em" All. The other trucks that appeared on that show don't get any more business than the other trucks do, in other words they're not a "draw".
So I asked myself, "Why then?"
It's certainly not the people. I once tried to buy a large quantity of sandwiches and tacos from them for a party I was having and just flat out got turned down. Why?, It wasn't a large enough order. I was told flat out "$1500.00 minimum order for special events". And that was even if I came to them to pick them up.
So why then does a business that treats people that way so wildly successful.
The other night they were parked literally 3 blocks from my house so being the true truck stalker that I am, I decided on a Bahn Mi for dinner.
I got there early and was actually the first person in a long line. I ordered my sandwich and before I was even done paying for it the sandwich was done. I do have to say that's the fastest service I've ever received
from a truck. The sandwich was reasonably good and although not the best Banh Mi I've ever had, I'd get it again. And it was cheap! All the other trucks charge 8 for a sandwich, Nom Nom's is still only 5 bucks. 8 bucks here gets you a sandwich, taco and drink combo. So as far as street food goes, they got the formula right. Limited menu, low prices and very fast friendly service (as long as your not dealing with the owners).
Would I recommend this truck?, sure. They know what they're doing.
Now if only they could be a little more likeable....
That was the case with The Nom Nom Truck for me. Probably one of the best known trucks out there and it always has long lines. Now I get that a big part of their popularity is due to their appearance in The Great Food Truck Race. But it seems like that only affected them and Grill 'em" All. The other trucks that appeared on that show don't get any more business than the other trucks do, in other words they're not a "draw".
So I asked myself, "Why then?"
It's certainly not the people. I once tried to buy a large quantity of sandwiches and tacos from them for a party I was having and just flat out got turned down. Why?, It wasn't a large enough order. I was told flat out "$1500.00 minimum order for special events". And that was even if I came to them to pick them up.
So why then does a business that treats people that way so wildly successful.
The other night they were parked literally 3 blocks from my house so being the true truck stalker that I am, I decided on a Bahn Mi for dinner.
I got there early and was actually the first person in a long line. I ordered my sandwich and before I was even done paying for it the sandwich was done. I do have to say that's the fastest service I've ever received
from a truck. The sandwich was reasonably good and although not the best Banh Mi I've ever had, I'd get it again. And it was cheap! All the other trucks charge 8 for a sandwich, Nom Nom's is still only 5 bucks. 8 bucks here gets you a sandwich, taco and drink combo. So as far as street food goes, they got the formula right. Limited menu, low prices and very fast friendly service (as long as your not dealing with the owners).
Would I recommend this truck?, sure. They know what they're doing.
Now if only they could be a little more likeable....
Monday, April 4, 2011
Hello L.A. Food Truck Foodies
If you're looking at this I probably don't have to explain what we're talking about. The food truck phenomenon has taken off here in Los Angeles and it's anybody's guess how long this will last. As far as I can see, it still seems to be gaining popularity.
A fellow foodie and myself are lucky enough to work in an area the tucks like to frequent which is near L.A. Airport. We'll share our thoughts, tell you about our favorites, try to let you all know about new trucks on the scene and tell you about our "must try's" when we find them. Between us we've been able to try over 70 of them and neither of us ever hits the dessert or drink trucks although that may change.
We welcome your comments, suggestions and if you have a request we'll try. The only caveat is that since we are L.A. County based, the O.C. food trucks are a bit beyond our reach. We'll try one when we can but I don't expect that will happen often. There are a couple in our list though so it's not impossible.
A fellow foodie and myself are lucky enough to work in an area the tucks like to frequent which is near L.A. Airport. We'll share our thoughts, tell you about our favorites, try to let you all know about new trucks on the scene and tell you about our "must try's" when we find them. Between us we've been able to try over 70 of them and neither of us ever hits the dessert or drink trucks although that may change.
We welcome your comments, suggestions and if you have a request we'll try. The only caveat is that since we are L.A. County based, the O.C. food trucks are a bit beyond our reach. We'll try one when we can but I don't expect that will happen often. There are a couple in our list though so it's not impossible.
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