Yes, you may have heard all about this one. The latest “dining” craze in the area is the food van. Large trucks of specialized delights are either patrolling hotspots or being booked for private functions and appearing in a residential street like a cable guy’s truck, but way more welcome!
Let’s be clear from the start, these are not your common garden trucks that have for many years been the staple of construction sites and labor stops throughout California (and other places) but dedicated dealers of delectable dishes of one style or another.
This past Sunday I actually attended a private party where the visiting culinary cart was from none other than that well respected emporium of burgers, In -N- Out. So, how does the food compare to the fare available from the static locations? Well, there was absolutely no difference at all. Although the menu was limited to an array of burgers and sodas (potato chips offered instead of fries), the double cheeseburger that I ordered was well up to the usual In -N- Out standard. Two juicy prime patties, cheese and all the trimmings in a fresh bun with a bag of chips and a diet coke, yes, quite the treat!
In this week’s guide we will take a look at what’s available from the trucks, vans and other large carryalls on The Westside.
Kogi Korean BBQ. These guys offer some really good Korean gourmet nosh that includes delights like Black Jack Quesadilla (Caramelized Onions and Spicy Pork married together with Cheddar and Jack cheese bathed in our new Salsa Verde), Korean Short Ribs (the best trimmings of short ribs in their own special marinade, On the grill, the fat melts off and the sugars caramelize to create that soft tender texture and deep savory flavor), and Spicy BBQ Chicken (their chicken is a bit lighter than their short rib for those of you who just want the Korean BBQ flavor with a little less attitude. Some would call it the “sensible” alternative while everyone else just calls it delicious!) To contact Kogi BBQ email them at Catering@kogibbq.com.
In -N- Out. As previously mentioned, In -N- Out offers trucks and trailers that will come to your place with their burgers and sodas and chips. Great staff, great food and great service. Every street should have one! Contact them at 626.813.8295 to book your party.
Green Truck. These guys, as the name suggests, are passionate about considerations for the environment and healthy food, and as a result use organic produce and avoid the use of pesticides and preservatives. Their menu include fresh and healthy choices like Organic Good Morning Breakfast Buffet (Oatmeal, Yogurt Parfait, Free Range Egg Scrambles, Country Potatoes, Niman Ranch Bacon and Sausage) and Organic Tsunami Buffet (chefs’ favorites from across Asia including Spicy Wontons, Thai Beef Salad, Coconut Shrimp, Tofu Stir Fry, and Specials Of The Day). Contact these green guys at 310.204.0477
Sprinkles Cupcakes. These trucks contain, yes, you guessed it, cupcakes. Bit no ordinary cupcakes because these delicacies are handcrafted using only the finest ingredients including sweet cream butter, bittersweet Belgian chocolate, pure Madagascar Bourbon vanilla, fresh bananas and carrots, real strawberries, and natural citrus zests. Call these very sweet people at 888.220.2210.
FishLips Sushi Truck. Yep, it’s sushi in a truck! Great sushi and they have the following regular locations to boot:
TUESDAY 8/18–KARTZ SPORTZ 11:30 am–1:30 pm–2151 Grand Avenue. El Segundo
NIGHT TIME: Call 310.634.2999
WEDNESDAY 8/19–5900 concierge 11:30am-2:00pm 5900 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles. They will be parked behind the Variety Building on Genesee.
THE BRIG Venice / Abbot Kinney 7:00pm-1:00am 1515 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
THURSDAY 8/20 WATER GARDEN AREA 11:30am-2:00pm 26th / Colorado St or Pennsylvania Street. Santa Monica
Night Time: Call 310.634.2999 (Silver Lake area)
FRIDAY 8/21–Helms Lot / Culver City 11:30am -2:00pm 8780 Venice Blvd
Night Time: Call 310.634.2999 (West Hollywood area)
SATURDAY 8/22–Malibu Lumber Yard 11:30am–4:00pm 3939 Cross Creek Road Malibu, CA 90265 It’s the beach!!
Night Time: Venice / Abbot Kinney 6:00pm – 10:00pm Call 310.634.2999
One last thing, most of these guys can be followed on Twitter, so tweet away and eat away!
