The food truck revolution has taken hold of Los Angeles and it looks like it’s going to stick around for a very long time. Ever since Kogi BBQ burst onto the scene in late 2008, the food truck craze has etched itself into the cultural landscape of Southern California, and a large part of that can be attributed to the robust social media campaign set into motion by Kogi BBQ founder Roy Choi around that time. It’s not in the least surprising considering that the city is teeming with citizens who embrace the mobile lifestyle. And, really, who can resist the convenience of having to buy a cheap meal right from across the street?
The booming food truck business has caused hundreds of food trucks to sprout like rampant weeds all over Southern California, offering a myriad of choices that will make any foodie swoon. There are a lot of quality food trucks to choose from out there, but just to be on the safe side, here are several personal favorites of mine that you need to try.
1. Kogi Truck
It’s only fitting that Kogi kicks off this list as it’s the food truck business that started the food truck trend in LA. On top of being the trendsetter, Kogi is still one of the best mobile vendors moving through the streets of Southern California. This stunning blend of Korean and Mexican cuisine offers a nice selection of gastronomic delights that include favorites like the Short Rib Tacos, Kogi Dog, Calamari Taco, Blackjack Quesadilla, Spicy Pork Tacos, and the Sriracha Candy Bar. To enjoy the full extent of Kogi’s menu, you can go to their Alibi Room in Culver City.
Kogi deploys four trucks at designated points across the city and adheres to a regular weekly schedule. These trucks go by the names Roja, Verde, Naranja, and Rosita.
2. Grill ‘Em All
Best known for winning top honors in The Food Network’s reality TV feature “The Great Food Truck Race,” Grill ‘Em All is one of the most popular burger joints in Los Angeles. And they deserved the honor too, mainly on account of the crazy burgers they create. If you want a burger fix that you won’t forget, you need to try the Behemoth burger at least once. The Behemoth is, for all intents and purposes, a ‘dare burger.’ It lives up to its name too, given the fact that it’s made of two separate grilled cheese sandwiches piled on top of each other. And surprise, it actually tastes great.!Eating it might be a daunting task at first but the rest is easy once you got past the first bite. Grill ‘Em All’s heavy metal themed menu offer interesting selections such as Dee Snider, Waste ‘Em All, Power Slave, and Napalm Death.
3. The Grilled Cheese Truck
If you’re in the mood for a mouth-watering dish filled to the brim with cheese, look no further than the Grilled Cheese Truck. What this popular food truck offers Angelenos is cheese indulgence taken to a whole new level. The myriad of choices offered in the menu alone is enough to make any cheese-lover blush. For one, you can choose from among many cheese variations such as American cheese, gruyére, double cream brie, habanero jack, herbed goat cheese, and more. If you can’t make up your mind, you can’t do wrong with the ever-popular Cheesy Mac and Rib. For a more flavorful meal, you can choose from a wide variety of savory additions such as BBQ Smoked Pork, Mac & Cheese, Roast Beef, Fresh Avocado, to name a few. The lines are usually long but don’t let that deter you; they have a sizeable staff that makes the lines go fast! They adhere to a regular schedule so the truck is not difficult to find.
4. Vizzi Truck
Boasting an interesting selection of meals inspired by French cuisine and an interesting fusion of coastal flavors, the Vizzi Food Truck is gourmet at its finest. They prepare their meals using fresh ingredients that are acquired locally, making every morsel a delight for customers. To top it off, the trucks are equipped with wide-screen televisions that showcase the many dishes they have on offer. Vizzi Truck also prides itself as an advocate of the arts, showing short-film clips produced by emerging independent directors and producers via their mobile entertainment system, which you can view comfortably while sitting on the stools installed around the food truck. If you want a food truck service that provides great food as well as a complete dining experience, Vizzi Truck is an inspired choice.
5. Border Grill Truck
If there’s one food restaurant business that deserves to lay claim to the reputation of having the best Mexican food in town, it’s got to be Border Grill . Created by celebrity chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, both of whom earned worldwide recognition as Food Network’s “Hot Tamales,” Border Grill took their highly-lauded modern Mexican cuisine to the streets with Border Grill Truck and became an instant success. They offer five to six taco options, three quesadilla options, and a wide range of fresh ingredients perfect for authentic Mexican fare. Exciting day-specific events like Small Plates Sundays, Border Brunch (on weekends), and Meatless Monday also offer special meal packages that are easy on the wallet and filling on the stomach.
6. Tokyo Doggie Style
A great number of SoCal residents have been having a love affair with Japanese fusion comfort food for some time and part of that might have resulted from the growing popularity of the Tokyo Doggie Style food truck since it started operations in the spring of 2013. Recognized by CBS’ ranking series as one of the “Best Food Trucks in Los Angeles,” Tokyo Doggie Style’s array of delicious and unique Japanese-fusion offerings have kept customers coming back for the ever-recognizable yellow truck with the chibi-dog logo. Some popular recommendations are the Bacon Wrapped Hawaiian Terrier-ki Dog, the Yakiniku Loaded Fries, Takoyaki, and the Lychee Lemonade.
Would love to hear what your favorite food truck are. Looking forward to some recommendations!
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