Long Beach Street Food Festival

We to the Long Beach Street Food Festival today and had tons of stuff.  Not going to do a review of each truck, but will touch on the ones we did try.  We stood in line for about 30 mins for the grilled cheese truck before giving up.  We heard that some people were in line for over 90 mins.  Though they are deserving of the gigantic line that they had, we can catch them when they are around town.

We also stood in line twice for The Buttermilk Truck and their Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Pancakes.  But to no avail.  For a truck that had only three items on their sampler menu, they seem to have two speeds. Slow and backwards.  A total shame, since I had been looking forward to trying their buttermilk biscuit sandwiches for a while.  I guess another venture around town for them as well.

Now on to the ones who got tried.  First up, Ahn Joo.  Another Korean Food truck, but this one is not like the bazillion others.  We were told that the truck was the vision of Food Network personality Debbie Lee.  We tried the Spicy Chilled Buckwheat Noodles, Kimbap with Beef and Fuji Apple Egg Rolls.

The Buckwheat Noodles was a perfect warm weather salad.  It had Fuji Apples, Korean Veggies and the noodles.  It also came with a great dressing that tasted a little like a Kimchi Vinaigrette.  The Kimbap was ok, it was pre-made and a bit dry.  However, the Fuji Apple Egg Rolls were "DA BOMB".  Perfectly sweet, and tender apples.  Like egg roll skin.  It came with a Ginger Marscarpone but it wasn't even opened up.  Not even close to being needed.  

www.ahnjoo.com
www.facebook.com/ahnjoola
twitter.com/ahnjoola

Next up was The Knock Out Taco Truck.  We had seen this truck at a few different places before.  And thought "It's just another taco truck."  Boy were we wrong.  First off, their taco selection is right out of the most trendy of fusion restaurants.  And the fusions are like a lot of other trucks where it is Asian / Mexican.  These items are taken from everywhere.  We ordered the Jalapeño Teriyaki Chicken, Hawaiian Tuna Poke and Blackened Shrimp Tacos.

The Jalapeño Teriyaki Chicken tacos are great if you like spicy, but not overwhelming.  The Jalapenos are roasted, so that takes a lot of the heat from them (at least I think so).  It also had marinated cucumbers inside, to add some crush and cooling from the jalapeno heat.  The Hawaiian Tuna Poke, was sushi quality Tuna with  a salsa of cucumbers and onions and a slice of avocado on top.  It was served cold and was perfect on a warm sunny day.  The Blacked Shrimp was a bit heavy on the blackening seasoning.  And the cheese grits were a bit odd in texture for a taco.  But very tasty.

http://www.kotacotruck.com/KOTacos/home.html
http://twitter.com/KOTACOTRUCK

Next we headed to Lomo Arigato.  Hadn't heard of this truck, and the name made me think it was just another Asian Fusion inspiration.  But we were totally wrong.  We checking the sample menu, we found it was actually Peruvian inspired dishes.  We had a fried rice with chicken dish.  Really do wish I could remember the name.  It was great.  Huge portions and made fresh while we waited.  The wait was a bit long, but well worth it.  And if you want a beverage, INCA KOLA.  Tastes like the best creme soda you can get in a deli.

http://www.lomoarigato.com/
http://twitter.com/LOMOARIGATO

Our final stop was Uncle Lau's BBQ.  Their menu was sliders and sides.  So of course, I had to try all three of the slider options.  The had a BBQ Brisket, Pulled Pork and Galbi Short Rib.  The Galbi was good, but was a bit heavy on kimchi.  The pulled pork had no flavor, and the cole slaw that topped it had less.  The BBQ Brisket was the exception.  Full of flavor and very tender.  By far the best of their selections.  Also, the featured freshly purred Watermelon Juice.  It was very tasty, and killed the flavor of the not so great sandwiches.  

http://www.unclelausbbq.com/
http://www.facebook.com/unclelausbbq

http://www.twitter.com/unclelausbbq

All and all, a great day at the trucks.  Trying new ones, and realizing that your favorites are everyone's favorites now too.

Barbie's Q

And our final stop, again a "stubble upon" situation.  I had been following Barbie's Q for awhile, but just could be where they were.  Finally, our two worlds collided.

Though they have a "Sample Q" platter, I couldn't stomach that much food after three other trucks.  So I went with an ol' faithful, Pulled Pork Sandwich.  They serve it with your choice of Potato Salad, Cole Slaw or Baked Beans.  I chose the beans, and was not disappointed.

The sandwich itself is rather large.  On a grinder roll, rather then a hamburger type bun.  They sauce is good, and not over powering of the meat.  Definitely a compliment.

Unfortunately, I couldn't finish it.  My Partner In Crime was supposed to be splitting everything with me, but she got full at the Cheese Steak.

Barbie, I promise to make a return visit with a fuller stomach.

http://www.barbiesq.com/
http://twitter.com/BarbiesQ

Pyongyang Express

Next up, stop #3, Pyongyang Express.  This one was found while we were walking down Abbott Kinney, on the way to the car.  Great concept.  Not only Korean BBQ, like the other 20 now on the road, not just KBBQ but North Korean BBQ.  They have someone walking around with "Propaganda" (flyers and buttons), they play "Tokyo Rose" type radio broadcasts, and have pictures of the "Glorious Leader" Kim Jong-Il.

The best gimmick with them, half the price of the other trucks.  $1 tacos (chicken or beef) $2 Quesadilla and 50 cent waters.  They even taste better then most of the other trucks.

http://www.pyongyangexpress.com/
http://twitter.com/PyongyangBBQ
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pyongyang-Express/132366173445659?ref=search

South Philly Experience

Stop #2 for First Friday, South Philly Experience.  Just as you would think, a Cheesesteak truck.  We ordered Chicken Cheesesteaks Wiz Wit.  Easily explained.  Chicken Cheesesteak with Cheese Wiz and with Onions.  First off, the onions were AMAZING.  So sweet and soft, and picking up all of the favors of the grilled they were cooked on.  The chicken is chopped all white meat and full of flavor.  They seasoned the meat perfectly.  It's so simple, yet so perfect.  You have the choice of American, Provolone or Cheese Wiz.  But why would you choose anything but the Wiz.  Nothing beats The Wiz.

And in good east coast fashion, they also have Tastycakes.  If you've never had these, you are missing out.  Though they only have one flavor, they are so worth it.

Also, they serve Mexican Coke in the old fashioned glass bottles.  They taste different from American Coke, a bit sweeter.

All in all, a great sandwich and well worth searching them out.

http://southphillyexperience.com/wordpress/
http://twitter.com/southphillyexp

The Dim Sum Truck

Tonight the misses and I headed to Venice for First Friday.  There were 24 trucks in one location.  Our first stop The Dim Sum Truck.  Not being able to decide on what to order, we went with the "Everything in the middle window".  After a good chuckle, we took two very large trays of Dim Sum.

First up, Pork & Shrimp Shu Mai.  Perfect from start to finish.  The wrapping was not too soft or too chew.  Next, Shrimp Har Gow.  Full pieces of shrimp, perfectly cooked with full flavor.

We also had Chicken and Mushroom Buns, which were a little too "bunny".  The filling was great, but the first couple of bites were all Bun. Also, BBQ Pork Buns.  I like these a lot, because they were baked into sweet buttery dinner rolls.  A favorite of mine at any time.

They also come with a great spicy sauce to dip everything in.

Overall, a great truck to eat from.  My one and only complaint, they sometimes run a Shark's Fin special.  While I am not one to push my beliefs on others, I will express myself at times.  Being a huge shark lover, I can't condone the use of this product.  It has in the past stopped me from going to this truck, and may in the future, as long as they are serving Fin.

http://thedimsumtruck.com/Index/Home.html
http://twitter.com/dimsumtruck
http://www.facebook.com/dimsumtruck