Archive for the 'Meals on Wheels' Category

Wafels & Dinges – New York City

Published by Gastronomer on July 22, 2011 in Belgian, Dessert, Meals on Wheels and Restaurant Review. 10 Comments

As The Astronomer and I strolled from ChikaLicious back to the hotel, we stumbled upon the Wafels & Dinges truck at Astor Place. Even though I had just consumed a hefty Italian dinner followed by a three-course tour de sweets, I couldn’t resist stopping for a taste. I live a gloriously gluttonous existence while on vacation. Plus, I didn’t know if I’d run into the truck again.

Belgium native Thomas DeGeest launched Wafels & Dinges in 2007. Since then, it’s grown into a mini waffle empire complete with one roaming truck, two roving carts, and two permanently parked carts in Central Park. The truck even has a hotline for waffle seekers to keep track of all the action.

I’ll admit it, I was so intent on trying this truck that I programmed the number into my phone before leaving town. I am a waffle lover through and through.

The truck offers three different kinds of waffles: Brussels, Liège, and mini “wafelini.” There are also a plethora of “dinges” including fresh fruit, butter, maple syrup, and whipped cream.

Continue reading ‘Wafels & Dinges – New York City’

Jogasaki Sushi Burrito – Los Angeles

Published by Gastronomer on April 8, 2011 in Japanese, Los Angeles, Meals on Wheels and Restaurant Review. 5 Comments

After feasting on fried chicken at the Ludo Truck and swinging by the Manila Machine for a beef tapa slider and ube cupcake, The Astronomer and I stalked down the Jogasaki Sushi Burrito truck for our final bite of the night. Launched in late January, Jogasaki specializes in jumbo sushi rolls, stuffed with a hodgepodge of fixings and wrapped tightly in either a flour tortilla or soy paper.

Far from subtle or refined, Jogasaki’s sushi burrito lies somewhere on the sushi spectrum between Trader Joe’s prefabbed rolls and Mori’s pristine nigiri. We’re not dealing with the finest fishes on the block, but it’s passable, affordable, and hits the spot.

Messily scrawled onto a dry erase easel, Jogasaki’s bill of fare included various permutations of spicy tuna, crab meat, eel, shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber, and lobster. The only non-sushi burrito offering was the “Spicy Tuna Nachos” ($5), which was comprised of Dorritos topped with spicy tuna, avocado, and eel sauce. Yow!

I settled on the #3, which included spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, avocado, and cucumber ($8). I’m glad that I asked for the eel sauce on the side, because its sticky sweetness would’ve wrecked my burrito.

Continue reading ‘Jogasaki Sushi Burrito – Los Angeles’

Ludo Truck – Los Angeles

Published by Gastronomer on April 6, 2011 in French, Los Angeles, Meals on Wheels, New American and Restaurant Review. 17 Comments

Chef Ludo Lefebvre of Ludo Bites fame (II, III, IV, V, VI) is currently traveling across America starring in a reality show about pop-up restaurants for the Sundance Channel. As a big fan of the chef, I am extremely proud that he’s been given this opportunity to share his inventive and delightful food with eaters outside L.A. The good folks of North Carolina, Alabama, New Mexico, Baltimore, Colorado, and Texas are in for a real treat!

As happy as I am for Chef Ludo, a small part of me (mostly my stomach) wishes that he would ditch his commitments, hurry back to the town that adores him most, and pop-up with something delicious for us to eat. It’s been a long couple of Ludo Bites-less months.

Until Chef Ludo returns home and orchestrates the next installment of Ludo Bites, the second best option is dining aboard the Ludo Truck. Chef Ludo launched the Ludo Truck following the tremendous success of his fried chicken balls at the inaugural LA Street Food Fest.

The Astronomer and I chased down the truck last month at downtown’s Art Walk. The line for the chef’s famous fried chicken was the longest in the lot. Thankfully, service was quick and efficient, and we had our food in less than fifteen minutes.

We ordered a two-piece serving of the Provencal Pepitte ($6). The first batch that we received was over-browned, so we exchanged it for a less overdone set of balls. The chicken was served with homemade barbecue sauce and “Ludo Slaw.”

It takes three whole days to prepare Chef Ludo’s rosemary- and Herbes de Provence-infused fried chicken. Each ball is comprised of juicy, boneless dark meat magically bound together by a crisp and golden batter. Both the meat and batter are so flavorful and well-seasoned that sauces aren’t really necessary. The “Ludo Slaw,” a mix of savoy cabbage, celery, red onion, chives, and Italian parsley, offered a hit of freshness in a sea of deep-fried goodness.

Continue reading ‘Ludo Truck – Los Angeles’

Lardon Truck – Los Angeles

Published by Gastronomer on January 19, 2011 in Breakfast / Brunch, Los Angeles, Meals on Wheels and Restaurant Review. 13 Comments

As luck would have it, on the very first day of the new year, the Lardon Truck parked its wheels a short drive from my home in Pasadena. The Astronomer and I had spent the morning hours stalking Paula Deen and gawking at floats at the Rose Parade, so when lunch time rolled around, we were more than ready for a big hit of bacon-inspired fare. Never one to miss out on good food finds, my mother arrived in town just in time to join us on our first truck chase of 2011. Party of three, please.

Launched last fall, the Lardon Truck is the city’s first mobile venture showcasing the versatility and deliciousness of bacon. Jeremiah Crowley, one of Lardon’s co-owners, was on board the truck when we visited. What I really liked about Jerry was how he interacted with diners beyond just taking orders. He playfully bantered with the crowd and even asked bacon-related trivia questions during our meal. To increase audience participation, Jerry handed out bacon-scented car fresheners for prizes! This was certainly the best customer service I’d ever encountered at a truck.

The first item served up were the bacon pancakes with bacon bourbon maple syrup ($5.50). Embedded into the pancakes was a generous sprinkling of smoky bacon confetti—just the right amount to assure that each bite was both fluffy and meaty. The syrup’s sweetness tied everything together into one tasty package.

Continue reading ‘Lardon Truck – Los Angeles’

Lobsta Truck – Los Angeles

Published by Gastronomer on November 22, 2010 in Los Angeles, Meals on Wheels, Restaurant Review and Seafood. 12 Comments

It was a red letter day this past Friday night in Pasadena. Of all the neighborhoods the Lobsta Truck could’ve debuted in, they chose to peddle their wares first in my fair city. How cool is that?

The man behind the truck is Justin Mi, a seafood industry veteran and fellow 626 resident. The idea for the truck was born after a recent gut-busting lobster roll tour through Maine. In the span of two days, he consumed half a dozen specimens, and at the end of it all, he was inspired to bring the simple, clean, and satisfying flavors that he experienced to Los Angeles.

The unwrapped Lobsta Tuck was parked near the corner of Colorado and Fair Oaks in Old Town Pasadena. A line ten or so deep was already formed when The Astronomer and I arrived on the scene—it was really great to see Pasadenians coming out to show their support. We took our spots and eagerly anticipated the New England fare coming our way.

While waiting in line, we contemplated what to order. In addition to lobster rolls, the truck also offers crab rolls, New England clam chowder, Cape Cod chips, whoopie pies, and fresh squeezed lemonade. The lobsters, as well as the split-top buns that both the crab and lobster rolls are served on, are flown in several times each week from the East Coast.

Continue reading ‘Lobsta Truck – Los Angeles’