Irvine: Dos Chinos

My sister Becky is helping me out by being my weekly guest blogger.  Due to my busy schedule, I’m not able to attend the Teller lot on Wednesdays and she volunteered to provide a weekly report. 

Several weeks ago, Dos Chinos tweeted that they were now serving Vietnamese Iced Coffee (or Cafe Sua Da) as part of their menu. I love Vietnamese Iced Coffee, but unfortunately, there are a lot of places that don’t serve it well.

My criteria for the perfect cup of cafe sua da is as follows:

  • They have to use real, condensed milk and not a CoffeeMate (or equivalent) substitute, which completely overpowers the drink;
  • The taste of coffee needs to be more prominent than the condensed milk;
  • Overall, the balance needs to be rich, bold and flavorful, not separated (as in, you can taste the separation of water, coffee and milk).
  • The best cafe sua da is best described as drinking liquid dark chocolate. Sublime!!


I’ve passed over ordering Dos Chinos coffee because I was admittedly leery they wouldn’t meet my expectation. That is, until today. I noticed they had changed the listing from “Vietnamese Iced Coffee” to “Super Strong Vietnamese Iced Coffee.”

The change in description piqued my curiousity, so I decided to give it a try. The result? Their coffee met all three of my criteria. It had a nice, thick quality to it and really had a well balanced flavor. Though, not the best I’ve tried, I would definitely order it again if I don’t have time to make it up to Little Saigon to get the good stuff.


As for their claims of begin “Super Strong?” Well, I’m not bouncing against the walls, but it has certainly helped me get through the rest of this afternoon much easier.

Industry: the Yummy One (with new wrap)

Love the new truck!
 
BimBimBap

The Yummy One is one of Martin’s favorite trucks. He chased them down for lunch at the City of Industry for the Bim Bim Bap and to check out their new wrapped truck.

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Fullerton: Rolling Sushi Van

It’s been a while since I’ve had Rolling Sushi. Like many Gourmet Food Trucks (GFTS), The RSV have been experiencing mechanical problems, which took them off the streets for almost a week.

They tweeted were back at the Deerpark Apartments on Wednesday, which was perfect since we had a very important Ducks game to attend, and we have been lucky when we eat at The RSV beforehand.

Chef Chris made us his secret baked Salmon Cheek. Martin ordered the spicy tuna roll, while I ordered the Tuna California cut roll.

Oh, the Ducks beat the San Jose Sharks 6-2! Corey Perry scored his 50 th goal for the season and a hat trick.

Chef Chris’ Baked Salmon Cheek
Its not on the menu, and it takes about 20 minutes to make… so ask for it if you have time!
Spicy tuna handroll
Tuna California Roll

Congrats to Anaheim Ducks Corey Perry for scoring (at least) 50 goals this season
Two games left to go… you still have time for more!

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Tonight, April 6: Fundraiser at @OCDinDinAGoGo at Irvine Lanes

April 28: San Diego, Dining out for Life

A special Dining Out for Life San Diego Food Truck Gathering will take place in The Center’s parking lot on Thursday, April 28 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. 

The following fabulous food trucks are donating 25% of sales at the special Dining Out for Life Food Truck Gathering taking place in The Center’s parking lot located at 3909 Centre Street, 92103 (1 block west of Park and University) from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

  1. Corner Cupcakes
  2. Devilicious, Inc
  3. Food Junkies
  4. Green Truck
  5. India on Wheels
  6. KalibiQ
  7. Miho Gastrotruck
  8. Ms. Patty Melt
  9. Super Q Food Truck
  10. Sweet Treats Truck
  11. Two for the Road

Jane Schmoll and The Center’s Family Matters program will be your special guest Ambassadors for the gathering along with DOFL veteran ambassador Joanna Clark.

Grab your family and friends and make a date to dine out for breakfast, lunch and dinner on Thursday, April 28 and 25-100% of the day’s sales will benefit HIV/AIDS services at The Center. For a complete list of participating restaurants, visit www.diningoutforlife.com/sandiego or call Donnie Luehring at (619) 692-2077, ext. 246.

Dine Out, Fight AIDS on April 28!

 

Fullerton: the Flip Truck, Chompchomptruck



the Kalola from the Flip Truck



The Sloppy Joe from Chomp Chomp
Hibiscus Rose Water w/ Lychee
S’mores from Chomp Chomp
Kaya French Toast
Sling Wings

We were driving through Downtown Fullerton and spotted the Flip Truck and Chompchomptruck.

I’ve been following Flip Truck since they’ve rolled, but have never tried them until tonight. I tried the Kalola, which is a ground Ahi Tuna slider, served rare, and it came with fries.

Martin went to Chompchomptruck, and ordered the Sloppy Joe, and I picked up the Hibiscus Rose water with lychee drink.

While waiting at the truck, we watched new foodies order other food, like the Kaya French Toast, the Singapore S’more, and the Sling Wings.

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May 1: Global Street Food with KCRW

KCRW and The SMC Associates Present
Global Street Food
a live stage show followed by gourmet food truck tastings
Sunday, May 1st, 2011
11am at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica
featuring Evan Kleiman, host of KCRW’s Good Food & special guests!
BUY TICKETS

 
The best food in the world often comes from the street. On May 1, bring your curiosity and your appetite to The Broad Stage in Santa Monica. You’ll discover how street food evolved into the food truck craze now sweeping the country, and how global street food inspires local cuisine. Then step outside for world music grooves and tastes of six of L.A.’s best global cuisine food trucks, hand picked by KCRW’s Good Food culinary host, Evan Kleiman. There’ll be raffles and prizes, too! 

Your ticket includes food truck tastings after the show! 

Indoors:
KCRW’s Good Food host Evan Kleiman guides the discussion with chef Jet TilaOC Weekly’s Gustavo Arellano, and food writers from Malaysia and Mexico City who will join us via Skype to share what’s cooking on the streets where they live.

Outdoors:
Sample the global tastes of hand-picked gourmet food trucks Mariscos JaliscoLet’s Be Frank, India JonesPiaggio Gourmet on Wheelsand the Nom Nom Truck, alongside the warm, organic Latin/African grooves of the Masanga Marimba Ensemble.

First Thursday means Melrose Night

Melrose Night:  popular food trucks and shops open late as well as offer promotions on the first Thursday of every month on Melrose Avenue.  (be sure to visit the stores below to find out about one-day promotions!)

Time: 6PM-10PM

Location: Melrose Avenue b/w N. Ogden St. and Stanley Avenue
Parking: Sportie LA lot (7753 Melrose Avenue), Barracuda (7769 Melrose Avenue) or street parking.

If you park in one of these lots, you must check out the store.  After all, they’re giving you free parking.

PARTICIPATING STORES

  • 360 Atelier | upscale hair salon | 360 FULL SERVICE – Barber Studio: Mens Cut, Shampoo, Condition, Facial Cleanse & 15 min massage for $50
    7669 Melrose Ave
  • American Apparel | Sweatshop-free fashionable basics
    7726 Melrose Ave
  • Barracuda | Twitter | L.A. fine clothing (look out for Shepard Fairey’s artwork on the side of the store)
    7769 Melrose Avenue
  • Sportie LA Sneakers | Twitter | Exclusive, limited, and new release sneakers | 10% off entire purchase7753 Melrose Avenue
  • SURUTwitter | Joe Hahn of Linkin Park and Noel’s store selling high end men’s and women’s street wear, exclusive toys, and artwork | 10% off entire purchase7662 Melrose Avenue
  • Urban Outfitters | Selling clothing, accessories, and apartment wares for young women and men
    7650 Melrose Avenue
  • My Closet Italia | Italian lifestyle fashion for men and women | 10% off entire purchase7716 Melrose ave
  • Immaculate Conception | TATTOOS: All styles, walk-ins & custom works welcomed | $50 minimum tattoo7704 1/2 Melrose Avenue
  • Headline Records- The Punk Store | buy, sell, trade HEADLINE RECORDS | 10% off entire purchase7706 Melrose Ave
  • Goorin Brothers | Hat Shop: Fedoras, Baseball Caps, Cadets, Duckbills, and other fashionable Hats by Goorin Brothers
    7627 Melrose Avenue | 15% off entire purchase
  • The Originators | Apparel and accessories honoring the early DJ’s, MC’s, Writers, and B-Boys of Hip Hop | 20% off all merchandise
  • XTC Shoes | Sexy & sassy women’s shoe boutique in LA. Join clients Jennifer Lopez, Salma Hayek and Emmanuelle Chriqui | 20% off entire purchase7603 Melrose Avenue
  • Booya’s Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt | Twitter | 30 cents an oz. Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt shop. Over 12 flavors and over 30 toppings!| 10% off during Melrose Nights!
    7751 1/2 Melrose Ave.

PARTICIPATING FOOD TRUCKS

Los Feliz: Mandoline Grill, Canters, Grill Em All, Crepen Around

Bun (noodles) from Mandoline Grill
Potato Pancakes
Egg Salad Sanwich from Canters
Peanut butter & jelly ravioli from Grill em All
Banana Nutella Crepe from Crepen Around

Martin is on Spring Break, and he felt like driving an hour from The OC to the new Los Feliz Din Din a Go Go.

He went to Mandoline Grill for their Bun, a chilled vietnamese noodle dish with vegetables, meat, and fish sauce.

Karen and I went to Canters. I ordered the potato pancakes with apple sauce, and Karen got the egg salad sandwich.

Later, Karen went to Grillem All and got the Peanut Butter & Jelly ravioli tossed in cinnamon sugar. Martin went to Crepen Around for the Banana Nutella crepe.

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Mondays: Dinner at Signal Hill @SHDinDinaGoGo

@ in Signal Hill 1900 East 27th Signal Hill, CA from 5:30-9pm 

@ @ @ @ & @