Yesterday was the weekly food truck gathering at K1 Irvine’s OC DinDin a Go-Go.

LA trucks Ahn-joo and Nana Queens (as featured in the Food network tv show: The Great Food Truck Race) were going to be there.  Normally I would not hesistate and make my way to Irvine in a heartbeat… except I also had a Ducks hockey game… and I NEVER miss a Ducks game. 

What to do.. what to do… ???

Lucky for me, it was only a preseason game, and those games do not count. Also, hockey is not popular here in The OC, so there was no reason to worry about a crowd… especially on a preseason game.

We decided to take a chance, fight the rush hour traffic, take the food to go, and gorge out at the Honda Center parking lot!  I went home, got Martin, and made our way to Irvine, arriving a little before 5:30 (fortunately before the crowd arrived!).

I was 2nd in line at Ahn-joo, and Martin was 4th in line at Nana Queens. After I placed my order, I ran to Nana Queens to take Martin’s place, and he went to Piaggio’s to order his food.  By the time I got his pudding, his order was done!

We avoided the 55 freeway traffic by taking Main Street to the 5 freeway, and made it to the Pond at 6:20…. and was able to be in our seats before the puck dropped at 7 pm! Wow, that was teamwork!

Korean pork potstickers (dumplings) from Anh-Joo

Korean garlic fried potato wedges from Ahn-joo

Korean Fried Chicken over egg fried rice from Ahn-joo

The “CarNana”: a banana pudding and vanilla wafers  topped with caramel from Nana Queens

I always thought I had a weakness for beef.  Now, I think I have a special spot for pork.  First, the Lime Truck made an amazing pork flat iron over mashed potatoes. Now, Piaggio on Wheels made a cuban inspired pork served over black beans & rice and plantains, and topped with his special pink sauce.  O.. M.. G… it was good!

Piaggio’s cuban inspired pork and plantains

Summer is definitely over!  Despite the weatherman’s forcast of a 70-something day, it has been dreary and gloomy.  Barcelona on the go tweeted his lunch special today was Spanish Grilled Cheese and Lentil Soup.  Mmmmm, would that hit the spot!?

I made my way down to Jamboree & MacArthur and picked up some goodies… unfortunately not the Grilled Cheese, because I was not sure how the dairy product would affect my tummy (curse me, lactose intolerant!)

Barcelona Onthego on the corner of Jamboree & MacArthur Note the gloomy backdrop

A cup of lentil soup…hits the spot!

Barcelona’s Schweaty Balls Paella croquettes

Fresh Figs for dessert!

It seems that lately I have to make a sacrifice in order to eat at my favorite truck. Today, Anna and I took Corey “all the way” to Irvine to get lunch. 

Nestled in one of the obscure office parks off Redhill Drive & Skypark is a place called Blackmarket Bakery.  You would never know from the outside that this place sold food. They make the most amazing cakes, cookies, and pastries. They also make a pasta with wine! Truth be known, I don’t get any of those items but their Sunflower & Almond Brittle! 

In the past, Piaggio on Wheels would make this location his Friday afternoon stop.  Then, on August 13th, Piaggio invited a few other gourmet trucks. The property management company put their foot down and placed a temporary stop to visiting trucks. 

Thanks to the efforts of Blackmarket Bakery, they convinced the managment company to allow a guest truck to visit occassionally.  Now, a month later, Piaggio is back at Blackmarket, and all is right in The OC.



Today’s lunch special: Peppercorn picanha (steak) over garlic mashed potatoes from Piaggio



Piaggio’s tofu tacos with the “pink” sauce, chimmichuri sauce, served over chimi rice and grilled zucchinis

The Almond-Sunflower brittle from Blackmarket Bakery This item is vegan, as they use pure cane sugar instead of butter



It’s that time of the year! Pumpkin Spice Woopie pie from Blackmarket Bakery



As I mentioned in an earlier post, Irvine is not close to me… but when Barcelona on the Go tweeted there were a few new trucks coming to The OC, I had to reconsider my lunch plans. 

The tweet said to go to Teller and Michelson, so I assumed it was the lot across from Allergan.  I was wrong.. they really meant the corner of Teller AND Michelson!  Apparently, it was a joint effort to promote commercial and residential real estate on the vacant property.  The property management people had tables and chairs not just for eating, but to discuss being a tenant.  I wonder if anyone actually took brochures on the property?

Anyhoo, the new trucks were Great Balls on Tire, Lee’s Philly, and King Kone, a soft serve ice cream truck that also serves shave ice and milkshakes.

New truck: Lee’s Philly They make the classic Philly Cheesesteaks, as well as Kogi (Korean rib) and other cheesesteaks

Classic Philly Cheesesteak w/grilled onions from Lee’s Philly

Great Balls of Tire They make various meatball sliders

The Ciao Bella by Great Balls on Tire Veal, pork, pancetta marinara w/ shaved parmesean

While waiting in line for my bacon wrapped dates from Barcelona on the Go, my sister called to check on the lines.  She brought her lunch to work, so the only thing she wanted was ice cream, so I told her I would get one and drop it off her work.

As I was in line, the gals in front of me ordered this milkshake, and I had to take a picture!

Espresso mocha milkshake from King Kone

My sister’s vanilla ice cream in a cup with peanuts. I cannot believe they did not have lids for the peeps who want it “to go”