Santa Ana: Crepes Bonaparte

THANK YOU to Crepes Bonaparte for coming to Santa Ana to help with the United Way Kick Off rally.  Even though it was pouring rain, the people came out for the food.  It wasn’t a spectacular turnout, but considering the circumstances, I think we did pretty well!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Rain or Shine, Crepes Bonapare serves up the people!

Santa Ana: Short Stop BBQ

A new gourmet truck launched and I caught up with Short Stop BBQ in Santa Ana’s Artist Village.  The truck has not been wrapped yet, so while I was waiting in the cold rain, a kept seeing a bland white truck go up and down Sycamore and 3rd street. 

Finally I flagged the truck down and asked (Andrew) “Are you the Barbecue truck”?  It was!



Tri Tip Slider with bleu cheese slaw 




BBQ Chicken slider
Pulled Pork Slider with BBQ Vinaigrette slaw, pickled red onions



Santa Ana: Crepes Bonaparte, Dos Chinos

Its a bit wet out today, and there’s a Health Fair going on down the street from my office.  Crepes Bonaparte has a monthly stop at my office the first Tuesday of each month, and was supposed to park in front of my work. 

With the Health Fair, and the lack of foot traffic, they decided to try 3rd and Sycamore with Dos Chinos.  As much as I like seeing them in front of my office, the location on 3rd seem to be better.

Tomato pesto crepe

Nothing stops a foodie from getting food… not even the rain!

Shrimp tacos from Dos Chinos
Filet Mignon tacos from Dos Chinos

Anaheim: (at Honda Center) Barcelona on the go

Its the last preseason game, and the Ducks will open the season on the road in Detroit.

Its also the second gourmet lunch truck at Deck-B Parking before we find out if they’ll be able to serve the fans for the regular season.

The obstacle may not be Deck-B Parking, but the Honda Center.  Honda Center came out with cameras taking pictures of the truck (we are not sure why).  Many of us foodies are assuming Honda Center thinks the GFT’s are stealing potential food business.  Or, maybe Honda Center thinks its a great idea?! We do not know.

What we DO know is… Deck-B is an independent lot, but its a matter of David versus Goliath when it comes to Honda Center.  Deck-B has nothing to gain by getting Honda Center upset, so let us see if things can get worked out before the home opener which is on Wednesday, October 13 against Vancouver… fingers crossed!

Meanwhile, fans seem to enjoy the food…

Barcelona onthego with the Honda Center in the background
My favorite Steak and garlic fries
Spanish Grilled Cheese
Top sirloin tacos
Catalan pork sausage sandwich

Santa Ana: (Libreria Martinez) Oh For Sweets Sake!

The Oh For Sweets Sake truck and Dos Chinos were going to be in DT Santa Ana.  They were trying for their “usual” spot on 3rd and Sycamore, but the parking lot attendant decided to be a jerk and charge them $30 to park. When they hesitated, the parking attendant hiked it to $100.

I stood there watching the 2 poor trucks circle and circle the downtown area, looking for a spot. It was the first Saturday of the month, and Downtown Santa Ana was crowded with people coming in for “Santa Ana Art Walk”

 Dos Chinos took off down Main Street, and Oh For Sweets Sake found a spot on Broadway and 3rd, in front of Libreria Martinez, a latin bookstore. 

At first the bookstore frowned upon the OFSS truck parked in front of their store, saying the truck would block their store. Little did we know it was a grand opening, and they feared their loyal customers would not find the new location.

Well, a win-win compromise solution came about.  OFSS assured Mr. Martinez that the truck will “draw” customers because of twitter and facebook.  In addition if the customers go to the bookstore and buy something, they can show OFSS their receipt and get $1 off their savory order.  That way, truck traffic would bring customers into the bookstore, and bookstore customers can get a discount for buying a book… everyone wins!

Thank you to Mr. Martinez and his family for allowing OFSS share the evening, and I hope your Grand Opening Night was a success!  Muchas Gracias por todo!

Libreria Martinez bookstore is located on 216 N, Broadway in Santa Ana
Next door to Subway Sandwich, on the corner of 3rd and Broadway
OFSS Soul Food Saturday: Mac n Cheese w. corn bread
OFSS Soul Food Saturday Fried Chicken
And you always save room for a OFSS Cupcake!

Anaheim: (at Honda Center) Piaggio on Wheels

I am very excited that today a gourmet food truck will be across from the Honda Center before the Ducks game.  Today, Piaggio on Wheels will be serving the fans, and on Sunday, Barcelona onthego will be there.  The truck will be parked off Douglass Road, the parking lot facing the 57 freeway. 

If the fans give good feedback to the gourmet truck, the Deck-B parking lot will allow the gourmet trucks to participate at all the regular season games.

Piaggio on wheels with Honda Center as the backdrop
Fish taco with pink sauce
Tofu & Zucchini over chimi rice & pink sauce
Pulled pork sliders in a sweet hawaiian bun
Skirt steak and zuchinni with chimichurri sauce over rice

Irvine/ Costa Mesa: Louks to go, Flying Pig

My normal lunch buddies were out of the office today, so I had to fend for myself.  I needed a hearty lunch since I was going to the Anaheim Ducks “Fan Fest”, a season ticket holder event tonight.  The only meal I would get for dinner would be a crappy hot dog and a pepsi. 

I noticed that Louks to Go was closeby on Redhill.  I also noticed  Piaggio on Wheels, Calbi, and Dos Chinos were at the OC Fairgrounds.  Originally I thought the OC Fairground was too far to drive.  Well, technically it is…

I called Sheila, another coworker to do a “quick” trip to Louks. Lucky for us, the traffic gods kept the roads clear.  We arrived in 10 minutes, and there was no line at Louks! 

Louks to Go: Greek food truck

Chicken skewer & Grape leaves
over fries & pita topped with tzatziki and oregano

Chicken and Beef Skewer over fries, served with side of tzatziki and lemon

We received our order in a few minutes, and heading down Bristol, I noticed a sign that said “Fair Grounds”.  Wow, the OC Fairgrounds were that close? We made a quick left, then a right, and ended up at the Costa Mesa Farmer’s Market!

Resident trucks Piaggio on Wheels and Calbi were there. Dos Chinos and Morsels couldn’t make it but there were a few new guest trucks: Dogzilla (which I had last night), Flying Pig, ChunknChip and KonaIce.  I decided to try Flying Pig since its a rare OC appearance…




Flying Pig Truck: Asian & Pacific Rim flavors w/ french technique
Sliders: beef & pork blend with red onion escabeche,
pickled sesame cucumber, banana mustard on a toasted sweet hawaiian bun
Tamarind Duck taco: Duck confit with pickled red beets, toasted almonds,
 radish sprouts,  mandarin orange, and tamarind gravy

Irvine: (OC DinDinaGoGo) Lomo Arigato, Dogzilla, Tropical Shave Ice

Today was a very busy evening. After work, I went to the Orange County Register (newspaper) for an intimate “meet and greet” with (my favorite) Anaheim Ducks player, Bobby Ryan. I attached a brief video of the event.. I hope you can hear it!
The event started promptly at 6 pm, and lucky for me, it only lasted a half hour.   After the event, I took 4 of my hockey friends to join me, Martin and Karen to the OC Din Din a Go Go, at the new home at Atomic Ballroom. It was their first time at a truck gathering so I suggested Lomo Arigato.
Tallarin Saltado by Lomo Arigato
Peruvian style spaghetti
Lomo Saltado by Lomo Arigato
Meats, onions, tomatoes, seasoning tossed in french fries
 Dogzilla “not your typical wiener” Japanese truck
The Dogzilla
Beef hotdog w/ avocado, bacon bits, grilled onions,
furikake, mayo and teri sauce in a soft kings hawaiian bun

Dessert with a smile by Tropical Shave Ice



Irvine: Barcelona on the Go, Oh For Sweets Sake, Tropical Shave Ice

I try not to be a creature of habit because (as the cliche goes) variety is the spice of life.  Still, there’s something about consistency which makes things feel all nice, warm and fuzzy.  On Wednesdays, I look forward in making a drive to Irvine for two reasons: 1) I get to eat a fantastic lunch as some of OC’s best gourmet trucks, and 2) I get to see my sister for all but 10-15 minutes. 
Today, I decided to leave work a wee early and dine al fresco with my sister.  Dining al fresco means hauling some folding chairs and a tv tray table out of my truck, and plopping it in front of a tree.
My lunch today was from Barcelona onthego, who was celebrating “Restaurant Week”.  He was promoting a 3 course meal for $15. Sure it sounds a bit pricey, but look at the food!  I ended up taking my dessert back to work because I had to have my treat from Oh For Sweets Sake!
My sister admiring her POG from Tropical Shave Ice

Barcelona on the go’s Restaurant Week menu
Course 1: Bacon wrapped dates
Course 2: Steak (ordered rare) with chimichuri sauce over fries



Course 3: Dessert!  Churros covered with chocolate
Afternoon treat: 7-up bundt cake from Oh For Sweets Sake

Fullerton: Tropical Shave Ice

After dining al fresco in Santa Ana, we made our way to Fullerton to end our evening with Tropical Shave Ice.  When we arrived, the line was very long… but worth the time!

Regular shave ice: $3.00,
Wait time: 15 minutes. 
Enjoying a shave ice on a humid day: priceless

Watermelon, Vanilla shave ice
topped with sweet red bean and condensed milk