Over 20 food trucks will be in Venice to support “Heal the Bay”.
Admission is based on voluntary donation, and all proceeds will go to HTB.
This weekend: The Beach Gives Back: Heal the Bay!
Irvine: Piaggio on Wheels
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!
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| Piaggio’s cuban inspired pork and plantains |
Anaheim: Gourmet truck serving dinner before Ducks games!
I am an Anaheim Ducks season ticket holder and park at the lot off Douglass, which is directly across from the Honda Center. Its the lot right next to the “OC Foodie Fest” location.. a very prime location for pedestrians. With the start of hockey season, my time chasing trucks would be limited. So I decided, if I can’t get to a truck.. I might as well have trucks come to me!
I called the owner of the parking lot, and he said he would be willing to give a truck a try for the 2 preseason games in October. If successful, he’ll consider having trucks at all the games.
So pass the word… hockey fans, come eat before the game!
Click here for directions
Here is the line up…
Friday, October 1 (vs Vancouver Canucks)
PIAGGIO ON WHEELS
Sunday, October 3 (vs. the LA Kings- boo!)
BARCELONA ON THE GO
Irvine: Barcelona on the Go
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!)
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| Barcelona Onthego on the corner of Jamboree & MacArthur Note the gloomy backdrop |
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| A cup of lentil soup…hits the spot! |
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| Barcelona’s Schweaty Balls Paella croquettes |
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| Fresh Figs for dessert! |
Gardena: Happy Cup Ramen
Driving back from Venice, we decided to stop at Gardena and see if the Happy Cup Ramen was still there. We knew they were in front of the South Bay Toyota at 12:30, and took a chance. What we did not know was they close at 2:30, and reopen at 4:00. We pulled up at 3:25 and found them parked… but not open for business.
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| The van which pulls the trailer |
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| The back of the Happy Cup Ramen trailer |
Venice: DimSumTruck, CiaoBella, and KO Taco
Today the Anaheim Ducks had their 2nd day of training camp at the Anaheim Ice. After the first scrimmage, Karen joined us for breakfast. During breakfast, I looked at twitter and asked her if she wanted to chase some new trucks. We took off from Fullerton and headed toward Venice in search for new trucks…
We took freeways 57, 91, 605, 105, 405, and 90 to get to “The Brig”. We went to get food from the Dim Sum Truck, but new truck Ciao Bella was also there, and it was their second day in business. While walking back to our car, we saw KO Taco Truck across the street.
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| Dim Sum Truck parked at “The Brig” in Venice |
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| Clockwise (from top left): Peking Duck Taco, Siu Mai (pork), Ha Gow (shrimp), & Sticky Rice wrapped in lotus leaf |
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| New truck “Ciao Bella”. Second day on the street (person in front of truck: unknown) |
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| Ciao Bella! |
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| An order of the meat lasagna from Ciao Bella |
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| KO Taco Truck hiding down the street |
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| The Pollo (chicken) taco from KO Taco Truck |
Santa Ana: (Santiago Art Walk) Oh for Sweets Sake, Uncle Lau’s BBQ, Komodo
There was a food truck gathering at the Santiago Art Walk in Santa Ana. Piaggio on Wheels, Tropica. Shave Ice, Oh For Sweets Sake, Uncle Lau’s BBQ and Komodo were in attendance.
Tonight was also Oh For Sweets Sake’s debut of their “Saturday Night Soul Food” savory menu: Fried chicken, Mac n Cheese, Shrimp Poor Boy & Fries, and Pulled Pork sliders.
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| Oh For Sweets Sake debut the Saturday Soul Food menu |
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| Karen ordered the Mac n Cheese Came with corn bread muffin & fruit |
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| 2 pc of fried chicken, mac & cheese corn bread muffin & fruit |
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| The OFSS “Twinkie” filled with raspberry instead of cream |
We also tried some other trucks…
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| Komodo Truck (photo courtesy of Orangcountygal) |
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| Pork Meatballs topped with Spanish Red Bell Pepper Sauce (photo courtsy of orangecountygal) |
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Uncle Lau’s Island BBQ
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| Uncle Lau’s bbq brisket |
Fountain Valley… was a bust!
The past week @Anhjoola was promoting a big event at the FVOpenAirMarket. From 8:00-2:00 at the Fountain Valley Open Air Market off Brookhurst and Heil, the big “OC trucks” were supposed to be there… CrepesBonaparte, theLimeTruck, Brcelonaonthego, Piaggioonwheels, DanDanBBQ.
After tweeting and asking other foodies who was confirmed, theLimeTruck tweeted they were never confirmed, nor were they planning on attending since they’re off on Saturdays.
I checked the schedule of CrepesBonaparte and Brcelonaonthego, and they did not post a confirmation either. Then, on Friday anhjoola tweeted they were unable to attend because they didn’t get an OC permit.
Piaggioonwheels tweeted only they were confirmed, and possibly DanDanbbq. Since I really wanted to support this new location, I decided to attend.
I arrived today at 10:30 am to find this tiny portion marked “Open Air Market”. It was a near empty lot containing a few tents with merchants selling “flea market” things like shoes, scarves and knick knacks. It was very depressing. It looked more like a yard sale than an “open air market” with real vendors. The only truck parked in the lot was DanDanBBQ (and they didn’t even tweet they would be there!)
We did not see Piaggioonwheels, so I called and left a message. We circled the lot, thinking maybe they were parked somewhere else.
I sent Martin to ask DanDanbbq to find out what is going on. DanDanBBQ made it sound like Piaggioonwheels left because they were not enough customers. Well, I would not blame them, as it was very depressing, and not at all as it was hyped up to be.
FVOpenairmarket never promoted it, yet they posted on their website 15 vendors were going to be there… a “big event”. What a joke!
I also blame AnhjooLA as they tweeted things which were never confirmed, and never retracted the trucks were not confirmed.
As for me, it was a waste of my time, and my morning.
In a few hours, I’ll be heading to Santa Ana and see if I’m more successful for dinner.
Supposedly these trucks will be at the Santiago Walk: piaggioonwheels, unclelausbbq, ohforsweetssake (debut of a new savory menu!), and tropshaveice.
If you have no plans, come down and join me…
709 N Poinsettia St. Santa Ana in the Santiago Art District
(off the 5 freeway… near Santa Ana Blvd / Grand Ave)
Irvine: Piaggio on Wheels (at Blackmarket Bakery)
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.
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| Today’s lunch special: Peppercorn picanha (steak) over garlic mashed potatoes from Piaggio |
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| Piaggio’s tofu tacos with the “pink” sauce, chimmichuri sauce, served over chimi rice and grilled zucchinis |
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| The Almond-Sunflower brittle from Blackmarket Bakery This item is vegan, as they use pure cane sugar instead of butter |
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| It’s that time of the year! Pumpkin Spice Woopie pie from Blackmarket Bakery |
Irvine: Great Balls on Tire, Lee’s Philly, Barcelona ontheGo, King Kone
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.
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| New truck: Lee’s Philly They make the classic Philly Cheesesteaks, as well as Kogi (Korean rib) and other cheesesteaks |
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| Classic Philly Cheesesteak w/grilled onions from Lee’s Philly |
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| Great Balls of Tire They make various meatball sliders |
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| 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!
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| Espresso mocha milkshake from King Kone |
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| 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” |
looking for food trucks 