The arrival of wandering Korean-Mexican taco joint Kogi in 2008 kicked off LA’s gourmet food truck craze, transforming the city into the center of food truck America and driving devoted foodies to Twitter in search of their next roving fast food fix.
From artistic mini-lasagnas and salted lobster sliders to fine Parisian pancakes, LA’s roaming restaurants have it all covered. Here we share our pick of LA’s hottest meals on wheels.
Too Hot Tamales chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger have transported the upscale Mexican fare of their Border Grill restaurants to a nomadic taco truck; think Yucatan pork tacos and Poblano chili quesadillas.
Blending food and architecture into “farchitecture,” Coolhaus whips up ice cream and biscuit sandwiches with an experimental twist. Sweet and savory flavors come together in quirky offerings like olive oil rosemary ice cream wedged between brioche cookies.
Inspired by Maine’s Lobster shacks, Lobsta Truck ships in fresh lobster and split-top bread rolls directly from New England. Simple lobster and crab rolls dominate the menu, but you’ll also find Cape Cod chips and clam chowder on offer.
Under the eye of chef Roy Choi, Kogi BBQ has reached food truck celebrity status as the original LA rover. Swing by for affordable Korean-Mexican barbeque specialties, like calamari tacos, sweet chili chicken quesadillas, and good value combos.
With chicken pesto crepes, banana Nutella treats, and a Cordon Bleu-trained chef, Crepe’n Around brings top-notch traditional French pancakes to LA’s sunny streets.
Hunt down Vizzi Truck for French-inspired treats modernized with coastal flavors from around the world – think garlic poached lobster tail, sweet Hawaiian bread and chicken tacos with maple crushed chili sauce.
The Heirloom Truck is the roaming half of eco-friendly hospitality outfit Heirloom Catering LA. Try the signature lasagna cupcakes: flavor-packed pasta bites brimming with freshly melted cheeses, herbs and seasonal meats.
Grill ‘Em All
For a healthy dose of rock and roll accompanied by gourmet burger creations, give this hard-rock themed truck a try. The Dee Snider burger comes packed with peanut butter, bacon and jelly.
Inspired by homemade recipes, the friendly folks at Fist of Fusion dish up exotic combinations of Filipino and Hawaiian fare, like Sisig tacos filled with citrus-marinated pork and Notorious R.I.B. short ribs.
An all-time childhood favorite gets a splendid makeover at LA’s Grilled Cheese Truck, where decadent mouthfuls of cheesy goodness come in all shapes and sizes. Keep things simple with a traditional cheddar grill, or go all out with a banana, ricotta and cinnamon swirl French toast melt.
(Main image: © Heirloom LA Catering)
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