Those glowing, hovering things are tacos–one beef, one pork, both mediocre. Not much point in doing an autopsy on these, but the small nugget of kalbi beef beneath all that cheese was sweet but kind of bland; the pork only had its spicy heat going for it. Their menu is based on the common taco/burrito/quesadilla tortilla triad, though they jazz it up a bit with a sandwich option, as well as tuna, shrimp and salmon options. Even with these small differences, nothing about the truck is inspired.

But don’t take my word for it–listen to Daniel L. of West Los Angeles, who entered the first (and only) review on Yelp!, earning high scores: Useful [22], Funny [21], Cool [20]. (Emboldened emphasis mine):

…my order of spicy pork burrito was an enigma at best. The warm, semi-stiff tortilla had the concept of Chinese moo shu written all over while the fillings that included spicy pork, romaine lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes were distributed unevenly. This caused the top portion of the burrito to fill with air, a mouthful of spicy pulled pork in the middle, and the lettuce to clump at the bottom. I was anticipating some forms of Korean hot sauce in the pork but was surprised by a rather generic barbeque sauce instead. The meat was spicy enough but the taste did not ignite a spark as the hookup was a short lived one-nighter. For $5, my burrito was half the size of an El Farolito suiza…

Certainly not the first time The Man has clashed with a conglomeration (coalition?) of food trucks in our fair city. Anybody remember 5750 Wilshire Blvd a few months back? Stick around for full details as they trickle in. Meantime, solidarity tweets may be directed here: @SMFoodTruckLot

This past Halloween, thousands of Angelenos gathered at the beautiful Legendary Park Plaza near MacArthur Park for KCRW’s Masquerade: A Halloween Costume Ball & Dance Party.  With one look at the massive two-story venue (several large wings and two outdoor areas for lounging and dining at some of LA’s premier food trucks), the set list (DJ Shadow, Sea Wolf, Little Dragon, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, various KCRW DJs) and the full costume participation of the guests, we knew this was going to be a stellar night. 

This was one of the bar areas and DJ rooms.  I believe this is where all the KCRW DJ’s spun, including Jason Bentley, Liza Richardson, Garth Trinidad, Raul Campos and many more.  We unfortunately time-traveled though this room for most of the night.

Nothing says LA like dancing in a large open patio with a hippie, Robin Hood looking MF, Zorro, a Filipino guy and a cross-dressing Bozo.  Good times!

With the large influx of food trucks hitting our streets, it only made sense to invite a few of LA’s favorites.  There was Border Grill, Coolhaus the Ice Cream truck, Sprinkles cupcakes, a Grilled Cheese truck and Kogi BBQ, who showed up later.

The venue was seriously huge and there weren’t problems going in and out of the different rooms. The only line that seemed to be forming deep was at the 2-mph Samy’s Camera booth, which you would think, would know how to run a smooth picture shooting/printing operation a little more smoothly.

Upstairs is the main stage and it is HUGE.  There were Middle-Eastern tents set up along the side for the extra-sedated guests.

The first band to come on was Los Angeles’ very own indie folk/rock band Sea Wolf, who were dressed up as Dia de Los Muertos skeletons.  They rocked.

Next up was Sweden-based band Little Dragon.  The singer, Yukimi Nagano, is previously known for her work with ultra-talented electronic/jazz musicians, Koop and is also dating Jose Gonzalez, formerly of Zero 7.  Her band, all wearing their signature ‘dragon’ masks put on a real nice set.  From hard-hitting electronic to smooth, slow jams that make you dance with your eyes shut like a crazy person, Yukimi Nagano knows how to put on a show.   I’d die to see her perform with Koop.

Had I known that DJ Shadow would make us shake bones for an hour straight, I would’ve paid someone else to go and do the shooting.  He was THAT good.  The last few times I’ve seen him was with his stint with Cut Chemist and I now know that he can put on a great solo show.  Seriously, it was fun.

And the final act last night was none other than Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, who have been getting a lot of attention in the band scene.  My friend refers to them as a younger version of Gogol Bordello for his folky, circus-like music that never failed in getting the crowd to go wild.  Unfortunately, my wife was getting sick and we had to call it a night.

This was truly a great evening.  Met a ton of people with creative costumes and happy attitudes.  And got a nice headache in the morning.  More photos below.

MORE KCRW @ PARK PLAZA ‘09
» KCRW’s RadioActive Dance Party, Park Plaza Hotel, April 11, 2009

Above close-up of one member of Coolhaus’ $3.50 summer product line replete with edible “500 Days of Summer” wrapper courtesy intellichick (some rights reserved)

Coolhaus not so cool
By Mike

I live in Los Angeles and I eat a lot. I drink a little, too. With this highly dignified and prestigious culinary resume I’ve accumulated some opinions over the years. From time to time I will share them here. Bottoms up.

Dear Coolhaus Ice Cream Sandwich Truck Ladies,

Look, I like you ladies. Natasha and Freya – those sound like hot names. Your truck, it’s silver – that’s fucking adorable. It’s even got rims. Totally bad ass. Your sandwiches are named after one of the most overlooked professions of the modern day … architects.

That’s all well and good.

It truly is. But, I think your shenanigans have gone on long enough. It’s time we discuss the frozen white elephant in the truck.

You guys both graduated from UCLA. You both graduated from UCLA in the past few years. I know this because I read an article about your ice cream sandwich truck in Time Magazine. Yeah, Time fucking Magazine. Pretty impressive for a new business venture. But, I digress. In this Time Magazine article I kept searching for the obvious. Couldn’t find it. So I searched through other interviews. Still couldn’t find what I was looking for.

Surely, two young, bright, attractively named ladies with UC educations would have the common decency to at least acknowledge their influence. Apparently I was wrong. For those unaware of what I’m getting at: Diddy Riese has been a mainstay in Westwood Village for over 25 years. It is the UCLA late night institution. Every college has one – and with lines sometimes around the block at midnight Diddy adorns the Bruin crown. Diddy Riese really only serves one thing: ICE CREAM SANDWICHES. Its Westwood popularity is only rivaled by a handful of other LA restaurants. Maybe only Pink’s (but Diddy’s actually good), Bay Cities, Sprinkles and Mozza.

Above close-up of p.diddyriese’s $1.50 masterpiece courtesy option this (some rights reserved)

Is it possible two UCLA architecture students possibly never went into/walked by/heard of the campus mainstay? Doesn’t seem likely. Do I fault you two for capitalizing on a concept that should have been capitalized upon years ago? No, I do not. Do I find it baffling in not one interview have you even acknowledged Diddy Riese’s presence at your alma mater or possible slight influence? Yes. And, truthfully, it’s annoying.

Even fucking Starbucks admits they stole the idea of the Frappuccino from a predecessor (although they vary on whom they borrowed/bought the idea from).

If the evil empire that is Starbucks can admit a little copying why can’t you guys? Oh, that’s right … you’re totally different. You’re all about architecture and educating through your sandwiches. Sweet. Cool. Oh, wait. Education through ice cream – not such a novel idea either. Talk to a few dudes from Vermont named Ben and Jerry.

Luckily, like most predecessors, Diddy Riese is way better (and cheaper).

Cheers,
Mike

Diddy Riese
926 Broxton Avenue
Westwood, 90024
diddyriese.com

(P.S. Don’t get me wrong, gentleladies, I’m an avid LA food truck advocate. I love them. I check Twitter for them. People constantly tell me to shut the eff up about them. The Border Grill taco truck is the cat’s meow. Weekly I go way out of my way to “accidentally” discover the Get Shaved van. And your Milk ice cream is a summer treat. That’s for sure.

I also know about the recent street wars you all are enduring. Who knows — maybe little things like admitting influences could begin to assuage the situation. In the least … it’ll make grandma proud. And isn’t that what we all aspire for at the end of the day anyway?)

Mayhap you have been following the saga of The Green Truck And The Plight of Trendy Gourmet Mobile Food Providers Along Miracle Mile, The Grouchy Local Purveyors, The Incensed Office Workers and The Man in the last couple of weeks. Mayhap not. Still, mayhap you have. At this time, we can now finally and truly report that there be Nothing Of Interest Whatsoever To Be Gleaned From This Post Regarding The Green Truck, The LAPD, Museum Square’s Grouchy Restaurant Row And Its Nearby Office Tenants. Ready? Begin.

FROM: Ryan’s Wireless Device
TO: Bob N/A
TIME: 11:59am 28 Aug 2009 Fri
What’s going on down on The Mile?

FROM: Bob N/A
TO: Ryan’s Wireless Device
TIME: 12:01pm
Barbie’s Q, Marked 5 are here. No sign of the police just yet. Eating some lunch. Will it be a peaceful day?

FROM: Bob N/A
TO: Ryan’s Wireless Device
TIME: 12:01pm
I have to go to court for this ticket though.

FROM: Ryan’s Wireless Device
TO: Bob N/A
TIME: 12:02am
Make news. Recommend lean on truck outside with a “Cite Me!” t-shirt.

FROM: Bob N/A
TO: Ryan’s Wireless Device
TIME: 12:45pm
Damn. Green Truck makes some good food. No cop action today, just a fly-by or two from yesterday’s car.

Green truck photo by jojomelons

» DEVELOPING: Green Truck “Scoping Out” Museum Square Today
» LAPD Throwing All Manner of Fines Under the Sun At Your Favorite Truck
» India Jones: Open For Business, Impounded By Po-Po, Back On Streets Today
» Green Truck on twitter

Following our recent, topical, txtmsg-suffused posting about the LAPD’s targeted harassment of the gourmet food trucks near 5750 Wilshire Blvd, the inbox has been flooded: carbon-copies of outraged letters to Tom LaBonge, gratuitous linking from angry yelpers, 5750 Wilshire office resident petition signers (120 sigs at press time!) requesting mentions, at least one LA Times piece (wherein The Man pooh-poohs last week’s fiasco as a simple, one-day, non-permit-having-truck-targeted sting) and more than a few recently-submitted food truck reviews and op-ed pieces that I still have yet to parse, process and post live to the site. Meantime, Bobby’s back on the scene down Wilshire way, right now:

FROM: Bob N/A
TO: Ryan’s Wireless Device
TIME: 11:49am
I am at museum square stop now to scope things out. Here come the cops

More as it develops; stay tuned.

Green truck photo by jojomelons

» LAPD Throwing All Manner of Fines Under the Sun At Your Favorite Truck
» India Jones: Open For Business, Impounded By Po-Po, Back On Streets Today
» Green Truck on twitter