Robb, Elissa & KT - Santa Clarita Food Truck Festival!

[SharkTums]

Ok, so those of you who know me are immediately thinking, "Why would Elissa be interested in going to a food truck festival, she doesn't eat anything like that!?", and normally you'd be right. Except I'm obsessed with food. Even food I don't like, I still find it all fascinating. If I'm not watching the SyFy channel I'm either watching Food Network or Top Chef! I'm a bit new to this 'food truck craze', but watched the Food Network 'The Great Food Truck Race' show this fall and started doing some research into NY and LA Food Trucks. All of this being said, I was heartbroken when I saw the ads for the Santa Clarita Food Truck Festival at Central Park and that it was going to happen while we were on the Allure of the Seas cruise last week. Flash forward to a few days ago and I notice a tweet saying that the festival had been postponed due to bad weather last Saturday and was rescheduled for today!!! I was elated, except for the fact that the weather forecast now looked worse for this Saturday than last Saturday when they cancelled it.

 

Woke up this morning to a beautiful sunny 50 degree day instead of the 2" of snow and 45 degree high that had been predicted. I was excited, but prepared for there to be an even bigger crowd with this nice weather. Then about 15 minutes before we headed out, it began to hail and dropped to 45 degrees! The weather ended up varying between 45 and hailing and 55 and sunny the whole time we were there, it was quite odd!

 

Really Southern California!??! Come on!!!!

 

Still thinking positive that maybe this would keep the crowds down we headed out! I will stop boring you with long text now, but be sure to read my captions for more information.

 

2/28 - UPDATE! - We were quoted in a local article about the Festival! http://www.the-signal.com/section/36/article/41191/

We must be in the right spot! Central Park in Santa Clarita.

Here are all of the details on the event.

From my research I knew I wanted to hit the Italian Truck first. I'm not really a burger, taco or sandwich person (and most food trucks tend to be those things) so to get over my initial hunger I figured this would be a good choice.

We got Garlic Bread, Pizza, the Baked Penne special and a Meatball Slider. All were delicious.

While I was at Maria's Italian Truck, Robb was following the hot girls and food to Baby's Badass Burgers.

I should mention at this point that the weather had held out, and was even sunny!

Robb and his badass burger. He said it was very good. Not fancy or crazy, just a really nice awesome well cooked hamburger. (And being served by hot chicks is always a plus!)

Here's me with my giant pizza, which was actually bought for KT. Oh, and you can see the nice weather...well at this point it started to lightly hail again!

"I don't care if it's hailing, I'm going to eat all of these fries!!!!"

Baked Penne special was really good.

As was the meatball slider. Seriously, so apparently this Maria's Italian Kitchen is a SoCal chain, but there are none near us. May have to go try their restaurant.

I think it would be awesome having this pull up behind you and reading this in your rearview mirror!

Also, at this point it was about 12:30 and the crowds were still VERY manageable. I'd say about 10 people deep at the most on the more popular trucks. The pricing scheme was setup with VIP Tickets from 11 - 12, then Prepurchased tickets from 12 - 2, then anyone from 2 - 6.

This is what it looked like when we left around 2pm. Probably 20 - 30 minute lines at all trucks. Hour at Fry, Nom, and some of the other big name awesome trucks. Just like at Theme Parks it pays to GET THERE EARLY!!!!

Let's take a lap and check out some of the trucks. Uncle Lau's BBQ. We didn't try this one and didn't see anything too amazing or special.

The Boba Truck has good reviews and we saw quite a few people enjoying their Boba drinks around the park.

India Jones smelled good and had an awesome name!

I didn't feel like skinning my hot dog today, plus the ones on Allure were awesome so passed up on Hot Dogs for now.

Apparently this is some sort of porn truck.

Shrimp Pimp was a surprise truck! Since the date was changed some trucks originally on the list did not show up but we got some bonus ones in their place.

Not a big fried chicken fan, but this seemed to be pretty popular.

Sushi from a truck doesn't sound like a good idea, but it was. Well not for me since I don't eat it, but for tons of others enjoying the food!

This was a very awesome surprise! I had mentioned to Robb that it was a bummer that no cupcake trucks would be at the event, and boom, bonus cupcakes!!!! Robb said he preferred the cupcakes on Allure of the Seas, mine is still in the fridge and haven't tried it yet. KT wolfed hers down pretty fast!

They were all mini-cupcakes which was a perfect size for this event.

I heard a lot of good things about this truck while at the event. Robb nor I like lobster though so we stayed far away.

Not the biggest fan of Tapas either, but still awesome that all of these different types of food are available. In a way, it reminded me of Food and Wine Festival at Epcot!

Here you can see the sun is out again, and there is a giant FujiQ style line. What the hell is this!?!?

Ahh of course, it's for the Nom Nom Truck. Kind of like the Cedar Point of Food Trucks. Super famous for good quality stuff. I gotta be honest, that type of food isn't Elissa-Friendly and there was no way Robb was going to wait in line, but DAMN it smelled AMAZING! Oh, the other bummer, none of the people from the Food Network show were actually working in the truck.

This was Robb's favorite named truck. Mostly cause he HATES TOMATOES!!! Apparently the chef that runs the truck also orders everything with 'no tomatoes' and hence the business was named!

This was some sort of angry Korean food. I don't know why they're angry, the truck smelled AMAZING and their coaster was just named Number 1!

This truck may not look special, but the fire coming from the wok was amazing and terrifying!

Japanese Peruvian is an odd mix, and anyone else think he's insulting us on those signs?!?!

Didn't quite see the point of this truck being there, luckily other people didn't either and it was this dead the whole time we were there.

This was Robb's favorite truck at the event. I gotta admit it was a pretty cool concept and smelled good.

It was basically Korean Mexican Food. Robb got the three taco special so he could try one of each. Said they were all fantastic.

Robb and his Korean Tacos.

While Robb was getting his Korean Mexican food, I went for the actual Mexican food. Apparently this is a SoCal chain as well. Had no idea!

I sure hope so!

Ok, these look awesome, have to get them!

Here's my awesome 17 cheese quesadilla and my Churro Tots.

Wow, these look just as good as in the picture!

This was actually Elissa Friendly! They were like a Mexican Version of Zeppole's!

Yup, they were definitely Elissa Friendly!

One of the 5 random foods I like is Falafel, so I was eager to try some.

Looked promising, but they were very 'green' inside which are not really the kind I like. The Pita and Hummus though was excellent and I had two orders of it.

I made the best of it though and made a little Falafel, Hummus, Pita sandwich.

See I combined these two to make one super meal!

We felt really bad for this truck. No one was ever at it! Just cause it's salad doesn't mean it's terrible. They also had bacon sandwiches and fries!! But all people saw was green and they ran away.

Hi Chicago peeps!

This is where you go to make more room for more food truck food!

This actually looked and smelled delicious, but by the time we came back for some everyone else must have also had that idea as there was a giant line. Basically you could mix and match any cookies and ice cream combo (even two different cookies and two different scoops of ice cream) and have a totally fresh ice cream sandwich!

Just look at this menu!!!!

We completely passed over this truck on our first lap, but decided to try and see what it actually was on our way out.

It had obviously just come into service or something. You could still see the old menu outline and painted over areas on the truck. But I'm glad we stopped. Got an awesome fresh crepe! Actually got two, one for me and one for Robb. KT proceeded to eat both of ours and we ended up with none!

This was pretty much as close as I got to the crepes. After asking KT if she wanted one and repeatedly being told no, she then started eating Robb's, then wanted the rest of mine as well! The little bite I got was delicious. Hopefully this truck gets a little makeover and stays popular (had a giant wait by the time we got ours)

There was also a Piers and Derek approved Beer and Wine tent. All beers and wine $5!

This was another one of the upscale random trucks without a major theme.

Fry Smith looked to be the second most popular truck after Nom Nom. They would do pretty much whatever you wanted in addition to the menu items.

They were also Canadian friendly!

And Colin friendly as well!

Another one of the more upscale non-themed trucks. He was giving out samples which was cool, yet he still didn't have a big line though. Hmmm.

More greek food, but they were blasting like ghetto rap music super loud...was quite odd. I'm pretty sure it was keeping people away.

Me and my cupcakes want to thank you for reading!

Edited February 28, 2011 by SharkTums

[SharkTums]

Final thoughts.

 

This was a REALLY cool event. I tried a few things, and enjoyed a few as well. Not being really into EATING food, I would never go out of my way to find a food truck, or drive to LA, but having all of the trucks come up here was AWESOME and PERFECT!

 

I really hope they do this again and soon. The trucks seemed to be making a fortune, people were having fun, and with better weather I can't imagine a more fun activity for a few of us to go to. In fact, checking the twitter feeds some trucks sold out early and left!

[DJeXeL]

Wow looks like a dieter's paradise!! HaHa. Prices seemed reasonable also. Who says MM is the only entertainment in Santa Clarita!!

[supertrooper]

Awesome report. An entire block in an entertainment/nightclub area of Dallas burned down last year, and in it's spot they are putting a food truck area for weekends. This makes me excited for what's to come.

[Sir Clinksalot]

Looks totally awesome. Next time they do one of these up there we will have to come up because the chances of them doing something like this out here are slim and none.

[Andrewoplis]

That look really cool! I need to drive down to SoCal some time to try that! But one question? Do you have to pay to get into the event?

[ebl]

It looks like there is a website: http://www.santaclaritafoodfest.com.

 

It's too late for me to attend this year's event, but I'll bookmark that for next time!

 

Eric

[CoasterWeasel]

Thanks for posting this, I've been researching a few trucks for my trip to LA in July, and would really like to hit one up while I'm there. The great thing is that most of the trucks have twitter accounts where they post their locations for the next day. So your report gave me an even greater look at the food and quality of each of the trucks.

[Big Mike]

Damn Elissa, after reading this, I am starving for this food!

 

I think I would go broke at a thing like this.

 

 

Peace, Big Mike

[SharkTums]

Thanks for posting this, I've been researching a few trucks for my trip to LA in July, and would really like to hit one up while I'm there. The great thing is that most of the trucks have twitter accounts where they post their locations for the next day. So your report gave me an even greater look at the food and quality of each of the trucks.

 

And there are sites out there like http://www.findlafoodtrucks.com/ that takes all of those twitters and puts them in one spot you can easily see everything at once!

 

Cost was $5 admission, or there was a VIP option to come in at 11am instead of noon for $20. The admission went to charity and was a small price to pay to have all of the trucks together in one spot.

 

There were obviously some pros who had done this before with pop up canopies and folding chairs and tables. They would fan out, then come back for a nice picnic. I'll make sure to post earlier next time and we'll try to get a group together for this event!

[redmenace8]

What a cool idea to have all these trucks in one place and a system so you don't necessarily have to wait in the long lines. So many choices, made easy. Though I do agree with Elissa about the Fatburger Truck, that just isn't in the same spirit as all those other unique choices.

 

I kinda wanted to do this, but the truck I've been really wanting to try, The Grilled Cheese Truck, happened to be at a fundraiser, near where I live, finally(!). Since it was close I talked my friend into going. I had a Grilled Gruyere, BBQ Pork, caramelized onion, basil sandwich with a side of Tomato Soup. They had other trucks, as well but the wait for the Grilled Cheese was probably 45 minutes. It was really good, but the wait was a bit much. It really would have been better to get there early. They will run out of certain things, too, if you are not there when they start.

 

I believe there is also one website that lists all the trucks and maps out where they are at any given time. It's a fun way to try different types and styles of food. Clearly, a festival like this, is the smart way to go.

 

I would have given half my sandwich for a taste of those Churro Tots.

Edited February 27, 2011 by redmenace8

[chrisdanger]

Excellent TR guys..I 've been researching the start-up costs on a food truck here in Dallas, as they're finally catching up w/ the rest of the country when it comes to this trend..last time I was in LA, I hit quite a few trucks, the quality of product is pretty dang amazing, I didnt see the Kogi truck in your TR..They do make a rocking korean taco..

[QueerRudie]

I've read a ton about these mobile gourmet stands- and they looked WONDERFULLY delicious all around. If quantity is the trend here, then I can only hope these spread around the USA, and we can be saved from fast-food hell...

 

(Save Jack in the Box. I still need my Jack Attack fixes.)

 

R.D.

[fatdaddy]

I am so hungry now. If I woulda went to that it would have been all ice cream sandwiches and cupcakes. More reports from events like this please.

[MeMeMe]

Why don't I live in California?

Seriously, MM, KBF, Disney and now THIS??

[jray21]

I am absolutely coming down there the next time they have it. That looked so incredibly amazing. Thank you for making my day!

[ebl]

What about that legendary Korean food truck that you see on TV? Was it there?

 

Eric

[Ryan King]

I'm really glad you posted a PTR!!! A lot of my So-Cal Car people were posting about being there, and It was hard for me to grasp the concept of a Food Truck Carnival thing. Pretty cool stuff. Thanks again, I loved it!

[cfc]

 

Machete likes Korean food? Who'd a thought?

 

The Churro Tots and Rajas Fries sound good to me.

[Ledgy]

Now I´m really hungry! Great report. I wish we would have a similar festival in my town... at best tomorrow

[SharkTums]

What about that legendary Korean food truck that you see on TV? Was it there?

 

Eric

 

No it wasn't. I'd say there were two or three of the 'big' trucks missing: Kogi Truck, Grilled Cheese Truck, Grill em All and Dim Sum Truck were not at the event. Dim Sum was supposed to be, but when it was rescheduled they couldn't make it.

[UberBeavis]

One of my favorite trucks is Get Your Lardon! - The Bacon Truck.

 

They've got bacon tacos, where the shell is made of strips of bacon, and it's filled with potatoes, cheddar and served with a side of bacon horseradish/sour cream mix.

[thrillrider]

It looks like an ace convention with all that food.

[Amy Baby]

The ice cream cookie sandwich truck looked good!!!! Now I want to get one. Anyways all of the food looked really good and I am glad that you all had a good time.

[ILoveRides]

I love LA food trucks cuz they tend to have vegan options that are really good. I've never been to an event with more than 3 or 4 trucks though. Looks like fun!