ChiLantro - Beef and Pork Tacos

Truck: ChiLantro
Location: 1616 Montrose
Date: July 31, 2013
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChiLantroHTX

Beef and Pork Tacos - Order of 2 for $5

I mixed it up and got one of each. Two classic tacos, with cilantro and onion on corn tortillas. Both very good, the pork is a bit sweeter and spicier than the beef. That doesn't mean the beef is bland, its spicy, just if you're a heat head get the pork (or the chicken as the operator suggested). A bit of sesame and vinaigrette complete the taco. Two is are a pretty good light meal and a perfect bar snack. Synopsis: you may want more than two!

Soul Cat Cuisine - Crab Balls and Sweet Potato Fries

Truck: Soul Cat Cuisine
Location, Karbach Brewery, 2032 Karbach St.
Date July 26, 2013
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoulCatCuisine

Crab Balls - 2 for $10

Two large fried crab balls, about the size of tennis balls. First the good. A good sized portion with lots of crab meat in them. Mildly spicy but didn't over power the crab. Served with a good remoulade with a little bit of heat to it. Again not so much to over power the delicate taste of the crab. Now for the bad. They were still cold in the middle and very greasy, there was a large amount of grease in the bottom when I had eaten some, not just spots, but actually pooled up.  There wasn't really a crisp on the outside either.I think the problem comes from the size of the balls and maybe the oil wasn't hot enough. Synopsis: Maybe I just tried the balls on a bad day.

Sweet Potato Fries - $4

Excellent hand cut fries, obviously cut by hand with a knife. Lightly breaded so they had a nice crisp on them and the crisp lasted until the last fry. A light dusting of seasoning, not spicy though. Synopsis: a great version of sweet potato fries.

Menu

The Golden Grill - The Hamlin

Truck: The Golden Grill
Location: Houston Food Park
Date: July 26, 2013
Twitter: https://twitter.com/goldengrillhtx

The Hamlin - $7

Creamy american cheese with lots of prosciutto make this a luxury version of the classic grilled ham and cheese. The prosciutto is diced so the cheese can hold this sandwich together. The jalapeno jam adds a spicy sweet component that keeps the richness of this sandwich from getting cloying. Large thin slices make this as big as plate but not so much bread that you feel weighed down. Synopsis: the prosciutto makes this a classic Italian Beauty. 

Menu

Coreanos - Loco Pollo

Truck: Coreanos
Location: Houston Food Park
Date: July 26, 2013
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CoreanosHTX

I was looking through the archive and its been too long since I had something from this powerhouse truck, so for the second time this week I found myself standing in line at the Houston Food Park. If you haven't had a chance to check out the park you should, things are really starting to get busy there.

Loco Pollo - $7

A great big as Texas burrito, it must weigh in at more than a pound! Really moist and tender marinated chicken, french fries, grilled jalapenos, a creamy garlic spread and el scorcho sauce. The french fries give the burrito that same creamy bulk that refried beans do. Grilling tames the jalapenos while the el scorcho sauce kicks the thing back up.The garlic spread keeps the whole thing from moist. Synopsis: A top notch finger licking chicken treat!

Menu

Churrasco Truck - Parmesan Pork Sandwich

Truck:: Churrasco Truck
Location: Houston Food Park
Date: July 25, 2013
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChurrascoToGo1

Another great meal from the Houston Food Park. I'm fighting a full on T-Rex meat coma from Churrasco Truck's mountain of meat on my sandwich!




Parmesan Pork Sandwich - $8

A huge amount of tasty, tender pork tenderloin, Parmesan cheese, and Chimichurri. If you don't know what Chimichurri is, think of it as a loose pesto of parsley instead of basil. All of this served on a fresh bollio roll. What can you say about a simple sandwich done well? The pork was tender and tasty, and there was so much of it! The Chimichurri and Parmesan didn't fight with each other and you get the taste of both in every bite. Synopsis: This is a sandwich for the meat lover!

Menu

Flaming Patties - Marvin's Stuffed Grilled Cheese and Nasty Flies

Truck: Flaming Patties
Location: Houston Food Park, 1504 St. Emmanuel
Date: July 21, 2013
Twitter: https://twitter.com/flamingpatties

I have to confess, I've had the burgers from Flaming Patties several times, every burger has been great. For some reason the reviews never happened (there might have been beer involved). I'm making that right today.

Marvin's Stuffed Grilled Cheese - $8

A big grilled cheese grilled in butter. Bacon, Gruyere and Cheddar cheese, avocado and tomatoes. Avocado works really well in a grilled cheese and who doesn't like bacon? The bread got a really nice crisp on it and the cheese was melted completely. Synopsis: a delicious and well done grilled cheese.

Nasty Fries - $5

A huge serving of hand cut fries (comes with two forks). The fries were fried nice and crisp and held up well to the toppings. The seared jalapenos and caramelized onions where hot, but taken with the fries weren't too hot to handle. The chipotle mayo was a nice creamy smoky accent. Synopsis: big boy fries for a big appetite.

1836 Grill - Beer Brats

Truck: 1836 Grill
Location: Houston Food Park, 1504 St. Emmanuel
Date: July 20, 2013
Twitter: https://twitter.com/1836Grill

The Houston Food Park is just making it too easy to work my way through all the trucks in Houston.

Beer Brats - $5

A beer boiled brat, served on a toasted bun caramelized onions. The brat usually comes with peppers too but we opted for just onions this time. The brat was tasty and amazingly tender. I don't know if that was because of the brat they used or how they cooked it. If you like caramelized onions you will love these, done well and plenty of them! Synopsis: A great classic brat.

Muiishi Makirritos - Krabby Paddy and Mac and Cheese Egg Rolls

Truck: Muiishi Makirritos
Location: Houston Food Park, 1504 St. Emmanuel
Date: July 20, 2013
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MuiishiTruck

Finally we made it to the Houston Food Park when there was a full line up there, so much to choose from the trucks seemed to be doing well. Here's hoping it continues to prosper.

Krabby Paddy - $12

A large sushi roll with a crispy fried softshell crab, avocado, and some crab stick, served with a creamy wasabi sauce. Beautiful big fat rolls left uncut. Nicely done crispy fried softshell crab and good sushi rice.The creamy wasabi sauce was mild and surprise, not alien green. A mild sauce like this was just what the delicate flavor of the crab needs. Synopsis: You'll be nothing but smiles after the Krabby Paddy.

Mac & Cheese Egg Rolls - $5

Egg rolls filled with a great macaroni and cheese made with smoked Gouda cheese, bacon, and some shredded beef. Served with a spicy creamy green sauce I think might have been Serrano chili, but I'm not sure, lots of flavors going on here. The sauce was a go to sauce for everything we tried, we found ourselves dipping everything in it, even food from other trucks! The mac & cheese was an over the top version and the bacon and beef just added too it. If you are making a mac and cheese dish you have got to have a mac and cheese with star power like this. They could serve bowls of this and have a line around the block. Synopsis: The best mac and cheese finger food I've tried yet!

Menu

It's A Wrap - Bollywood and My Big Fat Greek

-

Truck: It's A Wrap!
Location: HEB Montrose Market
Date: July 19, 2013
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ItsAWrapTruck

We made another visit to the HEB Montrose Market Food Truck Friday meet up. A great turn out and a good number of trucks, many of the hit trucks from Houston where there. I can't seem to figure out the schedule, but watch the markets Facebook page for the next one and the truck line up.

Bollywood - $5 small $7 Large

Chicken Tikka, tomatoes and onions grilled with Indian spices, lettuce, cucumbers, and cilantro cream sauce. Chicken Tikka is on of my favorite southeast Asian dished, so I jumped on this. I was disappointed in the chicken in this wrap. The chicken didn't have the orange/red color I expect from chicken Tikka. It was bland and had almost no flavor. I have to say the same goes for the tomatoes and onions. Overall I would have to say nothing in this made me think Indian food. The wrap itself was fresh and pillowly soft. A little toast on the grill would have been good though. Synopsis: You won't be seeing red from this wrap.


My Big Fat Greek - Small $5 and Large $7

Falafel, lettuce, tomato, onions, feta cheese, and Tzatziki sauce. These falafel had a nice chunky quality that I liked. I suspect they are home made because they varied in texture, one was light and fluffy and perfect, the other was a bit dense. They had a nice smoky cumin taste to them. The tomatoes and onions were grilled. The Tzatziki sauce was nice and light and the best part of this wrap. Again the nice fresh wrap would have been nice with a little toast on the grill. Synopsis: Classic street food sandwich.

Mac and Cheese Ball 3 for $5

Three large breaded balls of macaroni and cheese, rolled in panko breadcrumbs and deep fried. I can't find anything wrong with these but I didn't find them exciting. A pinch of salt was definitely needed. Something to liven them up like bacon bits or crumbles of blue cheese maybe.

Menu

Tamalito's Cafe - Mexican Hotdog and Beef Burrito

Truck: Tamalito's Cafe
Location: Houston Food Truck Park, 1504 St Emmanuel
Date: July 19, 2013
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TamalitosCafe

This was my first visit to the Houston Food Park at 1504 St. Emmanuel. Not a lot of trucks there today but the one I tried was a real winner! It was great to meet Miguel Villegas and wish the venture well, especially since it will give me many tasty meals! Follow them on twitter (@Houfoodpark ) and patronize the park.

Mexican Hotdog - $3.50

A good hot dog on a great bun covered in fresh pico-de-gallo, chopped bacon, and a creamy sauce. The sauce could have been mayonnaise, but the other flavors here made it hard to tell. The pico was great, enough kick from the jalapenos that you know they are there, but not enough to make me reach for the Zantac after lunch! A nice hot jumbo hot dog too. And what isn't better with lots of bacon on it. Synopsis: Do it simple and well like this you'll always have me craving another!

Beef Burrito - $3.50

A classic interpretation of the burrito. I chose beef as my meat. I was expected taco meat, but what I got was honest-to-god beef fajita! that's actual marinated and grilled skirt steak. This was chopped a bit and there was plenty of it. Real skirt steak is not melt in your mouth tender but not tough as leather either. This was as good as it gets, the little bit of chewiness giving me a few more moments to savor beef instead of wolfing it down. The rest of the burrito was re-fried beans, rice, and some hot sauce. Synopsis: Do a classic right like this and you don't need exotic ingredients to make something absolutely Delicioso!

I have to say Juan and Melleson have a great truck going. Juan was very personable while I was waiting for my order and Melleson cranked out some awesome food. Too often I feel like I'm paying extra for the right to order my food in a steamy hot Houston parking lot, but not with Tamalito's. Check out the prices on their menu below, they are one of the most reasonably prices trucks in Houston.

Menu

POCKet To Me - Fish Pocket and Spicy Fries

Truck: POCKet To Me
Location, MFAH, Bissonnet at Fannin
Date: July 14, 2013
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PockettoMe





Fish Pocket - $9

Cornbread battered tilapia, fried nice and crispy with coleslaw. The pita that this pocket came in was large and very fresh, maybe a light toast on the outside too. A nice touch, the pocket was loaded with the fish and plenty of it before the coleslaw was added. Too often I've had pocket sandwiches with the star ingredient sitting on top. Not this time, I got the great crunchy fish in every bite, right to the last one. The coleslaw was good, fresh with a light mayo sauce. Just enough to coat the slaw without making that nice fresh pita soggy. Synopsis: this would make a great light sandwich, except it huge!


Spicy Fries - $3

Straight up food service fries with a spicy dusting. The fries are nice and crispy and stayed that way.

Monster PBJ - Classic

Truck: Monster PBJ
Location: The Menil Collection
Date: July 14, 2013
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MonsterPBJ




Classic - $5

So the deal is you build your own PBJ, but you have a lot of choices. Mine was wheat bread, almond butter, strawberry jam, banana, and en fuego spicy all panini grilled. The sandwich is huge, much larger than your average bread. mine had lots of creamy almond butter. I got tons of banana too. Having it grilled was a good choice, why don't we eat more hot bananas? I was really digging the en fuego spicy. The small bit of heat was really good with all the sweetness, I think this could become cloying without the heat. Synopsis: Not your mamma's PBJ 

Available in three sizes, Junior (half), Classic (2 slices of bread) and Monster (3 slices stacked!)

Menu

MuSuBi - Vermicelli Noodle Summer Bowl

Truck: MuSuBi
Location: Karbach Brewery, 2032 Karbach Street, Houston, TX
Date: July 12, 2013
Twitter: https://twitter.com/musubiHOUSTON





Vermicelli Noodle Summer Bowl - $9

Lemongrass grilled pork, lettuce, pickled daikon and carrots, cucumber, peanuts, sesame, scallion, topped with a fried egg and shrimp chips, garlic fish sauce on the side. A very pretty bowl with nice firm noodles that had a very pleasant chew for me. Lots of tender grilled pork, that was very salty at the first bite, but once things started to get mixed up was just right.. I've never had a fried egg on my noodles, but it works. You just can't be shy when picking it up with chopsticks! A mild fish sauce enhanced with lots of minced garlic is served on the side. Synopsis: A great bowl of noodles with lots of great flavors and textures going on.

Menu

ChiLantro - BBQ Bowl and Kimchi Fries

Truck: ChiLantro
Location: SOAP, Richmond and Timmons, Houston, TX
Date: July 3, 2013
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChiLantroHTX

First time I've tried this truck. They were slammed with at least 10 customers waiting when I walked up. With in five minutes though they had my order in my hands and everyone in front of me had been served. I was impressed, not every truck does this good a job at crowd management.

BBQ Port BowlSteamed white rice topped with a ton of sweet and spicy BBQ pork shredded Cheddar/jack cheese, cilantro, and Korean soy vinaigrette salad. Reminded me of an amped up version of a Chinese lunchbox. The pork was delicious and just spicy enough to make me sweat. The cheese was used with restraint so it din't turn into a cheesy mess. The salad wilts pretty fast with the hot pork. Synopsis: A very tasty and filling dish, well executed.

Kimchi Fries
Food service fries topped with BBQ pork, caramelized kimchi, cheese, Spicy Orange Magic Sauce, and Siracha. The effect is like a BBQ stuffed baked potato. The BBQ makes it spicy and sweet, the Siracha adds it kick too. To be honest I couldn't find the "Spicy Orange Magic Sauce", but doesn't matter, these are good fries! Synopsis: Simply some of the best Kimchi fries I've tried.

Menu