Wokker Texas Ranger Pork Belly Fried Rice and BBQ Brisket Eggrolls

Truck: Wokker Texas Ranger
Location: Houston Food Truck Park 1311 Leeland
Date: December 12, 2014
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WokkerTxRanger

BBQ Brisket Eggrolls - $6

An order 4 for egg rolls served fresh from the fryer and hot and crispy. They are filled with a good chopped bbq brisket. it made me want a chopped beef sandwich immediately. Very tasty. When you get chopped beef for a sandwich its often not very hot. The cooking process gets the filling piping hot and really brings on the flavor of the BBQ. On the side was a small portion of sesame coleslaw. The tangy slaw is nice to cut the richness of the BBQ. Synopsis: I could eat several orders of these.

Pork Belly Fried Rice - $9

A large order of fried rice topped with lots of pork belly bits in a sweet sauce and a fried egg. The base of this dish is some really good basic fried rice. Making good fried rice takes good rice that's prepared right and good technique at the wok. Honestly I would enjoy an order of the fried rice by itself. It has that perfect balance of sticky and fluffy at the same time if that makes sense. The fried egg was a nice surprise, nicely done with the yolk still a little runny. The star here is the pork belly. I'm not sure how it was cooked first but it was tender and not overly fatty but still rich. This is a definite order again dish. Synopsis: Not your fried rice and egg roll place fried rice.

Senor Juan - Arroz con Gandules and Empandilla de Carne

Truck: Senor Juan
Location: Houston Food Park
Date: December 5, 2014

Arroz con Gandules - $9

A hearty helping of yellow rice with bean and big serving of kinda carnitas style pork. There was a weird brief conversation when I ordered about not having pork today but they had chicken. Arroz con Pollo is a favorite of mine so I said sure. Then I got pork? very weird. The pork was a little dry like it had been kept warm for a long time. Over all it was pretty tasty though. Synopsis: Fluffy rice and tasty meat, how can you go wrong.

Empandilla de Carne - $3

These are delicious. A large very crispy empanada filled with a tasty and slightly spicy meat filling. The size and quality of these make them and exceptional value. One can make a light meal, two would be a pretty hearty meal. Synopsis, this deserves to be the star of the menu.

Savor the Bites - Milanesa

Truck: Savor the Bites

Location: Houston. Food Park

Date: December 4, 2014
Twitter: https://twitter.com/savorthebites

Milanesa - $7.00

Savor the Bites has a pretty eclectic menu, heavy on Japanese influence but Latin American names. So of course I went for a Latin American named item. The Mexican version is a thin slice of meat, pounded thinner and breaded and fried crisp. It can be served on its own with French Fries or in a Torta. In other Latin American countries its more like what I got, a panko breaded chicken breast. I'm a little suspicious of the preparation because mine was done really fast, much faster than I can imagine cooking a breast when ordered. The order was serviced much like a "Chinese lunchbox" the meat, some rice, and a fried egg plus sauces. I couldn't quit figure out the sauces, the green one was the one I liked better, full of herbs. The orange one I suspect was a Siracha based. I really having problems with this dish. I ate all of it, but it lacked a spark that makes me want it again. I think this presentation would better with some of the other offerings on the menu. I did see the sushi they were making and it was pretty showy looking sushi. Synopsis: I can't decided if this is fusion or fizzle.

Buttz Food Truck - Pulled Pork Gumbo

Truck: Buttz Food Truck
Location: Houston Food Truck Park, 1504 St. Emanuel
Date: November 14, 2014
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Buttzfoodtruck

Pulled Pork Gumbo - $10

You get a pint of good classic gumbo with a good sized portion of Buttz's signature pulled pork in it. The pulled pork is some really well done pork. The portion I got was butter tender, but with some smoky bark on it. The gumbo was a classic preparation and a little spicy. I could find the "holy trinity" of Creole cooking, onions, green peppers, and celery. Of course there was some okra too. Served over rice. Synopsis: Perfect for a chilly day.

Wokker Texas Ranger - Pad Thai Brisket

Truck: Wokker Texas Ranger
Location: Houston Food Park, 1504 St. Emanuel
Date: November 14, 2014
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WokkerTxRanger

Pad Thai Brisket - $9

This is a tasty mash up. Start with Pad Thai; rice noodles, tamarind glaze, peanuts and some shredded cabbage for a little texture. Add on a good portion of thin sliced brisket instead of the tradition shrimp or grilled chicken.. This version of the tamarind glaze is a little sweeter than a classic Pad Thai in my opinion, but since BBQ sauce is often pretty sweet it works with beef nicely. Honesty I'm asking myself why don't more BBQ sauces use more tamarind in them, it works so well. This was so good I ate it way to fast! Synopsis: Sawadee Cowboy!

D'Lish Curbside Bistro - Truffle, Garlic and Herbs Poutine

Truck: D'Lish Curbside Bistro

Location: Houston Food Park, 1504 St Emanuel

Date: October 31, 2014

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DLishCurbside

Truffle, Garlic and herbs Poutine with Grated Parmesan - $8

Let me get something off my chest, this is not a poutine. Poutine is a Canadian dish classically made with brown gravy and cheese curds. These are really truffle fries. Now that is out of the way, I have to say these are some great truffle fries. The fries are tossed in truffle oil, and a signature cilantro, garlic and thyme butter.  Top with lots of grated Parmesan cheese and serve with a side of some super garlicy garlic aioli.  I would normally turn my nose up a little at the crinkle cut food service fries, but here I think they are the perfect thing. The surface of the crinkle fries lets more of the tasty toppings adhere. I think the herb butter is a great idea too. Other truffle fries I've had have trouble with the Parmesan sticking, I guess truffle oil isn't all that sticky, but the butter holds on to the cheese and herbs. The lot stays crispy too and doesn't get soggy (which is a problem with real poutine). Synopsis: Love'em, just don't call them a poutine.

D'Lish Curbside Bistro - Smoked Gouda Lobster Burger

Truck: D'Lish Curbside Bistro

Location Houston Food Park, 1504 St Emanuel

Date: October 31, 2014

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DLishCurbside

Smoked Gouda and Lobster Burger - $12

Wow, just wow is my immediate comment after tasting this burger. Start with a great beef patty cooked medium in my case. Serve it between a great egg knot bun (I'd call this a brioche bun, but ok). So far so good. A great burger starts with a great foundation. Top that with smoked Gouda sauce, garlic aioli, jalapeno ranch, asiago and Romano cheeses. That's great you say but not good enough. Ok lets put a big serving of lobster on that! Now you're talking something over the top. The lobster was plentiful and perfectly cooked. This isn't just a token amount of lobster, it becomes largest portion in your mouth in most bites, so you taste a lot of lobster.  I have to say, while you have a very flavorful list of ingredients this is done with finesse and I could actually pick out each ingredient in the crowd. Nothing overpowered the group. If you are into exotic over the top burgers, I have to rate this as a must try burger. Synopsis: This could be my new favorite burger in Houston!

Flip'n Patties - Brekpas Burger

Truck: Flip'n Patties
Location: University of Houston
Date: 10/24/2014
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlipnPatties

Brekpas Burger Meal - $12

A 1/3 pound marinated grass feed burger patty. Load it up with fried Spam, a fried egg, caramelized onions, and the signature FnP aioli. Let's break it down. A great burger and cooked well. The fried Spam works like bacon and adds a salty element. The egg works like a sauce and makes it very rich. Judging from the color of the aioli I was just going to dismiss it as Siracha and mayo, but there is a sweetness here so I suspect there is more going on than meets the eye in the aioli. I misspoke, the real signature here is the Steamed Bun. These unique as far as I've seen pale buns look a bit odd, but they are some of the best buns I've ever laid my hands on. I was stuffed after this burger too. Who needs a salad when a burger is this well put together. Synopsis: I like big buns and I can not lie...

Fries

The meal comes with FnP's mighty fries. I'm not sure how FnP gets these monster's so crisp. These behemoths are about a half inch in cross section. FnP gets them crispy and the inside is almost creamy at the same time. They are finished with sea or flake salt. Really some signature fries. Synopsis: I'll got out of my way for these.

Lone Star Samwiches - Deep in the Heart of Dhaka

Truck: Lone Star Samwiches
Location: Camden Midtown
Date: 10/22/2014
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoneStarSamwich

Deep in the Heart of Dhaka - $8

A great big'ol fresh bollilo roll loaded with East Indian spices. Banglaeshi food can be quit spicy and I wasn't disappointed with this. I took a taste of the butter tender beef and it lit me up right away. Fortunately this is a well balanced sandwich the cucumber guacamole cools things down a bit. The nicely toasted and fresh roll was also a treat. Not a lot of ingredients here, but the depth of flavors in the beef give this sandwich a lot of complexity. Synopsis: It left me with a warm feeling all night.

Eastie Boys - Hamburghini and French Fried Potatoes

Truck: Eatsie Boys

Location: University of Houston Pad 1, 4800 Calhoun

Date: October 14, 2014

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eatsieboys

I've been trying to catch up with the Eatsie Boys for months. I would go to a location they were supposed to be at and they were never there. Today I was just walking across the UH campus and there was a golden truck! Seriously it was a golden truck! After so long I was finally able to try them and was frankly disappointed.

Hamburghini  - $10

A beef patty, cooked medium rare. I don't have a problem with it, but if you're a cautious person I would ask for it to be cooked to your preferred state. The medium rare might have been because of the lunch rush. Anyway, on to the rest of the burger. It came decked out with lots of feta, fresh arugula, and cucumbers. It was supposed to be topped with an over easy egg, but I didn't get one on my burger! I could see two flats of eggs in the window so I know they weren't out? Soy vinaigrette is listed on the menu as dressing the arugula, but mine was dry. Lets see, under cooked patty, missing egg, missing vinaigrette, that makes 3 strikes in my book. I'm sad because Eatsie Boys is one of the most lauded foodie venues in town, and this was flat out terrible execution. I'll give them another try, but I'm a little bummed by this meal. Synopsis: Some days aren't just not an Eastie Boys day.

French Fried Potatoes - $3

At first I wasn't going to write these up because at first glance they just looked like standard food service fries, but there is more going on here. The potatoes are coated with what I'm guessing is potato starch so they get extra crispy. I noticed the salt right away and was trying to put my finger on what was different. When I got to the bottom I noticed that it was "finished" with flake salt. Flake salt has fewer impurities so it tastes saltier and its a little crunchy. I liked the effect on the fries and for something very simple made these stand out. Synopsis: Simple done well.

Skratch Food Truck - Brazilian Sandwich

Truck: Skratch Food Truck
Location: Houston Food Park, 1504 St. Emanuel
Date: September 26, 2014
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SkratchFoodTruc

Brazilian Sandwich - $10

This sandwich comes loaded, I mean absolutely stuffed with very thin shaved rib-eye. Its cooked perfectly and flavored with a rich sauce. livened with plenty of good chimichurri sauce. Top with shaved red onions. Hold all this goodness together with good grilled roll. I think the secret is the rich sauce on the tasty beef. I'm sure its much a simpler sauce than I'm imagining, but I'm not going to ruin my illusion of a secret Brazilian recipe. Synopsis: I could eat a Brazilian of these!

Maine-ly Sandwiches - Lobster Roll

Truck: Maine-ly Sandwiches
Location: Houston Food Park, 1504 St. Emanuel
Date: September 26, 2014
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MainelySandwich

Half Lobster Roll - $10

Pretty much the real deal, a grilled roll, grilled in butter by-the-way. plenty of lobster in nice big chunks. Crispy in just that special way butter works. Just the right amount of mayonnaise. So often classic regional sandwiches just don't come out right away from home, but they nailed this one. Synopsis: I can't wait to try the clam Chawdah.

Pi Pizza Truck Chicken Cordon-Blue in da Face and 420 Slice

Truck: Pi Pizza Truck
Location: Houston Food Park, 1504 St. Emanuel
Date: August 15, 2014
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PiPizzaTruck

420 Slice - $8

I ordered this not really knowing what to expect. The 420 slice is almost what you'd expect from the name though. You get a huge slice covered in Fritos, spicy BBQ sauce, and cheese on Pi Pizza's great crust. It's actually a pretty good combination. You can't beat the quarter pie slice you get either. Synopsis: hehe I said munchies

Chicken Cordon-Blue in da Face - $7

This is a very rich pie. Boneless pulled chicken, thick cut bacon, and a whole bunch of bleu cheese. Great thin crust, and the cheese makes it just incredibly rich. Lots of chicken, I personally would have liked a little more bacon, but who wouldn't? Synopsis, So rich I could barely finish it.

Houston's Finest Soul Food - Bacon Burger and Wings

Truck: Houston's Finest Soul Food

Location: Houston Food Park, 1504 St. Emanuel

Date: August 13, 2014

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HFSoulfood1

Bacon Burger - $9.85

This is a straight up classic burger, but done by hand. No fancy thick cut peppered bacon smoked with ancient hardwood recovered from a prehistoric river, just regular bacon and a lot of it. I've had some very fancy bacon burgers, this had more bacon taste than most. No the patty isn't made from heirloom cattle who were read to every night. It's just a hand formed patty cooked so there is some crust on it from the griddle. Classic toppings, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions. Fancy burgers are fun and interesting, but this just reminds me how good the classics can be. Synopsis: Rocking a burger old school and hitting it out of the park.

Wings with Sweet Chili - 5/$6.85

This are another classic. Five wings, deep fried I think without breading then tossed in a sweet chili sauce. Nice heat without making me gulp down my beer. Spot on with the balance of heat and sweet in my opinion. The price at first seems kind of high, but you get a large serving of real potato french fries with them. Its actually plenty for a light meal. Synopsis: Kinda wish I had some right now.

Los Tacos Hermanos - Carnitas Buritto

Truck: Los Tacos Hermanos
Location: Texian Brewing Co, Richmond TX
Date: August 2, 2014
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tacos_hermanos

Carnitas Burrito

Carnitas Burrito - $8.50

A pork burrito on a 12 inch tortilla. Ok I liked this burrito but I don't think you can really call it carnitas. Classic carnitas is basically pork confit made in lard, low and slow till the pork is very tender. Then you heat it up till the pork basically deep fries and crisps on the outside. This didn't have any crisp to it. Pity because the added texture would really put this over the top. Enough foodie whining. This is still a great burrito, The pork is tender and plentiful, there is an interesting sweetness I think comes from the mango harbanero. Mexican rice and chipotle beans, cilantro aioli and fresh cilantro finish it off. A note about the salsa served on the side, get it. It's a smoked salsa and just much more interesting than most. I would go back just for their salsa to tell the truth. Synopsis: Slow Cooked Pork, the other comfort food.