Truck N' Toys Food Truck Event in San Pedro

Follow Your Dreams: Your Help Makes Dreams Come True!

Photo Description:
Danielle (LF) P. Miller Cymphonique Miller Big Tony Ragu (C) Chad Fune Dave Fune Glenn De Baca (RT)

On this Day, Dec.11 the theme was giving back. There was over 15 plus gourmet food trucks of various cuisines from great eatz to sweets along with a special appearance from P. Miller and his lovely daughter Cymphonique Miller whose charities include Urban born. This event was about food trucks raising awareness about children who might not have a Christmas with the joy of opening presents. Eric Nakata of the Japanese-Peruvian fusion truck Lomo Arigato was able to use his contact with P. Miller and his close relationship with Vizzi truck to put on this great event about giving back to less fortunate children through their charity The Boys and Girls Club of San Pedro. See awesome pics of kids with gifts.

Here are some other super stars that attended and supported this wonderful event:

Vizzi Truck (@VizziTruck)	The Shrimp Guys (@TheShrimpGuys)
Lomo Arigato (@LomoArigato)	Ludo Truck (@LudoTruck)
Crepenʼ Around (@CrepenAround)	White Rabbit Truck (@WhiteRabbitTruk)
Tropical Shave Ice (@TropShaveIce)	Louks To Go (@LoukstoGo)
The Comfort Truck (@ComfortTruck)	Auto Creamery (@AutoCreamery)
Knock Out Taco (@KOTacoTruck)	Dim Sum Truck (@DimSumTruck)
Oh For Sweet Sake (@OhForSweetsSake)	Grill emʼ All (@GrillemAllTruck)
The Greasy Wiener (@TheGreasyWiener)	Sugar Babies (@Sugar_Babies)
Tapa Boy (@TapaBoyLA)	The Shrimp Pimps (@ShrimpPimpTruck)

Enjoy some special cuisine pics that the super stars created for this cool event:

Photo Description:
Chef Dave Fune of the Vizzi truck showing off their awesome new menu item the Wedge’ Salad: Made with black chimichurri dressing, bacon, pickled onion, winter tomato, and bleu cheese. Two thumbs up!

Photo Description:
Ryan Harkins from Grill Em All truck who made this awesome Quin-Behemoth for Big Tony Ragu, which was given to a fan. The Quin-Behemoth: Made with 5 grilled cheese sandwiches, 5 1/3 lb delicious 80%/20% ground beef chuck burgers, 15 pieces of apple wood smoked bacon, 1/2 lb beer soaked onions, and 5 thick slices of smoked cheddar. Awesome!

Photo Description:
Auto Creamery owners Boyd and Debbie displaying their fresh fruit ices, which are made in their original fruit shells; some of the flavors include coconut, mango, and lemon. Sweet and Refreshing treat!

Photo Description:
Big Tony Ragu and P. Miller (Aka Ice Cream Man) of BBTV talking about his relating to the gourmet food trucks entrepreneurship as a parallel to his own life. Urban Born a charity which is near and dear to his heart, provides workshops and programs, teaching positive life and career skills. Their motto: “It’s Easier To Catch On Now, Than To Catch Up Later.” Additionally, P. Miller's daughter Cymphonique has a big heart for a 14 y/o. She is a great supporter of Urban Born and assisted in helping on this event. You can hear her new single "Follow Your Dreams" on their website as well on the video below during the credits at the end. She is a rising new star with a new show out on Nickelodeon in 2011. P. Miller and Cymphonique Miller have proven that giving back is what it's all about. Thank you!

Photo Description:
This picture depicts some of the 700+ toys raised by the Truck N' Toys drive on Dec.11th by food truck fans and food truck operators. The toys were divided up between the Urban Born Charity supported by the Millers. The other charity was The Boys and Girls Club of San Pedro supported by the gourmet food trucks and Glenn. Big thanks to Danielle Struwe, Vizzi truck team, and Eric Nakata from Lomo Arigato for having big hearts to start a wonderful event of giving back and inviting me out to share this story.

Photo Description:
Thanks to Leomar Ignacio who is the Middle School Volunteer Coordinator from the Los Angeles Harbor Boys and Girls Club of San Pedro for sending me this awesome photo of the younger children enjoying their presents, which was donated by the Truck N' Toys event on Dec.11th. Nice to see smiling faces. Great Job!

Photo Description:
Thanks to Leomar Ignacio from the Los Angeles Harbor Boys and Girls Club of San Pedro for sending me this photo from the 11-Up age group included in the festivities. You can see the joy on their faces.

FOOD FIGHT!:  Marvel Vs Capcom3

Photo Description:
Chef Eric Greenspan (LF) BTR (CL) Mong-Mandoline Grill (CR) Chef Ludo (RT)

The Marvel Vs Capcom 3 event brought to you by the creative team at SA Studios Global whose lead by 2 of the most creative artists in the industry Mister Cartoon and Estevan Oriol, Capcom USA, and Marvel Characters, Inc was jam packed with gamers from all over California and abroad. Some even stood on line outside the Kim Sing Theatre in Los Angeles from 10:00 PM the previous day just to get a chance to play what looks to be one of the hot new games out for PS3 and 360 gaming consoles, which is due out February 2011. Special thanks to Patrick from LA Street Food App, Emily Shen from SA Studios Global, Melody Pseiffer of Capcom, and Marvel Characters, Inc, and all other contributors not mentioned. Awesome Event!

The Event was the proving ground for 2 awesome chefs, Eric Greenspan and Ludo Lefebvre to battle their culinary expertise in creating an inspired dish by the gaming company that they were selected to have a knock down and drag out Food Fight in two of LA's hottest food trucks. Enjoy Capcom and SA Studios interviews.

Photo Description:
Capcom truck aka Mandoline Grill Vietnamese inspired truck owned by Mong Skillman.

The Capcom wrapped Mandoline Grill Vietnamese inspired truck owned by Mong Skillman was represented by Chef Eric Greenspan who owns The Foundry on Melrose and defeated Iron Chef Bobby Flay on Iron Chef TV show. Chef Greeny his twitter handle created his dish inspired by the Capcom's Ryu Character's special defense weapon by naming it the Ryu FireBall! It was created with Asian flavors in mind; served in a chewy grilled pork bao bun, thinly sliced soft pink Ahi tuna, crunchy cabbage, with a spicy sriracha miso-mayo dressing, and top off with lovely pork cracklings. I think I heard the heavens open as I took my first bite, off the hook!  See interview and pic below.

Photo Description:
Served in a chewy grilled pork bao bun, thinly sliced soft pink Ahi tuna, crunchy cabbage, with a spicy sriracha miso-mayo dressing, and top off with lovely pork cracklings.WOW! Nuf said.

Photo Description:
The challenger Marvel truck of Chef Ludo's small bites inspiration.

The challenger of the Marvel truck was Chef Ludo Lefebvre's small bites inspiration represented by who else, Chef Ludo himself, but of course! Chef Ludo's inspiration was Marvel's famed Hulk character. The inspiration was green and bold. Chef Ludo used 3 types of meat; sirloin, chuck, and brisket, along with stuffing his burger with Velveeta cheese to create his own "Juicy Lucy" version inspired by a Minnesota based eatery called Matt's Bar, served on a potato spinach infused brioche bun, homemade onion jam, green tomato that created a radioactive colored gourmet ketchup, and fried onion strings to top off a juicy and delicious Hulk inspired burger with a side of delicately seasoned pomme paille (Shoe String Potatoes). See video interview and pic below.

Photo Description:
3 types of meat; sirloin, chuck, and brisket, along with stuffing his burger with Velveeta cheese to create his own "Juicy Lucy" version inspired by a Minnesota based eatery called Matt's Bar, served on a potato spinach infused brioche bun, homemade onion jam, green tomato that created a radioactive colored gourmet ketchup, and fried onion strings to top off a juicy and delicious Hulk inspired burger with a side of delicately seasoned pomme paille (Shoe String Potatoes). Chef Ludo pulled it out and won. I say REMATCH!

Less Mall More Melrose Eclectic and Unique

Photo Description:
Keith Manship (LF) Big Tony Ragu (Center) Patrick Green (RT)

The event named Less Mall More Melrose was the brain child of Keith Manship who brought in Patrick Green of LA Street Food App, who asked Big Tony Ragu to help promote this cool event. Keith manages a cool and trendy foot wear store at 7475 Melrose Ave named John Fluevog shoes decided to get his felow merchants involved by putting on this event. Keith is a founding member of MAMA (Melrose Avenue Merchant Alliance), a group of business owners and operators that are on the original Melrose Ave.between Fairfax and La Brea. They have teamed up to put on cross promotional events like the Less Mall More Melrose event. Please enjoy the upfront interview with Keith and Patrick.

Photo Description:
Le Cordon Bleu trained Chef Jeshua Garza of Willoughby Road BBQ truck

The Willoughby Road chefs are very creative with their Memphis/North Carolina inspired menu adding a kick of heat mixed with apple cider vinegar to give any BBQ lover a lip smacking good time! We will be seeing this gourmet food truck again soon as we meet the second half of this awesome team Chef Luke Reyes. Enjoy the interview with Willoughby Road BBQ truck and the tasty BBQ creations we sampled.

Photo Description:
Big Tony Ragu (LF) Justin Mi Owner of Lobsta truck (RT)

Photo Description:
Maine lobster with the original split, top buttered sandwich roll from New England. Authentic ME. Amazing!

The Lobsta truck is new to the LA scence with a promise to be authentic from the sweet and soft Maine lobster down to the New England original split, top bread, which they add butter or mayo to your liking. Other menu items are their creamy New England chowder that has plenty of clam and potato chunks to fill any foodies belly to satisfaction. The ME Crab was not available, but we will back soon. Enjoy their interview.

Photo Description:
Chef Cory Ewing from the Me So Hungry food truck with their signature menu item The Duke! Awesome  sandwich!

Chef Cory is trained from Le Cordon Bleu. He has a passion for his food and it shows in the wonderful creations we sampled at his gourmet food truck. Their signature sandwich the Duke combines an 80/20 ratio of delicious sirloin beef that is well seasoned, crispy bermuda onion rings, sweet coleslaw, with their homemade BBQ sauce, bacon, on a rustic cheese bread, their hoisin marinated short ribs, delicate and buttery pepper jack cheese, crispy bermuda onions and spicy crème fraîche, along with off the hook crispy sweet potato fries with a spicy crème fraîche. Enjoy their video interview with a close look at their yummiest food.

Photo Description:
Big Tony Ragu (LF) Liwei Liao (RT) co owner of the Boba truck created a special Chinese Osmanthus Flower Tea (Chinese Osmanthus is a major ingredient in Jean Patou's "1000", the world's most expensive perfume.) for me to try out. Simply TEA-licious!

Liwei Liao and Michael Tsuan the Boba truck are capable of making over 60 combination of Tea. Each time made fresh to order in a special steeping machine that uses high grade filtering to deliver one delicous cup of tea. We have been to the Boba truck many times and have had more than 15 combination so far. They have even named a tea after me. You will hear more on that when we go behind the scenes with this incredible truck on Sunday Dec 12th at the Korea Daily's Holiday Charity Festival.

Westchester First Fridays Food Truck Fest

Where the Spirit of Community lives!

Photo Description:
Westchester First Fridays Organizers

Its was on December 1st when Patrica Lyon of Westchester Watch Works a merchant for 21+ years and a community leader had an idea of breathing fresh air into a lackluster showing she had experienced at the usual First Fridays events in Westchester. Pat contacted Sheldon Katz of No Reservation Catering, a gourmet food truck owner and friend, who then contacted myself, Big Tony Ragu to help organize and promote a First Friday's event in 3 days.

Photo Description:
Patrons waiting at the Shrimp Pimp truck as First Fridays begins. Awesome salmon and shrimp!

The Westchester First Fridays event was born on December 3rd and began in the 87th St. Merchants Group area of  87th West Street and Truxton became the home for a family inspired event that included 12 gourmet food trucks being embraced by 1500 plus patrons that strolled the quaint grounds that day. There was plenty of parking, friendly shop owners, and kids of all ages just enjoying the gourmet food truck vibe.

The new family friendly standard will be added to future events conceived by Westchester First Fridays Organizers. Stay tuned for new great events coming with more food trucks along with new locations, which will share the same vibe we brought to Westchester. Lets face it, California fans deserve it. Enjoy the video interviews of the Westchester First Fridays event and pics taken that day. Thanks to all our supporters, food trucks that attended, and Westchester Merchants. Check out our Yelp review.

Photo Description:
Big Tony Ragu w/a fan enjoying the Beorek from the Hungry Nomad truck. Delish!

Photo Description:
Shrimp Pimp fans enjoying the Shrimp'NChips. Looks Great!

Photo Description:
Another Happy fan enjoying a Tuna melt from Greenz on Wheelz. Yum!

Photo Description:
Yatta, All American-Cheeseburger and Poki-Tuna rolls were Amazing!

Photo Description:
Kabob N' Roll's Lamb Gyro was outstanding with a well seasoned yogurt dressing.

Photo Description:
Cassandra and Rachel of Sugar Babies displaying their PB&J mini cupcakes. Sold Out in 3 hrs!

Photo Description:
Fans of India Jones Chow Truck waiting for some Awesome Northern Indian Cuisine.

Photo Description:
Art Beckham (LF) from Tango Mango with his brother and nephews enjoying some delicious ices.

Photo Description:
Michael of the Hungry Nomad truck enjoying a profitable night thanks to the great turnout.

Grand Opening White Rabbit "Fusion" Cafe

Photo Description:
White Rabbit "Fusion" Cafe  8316 Winnetka Ave in Canoga Park, California.

The theme for the White Rabbit's 1st brick and mortar restaurant debut of success reminds me of the new kids on the block song called You Got It (The Right Stuff baby!) Enjoy the fruits of your hardwork! White Rabbit.

November 28th 2010 marks a milestone for 3 courageous young Filipino men that had a dream of feeding Los Angeles with their twist on traditional Filipino/Mexican food with a talented chef named James Du. The other White Rabbit partners Melvin Chua who is a big part of the creativity behind their menu and keeps the press update on their food innovations, along with Mike Dimaguila who keeps the operations flowing right and gets in there to make it run correctly when the mobile kitchen gets busy.

Photo Description:
Mike Dimaguila Co-Owner (LF) James Du Chef/Co-Owner (CTR) Melvin Chua Co-Owner (RT)

These entrepreneurs are not afraid to get their hands dirty and make no excuses for bad days, but have had more successful days, I should know. I have followed them from their first day on the road and have watched this team successfully open up their first brick and mortar called White Rabbit "Fusion" Cafe  located in Canoga Park, California at 8316 Winnetka Ave (Roscoe/Winnetka). It was a great turnout of hundreds of White Rabbit fans along with some great music by a popular LA Hip Hop band called Rhythm Natives and the Spin Master DJ JKino. Also, invited was Rick from Tropical Shave Ice who created a special concoction for the Grand Opening called "Halo Halo" a popular Filipino dessert made with Sweetened white and red beans, coconut, and jack fruit to name a few of the delicious ingredients.

Photo Description:
  Rhythm Natives rocking it out!

Photo Description:
The Spin Master DJ-JKino rocking the house.

Photo Description:
Rick owner, Tropical Shave Ice debuts the Halo Halo Filipino dessert with Big Tony Ragu

I'm proud to see this type of progress and the White Rabbit team is a good example of what happens when you do it right, congratulations to the White Rabbit team. Please enjoy the video interview at the Grand opening with some special moments, along with some great photos of the day by Archi Prodencio.

Photo Description:
White Rabbit twist on traditional pork sisig made with white onions, shredded pork belly, jalapeno, garlic, lemon juice for an acidic bite and a dash of Chef Du's love! Excellently executed.

Photo Description:
chicken adobo taco made with braised chicken and White Rabbit secret spices. Awesome!

Photo Description:
White Chocolate Champorado a classic Filipino dessert made with smooth sweet white chocolate, sticky sweet rice, sugar, vanilla extract, and condensed milk. Its sweet and wonderful for your taste buds.

Note: Sorry, but there was supposed to be another dessert image called the Creme Brule Toast, but it was so good I forgot to take a picture before devouring it. Next time...

Sanrio (Hello Kitty) 50th Anniversary VIP Party

This photo says it all. A 50 year old character named Hello Kitty from the creative people at Sanrio can still make anyone smile. Sanrio is celebrating a golden anniversary, which opens to the public starting on Nov. 12th thru Nov. 21st 2010. During the next 10 days of this celebration there will be 30 of LA's hottest gourmet food trucks displayed in the mobile food court. See the Sanrio website for more information.

We enjoyed the VIP Pre party on Nov. 11, which included many celebrities such as Kimora Lee Simmons Hounsou, Jackie Chan, and Erik Estrada to name a few. We enjoyed the way Sanrio converted the Santa Monica based Barker Hangar into a carnival setting that any kid or young at heart adult would love. It reminded me of a sophisticated carnival with an animated touch that only Sanrio's creative minds could think up. Enjoy the Video recap and Food Truck Interviews below.

Photo Description:
Owner Neil Macleod (LF) Actor Erik Estrada (Center) Big Tony Ragu (RT)

The Shrimp Pimp truck was serving up some awesome shrimp dishes and caught the attention of Actor Erik Estrada of the "CHIPS" TV show. Enjoy the entertaining interview.

Mandoline Grill Vietnamese Food with a twist of Home

Photo Description:
Chef /Owner Mong Skillman of the Mandoline Grill Vietnamese Gourmet food truck.

Mong has always loved watching her mom cook and wanted to bring the unique flavors to Los Angeles.On February 6th, Mandoline Grill held its truck launch party at Verdugo Bar in Glassell Park. It was a crazy day for Mong Skillman who's cooking started back with her mom Hoa Thi Ho (pronunced Wa-Tee-Ho) who has owned her own Vietnamese restaurant Song Huong in Honolulu, Hawaii since 1995. Shhhhh! Don't tell Mong, but today is Mong's birthday and this article was saved to be released on her birthday October 20th. Enjoy the Special Birthday Video by Grill Em All and some fellow food truck owners below.

Photo Description:
The cool Mandoline Grill Logo was designed by a famous local Artist Tim Biskup. 

If you talk to Mong about her food or her history behind Mandoline Grill, she always says with a smile "I'm doing my mom's food." Also, the name Mandoline Grill Mong says, is to pay homage to her Mom who uses a Mandoline, which has razor sharp blades to beautifully shred and slice vegetables for Vietnamese dishes in her restaurant. Mong proudly displays one on her food truck and told me during the interview that its like carrying a piece of her mom with her. Mong's twist on Vietnamese food makes her a stand out in any crowd.








When I think of the hard working chefs who serve consistently great food and maintain great customer service, that is a very elite group of food truck owners that can meet that standard.The Mandoline Grill does this with passion and an end result of serving up some of the best Vietnamese fare in Los Angeles. Enjoy Mong's cooking demonstration video of her twist on the Vietnamese Bánh mì and food pics below.









Mong has recently changed her menu items and below we will show you and explain what new foods are cooking in the Mandoline Grill gourmet food truck. Enjoy the food pics of the 3 items we sampled.

Photo Description:
Grilled Pork Bánh mì: Grilled pork loin marinated in "Momma Hoa's" inspired marinade for 24 hours of love, fresh crusty french baguette bread, cucumber slices for some crunch, pickled carrots & daikon, cilantro, jalapenos for a hint of heat, mayo, and scallion oil to balance off this masterpiece. We had the non vegan mayo version.You can have the Bánh mì with beef or vegan options too. Enjoy the Bánh mì money shot above.

Photo Description:
Vietnamese Nachos: Vegan style-Grilled tofu over crispy tortilla chips, topped with scallions, jalapeños, mint, cilantro, and sriracha aioli for that burn. You can have this side with beef or vegan options. This side is nicely seasoned twist on Mexican nachos made the Mandoline Grill way, outstanding!

Photo Description:
Grilled Beef Bún: Grilled beef marinated in "Momma Hoa's" inspired marinade for 24 hours of love, over rice vermicelli noodles, mixed salad greens, cucumber slices, crushed peanuts, crispy shallots, and scallion oil with a traditional Vietnamese Nuoc Cham (Vietnamese Sauce) made with a salty smack of fish sauce with a crushed thai bird chile for a hint of heat and a finish of lime to balance and wake your taste buds up.

Special Video tribute from fellow gourmet food truck owners GrillEm All Etc..: Happy Birthday Mong!