| In Southern California, the old-fashioned sandwich | | | | for many Americans, food on skewers lends itself to a |
| trucks are being upgraded to mobile restaurants with | | | | wide variety of textures and flavors. From Shiitake |
| menus as varied as the culture. In the face of chain | | | | mushrooms or tofu to Hawaiian spam pineapple the |
| restaurants and high operating costs, many small locally | | | | skewers can be paired with a salad and create a full |
| owned food businesses have disappeared and the | | | | meal for any taste preference. |
| catering truck industry is stepping into the gap. | | | | TastyMeat - Meat lovers can choose from beef, lamb, |
| The speed of the growth of this new development in | | | | or chicken in a savory sauce; add lettuce, tomato, and |
| the restaurant industry has, at times, created conflicts | | | | onions, then wrap it in a fresh flatbread for a delicious |
| within some communities. The Southern California | | | | quick meal. |
| Mobile Food Vendors Association was formed to | | | | Kogi - Combine Korean barbecue with Mexican style |
| attempt to create a set of "best practices" for | | | | and you get Spicy Pork Tacos or Short Rib Burritos |
| operating within the changing industry. While the rules | | | | and they haven't forgotten the vegetarians either, Tofu |
| and regulations are still developing, the popularity of the | | | | comes in either a taco or a burrito. |
| movement with the general public is unquestioned. | | | | Asian Soul Kitchen - For a more traditional Asian meal, |
| One of the many ways the industry is changing is in | | | | try Japanese soul food. Sample Yakisoba, a |
| the use of Web sites and Twitter to let customers | | | | combination of noodles, veggies, and a flavorful sauce |
| know the schedules and locations of their favorite | | | | or for a more filling meal order Nijukaga a hearty stew |
| gourmet traveling restaurant. The various truck owners | | | | of beef, potatoes, and noodles in a Bonita broth. |
| post schedules and menus so their "followers" can | | | | Even the old-fashioned ice cream trucks are leaping |
| easily make plans to meet for their favorite meal. The | | | | onto the gourmet, twittering bandwagon. |
| possibilities are seemingly endless. From a simple grilled | | | | Coolhaus - Make an ice cream sandwich to order with |
| cheese to Japanese noodles, there's something for | | | | your favorite cookie and ice cream. Choose from six |
| almost every taste. | | | | cookie flavors and fill them with your choice of more |
| The Grilled Cheese Truck - Whether you are looking | | | | than twenty ice creams. From the traditional vanilla |
| for that simple grilled cheese or something more exotic, | | | | bean to white chocolate macadamia, they make an |
| this menu has an answer to the search. The cheese | | | | ice cream sandwich new. |
| offerings start with the routine American and extend | | | | Get Shaved - Shaved ice may sound like another |
| to a creamy Brie (on Cranberry Walnut bread) or | | | | version of a "snow-cone", but the resemblance ends |
| Gruyere with lots of savory additions and interesting | | | | with the basic ingredient. These low-calorie (60-70 |
| sides. | | | | calories per 8 ounce serving) come in a myriad of |
| Barbie's Q - If your preference is St. Louis style ribs or | | | | flavors from Banana to Watermelon. |
| pulled pork sandwiches, Barbie's can supply it along | | | | There are trucks that serve at most any hour of the |
| with the traditional sides. They even have a Veggie | | | | day, from breakfast to dinner time. Whether you are |
| Burger for those who love barbecue but don't eat | | | | looking for a Southwest Omelet or a slice of Pizza, |
| meat. Like many other gourmet food trucks, they also | | | | there's a truck out there looking for your business. |
| cater. | | | | Twitter is the easiest way to keep track, but many |
| Skewers on Wheels - A non-traditional meal choice | | | | are also on Facebook or have their own Web sites. |