Food Truck Frenzy

There has been quite a bit of buzz about food trucks lately. The Food Network's "The Great Food Truck Race" hosted by Tyler Florence likely to added to the craze. On a recent trip to Southern California, I took in First Fridays in Venice which is essentially a street social with food. Stores are open late and food trucks from all over the area descend on Abbot Kinney Boulevard and an adjacent parking lot. I would estimate there were about 20 trucks on the scene and enough variety to suit anyone's palette.

The fare is best described as comfort food with large portions and, for the most part, contains ingredients you wouldn't (shouldn't) eat at every meal. But hey! It happens on a Friday! I tried Frysmith's Sweet Po Fries, I concoction of sweet potato fries smothered with chicken stewed in tomatillo-tamarind sauce and topped with jack cheese and nuts. Heaven! For dessert, I tried Coolhaus's brown butter and candied bacon ice cream cookie sandwich. After all, doesn't everyone think of bacon when they want ice cream?

Is there a chance decent food truck fare will come to my little slice of Michigan anytime soon? Doubtful, but it give on more reason to make a trip to California special.