The Oinkster

This is why The Oinkster has been so busy for two months that more than once, I've parked, got to the door to see the line straggle past it, and left. I love this place, but I am unwilling to stand in such a line.



What I can't believe is that they show everything except the burger! Come on, it's the best burger in L.A.! I also love the pulled pork, the rotisserie chicken, the fried plantains, and the beet salad. The fries are a must, too, of course. And they aren't kidding about the garlic aoli. I could put that on everything.

The house-made ketchup, on the other hand, I find disgusting. It tastes like apples and cinnamon, and I don't mix sweet with savory. Actually, eating my burger regularly at The Oinkster weened me off ketchup. You should have seen how much I used to put on burgers (actually I would cut them into quarters and dip them in ketchup) and fries. But decide for yourself. I know plenty of other people like it.

gastrobus

I think I mentioned that I'm obsessed with the food trucks (see where some of them are Tuesday-Saturday here). In the beginning I thought, oh I'll just try all the ones I can and I'll be satisfied. Why would I need to stalk them and repeatedly visit the same ones over and over again? How naive, really, because of course I'm a creature of habit. It's not as if I go around trying a different burger every week, rarely repeating the same place. No, of course, you're likely to find me at The Oinkster once a week for a burger. Sometimes that doesn't happen, especially since I've been researching in Beverly Hills, and it's a long drive between them. But I am dying to try The Patty Wagon. Anyway, I digress...

My favorite truck is The Gastrobus. Its concept may not be as kitchy as some, but the consistently high quality of the food is more than enough for me. Plus, it is yellow and looks like a school bus. That makes it very easy to spot on a busy street, actually. You can look at the basic menu on the website, but watch the tweets for specials for the day (usually lasting the week). That's where they really showcase the seasonal organic produce they source from the Los Feliz Farmers Market, where they serve brunch every Sunday. I haven't done that yet, but I will soon enough.

I'm always impressed with the flavors and combinations. Today was no exception. I had the new tuna melt with dill, caramelized onions, and swiss with a side of fried shamrocks (flash-fried broccoli) with the most incredible mustard vinaigrette I've ever tasted. Actually, it is their sauces or dips that stand out the most for me. The lime aoli with the roasted cauliflower I had a couple weeks ago made my day--and spurred me to roast my own cauliflower, but not attempt the aoli. The garlic aoli on the pulled pork is also something to write home about. As is the chumichurri on the tender steak sandwich (my plan for today until they unveiled the tuna melt). I was also inspired to buy beets, roast the roots and sautee the greens, after they served sauteed beet greens. And I have to say, that was the best broccoli I've ever had. Who knows, maybe I'll buy a crown this weekend. And by the way, their sweet potato fries are crisp and served with a tasty honey mustard dip. I'd get them, but their vegetable options beckon to me (both for creativity and healthfulness). Oh, I almost forgot about the sweet potato hash I had last week. A fragrant mix of seasonings, caramelized onions, and spice yogurt. Absolutely incredible.

You should stalk them too.

frankie and tiny's pies

Courtesy of a TastingTableLA email, I discovered Frankie and Tiny's pies in October, sold at the Silver Lake Farmers Market on Saturdays 8-1. Since then I've gone on a near-weekly basis for a pie or two. The BBQ pulled pork pie drew me in at first. The steak and ale (Newcastle) and steak and stout (Guiness) pies are my favorite. The pie crust is the same for all savory pies. It has the perfect texture and buttery taste the compliments the meat so perfectly. Carrie's whoopie pies are incredible (I've tried Belgian chocolate chip cookies with vanilla buttercream and chocolate cookies with mocha buttercream). And her blueberry pie? The best I've ever had. The chicken pot pie and beef pot roast pies are weekly staples. For non-meat eaters, there are quiche and vegan shephard's pie.

south philly experience

More like Total Grease Experience.

Let me back up a bit first. I'm obsessed with the ever-growing crop of gourmet food trucks. Before tonight I can't say that I've had a bad experience with any of these trucks, and by now I've tried more than ten. Some I've been to more than once (Buttermilk, Border Grill, and Dosa) and others I certainly would eat again as well (Gastrobus), among others.

When South Philly Experience announced its arrival some months back I was excited, because like so many other things, I can't find a good cheesesteak in Los Angeles. The creators are from Philly so you think it's going to be good.

Well... I ordered a cheesteak with onions and provolone and a side of sauteed broccoli rabe. The meat itself was incredibly dry yet the sandwich was leaking oil like an old car. Thank god I brought the food back to my car; had I attempted to eat this on the street I would have completely ruined everything I was wearing with grease. Instead, I covered my emergency break in grease before I managed to get it under control with the aluminum foil that covered my greens. That's also when I discovered that they were bathed in a thick pool of oil too. Once I finished the sandwich, which completely lacked the flavor and satisfaction that should come with so many calories, I took a couple bites of the broccoli rabe and declared them inedible. Only salt rivaled the oil for the distaste award.

Ugh. There's a reason they don't venture farther east than the western edges of Hollywood. People over here have taste.