Fair Foodie Fest: Too Much of a Not-So-Good Thing?

 

You're supposed to eat terrible things at the fair. That's part of the contract. But what if there are no fairs, but you're still craving a deep fried Krispy Kreme donut chicken sandwich.

Well, you've got problems. But nonetheless, fair food has become a crazy exercise in trying to top yourself with something even more unhealthy. It's fun at the Los Angeles County Fair in doses, and then there was the recent Fair Foodie Fest at the Rose Bowl. The idea: A drive-through experience with the chance of ordering all of your fair favorites.

Ultimately, as you see above, Evan went with a massive turkey leg, while below, we also got bacon cheese fries. Honestly, we were pretty tame vs. what we could have gotten. (The longest line of the evening was for a pulled pork sandwich stall.)

What was a bit disappointing is that it wound up being all the same vendor, and many of the stalls had similar food. At least at the fair, the choices are much more varied. Where was Chicken Charlie's?

The key selections: 

GIANT TURKEY LEGS
DEEP FRIED COOKIE DOUGH
MAPLE BACON FUNNEL CAKE
FUNNEL CAKE CHEESEBURGERS
KRISPY KREME DONUT CHEESEBURGERS
FUNNEL CAKES
DEEP FRIED OREOS, SNICKERS, KOOL AID, BUTTER
COTTON CANDY, KETTLE CORN AND LEMONADES
HAWAIIAN CHICKEN TERIYAKI PINEAPPLE BOWLS
Brand new BBQ ZONE featuring BBQ RIBS, BBQ CHICKEN, PULLED PORK SANDWICHES, and MORE
MEXICAN CURLY FRIES with JALAPENOS
CHEESE BACON CURLY FRIES

If you're looking for the Fair Foodie Fest, it's next appearing this weekend at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif. Get your free entrance tickets here.

Roy Choi Pops Up With a 'Crazy Rich Asians' Dinner

To celebrate the digital video arrival of hit film "Crazy Rich Asians," Warner Bros. Home Entertainment held "Crazy Rich Eating," a series of pop-up restaurant events featuring celebrity Asian American chefs. Held in West Hollywood in a former fast food restaurant (converted for the occasion), Roy Choi, Andrew Le and Eddie Huang cooked for guests — including stars from the film.

On the night we attended, Roy Choi was the chef, while guests included Jimmy O. Yang, Harry Shum Jr., and Awkwafina. Here's what we dined on, based on items from Choi's Chego restaurant:

"The $12 Salad": baby spinach, mizen and goat cheese, w/ cranberries, candied pecans, seasonal pickles, miso and fried shallots

"Ooey Gooey Fries": beer-battered, w/ sour cream sambal, monterey jack and cheddar cheese, cotija, chillies, cilantro and pickled garlic

Fried egg (this came out separately and no one told us to save it to put on top of the other dishes)

"Chubby Pork Belly": kochujang-lacquered Kurabuta pork belly rice bowl w/ fried egg, pickled radishes, water spinach, Chinese broccoli, cotija and peanuts

"Leafy T": fried chili garlic tofu rice w/ fried egg, Thai basil, water spinach, Chinese broccoli and fried shallots

"Sour Cream Hen House": marinated grilled chicken rice bowl w/ fried egg, Chinese broccoli, sour cream sambal, Thai basil, toasted sesame and red chillies

"Chocolate Très Leches": devil's food cake soaked in cayenne-cinnamon infused leeches w/ tapioca milk pudding and spiced peanut brittle

Stuffed. 

Why Foodie (and "Everybody Loves Raymond" Creator) Phil Rosenthal Says L.A. is a Better Food Town Than New York

"Everybody Loves Raymond" creator Phil Rosenthal has a confession to make: In the battle between New York and Los Angeles, when it comes to food, L.A. is the winner.

Rosenthal, now the host of PBS’ "I’ll Have What Phil’s Having," is a New York native, so his change of allegiance carries some weight. After 25 years of living in L.A. and investing in the restaurant scene here, Rosenthal says it’s not even a contest.

“I’m declaring Los Angeles the winner,” Rosenthal told me recently for a TV Insider story. “And I’m a snobby New Yorker. Right now L.A. is the best food city in America. I’m proud of it. And I can prove it.”

Rosenthal tackled Los Angeles on a recent episode of "I’ll Have What Phil’s Having," which doubled as the show’s Season 1 finale. In the episode, Rosenthal takes his Raymond star Ray Romano to the Farmers’ Market for breakfast at Loteria; comedian Martin Short to chef Roy Choi’s Commissary; and Mom star Allison Janney to downtown’s historic Grand Central Market.

He also checks out a taco truck with The Nightly Show host Larry Wilmore, and takes legendary producer Norman Lear and actor Paul Reiser to Langer’s deli for the best pastrami sandwich in the country.

My friend Diane and I met up with Rosenthal at the famed Farmers’ Market (at the corner of 3rd and Fairfax), and yes, we had what Phil was having: Fresh seafood from Tusquellas Fish & Oyster Bar. Read our full conversation here.

Has the Pumpkin Craze Gone Too Far?

I've sworn off Pumpkin Spice Lattes since Starbucks began posting calorie counts-- I just can't do it. But nonetheless, as Trader Joe's stocks up on pumpkin products for the season, I'm all in. My personal favorites: Trader Joe's Pumpkin Biscotti and Trader Joe's Pumpkin Mochi. Worth the calories.

But see above. Pumpkin-flavored dog treats. This is a joke, right? Trader Joe's having a self-deprecating laugh? We may be through the looking glass, people!

Roy Choi and Anthony Bourdain on Tackling L.A.'s Biggest Stereotypes

Earlier this fall, CNN held a luncheon at Roy Choi's Koreatown eatery POT to unveil the network's new interactive series Street Food with Roy Choi. On the show, Choi meets up with influencers and trendsetters on the streets of LA, including YouTube star Michelle Phan, filmmaker Jon Favreau (whose movie "Chef" included Choi as a consultant) and DJ Tokimonsta. Superstar chef Anthony Bourdain, who executive produces "Street Food" with Choi, also appears.

At the CNN event, I asked Bourdain and Choi to reflect on what they think are the biggest misconceptions and stereotypes that persist about L.A. Here's what they had to say:

Bourdain: That it's Hollywood. Roy said the single most informative thing anyone has ever said to me about LA, and it totally changed my perspective. I was wondering why LA doesn't have the fine dining scene that New York has, as many Michelin restaurants and French guides.

I asked, "Are you not paying chefs enough, what is it?" And he said, "Look, the culinary spine of New York is European. That's not true here at all. The whole cultural culinary spine of LA has always been Asian and Latino." It's also LA's greatest strength. What I want to do when I come out here is eat Mexican and Central American food. I go to K-town. I just want wallow in delicious Korean food as long as I can because we don't have it as strong [in New York].

One of the satisfying things of shooting a show here is we thought it might be a challenge to do a show in LA that never shows the Hollywood sign. We didn't want to show any white people at all. We wanted to shoot an entire episode and never leave Koreatown. I've barely scratched the surface. Jesus, can you imagine Jonathan Gold's Rolodex? How long it would take to go through all of those restaurants? That is endlessly fascinating to me.

Choi: I'm from here, and I have a little bit of a guard dog's watch on this city when people talk shit about it. I try to really make people feel our city. Sometimes it's not through words. A lot of times the residents of our city don't have the chance to fight back because English is not their first language. What I try to do as a bridge is represent the people of this city and the strength of our city. Through that I am able to find a flavor that once people taste it, it changes their lives.

That's how LA is. A lot of people find a new life for themselves in LA. We have a lot of New Yorkers on this show, looking at how they came here and never left. There are a lot of misconceptions about this city because it's so new and there's a lot of flashy things, that it's all paper thin. But we're not what you want us to be. Why people can't get us is they try to fit us into something that relates to something else. This is fresh out here.

Bourdain: But you are really shitty drivers out here. That part is true.

Choi: You're always fascinated by the left turns out here.

Bourdain: Merge, people, just merge. It's not that hard, just decide who's going first! I'm obsessed with the cliches though to. I'm obsessed with old Hollywood. Right now I have a mania for the Garden of Allah, this long gone hotel on Sunset. I have historical obsessions here that I'm looking to incorporate into my show somehow.

It was a great conversation... but the reason to visit POT is the food, of course! Here's a sampling of what we ate that day:

Kush Salad (Asian greens, radish, fruit, pine nut mustard dressing); Kat Man Doo (steamed dumplings); Potato Pancakes; BBQ Veggies; BBQ Spicy Pork; Kimchi Fried Rice; Old School Hot Pot (marinated rib eye bulgogi, noodles, kimchi, scallion, sesame); Cabbage Hot Pot (soy bean paste, veggies, tofu, squash, potatoes)

More pics:

As LA's Food Truck Phenomenon Turns 5, "Food Truck Week LA" Kicks Off This Saturday

Can you believe it's been five years now since the L.A. food truck craze kicked off? (Here's our first post about the phenomenon in 2009.)

Cut to 2014, and food truck culture is still going strong. And now, starting this Saturday, the food truck app Roaming Hunger will curate its first-ever Food Truck Week LA. From Saturday, October 4 through Saturday, October 11, the evebt will offer special deals on signature dishes from 30 of LA’s most popular food trucks, including The Grilled Cheese Truck, Coolhaus and the Hungry Nomad. Details:

Deals include half-off entrees, free dessert with purchase, free side with purchase, buy one entrée get one free as well as $5 lunch specials. Secret deals will be offered throughout the week.

Additional participating trucks include Komodo, Dia De Los Puercos, Mangia, Vchos, Trailer Park Truck, Greenz On Wheelz, Hang 10 Tacos, Farmer’s Belly, Tokyo Doggie Style, Wicked Kitchen, Roll ‘N Lobster, Green Truck, Yalla Truck, Chili Philospher, Breezy Freeze, Flatiron Truck, Brasil Kiss, Rollin Rib BBQ, Vizzi Truck, Hamborghini, Tacomaniaco, Free Range, Postcards Cas, Wise BBQ, Sweet E’s and Amazebowls.

Go here for more details.

Kettle Corn Coffee? Maple Bacon Frosting? America's Flavor Explosion Continues

I love weird flavors more than most. This is the most wonderful time of the year in Flavorville, as pumpkin, apple and all sorts of spice-flavored versions of popular products hit the shelves. But nonetheless... I will *not* be trying Kettle Corn Ground Coffee, as spotted at Target. Nope.



This is similarly going too far. Maple Bacon frosting. I applaud the effort. But no.



I'm with you here. Pumpkin Spice M&Ms are pretty great. And I can appreciate Candy Corn M&Ms too.



I would indeed like to learn more about Cookie Dough Oreos.



Bought a large box of Pumpkin Pop Tarts. Ate 'em. (Kids ate most of 'em.) I approve.



Again with the frosting? Sorry Betty Crocker, "Candy Corn" frosting just sounds like too much.



I wish "Caramel Apple Oreos" were available in trial size packages. I'm curious... but am not about to be stuck with an entire bag of inedible cookies.

From Crispy Fish Tacos to Miso Donuts, Filling Our Bellies at The Taste's Opening Night

There are plenty of food festivals in Los Angeles. But I don't think there's one better organized than Los Angeles Times' The Taste, now taking place this weekend at the Paramount lot. The event attracts top-notch restaurants, which offer up perfect bite-sized eats, and there's never a long wait for any of the vendors. You can eat well at The Taste.

And last night, at the Opening Night of The Taste, we ate very well. Some highlights:


Yep, those tacos were crispy. And effing good. Maria and I agree, this was the best item of the night. And it was the very first thing we ate. From the Church Key.


Waterloo & City


Adding a drizzle to the miso donuts at Hinoki & The Bird


Fried chicken sandwich from Plan Check Kitchen + Bar


Putting together those Plan Check sandwiches


Feel the burn! Spicy curry chicken from Jitlada Thai Cuisine. And I mean SPICY. But even through the tears, no regrets!


Forkin'! At Phorage.


Other restaurants at opening night included: Alma, Bowery Bungalow, Bulgarini Gelato, CAFE del REY Chichen Itza Restaurant, DeSano Pizza Bakery, esCaLA Ktown, Firefly, Fred 62, Goldie’s, Guelaguetza, Hamasaku, Horse Thief BBQ, iPic, Mexicali Taco & Co., Pedalers Fork, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Sun Cafe, Sushi Roku, Tanzy, The BLVD- Beverly Wilshire Hotel, The Counter Burger, The Restaurant at Mr. C Beverly Hills, The Whisper Restaurant and Lounge, Union, Urban Garden, Wood & Vine.

Some tickets are still available for the Saturday and Sunday events; go here for details. (Keep in mind that, per the website, LA Times food critic Jonathan Gold is no longer involved with this weekend's festivities due to "unforeseen circumstances.")

L&L's Cheaper Version of the Ramen Burger Comes to Town

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue founder/president Eddie Flores calls it "bigger, better and cheaper" than the original. I can't speak to it being bigger or better, but L&L's take on the now-trendy ramen burger is indeed cheaper. And it's now showing up in local L&L locations (at least, as far as I know, in Glendale, Eagle Rock and Pasadena).



I tried the L&L ramen burger during our recent trip to Hawaii and.. it wasn't bad. There's an interesting taste when you slap a burger between two tightly-wound patties of cooked ramen.



(I tried both the ramen burger and the ramen BBQ chicken sandwiches. Although I usually prefer chicken, in this case the burger was better.)



Chef Keizo Shimamoto originally came up with the idea for the ramen burger, and famously drew four-hour lines last fall when he brought it to Torrance. According to the LA Weekly, a brick-and-mortar Ramen Burger is coming:

The Ramen Burger brick-and-mortar, which will soft-open on Aug. 1, will be a walk-up window located next to the popular Koreatown bar Lock & Key. Patrons of Lock & Key will be able to order the ramen burger inside the bar, as the two venues will share a kitchen. A hidden cocktail bar PLUS ramen burgers: It doesn't get much better than that.

The Ramen Burger menu will consist of the original ramen burger, which features a handmade ramen bun, scallions, ground beef patty, baby arugula and secret shoyu sauce. The spicy La Sriracha Macha specialty ramen burger, which debuted at last month’s DTLA Night Market, will become a regular menu item available at the brick-and-mortar.

The veggie ramen burger will also be available, as will various iterations of french fries: red miso and cheese; aonori seaweed and sea salt; and Shaka Shaka fries. There will also be the option to add a fried egg and bacon to any of the burgers.

If you can't wait, the L&L ramen burger is on sale now.

Stuffing Our Faces at the LA Street Food Festival

They warned us to wear stetchy pants, and we indeed showed up to Saturday's Los Angeles Street Food Festival ready to eat. More than 100 booths offered up samples of dishes from a wide variety of Latin, Asian, European, American and other dishes, as well as an iced coffee lounge, an ice cream/dessert section, a tequila tasting tent as well as beer, wine and cold drinks. I brought along the Blogger Kids and we arrived at the Rose Bowl around 4:30, hoping to beat the crowd.

The crowd was already huge, and we never made it through the Latin area. But we did manage to try a wide range of items. Some photo highlights:



The Grilled Cheese Truck were among the mobile eateries making an appearance.



Golden Road -- enjoying a bit of Point the Way IPA to counteract the heat.



The early crowds at the LA Street Food Fest.



Of course, the boys steered us over to the ice cream and dessert tents.

At Salt & Straw, I tried a coffee & bourbon ice cream, while Blogger Kid had sea salt/caramel and Blogger Kid 2.0 tried chocolate with gooey brownies.



You have a friend in Donut Friend.



I Heart Spam at the Aloha Plate truck!



Quenelle offers up an apple pie bon bon with bourbon caramel.



Nothing new about Sushi Roku, but still a solid spicy tuna roll and baked crab roll.