Street Food Ottawa

Hey street food lovers!! This summer is big for my hometown of Ottawa as the municipal government has issued 18 new street vendor permits. Look for a wide variety of food to start hitting our streets in the coming weeks as their trucks and carts roll out of the shops!

To stay up-to-date on all Ottawa information, news and events, please check out my Street Food Ottawa website. We're also found on Twitter @StreetFoodOTT.

I'll update the Kathy Eats blog when I travel, or if I just have random things to share (re. more tacos). And as always, will continue to be a contributor to the Eat St blog for Food Network Canada.

Have a great summer of eating, I'll see you on the streets!!

Tijuana Street Food

Mexican food is my passion.  The fresh ingredients and simple recipes combine to create true comfort food.  So when I was in southern California back in November, I couldn't resist a day trip over the border to Tijuana.

Tijuana is really starting to see true growth in the food industry.  Although most of the best street stands and restaurants have been there for many years, there appears to be an increase in the exposure these vendors are getting. Whether it's through social media or a resurgence of tourism, TJ's streets are starting to attract young entrepreneurs and visitors.  More than ever, we are seeing food lovers explore what this city has to offer.  Food bloggers and life/culture reporters in southern California are now regularly writing about Tijuana. A touring dinner club "Club Tengo Hambre" that has begun hosting groups of hungry gringos for a day of eating and drinking at TJ's hottest spots.

I had three street carts on my list to check out and they did not disppoint...

TORTAS WASH MOBILE 

Check out "el gato" waiting on the bottom left side of the cart.

TWM has been in operation since 1964 and was originally located outside of a car wash, thus the name. Although the car wash is no longer there, they have continued the tradition of offering unbelievable tortas to the working class of Tijuana. TWM was my first destination after walking across the San Ysidro border. After a short cab ride dropped me off at a nearby gas station, I followed the smokey cloud to a cart that serves one item only; Carne Asada tortas (sandwiches). I joined the small group of older men, who all appeared to be friends, in line for my breakfast. Steak was sizzling away over charcoal and friendly local cat lingered along side of the stand waiting for bits of meat to drop. The large messy steak sandwich on a freshly baked bun was the perfect start to my day.

Location:

Jalisco, just south of Blvd Agua Caliente. (map)
Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or whenever they run out of food.


TACOS KOKOPELLI

I was admittedly very excited about Tacos Kokopelli. This large food trailer has gained a reputation for some of the best tacos in town, and definitely a "must do" on any street food tour. It's not often you see chef coats on street food carts, but you will at Tacos Kokopelli.  Here they seem to perfectly combine traditional ingredients with the the hipster taco vibe. I ordered both the Kraken (octopus) and Gringo en vacaciones (shrimp and queso) tacos. The Kraken taco was to this day, one of, if not the best taco I have ever eaten. They cook everything over a proper mesquite fire and offer homemade salsas. The guys working the cart were friendly, helpful and at least one of them spoke English, which helped with my broken Spanish issues...

The Kraken Taco (pulpo/octopus)

2 locations; 

Calle Ocampo, between 11th and Blvd. Agua Caliente.
Paseo Ensenada 2098. Playas de Tijuana.

MARISCOS RUBEN

I learned about this truck from one of my SoCal blogger colleagues, "Street Gourmet LA's" Bill Esparza. For the last 20 years, they have offered extremely fresh seafood items such as crab and grilled clam. I was hoping to get an order of the Cocteles de Jaiba (crab cocktail) but they did not have any fresh crab that day. So I opted for the seafood cocktail instead. It was served in a giant glass goblet, and unlike most American and Canadian food trucks, I just pulled up a stool to the side of the truck and was served right there. I couldn't help but to giggle to myself when noticing that the ladies working that day had a TV and satellite hooked up and were watching Telenovelas right there on the truck. They did their best to speak to me in their limited English, while I did the same with my Spanish. In the end, it all worked out.  The cocktail was so big, I had to get it in a take out container and struggled to finish it later that day along my walk back to the border.

Location;

Corner of 8th & Quintana Roo. Tijuana, B.C., Mexico

After spending the day eating at these carts and shopping at the Mercado Hidalgo (link), I wound my way through the streets and back to the border. Hoping to grab a quick snack of chicken necks at Kentucky Fried Buches, I was disappointed to find them closed at that time. Thankfully there is no shortage of street vendors to keep you well fed and hydrated along the path back to San Diego.  I grabbed a bag full of fresh churros for $1 (USD) and an ice cold horchata for the same price. 

Fresh churros being fried to order

I was sad to see the day end and already planning what to eat my next time around. Definitely looking to hook up with the Club Tengo Hambre crew sometimes next year as well as getting to know some of the beach side vendors in Ensenada and some local craft beers.

Gracias Tijuana, la comida era muy rica!

Tijuana Day Trip: Mercado Hidalgo

Mercado Hidalgo

As mentioned in my previous post; Tijuana Day Trip: The Basics, I spent a majority of my time in TJ at the Mercado Hidalgo. This market is located at the corner of Boulevard General Rodolfo Sanchez Toboada and Juan Sarabia in the ZonaEste neighborhood.  I took a taxi from the border and paid about $10 (including tip), or it's about a 25 minute walk.  I would suggest at least walking one way so you get to see some of the city, and eat at a few street carts/trucks along the way!

I was seriously the only gringo at the mercado, it was awesome, and exactly what I was hoping for. Everybody addressed me in Spanish and I did my best to speak back to them in their language. I not once felt unsafe or unwelcome. The colours of the produce, spices and decorations for Dia de Los Muertos were unbelievable. I wish I could have stayed longer...and eaten more.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Dozens of handmade quesos, many unpasturized..which basically just means they're better than any of our cheeses.

Sugar skulls for sale for all your Dia de Los Muertos altar needs.

Dried peppers

Gorgeous Habaneros

 Dulces (sweets)...which I somehow forgot to buy.

Huitalacoche, or "corn smut", is a fungus that mutates corn kernels. It creates a great earthy mushroom type kernel that is great in pretty much everything.

 Cleaning nopales (cactus paddles). These are great pickled or grilled. And put in tacos...like everything else.

Giant chicharrons. One of my favorite snacks.

 Inside the mercado, Kiko's Carnitas often serves tacos de sesos (brain tacos), but sadly today I had to "settle" for a regular carnita taco.

 Kiko's giant pile of carnitas.

 Salsas at one of the taco stands

 Beautiful squash flowers ready to be stuffed and fried.

Charcoal warming up for carne asada. If the taco shop you're buying from does not cook their carne asada on open coals, go elsewhere, it's not real asada!!

 So cheap, yet so delicious. Better than any $5 taco you've ever eaten.

 Huge Dia de los Muertos altar in the middle of the Mercado Hidalgo.

I bought several items at the market and had no problem bringing anything back across both the US and Canadian borders. Obviously, I only bought small amounts for "personal consumption" and claimed everything when questioned by guards.  Be honest, don't buy too much and you'll likely get to come home with all your foodie souveniers!

Next post...TJ street food carts!! 

Tijuana Day Trip: The Basics

Most people thought I was crazy when I told them the part of my trip I was most exited about was going to Tijuana. "WHY?!?!?" is the answer I got from almost everybody when I told them of my planned adventure. But, after chatting with several people in San Diego and Tijuana, including a fellow Parole Officer, I was reassured that the chances me coming home in one piece were very high.

So why you ask? Well, the food of course. But I'm guessing you already know that. How can a Mexican food obsessed kid go to Southern California and NOT talk a walk across the border to TJ? That just wouldn't be right.  So, after spending the night in a $22/night motel just by the San Ysidro border (it was just a very old Travelodge...right beside an outlet mall with Starbucks, Old Navy etc...not a total crack house) I parked my car at a lot right on the border and started walking.  

The parking lot is literally on the border. 

1.  WALK, don't drive.

All it takes is walk through a turnstile (top pic) to arrive in Tijuana. Make sure to check that you have your passport before that gate! You don't need it to get in to Mexico, but you will definitely want it to get out.  You'll probably walk by a couple heavily armed guards at some point too, but the chances are actually getting questioned by them are slim to none. One of the first things you will see after crossing the border is the line up of people heading into the US for work. Some days the wait can be about 2 hours for them to get through the line. It's for this reason that you want to make sure you time your time accordingly. Go into TJ first thing in the morning and head back in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. Thankfully if you do get stuck in line on the way back there's lots of street vendors to keep you hydrated and well fed!  If you drive you can expect even longer wait times, and there's no point since cabs are cheap and many places are within walking distance.

2. If you're not there looking for trouble, you have nothing to be afraid of.

The last time I made this walk was almost 20 years ago with my family. We of course did the touristy thing and stayed on Av Revolucion.  I remember annoying store owners and 3 year old kids selling Chicklets by themselves on the streets.  And the Zonkeys...but we'll get to that later.  Since that time it seems that there has been nothing travel warnings and negative media attention as a result of ongoing drug wars.  But let's get one thing straight...if you go to TJ looking for drugs and/or trouble, you will find it.  And you're an idiot.  The only indication of any criminal activity I saw was a bunch of guys getting arrested and thrown in the back of a pickup truck.  Not really anything too scary considering I'd probably see more walking through the market in Ottawa on any given day.  So if you look past all that and all the tourist trap garbage, you find a fun and quiet little border town with great people, food, and culture.

Avenida Revolucion - See...nice and clean! But prepare to be heckled.

3. Taxis

But let's get back to the basics.. Cross the border and (easily) navigate a little maze of bridges and walkways. There are signs to Av Revolucion, but you can also just follow the giant archway. Even if you are not going to the tourist area, this is the way to go. It takes about 5 minutes come to a street that hosts all the taxis. There are a few different types of taxis in TJ. The yellow cabs won't have a meter and you need to negotiate price before you go anywhere or you'll probably get screwed. These guys are also brutal for hassling you to use their service. When you see their taxi stand (just to the left when you cross the border), keep walking and cross the street. The white and orange "Taxi Libre" cabs have a meter, so there's no screwing around with price.  If you're not in a metered cab it's common to pay $5 US to Av Revolucion. I paid $10 US to go to the Mercado Hidalgo (which my next post will be about). 

4. Money

As far as money goes, I didn't buy my pesos until I was in TJ. Mainly because I got lazy and knew that worst case scenario, everybody would accept my American money. As you navigate the town there are hundreds of shops that will exchange your American money. I honestly couldn't be bothered to deal with exchange rates and all that crap, so I just went to the bank machine (cajera automatico).  Since I was spending the majority of my time in the local markets and at street vendors, I wanted to use pesos. 

5.  Learn a little Spanish

If you are straying from Av Revolucion, although it's not necessary, I really do recommend learning some basic Spanish. Although most people will understand English, not all will, and I defintiely found it helpful to have a few weeks of Spanish lessons under my belt.  Downloading a translation app for your smart phone is helpful too, but beware of roaming charges! I found the most helpful was knowing numbers for counting money and paying for stuff. While you are less likely to get scammed in the local markets and street vendors (and many prices are posted), it's still nice to understand a little...basically out of respect for their culture. Of course, the basics like "where's the bathroom" - Donde esta la bano?...is also seriously important.

While we're on the topic of bathrooms, be prepared to pay a couple pesos to use the facilities. At the Mercado Hidalgo there's literally a gate to get in that you need to insert coins into. Don't forget to grab some of the (neatly folded) toilet paper before entering as there will be none in the stalls. There is usually a helpful and friendly bathroom attendant that keeps everything sparkly clean too!

Lunchtime at a taco stand with entertainment from a random guy playing guitar. I love this culture!

 6.  Don't be afraid to try new foods!!

I cannot stress this enough.  Seriously, eat different cheeses and grab a pile of greasy carnitas from a street stand. The chances of you getting sick are must better in a local McDonald's than at these vendors. These families care about the product and customers more than most in Canada and the US. This is the heart of street food for me.  So sit down at a taco stand, listen to some guitar music, eat some amazing food and experience the true culture of this awesome little border town.

One of the streets parallel to Av Revolucion all decked out with bandarillas (little flags) for Dia de los Muertos.

 7.  If you're a tourist, be a tourist.  And shop at the liquor store...

Although I am stressing that you should visit the local markets, if you have never walked down Revolucion it's something that should probably be experienced. If anything, it will give you a laugh and prove that you never need to waste your time there ever again.  I walked back to the border through this area as I figured I should see what it was like compared to my childhood memories. Also, it's a great opportunity to grab some Tequila and vanilla before heading home. Research the different types of tequila to decide what you want and try samples from the liquor store vendors. For a quick decision, just look for anything that is made from 100% blue agave from the state of Jalisco.

As for the vanilla...just buy it. At $5 for a small bottle, there's no excuse not to if you enjoy cooking. Mexico is where vanilla originated and it really is a completely different flavour and aroma. Our supermarket vanilla extract smells like chemicals compared to this stuff.

8. Check out the Zonkeys

What is a Zonkey you say?? Well, quite simply it's a donkey with black stripes painted on it. There's usually a few along Revolucion where they are hooked up to a cart and tourists can get their picture taken on them. I can't recall how this started, but it's been going on since the 1940's apparently. I only saw one on my trip this time, and although I hope it wasn't, it appeared to be eating a pile of crushed up Doritos....

The TJ pro basketball team is also named the "Zonkey's". A true cultural phenomenon!

And yes, back in 1995 my family took a Zonkey picture. Probably one of the most embarrassing experiences ever to climb onto the poor animal. I remember my dad asking the photographer if we could get the picture in colour. The guy responded; "Yes, two colour...black and white". Ah, classic TJ memories...

Of course I had to choose the "Tequila" hat!

So, that was my little day trip. If you're thinking of taking the walk over the border, do your homework and learn a few words en espanol. Be safe and enjoy some of the local culture away from Revolucion!!

Stay tuned for the next post with details on my visit to the Mercado Hidalgo. One of the best food experiences of my life!

The Race to 100

It was around this time last year that I started to realize I had visited an extraordinary number of food trucks.  So I decided to make it my mission to get to 100 by the end of 2013.

For the purpose of this tally, I have included not only "gourmet food trucks", but also trailers, carts and a few traditional Mexican/Latin American trucks. These traditional trucks are just a small sample of the many I have visited and I felt that they were worthy of being included in the list due to the quality of product being produced.

The inaugural truck back in 2009 was Kogi BBQ in Los Angeles and the 100th truck was Jogasaki Burrito, also in LA. 

So here it is...the master "Street Eater" list!!!

Los Angeles
Kogi
Auntie's Fry Bread
MOEggrolls and Deli
Gravy Train Poutinerie
Jogasaki Burrito - 100th TRUCK!!!
The Burnt Truck
Lomo Arigato
Lobsta Truck
Tainamite Truck
My Delight Cupcakery
Big Gay Ice Cream - LA Pop Up Truck
Cheer Burger 
Mandoline Grill
Tamales Elena
Mariscos Jalisco

Tijuana
Tortas Wash Mobile
Tacos Kokopelli
Mariscos Ruben

Seattle
Maximus Minimus

New York City
Korilla
Comme Ci Comme Ca
La Bella Torte
Cupcake Crew
Wooly's Ice
Newyorkina
Solber Pupusas
Sam's Falafel
Tamales Guadalupe
Calexico
Schnitzel & Things
Wafels & Dinges
Carrillo Antojitos Chapines
Sunrise Grill
Mud Truck
Gorilla Cheese NYC
Biriyani Cart
The Cinnamon Snail
Big Gay Ice Cream
Okadaman
Nuchas
Bian Dang
Country Boys

Boston
Sunbird (Cape Cod)
Staff Meal
Roxy's Grilled Cheese
Lobsta Love
Frozen Hoagies
Momogoose
Go Fish
Clover

Vermont
The Skinny Pancake

Ottawa
Stone Soup Foodworks
Bite This!
Hot Potato Truck
Flatbread Pizza Co.
Chef on Wheels
The Merry Dairy
Wanna Wafel
B. Goods Bakery
Pizza and Panini
Trailer Pork Boys
Crispy Spring Roll
Relish
Strata Pizza
The Town Fryer

Rural Ontario
Seed to Sausage (Sharbot Lake)
Bren's Country Kitchen (Carleton Place) - Now Closed
Fatty Bo Batty (Stirling)

Toronto
Blue Donkey Streatery
El Gastromono Vagabundo
Gorilla Cheese
Wingmee's 
Toasted Tangerine
Cupcake Diner
Caplansky
Food Cabbie
Busters Sea Cove
Dobro Jesti
Shriners Creek Kettle Corn
Rome'n Chariot
Manual Labour Coffee
Curbside Bliss
Per Se Mobile
Fidel Gastro
Hank Daddy's BBQ
Stuft Truck
Sweetness Bakery
Tide and Vine
Gourmet Gringos
Urban Smoke Truck
The Feisty Jack

Montreal
Grumman78
Pas de Cochon Dans Ma Salon
Lucky's
Crepe-moi
La Mangeoire
Route 27
Winneburger
Lucille's
Gaufrabec

BC
Tacofino
Wildside Grill
Roaming Dragon
Re-Up BBQ
Coma Food Truck - Now Closed
The Kaboom Box
Dim Sum Express
Feastro the Rolling Bistro
The Juice Kaboose
The Campfire Grill
Chili Tank

As of today...November 6, 2012, I have visited a total of 111 trucks.  Can't wait to get back out on the streets in 2013!

Food Truck Road Trip - SoCal/TJ

Awww...my first food truck back in 2009. Kogi BBQ in LA.

Well, I just set off for my next food truck adventure this morning. I'm finally making a return trip to the city that introduced me to gourmet food trucks and authentic Mexican taquerias...Los Angeles! Some of you will know that for various reasons I had to cancel this trip twice already this year. But, with an abbreviated schedule and some well deserved time off work, I think I have finally managed to make it happen!

I'll be in Southern California for a total of 8 days stating today. I'm excited to meet some food truck friends I have gotten to know over the past year through various blogs and Twitter, and I may have even brought a couple of the Canadian inspired trucks a few treats from home! With only 8 to go before hitting my 100^th truck, I am curious to see where I will end up for this milestone food truck meal. Of course, I will at some point need to track down the Kogi BBQ truck. As they were the ones that popped my food truck cherry back in 2009, it just feels right to go back for another round of Korean tacos.

But aside from the ever popular and fun “gourmet trucks”, I am mostly excited for the chance to immerse myself in the Mexican culture. With only 6 weeks of Spanish lessons under my belt, I'm hoping that I will have adequate confidence and ability to converse with the street vendors and (maybe) learn a little from Latin American community members along the way.

I have purposely scheduled this trip to coincide with La Dio de los Muertos, the “Day of the Dead” festival at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in LA. On this day, the Mexican community (as well as several other Latin American countries) celebrate the lives of the loved ones they have lost. Most families construct large and elaborately decorated altars with photos, sugar skulls, flowers and food, among other items. The festival itself can best be described as “Halloween meets Carnivale”. Participants often dress up or paint themselves to resemble skeletons, and enjoy dancing and eating authentic Mexican foods during the celebration. Definitely looking forward to this experience.

With ample time allowed in my itinerary for exploring East LA and the Boyle Heights neighbourhood, along with a day trip to Tijuana, I will no doubt return home with an even greater appreciation for Latino culture...and of course, the food!!

As always, you are welcome to follow along on Twitter @Street_Eater with my adventures. And if you have any specific trucks or street vendors in The LA area that you'd like to see me visit/profile, please let know know and I'll do my best to get to them!

THE ULTIMATE OTTAWA FOOD TRUCK LIST

Name: Bite This
Location: Corner of Scott St and McRae St. (across from Trailhead)
Hours: Monday to Saturday 11-3pm
Menu: Asian influenced

Name: Stone Soup Foodworks
Location: Ottawa U campus during school year. Festivals in the summer.
Menu: Soups, tacos, other local and sustainable treats.
Website: http://www.stonesoupfoodworks.ca
Twitter: @StoneSoupTruck

Name: The Merry Dairy
Location: Roaming (often west end communities)
Menu: Frozen custard
Website: http://www.themerrydairy.com/
Twitter: @TheMerryDairy

Name: Relish the Flavour
Location: Ottawa U campus during school year. Festivals in the summer.
Menu: Rotating
Website: http://www.relishtheflavour.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @relishtruck











Name: Wanna Wafel
Location: Bank St/5th Ave. As well as some festivals.
Hours: Weekdays 3-8pm. Weekends 10-5pm
Menu: Liege and Brussels style waffles
Website (franchise): www.wannawafel.com
Twitter: @wannawafel_ott

Name: B. Goods Bakery
Location: Saturday Main St Market. Festivals/events
Menu: Fresh baked cookies, coffee, espresso
Website: http://www.bgoods.ca/
Twitter: @Bgoodbakery

Name: Flatbread Pizza Company
Location: Ottawa Farmers Market Sundays 8-3pm. Various festivals/events
Menu: Wood-Fired Pizza made with local and seasonal ingredients
Website: www.flatbreadco.ca
Twitter: @FlatbreadPizzaC

Name: The Hot Potato Company
Location: Ottawa Farmers Market Sundays 8-3pm. Various festivals/events
Menu: Baked potatoes/wedges (bother regular and sweet), lemonade, other random treats.
Website: http://hotpotatoco.com/
Twitter: @hotpotatotruck

Name: Chef on Wheels
Location: Weekdays (lunch) Lisgar St at Elgin St.
Menu: Viet-Thai, and "chip truck" favorites

Name: Strata Pizza
Location: Fesivals/events
Menu: Wood-fired pizza
Website: www.stratapizza.ca
Twitter: @STRATAPIZZA

Name: Pascale's All Natural Ice Cream
Location: Ottawa Farmers Market Sundays 8-3pm. Various festivals/events
Menu: Homemade Ice Cream, Popsicles
Website: http://www.pascalesicecream.com/
Twitter: @PascalesAllNat

Name: Trailer Pork Boys
Location: Corner of Carling and Merivale at the Macies Best Western Hotel
Hours: Weekdays 11-7pm. Saturday 11-6pm
Menu: BBQ/Smoked Pork
Website: www.trailerporkboys.ca/
Twitter: @trailerporkboys

Name: Crispy Spring Roll
Location: Main St. Stittsville beside the TD bank
Menu: Viet-Thai, and "chip truck" favorites

Name: Pizza & Panini
Location: Various Events/Festivals
Menu: Wood-fired Pizza and Panini











Rural Trucks/Trailers (Off the beaten path, but still in the 613)

Name: Seed to Sausage
Location: 12821 Highway 38. Sharbot Lake
Hours: Check Twitter for updates on if it's open.
Menu: Rotating depending on the guest chef.
Website: http://seedtosausage.ca/
Twitter: @Seed_to_Sausage

Name: Fatty Bo Battys
Location: 260 West Front St. Stirling.
Hours: 11-8pm daily
Menu: Chef described as "upscale carnival food" (pulled pork sandwiches, deep fried oreos, etc.)










Coming Soon!!

Town Fryer - Preston St.