Orange County Fair ~ Costa Mesa

The All-American Boys Chorus

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I have been to several spots to go watch the games and honestly, none have been as fun, as packed and in great spirits as La Guelaguetza.

And tomorrow…I will definitely be found at La Guelaguetza once again to watch Mexico’s 2nd game against France. Solo or along with friends, I am rolling through to enjoy some good food, good hospitality and good vibes. With a nice World Cup menu on deck, great specials, great vibes, a 150 inch screen, and screaming fans, there is no other place I’d rather be to watch the game.

So if anyone wants to enjoy the game tomorrow in the midst of some crazy Mexican rowdy fans, swing on by to La Guetlaguetza in Korea Town. Come eat, drink, cheer, meet peeps and watch Mexico beat France like it was Cinco de Mayo.

These are the menu specials for tomorrow —

To read more about the celebration swing on by to Galo Eating
See ya there everyone. And if you mention LoveGalo to the owner, receive a free plate of appetizers or drinks.

You wouldn’t think that North Korea would be a big marketing draw in the United States, although a couple of North Korean style eateries in K-town seem to be doing just fine, using images of Kim Jong Ill AKA “Dear Leader” to create a certain atmosphere. The Pyongyang Express is the city’s latest fusion taco truck, blending North Korean specialties and iconography with tacos, burritos, and quesadillas. Perhaps the truck’s owners are hoping to capitalize on North Korea’s World Cup entry (even though the DRPK hasn’t actually purchased an authorized World Cup broadcasting license). Below is an interview with the truck’s official mouthpiece, Sun-Hee Kim. The truck promises subsidized food in the true spirit of the North.

UPDATE: Noted in the comments, it’s E3 (videogame conference) in downtown LA. One of the games being marketed is Homefront, which is about North Korea invading America. Given the over the top marketing and graphics, it’s quite possible this truck is part of a viral marketing campaign.

Who is the owner of the truck?
Pyongyang Express owns North Korean BBQ company. North Korean food is not new to Koreatown, but this is the first truck and best North Korean BBQ.

Can you explain a little more about how the food is subsidized?
The cost of food is cheaper than many BBQ truck because we just care about people eating. Not money. Just like DPRK provide foods and doctor to my country people, we will show Los Angeles great welcome to our Pyongyang Express BBQ truck.

What are some differences between North and South Korean food?
North Korean people take much honor and care in every ingredient use in recipe. Unlike very fast, tasteless food. Pyongyang BBQ cater gourmet food and should not be considered street food.

Is the truck infused with the spirit of Juche? How does this come out in the truck?
North Korean peoples believe Juche is the guide to life! It has make us come to LA and open Pyongyang BBQ. We have infused Juche not only in our foods and picture on truck, but we will revolutionize North Korean way of life to people here.

Are you concerned by the problems between the Government of the USA and of North Korea and how it will impact the business?
Pyongyang Express do not care about silly politics here, we want to build a better America. We want to show great North Korean BBQ to everyone who wants to eat good foods. People do not care about politics when they see and taste the BBQ at very cheap cost.

YES everyone…pooped out coffee…

While watching the the World Cup opening game of Mexico vs South Africa on Friday at La Guelaguetza, one of my friend’s mentioned something about the most expensive coffee in the world made out of pooped out coffee beans. I was like whaaaa….???

Extremely intrigued, I immediately looked it up upon getting home, in disbelief of course, and lo and behold, found it was true.

Apparently, this coffee, named Kopi Luwak, is coffee that is made up from defecated coffee berries that the Asian Palm Civet could not digest.  The coffee is said to run you roughly $30.00 – $50.00 a cup of coffee or $300.00 – $500.00 a pound.

Undigested Civet Pooped Out Coffee Beans

To read more visit:

Galo Eating

Beverly & Kenmore ~ Los Angeles

My CityofLA

One thing I love about the Assistant Organizers of my dining group, Pleasure Palate, is that they are truly passionate about exploring LA’s culinary landscape. This past Saturday, 7 of us went with one of my AOs, Cecilia, on her East LA Foodie C’Rave. C’Rave by the way is short for Culinary Rave and I can only rave about the fun we had, as we hit 7 foodie destinations in East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights. Our first stop was at Cemitas Poblanas Elvirita.

While waiting for the rest of the group, a few of us early birds shared a Taco Abaje with pork and chipotle. It seemed more like a thinly rolled burrito than a taco. I liked the kick of the chipotle sauce and a squeeze of lime added a tart freshness to the pork.

Once everyone arrived, we ended up sharing 3 different Cemitas. Since we weren’t sure of everyone’s heat tolerance, we ordered the chipotle on the side, which I thought was a good idea, because it gave me a chance to taste the meat by itself before adding the spice to my sandwich. My favorite was the Milanesa. I really enjoyed the beef’s crispy battered coating. I liked the Barbacoa second, although I found the lamb to be a bit dry on its own. The addition of the chipotle sauce fixed that right away. Unfortunately, I thought the Carnitas Cemitas was a little too salty for my taste. For all three, I really enjoyed the bread, which was crusty and not overly thick.

After finishing off our Cemitas, we headed to Birreria Chalio. Walking in, I was quite surprised to see all the deer heads on the wall, especially since I don’t recall seeing venison on the menu.

You might have already heard about the electronic highway signs in Florida that were hacked to read “NO LATINOS” and “NO TACOS.”

This is obviously not the first time these signs around the country have been hacked; but they are usually jokes about zombies or something else that is not politically motivated.  Obviously we hold tacos close and dear to our hearts and the thought that anyone could really, truly hate tacos is beyond all imagination.  However, as pointed out in this excerpt from the Huntington Post:

‘Reactions to the “No Latinos no tacos” sign have been mixed. One user, @MikeRiggs, tweeted, “I think “No Latinos”/”No Tacos” road sign is pro-immigration… w/o Latinos, you don’t get tacos!” Another, @Emmalerner87, called the road signs an instance of discrimination, tweeting in Spanish, “No Tacos No Latinos = Discriminacion.”‘

Maybe together the meaning could be ambiguous; but separately it is quite clear that this is discrimination and a reflection of the opposing lines of the immigration battle.

One of the cheapest AYCE Korean BBQ places I’ve been too.  It’s in a strip mall off 6th street and open til 2am which is always a plus.  19 items for $16.99 is a great deal plus they serve beer and soju.  Everything from pork shoulder to Korean beef to whole squid on a hot plate.  They start off with the kimchee (sour type) and bean sprouts cooking on the stone grill; then you just add the meats around and eat as much as you can.  They come around and clean the stone with shredded daichon so you don’t get stuck with a bunch of burned meat.  The banchan (side dishes) are pretty decent; you get kimchi pancakes (a must for drinkers) and soybean paste soup.  The meal ends with kimchi fried rice they cook on the stone grill.  It’s absolutely delicious.  However the last time I was here I was so stuffed I skipped the rice.

The service is OK.  I mean, it’s AYCE so don’t expect too much beyond a smile.  They try to cook the food for you but if you prefer to DIY you can just tell them or motion that you got it covered.  The English is spotty so alot of gestures and motions will get you what you want.  Plus they have the bells at the table to ring for more meat and beer.  I don’t know if they take reservations but they are definitely packed so prepare to wait.  And like I said, open til 2am so it’s definitely got my vote.

(213) 389-8777

Yep that’s right.  Time to get your priorities straight and eat some burgers.  Whether it be soy based or buffalo or turkey or beef; go out to your favorite place and chow down.  Check out some of my favorite places to grab a burger…

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