“Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded.”
-Yogi Berra
In the days leading up to this weekend’s Awesometown food truck festival, I had a sense that the crowds were going to be massive. A lot of my friends are the type to seek out the better trucks in LA and/or stand in a snaking, hour-long line when one of these trucks makes it into our city. Of course we would go — it’s that second and third layer of friends, family and acquaintances that had me worried.
On paper, this looked to be the coolest thing to happen in Santa Clarita in a very long time. To a food-nerd like myself, this wasn’t to be missed. I arrived 30 minutes early, parked steps away from the trucks and made fast conversation with friends I spotted. There were some twenty trucks, but many of us had come to the independent conclusion that the crucial trucks would be Ludo and Border Grill, in that order. So there I stood, about fifth in line for Ludo.
What’s Ludo? I think you mean “Who’s Ludo?” Ludo is Ludovic Lefebvre, one of the most forward-looking chefs working in America, and certainly one of the top five chefs in all of Southern California. A few years ago, he hit reset on his stratospheric-trending career and same up with new ways to present his food. The most notable being LudoBites, soon in its 6th iteration (I could go on and on, but it’s a very big deal, and so is he).
Recently, Ludo joined the food truck game, but from an unlikely direction: fried chicken. He offers three different types of fried chicken and a few sides. The chicken, the slaw and the fries are all delicious and accessible. Easy to eat and easy to share.
Please, enjoy this picture. I remarked to my friend who took this picture, “these fries, and that béarnaise, it’s like being transported to Paris… nothing this good has ever been made in Santa Clarita.”
Ludo, making fried chicken, in Valencia. That just about says it all: one of the very best chefs in the game, using expert preparation and great ingredients to serve humble street food, right on our door step. That’s the attraction. Los Angeles might be, as the great food critic proclaimed, “…the best place in the world to eat now.” The truck scene, as we know it, began in Los Angeles and is both a reflection and an addition to its culinary landscape. But they don’t need these trucks like we do. I agree with Jeff: let’s do this again. A thousand times over.
A good friend of mine spends much of his time traveling the world, eating things both delicious and unspeakable. Arriving at 6PM, he left just as quickly. The lines were insanely long and he had his kids. I get that. (note: I’ve learned the hard way that kids do not pair well with food trucks) It wasn’t for everyone, but it was great for enough of us to declare it a success. Just about every truck either sold out of served continuously through the event, without interruption.
And that, I suppose, is my retort to the complainers. It was a complete success. If you planned ahead and arrived early – or had some patience and stayed late – you likely had a chance to eat as much as you could handle. I had to leave at about six, but not before scoring from two trucks, all while having great conversation and running into about half the people I know.
I know a lot of you love Santa Clarita for its Yacht Rock tribute bands in the park. And I’m happy for you. But on Saturday, the rest of us had our chance, and we had a blast. Just as I suspected, it was coolest thing to happen in Santa Clarita in a very long time. I’ve found that those who came and stuck around had a great time. The naysayers seem to be those who missed out. (For next time, check out Lady Ducayne’s pro tips for food truck festival enjoyment)
It’s worth noting that this was really an event for the purpose of selling the remaining group of homes in Valencia. I’d go into why and how, but that’s another post. The City, by all appearances, had nothing to do with it. (For one, they wouldn’t have hired an company named “Cluster Truck” to make it happen). Much respect is due to team Awesometown. They did a great thing for this community. But soon enough, these homes will be sold and their incentive to throw such a bash will be gone.
I hope this event made truck operators give our town another look. I’m aware of a well-repected truck that was blown away by the turnout, and is seriously considering a return trip. I also hope that this event inspires others in the valley to facilitate festivals like this. Already, Brave New World Comics in Newhall hosts trucks regularly.
Final bit: this picture speaks a thousand words. I can scarcely think of two people I know whose views differ more than the guy on the left and the guy in the center. Look at those smiles! It was that kind of night. All I can say is the guy on the right is a helluva diplomat.
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