Secret to success in the food truck biz? Have Sofia Vergara (right) serve up the goods. With his 2014 film "Chef," Jon Favreau (center) tracks a fictional food truck and its quick-tempered chef.
Merrick Morton / Distributor: Open Road Films
Dynamic diners —
Before filming "Chef," Favreau (right) sought out consulting help from chef Roy Choi (left), whose Kogi food truck launched a Korean taco phenomenon in 2008.
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Many imitators, no duplicators —
Imitators of Choi's famed Korean barbecue tacos (featuring caramelized Korean barbecue short rib) can now be found from New York to Hong Kong to Amsterdam. Here's the real thing.
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L.A. institution —
Today, Kogi's four trucks roam Los Angeles, drawing crowds wherever they go.
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Kim Yum —
Kogi's menu also includes such creations as the kimchi quesadilla.
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Mexican gyros? It happens here —
"The food truck scene has become emblematic of Los Angeles," says Favreau."It's a recombination of the cultures that make up the tapestry of L.A."
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Coat to coast coverage —
You can now buy everything from acai bowls to greasy burgers to Maine lobster rolls (pictured, from Cousins Maine Lobster) from food trucks.
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Not above a pun —
Roaming Hunger is one of several apps that track movements of food trucks. Many trucks operate their own websites to let fans know where they'll be on any given day and time.
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Tacos, dudes —
L.A.'s food trucks are an extension of Southern California's long-established "taco trucks" that sell freshly made tacos and other Mexican "fast food."
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Classic L.A. taste —
What do Surfer Tacos look like? Not much different than a lot of other truck tacos. They taste just as delicious, too.
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Food trucks and history —
Food trucks often congregate near 5900 Wilshire Boulevard, where the largest stretch of the Berlin Wall (background) outside of Germany is on public display. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is across the street.
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Food meets film —
The 2014 film "Chef" traces the fictional El Jefe food truck on its rise from Miami obscurity peddling Cubano sandwiches to a place in the Los Angeles culinary pantheon.
