When the e-mail came with the subject heading "Korean BBQ Taco Truck Opening Tonight!" I couldn't believe it. Could it be true? Could Orlando's infamous food lag be catching up with the rest of the world? This town suffers from food-trend lethargy. All that's "hot" in The Food World takes a few years at least to reach The City Beautiful. A study, if you will:
It took 10 years for the gastropub to reach Winter Park...
...5 years to get a cupcake boutique...
...2 years to get a Korean Taco truck!
Just look at its yellow majesty. As I drove home to Maitland from the Lake Nona area, I "accidentally" missed my exit and ended up at the corner of Coy and E. Colonial in the Citgo parking lot. You really can't miss this thing: green flashing lights, electric yellow paint, and the smell—oh, the charred smell of bulgogi and gal bi. It's just too much to handle. By the time I pulled into the lot, around 9pm, the place was packed with Korean teenagers who'd gotten wind of the place via TastyChomps.
I'd eaten dinner already (like that ever mattered before) but I couldn't say no to a Spicy Pork Taco Box ($5.99). The plastic "clamshell" container isn't just filled with a generously-sized taco filled with marinated, spicy, sweet pork, sauteed onions and mushrooms and a little spicy mayo. There's also a slice of deep-fried BBQ pork sushi roll, two cream cheese dumplings, two saucy Korean fried chicken wings and a side salad. Ask for kimchi on the side and ye shall recieve.[gallery]
Give the place a few days and the look of mild panic on the faces of the truck owners will probably settle in. This isn't fast food; I waited a good 20 minutes for my taco box. There's nowhere to sit (this is food truck dining, after all), unless you brave the Golden Arches next door, which has some outdoor tables, but don't be surprised if you're asked to leave. No drinks, either, which is where the proximity to the Citgo station and/or $1 McDonalds Sweet Tea comes in handy.
I overheard one young patron say, "I'm so happy this place is here. Can you imagine...walking over from Total Wine with a six-pack and then picking up some Korean BBQ tacos after a super-long, potentially awful day?" Yes, friend. Now, I can.
