Kogi trucks offer a taste of food truck culture

A handful of people stand on the sidewalk in 50-degree weather, minutes before the clock struck 10:30 p.m. The Kogi BBQ food truck has just pulled up on the empty driveway across from the Quality Inn on Pacific Coast Highway as hungry, sweater-hugging people wait their turn at the order window for their plate of warm Korean-Mexican BBQ bliss.

Food trucks have been scurrying around Los Angeles County igniting a food truck craze, from international cuisine to cupcakes-on-the-go. Mobile lunches, dinners and desserts have begun a seemingly popular underground culture of hourly stops.

The Kogi trucks — described as quality Korean BBQ meets traditional, homemade tortillas and fresh veggies — schedule three stops a day, Tuesday through Saturday. On Wednesdays, the Verde truck's last stop situates itself for an hour at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Obispo Avenue in Signal Hill.

"I heard about it from my friends," said Regina Reyes, Cal State Long Beach freshman biology major. "I've tried [the food] before from a friend so I'm coming in person this time."

She had been waiting with a group of her friends several minutes before the truck had arrived. Despite the chilly air that has begun to roll in for the season, Reyes was anxious to get her food.

"If you're hungry, it's worth it," Reyes said. "It's really good and it's really cheap."

Reyes was one of about 50 people standing in line within the first 15 minutes of the truck opening its order window. As the night progressed, a consistent line of around 150 people wrapped around the driveway.

"College students always eat more. [Locations] near colleges always do better," said Jose Perez, Verde truck staff member, who also helps manage the food truck.

According to Perez, in late 2008, when the Kogi trucks began their service, lines were up to 500 people-long back when there were only two trucks. Currently, Kogi runs five trucks of which two roam the LA County and one to Orange County.

"They don't just come to one truck anymore," Perez said. "Though lines have been consistent, [the crowd] has dispersed in different locations."

Kogi's food truck stops, like most, are determined according to the success and popularity. According to Perez, their most successful stop on the map is at the Home Depot in El Monte, not surprisingly during their 10:30 p.m. time slot on Saturday nights. But should a stop lack the attention it seeks, the Kogi management picks up and starts again. Fortunately, Signal Hill has a permanent location for the Verde truck.

Kiyoji Whitener, a CSULB senior recreation and leisure major, said this was his fourth time visiting the Kogi truck at the Signal Hill location.

"[For] $5, I can get a really big burrito," Whitener said. "The price is not too bad compared to other trucks I've been to."

For the college student budget, Kogi charges a decent price for their food, especially for their combos. Their most expensive combo on their menu costs $10 for a very large-sized item, a taco and a drink.

But with the growing trend of the food trucks, Kiyoji fears the businesses are taking advantage of its popularity.

"When you think of a food truck, you think of good cheap food. You don't think of really expensive gourmet food," Kiyoji said. "I think it's interesting [but] I think they're getting a little out of hand."

In any case, the food truck trend doesn't seem to be fading away anytime soon. Locals and followers can always find their niche truck in different locations and food truck rallies. Especially with the cold weather dawning, unique and warm food coming to you only sounds more appetizing.

For more information on Kogi BBQ, visit kogibbq.com.

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