Cart for a Cause combines two things I love: good food and social causes.
The truck, which hits the streets every Tuesday, offers $10.00 meals (including a drink and cookie) prepared by a top LA chef. Previous Cart for a Cause guest chefs include Chef Alex Becker of Nobu WeHo, Chef Dong Choi of Comme Ca, Chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo of Animal and Chef Eric Greenspan of The Foundry on Melrose. $6.50 of every $10.00 goes to St. Vincent's Meals on Wheels, which allows the organization to feed one person for a day.
This week, it was Chef Josef Centeno of the Lazy Ox Canteen who served up gourmet food at a rock bottom price for Cart for a Cause.
This week, the truck was parked in Santa Monica starting at 11:30. After hearing about Cart for a Cause selling out within an hour in previous weeks, J and I tried to get there reasonably early. Fortunately for us, however, there was no line when we arrived at 1.
On Chef Josef's menu were two types of báco-- "a hybrid of a flatbread pizza and taco." To this description, I'd add "with a dash of pita-like quality." We, of course, ordered both.
Although I usually avoid pork belly because of its spongy consistency, it worked quite well in the original báco. Both the pork belly and carnitas were tender, and the savory flavor of each played nicely off the other. The greens added a lightness to the overall dish, and the salbitxada, a pico de gallo-like topping with tomatoes, parsley, chiles, garlic and vinegar, tied all of the flavors together.
Our second báco--the resco báco-- was even tastier than the first. With crispy shrimp and a cabbage salad, this handheld lunch had a satisfying crunch. Again, the sauce (this time, chive) elevated the báco from good to great. Bonus points also for it being less messy to eat.
After sampling the Lazy Ox Canteen's food at Cart for a Cause, I am eager to visit the restaurant and try the real thing. I am also eager to visit Cart for a Cause again in the coming weeks. Be sure to check their Facebook page or Twitter to see which celebrity chef will be preparing delicious food for this good cause next.
Cart for a Cause
Here's their Facebook page
6 comments: