Truckin' the Best for Lunch

On the first Wednesday of every month, people make their way to a small street located between a barbershop and a Walgreens. Aromas fill the air and chatter can be heard a few feet away from the entrance of the street. The Zaferia neighborhood in Long Beach, also known as the ZaSo Design District, has become a popular lunchtime destination for locals.  

Located on Coronado Avenue and Anaheim Street, the Lunch Truck It movement has much to offer foodies and those who want a break from their standard lunch routine. From 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., rumbling stomachs can enjoy a number of foods. Lunch Truck It offers gourmet food in an area of the city where it is typically not found. According to their website, their goal is to bring Long Beach professionals, families, students and those who typically are not in the area to their district and make them aware of their part of town and the East Anaheim Business District.

Lunch Truck It was first introduced back in May 2011 and had a trial run over the summer. With its trial run resulting in a huge success, food trucks have continued coming back to the ZaSo district. 

Although most people think about greasy food when food trucks come to mind, the food trucks that make way to Long Beach once a week offer a variety of food. “I really like that I can come one day and have a grilled cheese sandwich and I can come another day and eat some fresh sushi,” said Alex Martinez of Long Beach.

Each month, Lunch Truck It features different food trucks. Some of the food trucks that make monthly appearances are Fresh Fries, Grilled Cheese Truck, Buttermilk, Kogi Korean BBQ, Lee’s Philly, and Crepe’n Around. 

The uniqueness of food each truck has to offer is one of the main reasons people continue to come to the ZaSo Design District. Many of the food trucks are a mesh of different cultures resulting in foods that cannot be found around the city. For example, the Kogi Korean BBQ truck meshes together traditional Mexican style cuisine with Korean barbeque tastes. The truck offers specialty plates such as Spicy Pork Tacos and Kimchi Quesadillas.

Food trucks like Buttermilk make eating breakfast in the morning something of the past. The food truck not only offers typical breakfast food like biscuits and pancakes, but they also have an afternoon menu that incorporates lunch and breakfast together. Some of the meals that can be found on the menu are fried chicken with cinnamon waffles, Hawaiian bread breakfast sliders, and French toast. 

For those who want a taste of gourmet food, food trucks like Komodo offer just that. A truck that offers gourmet food at a not-so-gourmet price, Komodo gives people an opportunity to try gourmet food without feeling intimidated.

Although there are many trucks with different and unique foods, Lunch Truck It also includes typical all American food. Grill ‘Em All offers food for those looking for something grilled and delicious.  

"I’ve come to eat here a few times, and there are lots of choices, but sometimes I just want a good old fashioned burger,” said Andrea Lowell of Long Beach. 

Grill ‘Em All offers more than a typical cheeseburger. They offer choices like the Samoa Joe, which has cheddar, barbecue, pineapple and beer soaked onions. 

Combinations of typical foods with new flavors are what keep Lunch Truck It alive and going. The pleasant atmosphere will also surprise those who wander into Coronado Avenue. With seating just a few feet away from the trucks, customers can mingle and eat while supporting food trucks from all backgrounds.

If you are ever hungry on a Wednesday afternoon this summer and don’t want to eat at the fast food place down the street, make the five minute drive down to Coronado Avenue. There is always something new to try, or you can always go for something you already love. No matter what it is, it will definitely satisfy your mid-day appetite.

For more information on food trucks and special events, go to lunchtruckit.com