each city has its own local street food. los angeles is no exception - in fact there is an incredible variety here (especially with the recent foodie truck explosion). everything from tacos to chili-spiced tropical fruit to crazy corn-on-the-cob.
today's photo features another local treat that los angeles has borrowed from mexico - the bacon-wrapped hotdog. this guy created a makeshift cart with a tiny stove, shopping cart, and plenty of supplies. my mouth is watering just thinking about it...
7 comments:
A staple food for us Los Angeles Galaxy soccer fans :)
Ben, nice pic! I've read/heard that a lot of these street vendors are either affiliated with gangs or oppressed by gangs since they are not part of the formal economy. Many times, gangs collect "rent" from these vendors so they can use a certain part of the sidewalk.
Fuller prof Joe Colletti is working hard to help get these people out of the gangs' control and into the formal economy with his kitchen incubators and through Mama's Hot Tamales. They do some great work to help make these people stronger and the gangs weaker.
http://www.mamashottamales.com/
Jon, I've heard that too about our street vendors. I'm pretty naive to think it doesn't happen here in the peaceful city of Pasadena.
Thanks for the reminder about Mama's Hot Tamales - I should feature them in a blog post.
I've been noticing more and more street vendors, and food trucks in Pasadena lately. A couple of months ago, on a weekend night, there was a food truck parked in a lot on S. Fair Oaks that had a huge line. I got the impression from the people eating there that they'd driven out especially for that treat. It made me realize once again what a large underground economy (aside from the new trend in "gourmet" carts) exists here that most of us know nothing about.
Here in Arizona, they call those things Sonoran style hot dogs, and oh man are they good. Lots of Mexican restaurants around the state have them, and there's even a guy who sells them in the parking lot at my work. Way good stuff.
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Bacon-wrapped hotdogs are the best! I moved away from Pasadena and live in the Midwest now...There is nothing quite like that here. I love the picture! Thanks.
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