Don Chow Tacos
| Don Chow Tacos | |
|---|---|
Food truck | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 2009 |
| Food type | Chinese-Mexican |
| State | California |
| Country | U.S. |
Don Chow Tacos was a Chinese-Mexican fusion food truck based in Los Angeles, California.[1] It was founded on April 22, 2009, by Dominic Lau and Lawrence Lie[1] with the motto, "Where Chino meets Latino", representing their Chinese heritage and Hispanic influences.[1] Don Chow Tacos ceased operations on February 16, 2015.
History
Don Chow Tacos was founded in October 2009. The idea was conceived when owners Lau and Lie identified a niche in the late-night bar-goer crowd. When they launched, the food truck industry was in its early stages. Don Chow began as a two-man operation, with Lau and Lie cooking and serving bar crowds.[1][2] They appeared regularly at Zanzibar in Santa Monica and Townhouse in Venice.[3] Both kept their day jobs.[1][2]
When the truck transitioned to a full-week schedule in October 2009, Ernie Gallegos was hired and Don Chow was able to establish regular operations.[4] The food truck gained local popularity after Guy Fieri sampled their food on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2010 and again in 2015.[4] Earlier that year, Don Chow had been recognized on NBC's Food Truck Week on the truck's first birthday: April 22, 2010, and Dominic Lau was interviewed by Kurt Knutsson, "Cyberguy" for KTLA in May.[5][6] As its popularity continued to grow, Don Chow was featured on a segment for National Taco Day on KTLA on October 4, 2010.[7]
Don Chow Tacos and owner Lau were featured on the Cooking Channel show "Easy Chinese" hosted by Ching-He Huang in June 2012.
In July 2013, Don Chow Tacos' owner participated Lau on the Lifetime Network's reality competition show Supermarket Superstar.[8]
Cuisine
The Don Chow truck served traditional Mexican food with Chinese flavors from Lau and Lie's family and friends' recipes. The menu includes tacos, burritos, tortas, "Chimales", and noodle dishes.[2][9]
Events
The truck made regular appearances at the Los Angeles Outdoor Cinema Food Fest, the LA Street Food Fest, and farmers' markets.[10][11]
Don Chow made an appearance at Cal State Northridge's "Big Show" in 2009 and 2010.[12] In September 2010, Don Chow participated in the Los Angeles Times Celebration of Food and Wine.[13]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "USC News". University of Southern California. May 10, 2010. Archived from the original on June 2, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
- ^ a b c "Help:Street Food Profiles: Don Chow Tacos in Los Angeles, California". Serious Eats. November 9, 2009. Archived from the original on August 20, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
- ^ "Help:Recession Obsession: Tweetin' Chinese Tacos On Wheels". LAist. September 3, 2009. Archived from the original on February 5, 2010.
- ^ a b "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives". The Food Network on YouTube. June 28, 2010. Archived from the original on May 3, 2016. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
- ^ "Food Truck Week: Don Chow Tacos". NBC. April 22, 2010. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
- ^ "Food for All - Don Chow Tacos". KTLA. May 4, 2010.
- ^ "KTLA: Celebrating National Taco Day". KTLA. October 4, 2010. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013.
- ^ "Fried Chicken Dumplings & the 5 Coolest Dishes We Can Expect From Lifetime's 'Supermarket Superstar'". www.foodbeast.com. July 21, 2013. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ "Meet Out Food Trucks: Don Chow Tasos". OC Restaurant Association, Inc. August 25, 2010. Archived from the original on August 31, 2010.
- ^ "Outdoor Cinema Food Fest". Hollywood Outdoor Movies & TIL PR Lifestyle Marketing & Events. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011.
- ^ "36 Food Trucks & Street Eateries to Appear at the L.A. Street Food Fest". LAist. January 28, 2010. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011.
- ^ "Big Show". California State University Northridge. Archived from the original on November 14, 2010.
- ^ "Los Angeles Celebration of Food and Wine". Los Angeles Times. September 2, 2010. Archived from the original on February 25, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011.