Taco Truck Review Installment 1: KOGI Korean Mexican BBQ

I don't twitter, track things on twitter, or read tweets. I also don't wait in line. So, I thought I'd never be allowed to experience the KOGI (practically a deity, the KOGI must be in all caps). But, after some savvy internet research it became apparent that you can head to the Alibi Room in Culver City where they serve the same food everday except Sunday starting at 6 pm. Sweet.

Another benefit of the Alibi Room is that you can enjoy libations and, if you time it right, couch your behind on a seat instead of wolfing down your food standing on a street corner after waiting in line for an hour and a half (or so go the stories of the KOGI truck, but I digress). If you get there on a Saturday get there at 5:45, stake your seat at the bar and order a beer. It will be so crowded by 6:05 you won't be able to find a seat. Otherwise it's not so bad - getting there at 7:00 on a Monday night yielded plenty of seats. If all else fails you can order to go.
I've been to the Alibi Room twice thus far and this is my overall review.

The food. Oh, the food. Heaven. I've tried the following:

Kim chi quesadilla - interesting. Not bad, not great, just interesting. Certain bites yield spicy kim chi yummi-ness. Other bites yield all cheese (an orange cheddar). I think more Siracha would have made mine better. And the tortilla could have been crispier, I think, which would have ended up with a better result.

Hot Dog with Kim chi - delicious. Though the bun is a little bready, I would recommend just shedding it and chowing down on the dog and toppings. Somehow the really good quality beef frank works with the kim chi in a subtle spicy manner. At first your mouth thinks you're in a ball park and then accepts confusion when the chi hits, but it's all good.

Spicy Fries: Nirvana.
They're crispy on the outside, soft in the middle and now I know to dip my fries in sesame mayo and/or a lot of siracha. No matter what you get you must get these. They are dusted with something that looks like cayenne, but really, the dip is where it's at.

Sliders: unless you are really into bread don't bother. The filling is the same as the tacos, but it's sandwiched between a bready bready bun. I say next unless you want a tummy of spongy enriched flour.

TACOS - Ah. KOGI TACOS. Nirvana on crack. They come in a little tray of three and you can choose chicken, pork, shortrib or tofu or a combination. People, you're at a bar eating Korean BBQ. If you were that into tofu, you wouldn't be there, so stop pretending. Just say no. What's the point? Chicken tacos: too dry. Shortrib and Pork: I can't decide which is my fave. The meat is good quality, very finely diced, seasoned impeccably and then mixed with a korean slaw with kim chi, cabbage, sesame seeds, etc. and served on little tortillas. Get a set of three (I get two rib and one pork) and a side of fries. Top it off with a Shock Top ale and you are good to go. Sit back and watch the crowd.

For two people I recommend ordering two sets of tacos, fries, and, if you are hungry, one more dish to split like the dog.

The Alibi Room has dessert ice cream bars too with cool flavors like guinness and chocolate. But they're nothing spectacular. Skip dessert and have another taco. And then tell your friends in NY that yes, you went to KOGI and it rocked. Nanny nanny na! KOGI gets bonus points for trying to be green. Utensils are optional and the food comes in cardboard trays.

Stay tuned for Taco Truck Review Installment 2 coming soon.