VENICE—It’s the first Friday of July: I gather my friends and head to Abbot Kinney to join in the monthly First Friday food truck gathering.  I intend to indulge myself in succulent and delicious street fusion cuisine.  Kogi, DimSum, and Cool Haus are some of my favorites among the sea of food trucks in The Brig parking lot on Abbot Kinney in Venice.

I start my night with appetizing dumplings from the DimSum truck, a food truck that brings the traditional delicacies of ancient teahouses set up along the Silk Road to alleviate weary travelers to modern day urbanites on street corners around Los Angeles.  I order the pork and shrimp shu mai dumplings.  They’re steamed, soft and juicy.  Each dumpling melts in my mouth and I am tempted to go back for more, but the line is long and I need to save room for a burrito from Kogi, and later dessert from Cool Haus.

I step into the long line, willing to wait for the fusion burritos that have hooked the taste buds of so many around Los Angeles.  My time finally comes to order, I eagerly order the Spicy Pork burrito and a Coke that will be necessary to cool my taste buds in between bites.  My name is called and I push through the crowd to the window for my burrito.  The hash browns, scrambled eggs, shredded cheddar and jack cheese, onions, cilantro, lettuce tossed in Korean chili soy vinaigrette, and barbequed spicy pork, combine for a spicy feast all wrapped in a soft tortilla.  I sit on the street curb while others gaze with jealousy as I enjoy every last bite of my Kogi burrito.  I’m full but convince myself that I have room for dessert as I stare across The Brig parking lot and spot the Cool Haus truck.

As I stand up I hold my stomach and take a deep breath and make room for an ice cream sandwich from Cool Haus, a food truck that serves gourmet ice cream sandwiched between freshly baked cookies.  I step up to the truck window and order an ice cream sandwich with two snickerdoodle cookies and coffee Oreo ice cream.  Shortly after ordering my ice cream sandwich is in my hands, and even sooner it’s in my stomach.  The cookies are soft, the ice cream creamy and rich.  I lick my fingers without fret or shame, as it is a common sight at First Fridays, then relax for a moment with friends by my side and a full stomach in the cool evening air under silhouetted palm trees.  We all leave The Brig parking lot feeling full and satisfied, then make our way down Abbot Kinney and grab drinks to help with digestion at one of the many hip, dim lit bars.  First Fridays always provides the perfect venue for great food with good friends and is a great way to discover all of Los Angeles’ famous food trucks.

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