Review: ChiLantro and Zeapod Food Trucks

The Food Truck Revolution Continues and I finally caught not just one, but a Two-Fer, far outside the Loop in fact--over off of Beltway 8 near Clay Road--Office Centre in fact!, near Beltway 8 and 290!  I know it sounds silly to be so giddy over this, but it seems to me at times that the Gourmet Food Trucks mainly roam around Inside the Loop near the Museum District, U of H, the Downtown Core and Washington Avenue.  So getting a chance to catch them in the Mid-Burbs is quite cool to this food blogger.  I must confess, I was mainly heading out to catch ChiLantro Korean BBQ Truck--they already have 5 trucks running in Austin and now the one running in Houston where I went today.  However, when I saw Zeapod Cakery parked with them, I shouted "BONUS!" and celebrated, much to the embarrassment of my kids.

First a little background:

ChiLantro One of the original food trucks in the mobile food craze that took off in 2008-2009., Chilantro is a late night fan favorite in Austin and has been featured on Food Network, The Cooking Channel and The Travel Channel.  They've been awarded a Best Street Food 2012 Award by the Austin Chronicle.  They've had a lot of press in fact, and as someone who loves bulgogi and kim chi, I was stoked to go regardless of their press.  Their menu itself is awesome.

Zeapod is a gourmet cakery, a family-owned business, and they have beautiful, unique cakes using only the finest ingredients available.They have a wonderfully varied menu, and per their mission statement:  they "make cakes that make memories."  Their Wascawy Wabbit Carrot cupakes with the whiskey soaked rasins caught my attention to say the least!!!

Bulgogi Burger (with a fried egg, lettuce, onions, kim chi & cheese) and
Kim Chi Fries, with Bulgogi Beef and Magic Sauce!  

I chose to get a Bulgogi Burger (made mine with half pork, half beef--made me think of Burger Tex in Austin) and Kim Chi Cheese Fries with Magic Sauce and Bulgogi Beef from ChiLantro, and I ordered a Roca Red Velvet cupcake and a Stout Chocolate Cupake (baked with Guiness Stout in it) from Zeapod.  Suffice it to say, I was impressed with both selections.  The Bulgogi Pork was a little sweet, very tender and spicy.  The Bulgogi Beef was a little more savoury, chewy, and quite satisfying.  The fried egg ties it all together like The Dude's Rug.  The Kim Chi fries were similar to fries I had from Koagie Hots not too long ago--equally delicious and very spicy, with a little cheese smoothness from some Monterrey Jack Cheese.  Two big-fisted thumbs up for Chilantro.  Next time I'm going to try their Seoul Burrito and Quesadilla.  And yes, there will be a next time!

Zeapod's cupcakes were saved for later.  Of note they were kept chilled in the truck so they stayed fresh.  We let them sit for a bit at home and then dug into them.  Of note, part of the inside of the cupcakes are hollowed a bit and some of the icing is inside.  Sweet.  The vanilla buttercream icing is smooth and not too heavy.  The red velvet is velvety smooth, with hints of cocoa.  My daughter allowed me just one bite and devoured the rest.  My son and I split the Stout Chocolate cupcake.  This was quite good.  The cocoa and guiness flavour were not too sweet and quite moist.  This was a good, not too sweet chocolate cupcake.  I may request a few of these for my son's birthday.  He gave it two thumbs up as well.

Two Food Trucks, Two Report Cards!

ChiLantro BBQ Food Truck:
Bulgogi Burger:  A+
Kim Chi Fries: A
Cleanliness: A (took a good look in the truck--all surfaces clean)
Service: 
     Friendliness: A
     Speed:  A-
Overall Grade: A

Zeapod Cakery:
Roca Red Velvet Cupcake: A
Stout Chocolate Cupake: A+
Cleanliness: A (same comment as for ChiLantro)
Service: 
     Friendliness: A+ (Wascawy Wabbit Indeed!)
     Speed:  A
Overall Grade: A

For Chilantro's Schedule, check here!  For Zeapod's, contact them here!

And always remember to Eat Happy, Y'all!!!
早安，你们!!!
조만간 또 보자!!!