BBQ Meals on Wheels

I've had a deep appreciation for taco trucks for a few years now. My local, beloved truck was, in fact, written up in the NY Times in 2007 and has even won some awards.

But I recently read about the Koji BBQ trucks out in L.A., and I am psyched to give them a try this weekend. I'll be staying in Venice for a few days, not far from where they often stop at night.

They've apparently taken the concept to a new level from the quality and preparation of the food, to actually Twittering their location. (Finally, a good reason to Twitter!)

I think the gourmet "taco" truck has huge potential in cities all over the U.S., not just New York and L.A. We'll see if it catches on. As a fan of cheap-but-good food, I hope it does.

To find out more about Koji click here for their site. Or find them on Twitter... if that's your jam.

Windward Farms Venice California

Windward Farms Venice California
Originally uploaded by Name On Rice.com

This place makes the most amazing salsa ever. It's of the watery variety, but really fresh and addictive. Also awesome are the chips they carry which are a local brand that you can't find anywhere else. I am going to LA next month and I plan to eat chips and salsa every single day, multiple times a day, while I am there.

Once I even flew home with some of the salsa in my carry on. I think that'd be illegal or something now.

Che Bella, Venezia!

I got pretty turned around in Venice once. In an attempt to avoid the smothering crowds we tried to strike out on a different path. And got pretty lost for a while. One missed turn will do you in. What sets Venice apart is how quiet it is. Incredibly still. Not having cars or mopeds will do that. And the declining population. But it's beautiful, off the beaten path. Piazzas like the one above feel surreal in their beauty. It wasn't bad, being lost in Venice, because, well, you're in Venice.