Don Chow Tacos

Don Chow Tacos
Food truck
Restaurant information
Established2009
Food typeChinese-Mexican
StateCalifornia
CountryU.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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]

In July 2013, Don Chow Tacos' owner participated Lau on the Lifetime Network's reality competition show Supermarket Superstar.[8]

Cuisine

Don Chow Tacos' taco

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

  1. ^ a b c d e "USC News". University of Southern California. 2010-05-10. Archived from the original on 2011-06-02. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
  2. ^ a b c "Help:Street Food Profiles: Don Chow Tacos in Los Angeles, California". Serious Eats. 2009-11-09. Archived from the original on 2011-08-20. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
  3. ^ "Help:Recession Obsession: Tweetin' Chinese Tacos On Wheels". LAist. 2009-09-03. Archived from the original on 2010-02-05.
  4. ^ a b "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives". The Food Network on YouTube. 2010-06-28. Archived from the original on 2016-05-03. Retrieved 2016-12-01.
  5. ^ "Food Truck Week: Don Chow Tacos". NBC. 2010-04-22. Archived from the original on 2012-09-05. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
  6. ^ "Food for All - Don Chow Tacos". KTLA. 2010-05-04.[dead link‍]
  7. ^ "KTLA: Celebrating National Taco Day". KTLA. 2010-10-04. Archived from the original on 2013-01-27.
  8. ^ "Fried Chicken Dumplings & the 5 Coolest Dishes We Can Expect From Lifetime's 'Supermarket Superstar'". www.foodbeast.com. 21 July 2013. Archived from the original on 2022-11-23. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
  9. ^ "Meet Out Food Trucks: Don Chow Tasos". OC Restaurant Association, Inc. 2010-08-25. Archived from the original on 2010-08-31.
  10. ^ "Outdoor Cinema Food Fest". Hollywood Outdoor Movies & TIL PR Lifestyle Marketing & Events. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05. Retrieved 2011-06-06.
  11. ^ "36 Food Trucks & Street Eateries to Appear at the L.A. Street Food Fest". LAist. 2010-01-28. Archived from the original on 2011-06-28.
  12. ^ "Big Show". California State University Northridge. Archived from the original on 2010-11-14.
  13. ^ "Los Angeles Celebration of Food and Wine". Los Angeles Times. 2010-09-02. Archived from the original on 2011-02-25. Retrieved 2011-06-06.