The Garage

Just opened today.Was pretty crowded when I went around noon, I guess this area is increasingly able support fast casual lunch places, which is great since I work around here.

The Garage is the Salsa Truck's space, but they hope to welcome other food truck concepts. Today they served their standard Salsa Truck fare. The calendar says tomorrow is "Mediterranean Food."

The $10 taco lunch came with two tacos, a drink (unfortunately only Mexican coke, Sprite, Diet Coke, and water so far), chips, and two salsas.

I got the carnitas and carne asada tacos and both were delicious. The double taco shells are quesadillas and filled with ample amounts of juicy meat. The salsas are fresh and zesty. Definitely better than the tacos at nearby De Cero in my opinion, which I often find are a bit dry and boring. Of course the style is the yuppie tacos of Big Star, Antique Taco, Takito, etc. and might not satisfy fans of traditional taquerias, but I enjoy both types.




The Garage
http://thesalsatruck.com/thegarage
116 North Aberdeen Street
Chicago,IL 60607
USA

Had the "Mediterranean" offerings today- a juicy beef shawarma with sides of tangy yogurt and hummus (they had a variety of other ones like salad and rice). They also were offering the taco lunch and they now have La Columbe coffee as a drink, which is pretty awesome. Tomorrow is "Chicago" style.

I never miss the days they partner with the Husky Hog BBQ folks. I love that BBQ- juicy meat, Carolina-style acidity. They also do horchata and expanded offerings of their Mexican food on "Taco Tuesdays."

Yesterday Fred Noinaj, formerly of Avec and The Violet Hour, cooked Thai food (or more correctly, food popular in Thailand) from his new truck Hey-Ha at food truck incubator The Garage.



Chinese-style pork belly with lots of star anise and soy egg



Plantain with a great funky chili jam (nam prik pao) and soybean curd, lemongrass beef

This was especially a treat since the West Loop area completely lacks good Thai food.

Unfortunately Hey-Ha will not open in Chicago. Thanks to Chicago's food truck laws, food trucks are primarily the domain of established restauranteurs and people who accumulated capital in other industries like The Garage's owner Dan.

It makes me really angry that Chicago's hostile laws are causing the exodus of talented chefs like Freddy. Especially having just been in Durham, which has a tiny fraction of Chicago's population, but a wide variety of food trucks, including those serving truly good food. I think Chicago's food trucks are mostly fairly mediocre in comparison.

you guys ate all the eggs and didn't leave any for me. boo. i'll remember that.

mgmcewen wrote:Yesterday Fred Noinaj, formerly of Avec and The Violet Hour, cooked Thai food (or more correctly, food popular in Thailand) from his new truck Hey-Ha at food truck incubator The Garage.



Chinese-style pork belly with lots of star anise and soy egg



Plantain with a great funky chili jam (nam prik pao) and soybean curd, lemongrass beef

This was especially a treat since the West Loop area completely lacks good Thai food.

Unfortunately Hey-Ha will not open in Chicago. Thanks to Chicago's food truck laws, food trucks are primarily the domain of established restauranteurs and people who accumulated capital in other industries like The Garage's owner Dan.

It makes me really angry that Chicago's hostile laws are causing the exodus of talented chefs like Freddy. Especially having just been in Durham, which has a tiny fraction of Chicago's population, but a wide variety of food trucks, including those serving truly good food. I think Chicago's food trucks are mostly fairly mediocre in comparison.

I had no idea where The Garage is but the internet provides.

116 N Aberdeen St
(between Randolph and Washington)
Chicago, IL 60607
312-344-1784
http://thesalsatruck.com/thegarage

In retrospect it may be worth merging this thread with the main one
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=37757

Threads merged. Carry on.

=R=
for the Moderators

They are serving the excellent Thai food for lunch and dinner today
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =notify_me

Hmmm... confusing. There's a Garage on Milwaukee near Superdawg that is decidedly NOT this place (although it's a great bar with great bar food). Someone is due for a name change.

BTW they are doing a fried chicken sandwich today that is outstanding. Just deliciously juicy and perfectly breaded. The buns are toasted and buttery. I hope they do it again.