Originally known as the “LA Street Food Fest,” it was the first of its kind, and has grown into one of the most diverse and delectable food fests SoCal has to offer. With over 100 different restaurants, food trucks, carts, beer, wine, chefs, and speakers, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
The festival was held at the historical Santa Anita racetrack, at the base of the Rocky Mountains, and nature provided a beautiful natural backdrop (perfect for snapping an Instagram pic). Your tickets and admission grant you access to the food free of charge! SUPER AWESOME!
Upon entering the grounds, you were greeted with a Spindrift sparkling water while waiting in line to get in and given a Michelob Ultra beer once you had entered the festival. All restaurants/vendors has their own booth or food truck. NASA also had their own tent set up!
Below are my own personal awards for the festival… Long live the LA Food Fest – it will be missed!
10th Annual L.A. Food Fest Round-Up
Best Beer – Calidad Beer, Mexican style lager hand-crafter in California. Loved their branding, and taste of the beer
Best Sushi – Takami Sushi, Seared Tuna & Sunomono Salad
Best Ceviche – Pez Cantina, Shrimp Ceviche Verde
Best Taco – A’s BBQ, Smoked Brisket Taco, with crema, jalapeno and pickled red onion
Favorite Curry – Luckdish Curry, Japanese Curry with chickpeas over white rice
Most Spicy Dish – 5 Elementos, Carne Asada Mexicali Taco with HOT Fuego Salsa
Best Hot Sauce– Kumana Foods, Avocado hot sauce! Best flavor was the Spicy Mango.
Best Italian – Pasta Sisters, Homemade Gnocchi with Bolognese Sauce
Favorite Ethnic Food – African Chop, Jollof, rice, Suya (Beef) SO GOOD, Greens, Plantains
Favorite Sweet – Voodoo Donut, “The Homer” yeast donut dipped in strawberry icing with sprinkles… seriously the best donut I’ve EVER had!
Coolest Dessert – Helado Ice Cream, Honeycombover and Chill, Champagne No Gain flavors
Best Pie – The Pie Hole, Pies are turned into miniature pie holes (blueberry crumble, caramel apples, oreo)… so adorable, and so tasty!
Most Creative Dish & Chef – Sergio Meza, Executive Chef of Villanos en Bermudas; Charboiled Beet w/ Mascarpone Cheese, Pistachios & Black Lemon Dust
Favorite Local Grub – Comfort LA, Fried chicken wings, greens
Best Worth the Wait – Big Grandma’s Kitchen, Authentic El Salvadorian Hand-Made Pupusas… the line was long for this one, but it was so delicious!
Thank you, L.A. Food Fest for having us! I am glad we got to experience the LAST festival… can’t wait to see what y’all come up with next year!