Foodie News

New must-try food trucks: The mobile craze goes international

Hitting the streets in April: Sirena Seafood Truck
Cameron McClung/Twitter
Campechana from Sirena Seafood Truck
Sirena Seafood Truck/Twitter
Siopao from Flip N' Patties
Flip 'N Patties/Twitter

It seems like only yesterday that The Waffle Bus and Bare Bowls were our latest mobile food obsessions — not that we'll ever get tired of vegetarian stews or strawberry Irish cream creme brulee waffle sandwiches. (One is for when we are being good. One is for when we are so, so not.)

But the food truck movement shows no signs of, um, slowing down and whether it's siopao or French food, there's always something new to try.

Here's what's on our radar and hitting the streets soon:

L'es-Car-Go

While some food truck owners, (like The Eatsie Boys and Green Seed Vegan) are expanding into brick and mortar shops, there are also restaurants who are adding mobile units. L'es-Car-Go is a forthcoming food truck from Bistro Provence owners Jean-Philippe and Genevieve Guy, the first French food-based truck in Houston.

The truck is scheduled to launch sometime this month, and will cater to West Houston office parks and events with a menu of fresh French soups, hot sandwiches including a Cordon Bleu and a Croque Monsieur, and an array of snail specialties, as befits the name.

How about an escargot pocket pita ("a halved pocket pita filled with escargot, roasted corn, black beans, lettuce, tomatoes, avocadoes, cilantro and yogurt sauce") or some escargot popcorn, made of almond-crusted snails topped with hot sauce?

Flip N' Patties

There's no paucity of burgers on the streets of Houston, but Donramon and Michael Jante are mixing up the formula at Flip N' Patties with Filipino flavors (and slang in the burger names) and a menu of Filipino street foods including siopaos, chicken pupu, pork adobo and much more. Look for them starting in May or June around the Montrose/Midtown/Heights neighborhoods.

Sirena Seafood Truck

Mexican foods on wheels doesn't have to be all about tacos. Hitting the streets this month, Sirena promises "seafood cocktails and regular ol' delishusness from the Mexican coasts," and is already tantalizing Facebook and Twitter fans with her tempting photos of campechana, empanadas, ceviche and aguachile.

Hungry yet?

What are your favorite food trucks of 2012? Which ones are you looking forward to trying?

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First look at all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse's new Katy outpost

Good news for Katy-area carnivores — the wait for the suburb's newest all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse has come to an end. Chama Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse has opened its second Houston-area restaurant near the intersection of the Grand Parkway and the Katy Freeway.

Located at 24205 Bella Katy Drive, Chama Gaúcha has claimed the former Doneraki Mexican Grill/Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que space for its new location. It joins the restaurant’s original Houston location (5865 Westheimer) that’s been open since 2011.

Similar to other rodizio concepts, Chama Gaúcha offers a range of grilled beef, lamb, pork, chickens, and Brazilian sausages that are served tableside by the restaurant’s staff. The meats come with caramelized bananas, garlic mashed potatoes, fried polenta, and pão de queijo, the celebrated Brazilian cheese rolls.

Diners also have access to a salad bar with more than 30 selections, including vegetables, cheeses, and charcuterie. Those who want a lighter meal may opt for a salad bar-only option for a reduced price.

The space has been given a comprehensive makeover that includes exposed brick, wood finishes, and circular lighting. An expansive bar and visible wine storage highlight the restaurant’s beverage offerings.

Brick columns and greenery frame the signature salad bar, while a landscape courtyard and fountain add some drama to the restaurant’s entrance.

The interior will feature five private dining rooms with capacities ranging from 20 to 150 people. They’re available for celebrations, business dinners, and other happenings.

“We’ve welcomed guests from Katy at our Westheimer location for many years, so it’s especially exciting to now welcome them here in their own community,” manager and Katy resident Guilherme Da Silva said in a statement. “From the design of the restaurant to the cuisine and tableside service, we created a setting where guests can enjoy the authentic Chama Gaúcha experience whether they’re joining us for dinner, a celebration or a special event.”

$Chama Ga\u00facha Brazilian Steakhouse Katy$

Courtesy of Chama Gaúcha Brazilian Steakhouse

The restaurant's entrance features a landscaped courtyard and fountain.

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