With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Mandoline Grill Truck Debuts, Offers Tons of Vegan Options
For veggie and vegans, the nouveau gourmet food truck trend is a tough one to get on board when many of the menu items offered by the different innovative, fusion, or traditional restaurants on wheels. After much anticipation, the Mandoline Grill Truck was out last night at an event held at the Verdugo, showing off their selection of Vietnamese eats, of which about half are vegan. LA's Vegan blogger extraordinaire, Quarrygirl, was on hand to give the food a taste drive, and shares her thoughts on her blog and with us.
Simply put, says Quarrygirl, "the food was overall bomb!" But she does give some detailed descriptions of and quick takes on several dishes:
- cha gio (fried spring rolls stuffed with fake meat and vegetables) $4: "this stuff is tasty, huge, fried, and cheap…win/win/win/win."
- lemongrass tofu banh mi $6: "this sandwich cost a dollar more than the Mandoline Grill banh mi we had last time, but was a full 6 inches longer as well! The sandwich was massive, hearty, fresh, and full of some of the most amazing marinated tofu I’ve ever eaten."
- lemongrass tofu noodle bowl $6: "tasted good… but not nearly as good as the banh mi. it came with the same perfect tofu that the sandwich did, but on a bed of thin cold noodles to be eaten w/ chop sticks."
- cha gio noodle bowl $6: "basically like the tofu noodle bowl, but w/ spring rolls plopped on top rather than tofu. [My friend] agreed that it was tasty, but the banh mi was better."
The Mandoline Grill says they still have a few kinks to work out before they get on the road regularly, so follow them on Twitter or check their website for updates and serving locations.
At LAist, we focus on what matters to our community: clear, fair, and transparent reporting that helps you make decisions with confidence and keeps powerful institutions accountable.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
