Adventures in Chasing Kogi
Categories: News, Really?!?!?
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| Edwin Goei |
Saturday, April 25, 2009 -- A day in which I attempt to hunt down the Kogi Korean BBQ taco truck. Here's how it went down:
12:12 p.m. I get an e-mail tip that Kogi's going to be in Buena Park tonight, at the same location they ended up in last Wednesday night. I am eating carne asada nachos at Alerto's in Westminster when I receive the message.
12:27 p.m. I lick my fingers of nacho salsa and post the news via iPhone on this blog.
10:21 p.m. I see tweet that there's a last minute location change. Santa Fe Springs, Valley View & Stage Rd., in a warehouse area, they say. Another tweet informs that Chef Roy is up and running.
10:54 p.m. We arrive at the new Santa Fe Springs location. Whittier Police roll up as we do, probably just as amazed at the glut of people, lining up in the dead of night for a roach coach. It all seems a little surreal.
11:04 p.m. We notice the line stretches to infinity and the darkness of space. At the far reaches of the universe, just barely visible and flickering: The parked truck. I knew it was insanely popular, but NOTHING like this. As a measurement, I have my date hold our place in the queue while I walked a brisk pace towards the truck. It takes a good 30 seconds to get from where we are to the front.
11:05 p.m. Kogi workers give Whittier police officers (now there's three of them) a peace offering...tacos. Cops smile at the gesture. Most don't accept the food. They're sticking around, but they're not shooing anyone away.
11:12 p.m. Cops leave after they are satisfied that it's just a bunch of kids with a taco jones, gathered in an industrial park. No harm, no foul. They seemed to take glee at the scene. Everyone was on their best behavior anyway.
11:13 p.m. Chef Roy comes out with some news for the crowd. Only three tacos person, or else food's going to run out!
11:15 p.m. Rumor is the line is two-hours plus. Feeling a chill coming up my spine through my thin wind-breaker and my previously-eaten dinner settling, my date and I agree to throw in the towel and go home. Also, I was still recovering from a flu, and I have a flight to catch tomorrow. I conclude that it wasn't a good idea to spend two-hours in the freezing breeze. Tacos are not a pneumonia preventative, as far as I know.
11:29 p.m. Driving towards the freeway, I see the same cops arresting someone at McDonald's.
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