Kevin B 's Gourmet Food Truck PYE

Yelp buddy, Kevin B., invited me to a Gourmet Food Truck event at Belmont Heights United Methodist Church. A portion of the proceeds go to "Meals on Wheels". A worthy cause, indeed.http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kevin-b-s-gourmet-food-truck-pye-long-beach?select=kppw2udFuoGNmlYJGhsJWQ#d4DN6W_RUIAdG-2z33TECQhttp://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kevin-b-s-gourmet-food-truck-pye-long-beach?select=kppw2udFuoGNmlYJGhsJWQ#PnXmfwSvtk0XT9v_uIcvhgSome of the yelpers representin-Bob & Ruth-http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kevin-b-s-gourmet-food-truck-pye-long-beach?select=kppw2udFuoGNmlYJGhsJWQ#ImEaWlquZxy3wOffFUSOigChristine & her daughter-http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kevin-b-s-gourmet-food-truck-pye-long-beach?select=kppw2udFuoGNmlYJGhsJWQ#ldwZdwm0gjPFTa3Qq0G-oQSato & the man of the hour, Kevin-http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kevin-b-s-gourmet-food-truck-pye-long-beach?select=kppw2udFuoGNmlYJGhsJWQ#iHp1-9B4LcB-W2r1Ld7Gtw5 gourmet food trucks were at the ready, eager to dish out their delicacies to the masses. Sam Choy's PIneapple Express-http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kevin-b-s-gourmet-food-truck-pye-long-beach?select=kppw2udFuoGNmlYJGhsJWQ#gmW3LvnckJZ482WY2gAaDQSlammin Sliders-http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kevin-b-s-gourmet-food-truck-pye-long-beach?select=kppw2udFuoGNmlYJGhsJWQ#uuWRgFCo581zE1Qq3nP28wThe Greasy Wiener-http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kevin-b-s-gourmet-food-truck-pye-long-beach?select=kppw2udFuoGNmlYJGhsJWQ#RIEiGyu-leT7mFJUMP-I1APalazzolo's-http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kevin-b-s-gourmet-food-truck-pye-long-beach?select=kppw2udFuoGNmlYJGhsJWQ#vLz2_IwTwAiascD-lsd-XwButtermilk-http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kevin-b-s-gourmet-food-truck-pye-long-beach?select=kppw2udFuoGNmlYJGhsJWQ#CUv7ElkpFdQjOH9YY7hhnQI chose Slammin Sliders $5 Kobe beef chili. I found it to be very delicious. The meat was tasty, it was warm on this windy LB evening & the chili had the perfect amount of heat-http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kevin-b-s-gourmet-food-truck-pye-long-beach?select=kppw2udFuoGNmlYJGhsJWQ#4d9aKf0Qg-ovqARIYFjvwgOther items that I had the chance to try (aka mooch) were-Blueberry donut holes (Buttermilk)-http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kevin-b-s-gourmet-food-truck-pye-long-beach?select=kppw2udFuoGNmlYJGhsJWQ#98jlGQ7BB7bS-ulc5CiqkQUbe & coconut pudding (Buttermilk)-http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kevin-b-s-gourmet-food-truck-pye-long-beach?select=kppw2udFuoGNmlYJGhsJWQ#7uyfU1sRjmQdGcWZA4fzkwRaspberry & ghost chili sorbet (Palazzolo's)-http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kevin-b-s-gourmet-food-truck-pye-long-beach?select=kppw2udFuoGNmlYJGhsJWQ#lTtfFr_8tfLd2k2FPGSarAMan V. Food challenge! Actually not. I was expecting "burn your palate" hot, but the sorbet only had a slight heat on the back end. It was quite yummy. I hope there isn't a delayed reaction in the morning when I use the bathroom, if you know what I mean.Musical entertainment was provided by this "Joey Fatone" look-alike. He rocked!-http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kevin-b-s-gourmet-food-truck-pye-long-beach?select=kppw2udFuoGNmlYJGhsJWQ#tJL80u2Ds4sqAB73teQd9AWe all had a great time eating & chit-chatting on this relaxing Saturday evening. Most importantly, we raised much needed revenue for a great cause. Thanks, Kevin, for inviting me to a fun event & I hope to come back in April for the next one, with a new line up of trucks for a different culinary adventure.http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/kevin-b-s-gourmet-food-truck-pye-long-beach?select=kppw2udFuoGNmlYJGhsJWQ#8iTYRF52KWbS_9XUBt1BIAExcelsior!

Kevin B. recently wrote a review for the Long Beach area's "Meals on Wheels" program, in the review he described how helpful the service is for his father. I did a little checking on the program in my area and learned more about the vital support this organization provides. Kevin mentioned a food truck fundraiser for the group; I thought it sounded pretty cool - next thing you know I received an invite to his PYE!Food trucks, getting together with some great Yelpers, and helping a good cause - that's a five star combination - we were in for sure!Five trucks in were in attendance, a priority for my wife was having a healthy meal. In addition I had been a fan of Sam Choy during Chopped "Grill Masters" competition. Therefore, we gravitated toward his Pineapple Express truck. I was disappointed many of their menu items were unavailable. We ordered several items - some hits, some misses. There were tables set up with outside and inside seating available. A solo live musician entertained the inside seating area (some hits and some misses with him too!), volunteers greeted us and offered comment cards for feedback on the event.This was Kevin's First PYE! A fun group of Yelpers that included Rodney S, Laina and Rohlin A, Ruth T, Dave G with his family, and a few others were fortunate enough to join Kevin and his father. I noticed several of the volunteers came by to say hello to Kevin's dad, I could tell the volunteers truly cared about him, and valued him as a client of their service. It was nice to see. 10% of the proceeds from the trucks went to Meals on Wheels, plus we were able to donate directly to a collection container at our table. In addition to putting together a fun group, Kevin arranged for two indoor tables to be reserved for our group - felt like VIP's! Worked out very well - guaranteed seating, and a home base to come back to when going to try another truck.Kevin was a great host, joining each table for a while and making sure everyone was enjoying themselves. Kevin appointed Rodney as his official photographer for the our get together. Thanks for the invitation and Congrats to KB on a successful PYE!

This PYE was located at Belmont Heights United Methodist Church in Long Beach bordering Orange County. This is a monthly charity event which collects money for "Meals on Wheels" with the food trucks donating 10 percent of their proceeds and collection jars set up for personal donations. There is street parking available on both sides of the church.Rohlinism: A little charity can make a big difference!The better half and I were warmly greeted upon arrival and the food trucks were parked in the church parking area. Kevin B. and Rodney S. were hanging out by the food trucks and gave us a run down on where everything was located. The church is currently rotating food trucks weekly to provide a variety and for this Saturday the following food trucks were participating:Sam Choy's Pineapple Express:Hawaii themed offerings including Kalua Pork, Wagyu Beef, Poke, Ahi Tuna and Loco Moco.Slammin Sliders:Slider Sandwiches with Kobe Beef, Lobster, California Chicken, Shrimp Po-Boy, Pulled Pork and "West Coast" Philly Steak. The Greasy Wiener:Deep Fried Hot Dogs, Sausages and Angus Beef Sliders.Palazzolo'sVarious flavors of Gelato and Sorbetto.Buttermilk Inc.Breakfast themed items including Hawaiian Bread Breakfast Sandwiches, Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Pancakes, Powdered Cake Donuts and Hawaiian Bread Cinnamon French Toast Sticks.There was picnic tables available in the church parking lot and additional seating in the basement of the church where there was some live music being provided. We also found Bob and Ruth T., Dave and Christine G., Christine's mom and daughter in the basement. There was other Yelpers there, but I didn't get a chance to meet any of them.It was nice way to spend an evening relaxing with some of my fellow Yelpers, exchanging some recent stories and sampling some new food trucks. I will be reviewing a few of the food trucks individually, so I won't be discussing the food in this review.The event seemed very popular and time seemed to just fly. Thanks to Kevin B. for inviting us to this event and we might even attend another one in the near future.

Any time you get to hang out with some awesome Yelpers is 5 star!!! Doing good in the neighborhood, even if not mine, priceless.The fab Kevin B. put together a small gourmet food truck event and invited a bunch of Yelp Elites to gourmet dine on gourmet food truck fare at a church in Long Beach, with some of the $ going to Meals on Wheels.The winner or wiener? The Greasy Wiener for sure! My love and I shared "the bomb dog" and the "bomb fries". Freshly made hot dog, wrapped in bacon, fried, topped with chili/cheese/grilled onions and 5 star all the way. Fries were hot and topped with bacon/chili/cheese/grilled onions and they were pretty good, 3 stars.My love went to Buttermilk where we shared a portugese sausage & egg on mini hawaiian buns. Boring and lackluster in flavor of all ingredients, 1 bite was enough for me and I let Rohlin have the rest.We were sitting at tables in the church basement wtih Ruth & Bob T., Christine & Dave G. and their beautiful and well-behaved daughter who loves pickles. Rohlin graciously let his pickle go!Still hungry (I shouldn't have shared quite as much of the bomb dog), I went back up in search of more taste experiences. I ended up at Sam Choy's Pineapple Express and the Wagyu beef tacos were sold out. Insert sad face here :( Trying to get rid of the sads, I went with fried pork belly and unfortunately it was very disappointing. Way too much fat, not enough pork, and just didn't do it for me flavor wise. As I was nibbling at this, the rest of our table concurred with their disappointment at taste and quality of the pork belly.Rohlin came back with dessert from Buttermilk. Mini blueberry donuts with a lemon glaze and powdered sugar. These little bites were hot & and very good, deemed 4 star worthy. What could have made this 5 star? Add a bit more powdered sugar sprinkled on and a small side of dipping sauce of the lemon glaze.After we made a quick stop at Kevin's to socialize a bit more and see the incredible view from his house! Wow. Bonus, his beautiful, shiny coated black lab named Westie, so sweet.Thank you Kevin for putting this together.