Patti's Palette: Alibi Room x Kogi

Small crowds of people are waiting, just waiting... They update their Twitter feed and BOOM! The Internet bullet has fired and tweeted the current whereabouts of a certain taco truck, which allows LA locals to instantly line up and enjoy some of the hippest food in the area: Korean Bbq Tacos. Yep, you heard that right.

Kogi BBQ has developed this cult-like following that fuses both the food and Internet social phenomenon that consumes Los Angeles. This concept blends the mouth-watering goodness of Korean Bbq with the manageable transportation of Mexican staples [tacos, burritos, quesadillas] and transforms it into a one-of-a-kind dining experience! We know tacos aren't Korean, and kimchi isn't Mexican - but in LA, this works. Very well. If mega long lines and timely waits aren't telling signs, I don't know what are. (Make sure you order enough food the first time!)

You know Jon, Chris and I leaped in the car when we found out Kogi opened their first kitchen at the Alibi Room in Culver City. Their signature taco is one filled with korean short ribs; the best chops of meat marinated in their special sauce all topped with sesame chili salsa roja, julienne romaine and cabbage, chili-soy vinaigrette, crushed sesame seeds and sea salt. Damn, street food is steppin' up! Their short rib sliders are burger style, very similar, except with sesame mayo and grated cheese. A spicy zing to the french fries we ordered made them different than the traditional bar-food type. If you're one who's open to trying new flavors, the kimchi quesadilla is one to test out. Filled with a Mexican cheese blend and spicy Korean kimchi, served with red pepper sour cream to dip, this dish gets two thumbs up from me. To complete the experience we had to order Chef Roy's dessert of the day, the combination brownie. A traditional warm chocolate brownie accompanied with cold caramel sesame ice-cream. There's just all sorts of East-meets-West with Kogi... Spread the love!