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Don Chow Tacos | |
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![]() | |
![]() Food truck | |
Restaurant information | |
Established | 2009 |
Food type | Chinese-Mexican |
Location | California, U.S. |
Don Chow Tacos was a Chinese-Mexican fusion food truck based in Los Angeles, California. [1] It was founded on April 22, 2009, by Dominic Lau and Lawrence Lie [1] with the motto, "Where Chino meets Latino", representing their Chinese heritage and Hispanic influences. [1] Don Chow Tacos ceased operations on February 16, 2015.
Don Chow Tacos was founded in October 2009. The idea was conceived when owners Lau and Lie identified a niche in the late-night bar-goer crowd. When they launched, the food truck industry was in its early stages.[ citation needed ] Don Chow began as a two-man operation, with Lau and Lie cooking and serving bar crowds. [1] [2] They appeared regularly at Zanzibar in Santa Monica and Townhouse in Venice. [3] Both kept their day jobs. [1] [2]
When the truck transitioned to a full-week schedule in October 2009, Ernie Gallegos was hired and Don Chow was able to establish regular operations. [4] The food truck gained local popularity after Guy Fieri sampled their food on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives in 2010 and again in 2015. [4] Earlier that year, Don Chow had been recognized on NBC's Food Truck Week on the truck's first birthday: April 22, 2010, and Dominic Lau was interviewed by Kurt Knutsson, "Cyberguy" for KTLA in May. [5] [6] As its popularity continued to grow, Don Chow was featured on a segment for National Taco Day on KTLA on October 4, 2010. [7]
Don Chow Tacos and owner Lau were featured on the Cooking Channel show "Easy Chinese" hosted by Ching-He Huang in June 2012.[ citation needed ]
In July 2013, Don Chow Tacos' owner participated Lau on the Lifetime Network's reality competition show Supermarket Superstar. [8]
The Don Chow truck served traditional Mexican food with Chinese flavors from Lau and Lie's family and friends' recipes. The menu includes tacos, burritos, tortas, "Chimales", and noodle dishes. [2] [9]
The truck made regular appearances at the Los Angeles Outdoor Cinema Food Fest, the LA Street Food Fest, and farmers' markets. [10] [11]
Don Chow made an appearance at Cal State Northridge's "Big Show" in 2009 and 2010. [12] In September 2010, Don Chow participated in the Los Angeles Times Celebration of Food and Wine. [13]