Off The Grid: El Cerrito

LOVE LOVE LOVE that food trucks have made their way to the east bay! Thanks OTG staff for including us– I think I can speak for the ‘hood when I say we appreciate you. That being said… can we get a little variety? I’m sure there’s a science of what goes where and what are the best sellers, but if you go every week (like i do– what? don’t judge me), the choices become redundant. How about getting us some of those elusive SF trucks? Maybe they don’t come over to EC? That being said my favorites are Koja kitchen, The Chairman, and Go Streatery.
There’s also plenty of seating at this OTG which makes it more pleasant to hang around.

This is just a wonderful place to catch dinner on Wednesdays, they have several different food trucks with good assortment of foods, from burgers, Indian, fried, kabobs, Cajun, and Korean plus ice cream/​doughnuts and more. They also have live music, so I highly recommend it, go out and try, take a break, eat and enjoy some music. My kid loves the doughnut truck and that is all he orders every time!

Tried Street Indian for the first time «Sexy Sweet Potato Fries» Originally confused about what I wanted; Thanks to Cameron’s help ;)

This was a nice surprise. It was our first time checking this out. There were several truck of different types of foods to choose from. There were some folding chairs, a few lights strung up, and some live music. It was COLD our particular night, so some space heaters would have been nice… BUT then if there was, there would probably be an issue with too many people hanging out longer after they finished their food… and then there’d be no seating left. So, never mind! :)
We tried the Rib Whip truck which was GREAT. :) Also, the Grid was staffed by people who regularly clean up the area and dump the trash bins. It was a nice little set up. We were told that the trucks that show up are usually on a rotation basis. So if you like a particular food truck, you can check online to see when that truck will be back. But otherwise, each time you come you can experience a whole new set of options to try. So we will definitely be back to see what else we can discover.

I am a super fan! I have appreciated food trucks since my time as a competitive equestrian when all barns and shows were served by fantastically authentic «roach coaches.» Since my stint in LA, I have fallen in deep love with hipster food trucks.
Moving to the Richmond Annex and coming across the El Cerrito Off the Grid on Wednesday night was such a lovely surprise.
As of late, it has been quite windy and cold and even though I would appreciate tables, I do genuinely appreciate this event.
I look forward to making to rounds with all of the rotating trucks over time.

Curry Up Now is my favorite because I can get an exploded samosa with chicken tikka masala poured over. I wish there was a pupusa truck!

I’ve been a fan since they first came to El Cerrito! I’ve been a fan since they started going to the Gourmet Ghetto in Berkeley. But, El Cerrito is closer to home and the trucks are just as amazing.
One favorite of ours has been Curry Up Now, but mostly we’ve gone to the restaurant in San Mateo. The trucks have been a little hard to find/​keep up with.
On a hunch and wanting something to do on a Wednesday night, I put O.T.G in my browser bar and there in the calendar was CUN in good ‘ol El Cerrito! We’re back in business!
Until that wonderful Wednesday arrives we new we had to go see what’s going on and if things have gotten any better. And they HAVE! It’s a lot cleaner, more trucks, great truck variety and lots of great folks around who enjoy doing the same thing.
Off the Grid has become a really wonderful choice for dinning out.
If you’re wondering, food trucks are looked at more closely by the health board than brick and mortar places. Those portable kitchens must MUST be clean. I’ve been doing the food/​taco truck thing for about 4 years now and I haven’t become ill once. Can’t say the same about eating out at restaurants.
So don’t fear, be adventurous, have fun and bring your friends. This is a great treat that not every city gets to enjoy. I’m really glad this is so close to home.

My first time trying the Kojo Kitchen Food Truck and I need to say it’s like a restaurant on wheels. I love the Beef Bulgogi with a side of Kamikaze Fries. Its like an American burger was introduced in the Asian fusion culinary arts. if you like Japanese style beef teriyaki, you will love the Beef Bulgogi. I would say this is one of the top favorite food trucks to look out for.

Sooooooooo, I was headed to another local eatery. When I spotted the orange traffic «special event» signs. Boy was I glad to have nosey genes, lol.
Here’s my taste buds breakdown:
1)Kamikaze Fries w/​o green onion from @KojaKitchen…Super good! I will order again, the flavor was exceptional!
2)Mac N Cheese from @kennysheartnsoul…I wish I had a lot more noodle with all that cheese. Not bad, not outstanding.
3)Red velvet, and salted caramel cupcakes from @CupkatesTruck…Totally, loved the red velvet! I should’ve checked the cake flavor on the salted caramel. It is chocolate, and I do not like chocolate cake. But, the icing was really flavorable.
4)And, lavender lemonade from @GoStreatery. I’m in LOVE! My new favorite drink. Hella Good!

Came here last night with my fiancé for date night. I’ve come here several times before and have really enjoyed the atmosphere. The El Cerrito Off the Grid is super cozy and it feels like a neighborhood get together. I definitely recommend checking Off the Grid out if you haven’t done so already. I love being able to try many different types of cuisines and listening to some great music. Make sure you get there before 8 pm though. They stop taking orders at 8 exactly, so don’t be late!

We have been eating food trucks for ever! They used to have Off the Grid at the Larkspur ferry. Then we ate at the trucks at Larkspur landing.
Now we’re in East Bay and Loving Wednesday night El Cerrito Off the Grid!
Best food and trucks are–
LEXIES FROZEN CUSTARD! Everything is awesome!
The Chairman must have food is Crispy Miso Tofu steamed bun. My hubbyis not vegatarian says the BBQ beef is awesome.
Koja Kitchen must have food Vegetarian Kamakazi Fries. Hubby gets non vegatarian. He says there delishious
Street Dogs Chicago dogs are spot on! I get the vegatarian dog. Delish! Husband gets meat dogs. Says there are Chicago style (where he is from) spot on!
Another excellent truck is the Pacific Puffs. Cream puff truck. Have not seen it in El Cerrito. But would LOVE to!
–1 point because the trucks are not rotated enough. Needs to be more selection.

At Off the Grid right now and here’s what we like: An the Go (yummy and lots of food for your money), hot dogs from Street Dogs, entertaining music, and a chance to hang out with the family. It was topped off by the super smooth frozen custard from Lexie’s, which took me back to good days in school at the University of Wisconsin. All in all, a lovely evening.
What we wish for more of: seating. Please more chairs… there are a lot of us here, especially with families.
What I will never, never, NEVER eat again here: Smokey’s BBQ. Oysters were dirty with the wrong topping and overly fishy (read: old seafood), fries were overfried and not in a good way, and the only flavoring on the ribs is the smattering of sauce on top. By the way, I don’t think it’s normal for your kid to hold up every other french fry and say, «Look mama, jaguar spots!»
We’ll be back for sure but will definitely be more selective about where we spend our money.

I love Wednesdays, not just because its hump day, but its OFF THE GRID night!
I happened to stumble upon this block party in El Cerrito, where they usually have about 12 food trucks from cupcakes to tacos to garlic noodles. There’s something for everyone and quite the variety, rotating vendors every week.
The lines may seem long they seem to process people through pretty quickly. Enjoy the ambiance with the catchy tunes in the background and meet your neighbors (or new ones) while comparing foodie notes and what’s good at each truck.
So far I’ve been here 3 times and there’s always something I have yet to try, so I go back.
Food truck food may be a little pricey for some but its also a smörgåsbord where we can try a lot of variety in one place. I especially love the Asian fusion food, but I am game to try anything that smells like yum. And that means I can give myself the night off to cook!
Thank you OFF THE GRID. I will be back with fork an knife!

Family friendly, big, and not too crowded if you get there early.

Usually nothing outrageously cool happens in El Cerrito. That is until I reconcile with my relentless devouring alter-​ego.
You see, when I think about food trucks, blocking a busy street and forcing traffic to circumvent on a Wednesday, and seeing that bright orange sign saying don’t turn standing out in jerk fashion I flutter with all kinds of emotion.
Especially when I need to force my voracious, considerable unhealthy, appetite from fast food drive-​thrus on a cold winter day; I’m out promenading the rounds semi-​shivering looking to get some Señor Sisig w/​fries smothered in cheese, salsa, and the works or melted sandwiches with extra bacon from the Melt or some mouth watering BBQ from Seoul on Wheels with Crème Brulee for dessert?! I guess you can tell from that run-​on sentence that I got too excited there for a second. That’s proof you just might want to check this out to understand for yourself.

Off the Grid is off the chain!
Street trucks with yummy food on Wednesday nights in the heart of El Cerrito! A food junkie’s dream.
So happy the Off the Grid has moved to El Cerrito. Its a great addition for the El Cerrito Community!
Be prepared for Disneyland lines and superb flavor.
Yes the lines are long but there is a reason. You are experiencing food like you have never experienced before.
The Lumpia is the best in the World!
Please Bring Cash!

3.5
Trux are spendy!!!4 peeps and $ 75 later, here was our experience. We did have to fight for some chairs… one extra for placing all of the to-​go boxes.
Arki fried chicken and donuts (outa donuts by midway through the night, those dummies)
Seoul on Wheels
Liba’s falafels
Chairman Bao
Kung fu tacos
Señor Sisig
And some others, like that frozen kustherd truck (think bacon Liege waffle-​ettes, bourbon, or 4 Barrel coffee custard).great to know that EC has this option for dining now. We found a spot right next to the post office. not a prob. Would we come again?
Prolly — but hm… not sure all the queueing up, hunting for chairs, balancing everything, and the $ 8 – 10 plates are all worth it. Probably not!
No Melt that night, no Kara’s cupcakes, and waaah… no Curry up Now!

Super good. Too crowded to even WALK a bike. Some long lines, some short ones. Some good veggie options. Some street party vibe. Could maybe lose a star from the loud generators everywhere, but what to do about that? Rumor abounded that everything there was compostable, mine was, for instance, and why shouldn’t it all be?
Ate the peasant food, and it was delicious. Want to try the veggie sliders next. Or the veggie garlic noodles. Or…

Ok so this has been here for 3 weeks and I feel like I can appropriately review this.
THANK THE FOOD GODS for providing El Cerrito something interesting in the realm of cuisine.
Honestly, when I first heard about OtG coming to El Cerrito I was skeptical because of the space and how the community would receive a food truck frenzy. But after 3 nights of OtG, it seems like people love it here.
First off let me say I really like the location of this Off the Grid. It’s wide open, unlike the Telegraph OtG. Reminds me of the OtG when it was on Shattuck. Given the open space, they can comfortably have 9 food trucks in the area.
So far I’ve come across Koja Kitchen (Korean Japanese Fusion), Chairman Bao, Architeture’s Kitchen, Yummi BBQ, Kara’s Cupcakes, Whip Out, A Peruvian truck, and a few others I don’t remember at the moment.
THERE IS ALWAYS A LINE FOR KOJA! I’m talking expect an hour wait. Unless you get there right at 5pm. But the food is delicious. If you’re a foodie, then Koja is definitely worth the wait. The Peruvian truck is also delicious. I had it last night, not nearly a long wait, but at one point the OtG management was conducting a walk through so our food was a little delayed. Hearty pork sandwich for $ 8.
One thing people do need to understand is that while it’s truck food, the prices are still in the $ 6 – 10 range primarily. I heard a couple people complaining about the price, but they need to understand that the quality of food they’re getting is better than a regular old taco truck or something.
The last thing I’ll mention is that I like that it’s BART accessible. I live in El Cerrito, but I met up with a friend from Oakland last night. All he had to do was hop on BART and walk a few blocks. Simple as can be.
I do hope the success of Off The Grid in El Cerrito will continue and not fade away.

I don’t know when Off the Grid started coming to El Cerrito, but I have a feeling this week was the first. They set up their 9 food trucks on Fairmount, between San Pablo and Carlson. The place got packed immediately.
There was a lot of parking available in the area. Including street parking, which I gladly took advantage of.
As for the lines, it was insane. I picked one of the medium lines to try «An the Go“‘s garlic noodles. It took me about 20 minutes to get to the front.
All in all, a good experience. I’m just happy that they come to this neighborhood of Easy Bay. I’m hoping next week won’t be as crazy. I still have yet to try the Koja truck…