El Jefe Pop-Up

If you’ve seen the new Jon Favreau film Chef (and if you haven’t, what’s wrong with you? It’s great.), then you know his character ditches the restaurant world and re-discovers his passion when he opens a food truck called El Jefe that serves killer Cubano sandwiches.

In a delicious way of life imitating art, Favreau and Chef Roy Choi (a producer on the film and food consultant) have been promoting the film by having El Jefe pop-ups and serving those mouthwatering sandwiches. Last Thursday, they did one at The Line Hotel in Koreatown (where Choi has his newest restaurant Pot) but I was unable to go.

However, this Memorial Day Weekend got even better when Choi and Favreau tweeted they were having another pop-up all weekend long at The Grove at the location of Gordon Ramsay’s recently closed Fat Cow (a name Ramsay’s probably called a lot of people). There was no way I was missing this one so Saturday night I got my ass down to the Grove. And, man, was I glad I did.

The Cubanos were just as delicious in my mouth as they looked onscreen. Boiled ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard, butter, and pickles served on a crispy baguette. This was one amazing sandwich. And why wouldn’t it be? It was from Choi’s own recipe. And to wash it all down? A refreshing cup of watermelon agua fresca.

The El Jefe Cubano. At first it was a superficial attraction...

....but then it was love at first bite.

In addition to all of this yum, Favreau and Choi were there as well chatting up the crowd. It was so cool to meet Jon Favreau. Of course, I love his Iron Man movies but this is the man who gave us the modern classic Swingers. That movie came out around the time I moved to L.A. and for me it captured a wonderful period of my life. Favreau was very cool and nice enough to sign a poster and pose for a picture.

Okay I am not stoned in this picture. There were
technically difficulties with the camera and
I wasn't ready when it finally went off.
I swear!

It was also a thrill to meet the Kogi master himself. If you read The Bite regularly, you know I admire the man’s mad culinary skills. I was just about to open my Cubano and chow down when he suddenly walked by and before I knew it I was shouting “Chef! Can I get a picture please?” and he happily obliged. I also told him “You fucking rule” before he left.

Now I must tell you ever since I moved to L.A., I have never gushed when meeting a celebrity. I have never even asked one for a picture and this includes Clooney. But when I saw Choi, I have to admit I gushed a little. It’s not my style and I’m not proud of it but it happened. I’ve made my peace with it.

Me and The Master

The whole thing was a pretty surreal experience. Friday night I’m watching a movie about a chef who finds his redemption in a Cuban sandwich and the next night I’m eating that sandwich. 

By the way, if you’re reading this on May 25^th or 26^th and live in L.A., good news: They’ll be doing the pop-up one last time at The Grove on Memorial Day from 7-11 pm. If you’re reading this after? Bummer, dude. You missed a kick ass sandwich.

Chego

Okay so if you know me, you know I worship at the altar of Chef Roy Choi. The man is a culinary genius. Sure winning the lottery would be great but let’s face it, there’s pretty much nothing more enjoyable in life than anything you can eat from the Kogi truck.

That being said, I have a confession to make. The Kogi truck is the only food of Chef Choi’s that I’ve tasted. Yes I am just as ashamed of myself as you are. But all that was remedied when I recently visited the master’s first brick and mortar, Chego (eatchego.com).

Located in the Far East Plaza in Chinatown, Chego is Choi’s take on the rice bowl. And what a delicious take it is. With so many rice bowls—not to mention the 3PM Meatballs, Ooey Gooey Fries and the Chego! Burger—and so little time, we decided for our first visit we would try bowls. I mean that’s why the man started the place, right? So we tried the Chubby Pork Belly and the Sour Cream Hen House.

The Chubby Pork Belly is a kochujang-lacquered Kurobuta rice bowl with fried egg, pickled radishes, water spinach, Chinese broccoli, cotija and peanuts. The pork is amazing. It has great flavor and practically melts in your mouth. The kochujang provides enough heat to complement the bowl without overwhelming it and this is coming from someone who normally can’t do spicy. Choi enjoys putting a fried egg in a lot of his dishes. As a result, I’ve discovered I really enjoy fried egg in a lot of dishes. I’ve even discovered that pickled radishes are pretty damn tasty. This is a bowl I would definitely get again. And again.

The Chubby Pork Belly. It was chubby-licious!

Just as delicious is the Sour Cream Hen House. It’s a marinated grilled chicken rice bowl with fried egg (there’s that fried egg again), Chinese broccoli, sour cream sambal, Thai basil, toasted sesame and red jalapeno. The sour cream sambal and Thai basil stood out in this amalgam of flavors and, just like the Chubby Pork Belly, the bowl had the right amount of spice.

Sour Cream Hen House. This hen can come
to my house anytime.

Now my dilemma is what to try next. Tiny’s Prime Rib Rice Plate? The Beefy T? The Steak in the Heart prime rib sandwich? And once I decide, do I save room for dessert?

As with Kogi (and I’m sure with his other restaurants I still need to try), Chego further proves that Roy Choi is a mad genius at blending flavors. He’s like a master DJ who mixes and spins flavors into a delectable beat that transforms your palate into the best rave ever.

The place itself is small with a few seats along a counter but that adds to its strip mall charm. The day we went the sound system was kicking out the retro jams of Eric B and Rakim. There’s also seating outside but then you’d miss out on the incredible aroma of everything’s that cooking.

So get your ass down to Chinatown and have a bowl.