With the 2014 release of his critically acclaimed film, “Chef,” writer, director, actor Jon Favreau (“Iron Man,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Swingers”) tracks the journey of a fictional food truck and its quick-tempered chef on its rise from Miami obscurity peddling Cubano sandwiches to a place in the Los Angeles culinary pantheon.
If you think this is a quaint little movie about a minor trend, consider the group that showed up at its table.
A-listers who appear in the movie include Dustin Hoffman, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr., John Leguizamo and Sofia Vergara. (As a softie supportive ex playing against hot-headed-temptress type, Vergara might be the most satisfying surprise ingredient in the film.)
Favreau, who wrote, directed and stars in the film as chef Carl Casper, drew inspiration from real life.
“The food truck scene has definitely become emblematic of Los Angeles,” Favreau tells CNN.
“It mixes up Mexican, Korean, Jewish, health food … every kind of culture here. It’s a reflection of and a recombination of the foods and culture that make up the tapestry of L.A.
“I eat at as many food trucks as I can.”
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The parking lot, which Favreau calls “ground zero of the L.A. food truck movement,” is where Choi first parked his Kogi truck in Los Angeles.
Show up for a First Friday event at The Brig and you’ll see exactly how Hollywood food trucks have gone since then.
Through the crowd of eaters, a squad of valet parkers rushes out to park your car — while you visit a parking lot.
Only in L.A.?
Possibly. But it’s a critical darling that just may be coming soon to a parking lot near you.
MORE: How to be an L.A. local: 8 tips for faking it
Have you got a favorite food truck in Los Angeles or another city? Share your pick in the comments.
