On the first night of Hanukkah, my wife and I ended up in an alley eating pork buns with a pair of freelance mixologists, a couple of old friends, and Olympic gold medal swimmer Garrett Webber-Gale. The koala and the eye-patch wearing nun couldn’t make it.
But let me explain.
I’m not sure what you’re doing right now but if it’s not driving yourself over to the Eastside King trailer behind The Liberty in Austin, Texas, you’re doing the wrong thing. Ok, I suppose you could bike there. Or walk. Or you might already be eating there and reading this on a netbook or smartphone or something. Or through some small chance may actually be working there. Fine- all of these are acceptable as well.
Crazy freaking "that could not possibly be coming out of a trailer" food after the jump:
The point is, this place is badass and deserves your attention. Started a few weeks ago as a side project for a few Uchi alums (namely Paul and Moto), this little graffitied half-trailer is turning out fun pan-Asian snackery that’s so scrumptious that I’ll even put up with the word pan-Asian.
We descended on the place in a rowdy horde and basically demanded the whole menu. The first little pleasure to emerge was a couple of orders of curry buns. The chefs have been tweaking these for a while but I think they can leave them alone.
They start with one of those soft steamed buns and then deep fry the unsuspecting little guy, smear it with a peanut and coconut milk sauce and stuff in a handful of onion, basil, mint, and jalapeno. Pure chin-wiping, vegetarian addiction.
Next up were a few paper containers full of Thai Chicken Kara-age. Now normally kara-age is all Japanese and whatnot but Mr. Fancy Pants in the trailer decided to jack Pok Pok’s amazing Fish Sauce Wings and whip up some kind of insanely delicious Franken-dish.
Can you say juicy bits of deep fried poultry nibblets tossed in fish sauce, sugar, garlic and fresh herbs? I couldn’t because I was stuffing my face. A word of warning though - the Kings are not timid with the fish sauce. Garrett kept eating it and mumbling, “this isn’t chicken…is this chicken...I don’t think this is chicken…what did you say this was?...chicken huh?...I don’t think so…” A true Thai delight.
As a side dish interlude we then ravished the Beet Home Fries and the Fried Brussel Sprout Salad. The salad was tangy and tasty but its cabbagey bulk was decidedly lacking on the brussel sprout front. More please gentlemen.
The beet fries had a nice soft texture and their natural sweetness was accented quite well by the slightly spicy, togarashi-spiked Kewpie mayo. It wouldn’t have hurt my feelings if a few of the pieces had a bit more crunch to them though.
The second act came on strong with Poor Qui’s savory and unctuous Pork Buns. Inspired by Paul’s stage at Momofuku, these fluffy steamed pockets are filled with slices of roasted pork belly, cucumber kimchee, green onion and hoisin. Nothing to see here people. Move along. If they were good, however, I’m sure they wouldn’t go perfectly with a nice frothy cold beer from the bar. Nope. Wouldn’t happen.
We wrapped up the meal with some adorable little bags of Rootbeer Snickerdoodles baked fresh by the rockin’ pastry chef Philip Speer. They were crisp and chewy and had a pronounced rootbeer flavor. Apparently he switches up the variety on a regular basis and delivers them to the trailer as some sort of trade arrangement. I can’t remember for what though. Drugs I think. Regardless, I’m glad they worked it out.
At the moment, East Side King is only open Thursday- Saturday from 7pm to 2am. There is talk of Saturday specials and expanded hours but it’s probably safest if you just go by and check for yourself. (As of January, it looks like hours have been much expanded - also, follow @pqui on Twitter to learn about specials.)
The East Side King trailer can be found behind the Liberty bar at 1618 1/2 E. 6th Street. You won't see it from the street - go through the bar, grab a beer, and you'll see the trailer set up in the back.
Wow. You eat so well I must say I'm jealous.
Posted by: Skye | Sunday, 20 December 2009 at 07:47
What?!? Had not even heard of this place, and it's not showing up on Yelp. I must go. Now.
Posted by: Optimista | Monday, 21 December 2009 at 00:41
are they open THIS thursday through saturday?
Posted by: ps | Monday, 21 December 2009 at 12:02
Wow! I never heard of this place, but I'm soooo there! Thanks for the post!
Posted by: Food Dilettante | Monday, 21 December 2009 at 14:38
i was at liberty with a posse for a healthy chunk of last saturday night and didn't think to eat at this little graffitied half-trailor. we obviously blew it. hard.
Posted by: adam | Tuesday, 22 December 2009 at 00:57
Wow. Poorly done Adam. Poorly done.
Posted by: Logan @ Boots in the Oven | Tuesday, 22 December 2009 at 10:26
I had the fried sweetbread buns, the fried tonue buns, the Thai Chicken Karaage, and the Beet Home Fries, and fried brussel sprouts.. All were succulent and absolutely incredible, but the sweetbreads were one of the best bites of food I have ever put in my mouth. This is not the best food cart in Austin, but some of the best food, period.
Posted by: Do512_Jimmy | Friday, 08 January 2010 at 14:46
Great review. I can't keep up with all the new places opening up on the eastside, and this one looks spectacular.
Posted by: f | Friday, 08 January 2010 at 15:53
Do512_Jimmy - I gotsta get back to try the sweetbread buns! I hope they become a regular menu item. And we tried a beef tongue dish Paul made at Uchi on NYE that was incredible.
f - it's definitely difficult! What a cool time to be living in Austin. This one totally is spectacular.
Posted by: Boots in the Oven | Saturday, 09 January 2010 at 13:22
Went last night. Ordered 2 of everything on the menu and was not disappointed. They told us we were the largest ticket they ever filled. Everything came out fast and hot which was good because it was about 25 degrees outside! The food was amazing, the beets were my favorite.
Posted by: Kris T. | Sunday, 10 January 2010 at 15:35
Nice! Glad to hear things are still great there. Good thing they have those heaters there, but I admire your trailer fu - outside eating at 25 degrees? Damn.
I liked the beets, too.
Rachel
Posted by: Boots in the Oven | Monday, 11 January 2010 at 11:07
Sorry - the koala and the nun were attending a dinner at my place that night ;-) This place looks like somewhere that's worth moving towns for. Say, from London to Austin (which has always been on my list of places I'd lke to live anyway...). OMG, those curry bns! The description had me drooling. Even the beet fries seem strangely compelling, despite the fact that I don't like beet!
Posted by: Jeanne @ Cooksister! | Tuesday, 12 January 2010 at 11:37
FROM London? I don't know about that! But I do think Austin is worth a visit! And the beet fries are good - I mean, they are fried, after all.
Rachel
Posted by: Boots in the Oven | Tuesday, 12 January 2010 at 14:22
This trailer is the complete jam. Being lucky enough to be employed at the Liberty, I get to eat there all the time and try the specials before they become menu items. The slow roasted beef tongue buns with spicy mustard were a definite recent high point. Also, the trailer is now open 6 days a week, Mon. - Sat. to keep stomachs happier on a more regular basis.
Posted by: Beaker | Wednesday, 13 January 2010 at 19:13