RESTAURANT REVIEW APRIL 2017 MARKETPLACECONTRACOSTA.COM 31 to be invaluable to the brothers as they planned, launched, and continue to expand their gourmet food truck business. Ray works alongside Russell when Curbside Kitchen is on site, cooking and serving customers; however, his primary focus is on handling the many responsibilities and complexities of owning and operating the business. He handles most of the marketing and promotion of the Curbside Kitchen, and helps ensure that they are booked frequently at various locations throughout the local community and greater Contra Costa County. The Lozano brothers both graduated from college in the spring of 2012. Driven by their desire to create and spread their love for food, “unbounded by the interests and influences of distanced restaurant owners and corporations”, they formed a partnership and a plan that would lead to their current endeavor . In 2012, they purchased what used to be a gourmet Hot Dog Truck, and spent the next four years investing in upgrades and repairs that were essential to ensure reliable operation, as well as to promote their brand. The name “Curbside Kitchen” can be partially attributed to the four years that the truck Curb-Banh mi sat “on the curb” while it was being refurbished! But Russell said the name was also selected because it describes the flexibility of their mobile business. Curbside Kitchen officially celebrates its one year anniversary this month, having first launched in April 2016 outside of Barney McBears Beer Garden in El Cerrito (formerly Sky Lounge.) Their Grand Opening was well-attended by friends, family and supporters who had long looked forward to their launch. Since that first day, Curbside Kitchen has debuted at many other locations throughout Contra Costa County, and has amassed loyal customers who seek out their location when they want to partake of gourmet Filipino cuisine at a reasonable price. Each week, a calendar of events/locations is posted on their website to make it easy to find the Curbside Kitchen. Sometimes the truck is in two different locations on the same day, serving lunch until 2:00 and then serving dinner starting in the afternoons. They have standing bookings at select locations, such as year-round “Off the Grid” food truck events, and at the Certified Farmer’s Market at the Richmond Civic Center every Friday from 11 – 2. Local employers such as Kaiser (Richmond) and East Brother Brewing Company in Point Richmond often request Curbside Kitchen to park on-site for the convenience (and culinary delight) of their employees and customers. Finally, Curbside Kitchen is often present at local celebrations and festivals, such as the recent Hercules Bayfront Celebration. The Lozano brothers are certainly always on the go, and every day for them is a new experience! Curbside Kitchen offers a selection of delicious menu items which are all affordably priced at $10 and under. The standard menu includes favorites inspired by the recipes of their mother, but Russell also enjoys creating new recipes, which are often featured as “Specials”. The Curbside Burger is one of the most popular items with Curbside Kitchen customers, billed as their signature Filipino inspired burger. The sandwich is comprised of an Angus beef patty (ground chuck) blanketed with tocino (Filipino bacon), melted Monterey Jack cheese, marinated onions, served on a bed of arugula, achara slaw (carrots and daikon), sliced tomato, and house aioli on a toasted bun. When we visited Curbside Kitchen for dinner at “Off the Grid” in Facebook: CSKitchen | Instagram: curbside.kitchen | Twitter: CSideKitchen Sidewalk Fries
Contra Costa Marketplace - April 2017
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