TLT FOOD
STREET FOOD WITHOUT BOUNDARIES

It’s quickly becoming a trend for chefs to make a name for themselves by serving delectable fare via food truck before opening an actual brick and mortar location. It has worked for the likes of Chef Roy Choi of Kogi, Andrew Gruel of Slapfish, and Jason Quinn (who first made a name for himself with The Lime Truck) now at The Playground DTSA. Recently, Quinn’s Lime Truck partner, Chef Daniel Shemtob, opened TLT Food (The Lime Truck, get it?) in Westwood Village and taco-lovin’ fans have been delighted.

Shemtob and Quinn made names for themselves after winning "The Great American Food Truck Race" with their Lime Truck. Walk into TLT Food and you’ll immediately notice the communal tables and its kick back atmosphere.

According to Shemtob, the concept was simple: deliver amazing food, use quality ingredients, make things from scratch, and make the experience great from start to finish. TLT Food is a fast-casual, chef-driven restaurant where you’ll find all the favorite items from their popular food trucks (there are four of ‘em currently roaming around town).

During our recent palate-pleasing visit for dinner, we started with the decadent and outrageous Steak Fries. This bad boy is made with marinated steak, Asian slaw, homemade wontons, and cilantro chimichurri. This is the perfect starter item made for sharing. It’s too big and gluttonous for one person, yet you will find yourself fighting with friends for extra servings. Pair it with one of their fine beers (their beer menu changes seasonally) or from their affordable wine selection. If you’re looking for something a little healthier, fear not, the TLT Food Veggies menu is first-rate. Start with the Roasted Corn—a half cob with Chipotle-honey aioli and Cotija cheese. It’s hearty and tasty.

One of our favorite menu dishes (and I mean from the entire menu) is the Roasted Beet Salad, prepared with roasted red beets, pickled golden beets, crumbled goat cheese, arugula, toasted almonds, olive oil, sea salt, and lime juice. It’s light and savory and just plain delicious. The Blistered Bok Choy with toasted peanuts, ponzu, and sesame is also a nice guilt-free item but guilty pleasures are what it’s all about here, and that means tacos!

There’s a reason why The Lime Truck won "The Great American Food Truck Race" and that’s also why you’re probably interested…tacos! Start with the Ultimate Taco—made with 12-hour pulled pork, Cotija cheese, homemade guacamole and Chiptole-honey cabbage. It’s called “ultimate” for a reason.