Food truck culture is not a new concept to places like Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Portland, but it is fairly new to the Midwest. In a small city like Kalamazoo, food truck culture does not exactly have a striking presence. Nevertheless, Gorilla Gourmet is making its way into the hearts and stomach’s of locals and students alike.
Best discovered on foot, Gorilla Gourmet is a flavor rich for the passerby, who happens to pause and notice the winking open sign in the side window of a truck colored much like the weather, this time in February. A black and white gorilla stares at you as you deliberate the menu specials for the day, written brightly on a wipe board in saucy handwriting.
Located at 305 Oakland Boulevard, Gorilla Gourmet offers a variety of freshly-made favorites, ranging from Asian inspired tacos, vegetable soups and black bean chili’s made from scratch, to cheese sandwiches with an unexpected twist, combining bacon with avocado and smoked cheese, for example. While a great majority of their food is Asian inspired, this food truck isn’t afraid to be eclectic and adventurous when it comes to serving up food that endeavors to creatively intersect and merge different cuisines. They describe their food as, “Kalamazoo's best street food. International in scope and not restricted by flavor.”
Although their specials vary daily to keep flavors fresh and interesting, there are a few favorites that frequent the menu. The mega-veggie quesadilla deemed El Monstro, is an XXL flour tortilla filled with melted cheese and slaw for the veggies, all for $6. Also for $6, customers can order Gorilla Grinders. Much like a Philly steak sandwich, Gorilla Grinders are served hot and messy, with the meat enveloped in a melted layer of cheese.
Customers can choose between smoked pork loin and beef brisket. Prepared somewhat differently, the pork loin is garnished with spicy slaw and pepper relish all nestled in a toasted bun, while the smoked beef brisket option is topped with onions, mushrooms, and pepper-jack cheese, also in a toasted bun. Upon the first bite, it is apparent how seriously Gorilla Gourmet takes their meat, slow roasting it to an expert level of perfection where it falls off the bone or is smoked until tender, and taking care to marinate it in their own peppery sauce till it peaks in flavor.
Poblano Pork Tacos are another popular choice on the menu, simply comprised of slow braised shoulder with spicy slaw on corn tortillas. A single order gets you three small tacos for $7. While the meat is tender and seasoned lightly, the coleslaw—a throw of crisp lettuce, carrots, onion, and peppers—distracts from the experience and takes away from the flavor of the meat. The tacos are finished with a spray of hot sauce that delivers a fiery flavor throughout. The Poblano Pork Tacos many not shock your taste buds but are nevertheless satisfying and well worth the price.
After a first visit, it becomes apparent what it is that keeps Gorilla Gourmet in business, and keeps customers coming back for more. Street food is exciting, appealing to a certain sense of adventure that takes little effort to satisfy, being so close to home. At Gorilla Gourmet, they stick to the basics, cook your food right in front of you, and use fresh, local ingredients that taste even better than they look.
At Gorilla Gourmet, owner and chef Noel Corwin is friendly and tries to get to know his customers. He is rather chatty as he prepares an order, happy to have someone to talk to and to share his passion with. One drawback to Gorilla Gourmet is that their hours frequently change. Corwin says that weather often decides when they are open. To help get the word out when their stove is hot, Gorilla Gourmet relies on social media through Facebook and Twitter, where they let friends and followers know what they are serving up that day and how long they will be open for. Another drawback is they do not currently accept credit cards, but they plan to in the near future.
With its close proximity to K College’s campus and exceptionally low prices, Gorilla Gourmet is attractive to the average college student’s taste and their budget. Experimental with their flavors and openly friendly to their customers, Gorilla Gourmet helps individuals feel at home even on the side of the road, giving their customers a flavorful experience they want to return to. Messy and adventurous, Gorilla Gourmet may be unexpected and a little unconventional, but it is well worth the trip to see what specials they are cooking up for the day, and to try some hot and tasty street food that you have likely never tried anywhere else before.
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