Cheese Nite w/ Mac & Cheeza and the Grill Cheese Truck

On this night, our mission was Cheese! Mac & Cheeza and the Grill Cheese Truck

I've been dying to try Mac & Cheeza ever since they had their soft opening during Downtown LA's Artwalk in February. Stalkingly, I have passed by their little shop about 3 times in the last 30 days or so, just to see if they had opened their doors. And finally, with an email notification, I found out that they opened their doors this past weekend for the March Artwalk.

So, we all piled in my car and hastily made our way there. After looking at their menu on the wall, I realized that each order was made-to-order, as it should be. We all had different combination's in the small portion - of the baby mac size, starting at 5 bucks. We shared a ham & black olives mix, a sausage & mushroom combo, a hot links one and my chorizo mac & cheese. Each of the orders had regular Cheese base, rather than the Soy base and regular mac noodles. I thought the Soy base and rice noodles offering would be too weird, but I guess it'll work in LA. I am more of a traditionalist.

The different additives of meats and vegetables went well with the melted cheese and mac. I liked how they ingredients that looked fresh rather than frozen. The spicy chorizo and hot links gave a nice mild kick. I also liked the savory black olives. I think Mac & Cheeza is a fun concept where you can make your own meal. But I know they haven't officially opened. Mr. S's combo was a bit cold in the bottom center. And personally, I would have liked more different selections in cheese. With different cheese you can get different flavors and wider range of combination's. My first experience with an All Mac and Cheese concept was in New York at S'Mac. Joshua, one of the owners, and their staff did indicate they planned to roll out other cheeses. Anyways. . . I know Mac & Cheeza will improve and I am looking forward to it.

We then found the Grill Cheese Truck, thanks to twitter @grlldcheesetruk. We had the Pastrami Grilled Cheese, the Gruyere with fresh basil, and my plain gruyere.

I had to admit, that I didn't like mine at all. Just gruyere cheese is not a great taste selection. Gruyere might go well on a burger, but not as a grill cheese. I should have added some sort of additive or protein. There just wasn't any big flavor or taste. I should have listened to the order-taker - on the suggestion of American or Sharp Cheddar. Anyways. . . Mr. B and Miss E was indifferent from their selection of the Pastrami as well. Mr. S had the gruyere with basil.

I was more in the mood to find the truck, rather than eat and taste the food. Since I was full from Mac & Cheeza before, I could barely finish my sandwich. Next time, when the moons are aligned, I hope to be able to make better selections and enjoy my sandwich. But I know, with its popularity, I do expect long lines, such as their first foray into Pasadena in the 1st week of March. Anyways. . . I do hope to try the Grill Cheese Truck soon again.

What to Order: At Mac & Cheeza - something spicy, like Chorizo or Hot Links, At the Grilled Cheese Truck - get American Cheese or Sharp Cheddar
What not to Order: At Mac & Cheeza - anything that might be bland. At the Grilled Cheese Truck - don't get Gruyere by itself

Parking situation: At Mac & Cheeza - Street parking on 8th or anywhere around. Should be easy to find parking. At the Grilled Cheese Truck - looking for parking anywhere nearby. But be prepared to stand in long lines.

Rating
2 pigs, $

Mac & Cheeza
223 W. 8th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 622-3782
macandcheeza.com

The Grilled Cheese Truck
thegrilledcheesetruck.com/
twitter.com/grlldcheesetruk

My baby mac with Chorizo. About 8 bucks with an old fashion root beer.

Miss E's olive and ham baby mac. They are somewhat look a like when they come out of the ovens.

I think they used a modified rotating belt oven, sort of like the toaster one.

Unfortunately, they don't have a dining room. They have a sitting room.

Like Subway, each order is made in front of you.

I think Mac & Cheeza will do well in the downtown market.

I am waiting for new cheeses to be introduced.

The simple Mac & Cheeza menu. Similar to the Counter's.

The Grilled Cheese Truck. Finally!

They were voted as the most favorite food truck by Mobile Cravings

The Pastrami Melt special. Tonight was special because of the promotion at Japan LA with Mr. Toast.

The sandwiches start at 4 bucks and go up from there.

The Gruyere with Basil.

My plain Gruyere on Wheat Bread. I liked the wheat bread.