This past Friday, my boys and I went out to stop by two food trucks so we could compare and judge the food from the two. We went to the two closest to us: The Bistro Box in Renton, WA and Cilantro Cocina Mexicana (CCM) in Bellevue.
First we stopped by CCM. The truck was clean, the service was great and they even had a seating area with come pretty comfy outdoor furniture. This was really nice to have, especially with Mexican food. This was the first time we had visited the truck so I asked them for their specialty. We ordered their tacos, which was the simple tacos on corn tortillas, with pico de gallo, cilantro with pork, chicken and beef. My oldest son, Caleb, decided on ordering their bean and cheese soft taco.
I was excited to try the food as it looked great, but the taste was flat. It was pretty odd. The flavor was just lacking. It was fresh, but it just didn't have that flavor one is accustomed to with Mexican food. I have had Americanized Mexican food, I've had real Mexican food and both do have one thing in common: big flavor. I was just disappointed in how lacking the flavor profile was, especially in the meat. I am not sure they cooked the meat in any spices at all. The boys agreed. Although they are young, they are great critics for food. Both of my boys gave the food a 5 out of 10. We actually ended up throwing most of it away, knowing we had another stop. I want to give them another chance, but I won't make a special trip to do so.
Pluses: Fresh food; clean truck; great service; great seating area
Negatives: Flavor was flat
Recommended?: Only if you are in the area, no need for a special trip. Worth it if you are in Eastgate.
After visiting CCM, we moved on The Bistro Box. This was our second time to the Bistro Box in Renton and we were happy we were ending here. The Bistro Box is awesome. The truck is clean, and the chefs are very personal and fun to talk to. Barb, the owner, takes great pride in food and the creations of flavor that they serve. My boys each ordered one of their Kobe Beef sliders called, "Joe's Special." Joe's Special was designed by Barb's son Joe, who also works at the truck. Joe's Special is served on a small potato bun, with chipotle BBQ sauce and bacon. Honestly, it's one of the best things you'll put in your mouth. My boys were stoked to pepper their palate with this beautiful creation and couldn't stop talking it up like Superman himself delivered it to them. I ordered the special of the day, which was a Chicago style pot roast sandwich with fresh veggies, I think a horseradish sauce on a baguette. The blend of veggies was a perfect combo and added some contrast of crunch to the to the mouth watering beef that melted in your mouth. This was in stark contrast to the beef that was served at that other truck that we had already forgot about. Not only that, but we also had some awesome french fries dipped in their homemade fry sauce (we've also had their garlic aioli dipping sauce which is amazing). Again. Awesome. After we were done, I had my boys go tell Barb & Co. how great the food was. Coleman, my 5 year old, ran up to Barb and gave her the 411: My sandwich was legit! Barb, thinking she couldn't have heard him right, asked, "Did you just say your sandwich was legit?" He shook his head in glee and excitedly told her how great his sandwich was. My boys gave their food 10 out of 10 stars. If they had any stars left over, they'd happily add those to the total as well.
Pluses: Clean truck, great service, great people, great menu items (Kobe Beef & coconut chicken sliders, salads, paninis, french fries (with five different dipping sauces) & daily sandwich specials), great flavors in all their food I've tried so far.
Negatives: No seating. But honestly...it's a food truck...you're supposed to eat off of your car.
Recommended?: Definitely. Go out of your way. I have now visited The Bistro Box four times and have yet to have anything that wasn't amazing. If it is anywhere near lunch time and you are on the West side of the United States, I'd recommend you change your Google map directions to include a stop to see Barb & Co.
Hands down, The Bistro Box wins this war. Barb and her crew are amazingly nice and take great care in regards to their food. Even with the flat flavors of CCM, I can say the same for them. I'd definitely recommend both trucks, but if you have one place to stop for the day, treat your belly to a carnival of excitement with the flavors that will be dancing inside by stopping by The Bistro Box.
If you want more information on either truck, here's the dealio:
Cilantro Cocina Mexicana (no website, link it to Yelp)
15220 SE 37th St
Bellevue, WA 98006(206) 372-6632
Right behind the Pizza Hut and 76 station. Takes major credit cards. I believe they are open
for lunch Monday thru Friday.
The Bistro Box
Locations: (make sure to check their Facebook page for updated locations)
Tuesdays: Renton Farmers Market (without truck), 3rd & Burnett, 3 pm. – 7 pm
Wednesday thru Fridays (7:30am - 2pm) at Sips Espresso (315 Sunset Blvd)
Sips Espresso is a purple building down the street from the old Sunset Cars lot and the 405/Hwy 167 interchange.
They take all major credit cards.
Facebook: The Bistro Box
Twitter: @bistrobox
Phone: 206-406-6202
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