Gourmet Food Truck Brings the Spirit and Taste of Aloha to the Mainland – Tropical Shave Ice

At a preview event for the OC Foodie Fest last month, Kim and I finally had a chance to check out Tropical Shave Ice. @TropShaveIce as they are known on twitter, launched in May and have been on fire ever since.

That may sound like a funny description for a Hawaiian Shave Ice Truck but once you get a taste of what owner Rick and his family are serving up I bet you will become as addicted as we, and so many others, have.

Fusion Shave Ice with Bananas and Strawberries

They offer shave ice, with a variety of flavors like banana, cherry, orange and passion fruit. They also have suggested flavor combinations such as “Da Kine” which is pineapple, guava, coconut or “OC Lava” made with coconut, lilikoi and strawberry. You can add various toppings like a snowcap (sweetened condense milk), mochi balls, or li hing mui powder - a salty, sweet and sour flavor that is popular in Hawaii. They offer Fusion Shave Ice, which is shave ice, mixed with fresh fruits and topped with sweetened condense milk. You have the option to add Azuki beans, vanilla ice cream, mochi balls or lychee jelly.

Rick with an 808!

Rainbow!

This is true Hawaiian-style shave ice. This should not be mistaken for a snow cone. It is not crushed ice with manufactured, thick, sugary syrup. Their shave ice is like a soft, powdered snow with flavorful, fruity goodness. They make all of their own syrups, made with real cane sugar and natural flavors, which is one of the things I like most. As a kid whose family vacationed in Hawaii and later moved there, I have not enjoyed a shave ice in many years. Tropical Shave Ice syrups are all about flavor that tastes like naturally sweetened fruit.

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake - Da Kine!

In addition to their delectable shave ice, one of the specials they sometimes have is pineapple upside-down cake. It’s a moist and wonderful cake that is so delicious in its simplicity. You just have to try it.

"Kainoa" with EXTRA Li Hing Mui and Snowcap!
(Root Beer, Vanilla, Banana)

"Keanu" with EXTRA Li Hing Mui and Snowcap!

(Cotton Candy & Bubble Gum)

Tropical Shave Ice is one of the things I look forward to most when cruising for food trucks. And it’s not just the shave ice. Rick and his family are always super cool and welcoming. When you are with them, you are treated like family. They go out of their way to make sure you know how much they appreciate your business.

Opening Night of OC DinDin-A-GoGo 

Rick has also been a driving force around the OC edition of DinDin-A-GoGo. He is rallying other gourmet food trucks to help bring more trucks and new flavors to the OC. This free event, which started two weeks ago, takes place every Wednesday night at the K1 in Irvine. If you see their big yellow truck nearby, stop and grab yourself a shave ice. It will be an experience like no other.

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DinDin-A-GoGo Orange County is a Hit!

Tonight was the first DinDin-A-GoGo in Irvine. What a fun and packed night it was. We got there right when it started and already there was a good crowd of people waiting for the five food trucks to open their windows.

DinDin-A-GoGo is a weekly event on Thursday nights in Gardena. Tropical Shave Ice and Lomo Arigato have brought it to the OC. The event will now also be held weekly, Wednesday nights, at K1 Speed on Von Karmen/McGaw.

One of the things we like most about DinDin-A-GoGo, is how many people bring their chairs and make an evening of it. They hang out with their family and friends while eating some spectacular food! Think of it as the new family dinner table; families with children, couples, students, people from all walks of life. This was an event that everyone could enjoy. We had a chance to meet up with some of our friends as well. Some are food truck fanatics like us and some just know great food when they taste it.

The lineup tonight was Tropical Shave Ice, Lomo Arigato, Piaggio on Wheels, The Shrimp Guys and Calbi BBQ. Next week we expect that Dos Chinos will be on site.

Considering the event was just announced on Monday, we were happy to see such a huge turnout and all the support the trucks received. It was a nice mix having both OC and LA trucks at the event.


If you are a fan of food trucks or just want to try one to see what all the rage is about, come by DinDin-A-GoGo next week and make sure to say Hi! I think this might become our regular Wednesday night dinner spot.


Check out some of the food!!  

Chicken Milanesa Sandwich - Piaggio on Wheels

Coconut Lime Shrimp - The Shrimp Guys

808 Shave Ice with Snow Cap and EXTRA Li Hing Mui - Tropical Shave Ice

Chaufa with Tofu - Lomo Arigato

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DinDin-A-GoGo Comes to the OC! - K1 Speed - Irvine, CA

DinDin-A-GoGo is a gourmet food truck gathering on Thursday nights at the K1 Speed in Gardena, CA. This weekly event founded by Eric Nakata of Lomo Arigato started with two trucks, Lomo Arigato and Tropical Shave Ice. Eric invites 2-3 additional trucks every week to keep things fresh for the guests. So that means every week 4 to 5 trucks invade Gardena to serve up their awesome creations in a fun, family-style setting.

DinDin-A-GoGo at K1 Speed in Gardena

We had a chance to join the party a few weeks back. It felt much like a tailgate party! There were a lot of people having a great time, eating delicious food, visiting with friends and just kickin it.

Tropical Shave Ice

Lomo Arigato

Now Rick, the owner of Tropical Shave Ice, is bringing DinDin-A-GoGo to the OC! Starting this Wednesday night, Tropical Shave Ice and Lomo Arigato are coming to K1 Speed in Irvine (17221 Von Karman Avenue & McGaw) from 5:30 to 9 p.m. With them this week will be Orange County’s own Dos Chinos and Piaggio On Wheels along with special guest The Shrimp Guys.  Both Rick and Eric wanted to use this opportunity to unite the LA & OC food truck scene.

Dos Chinos

All of these trucks are amazing. We have been to all but The Shrimp Guys and they were on the top of our list to try at this week’s OC Foodie Fest. Now we don’t have to wait until then!

Piaggio On Wheels

So pack up your foldable chairs, bring your family and friends, and head on over to K1 Wednesday night. If you have not been to a gourmet food truck yet, these are some amazing choices to introduce you to the food truck revolution. I bet you will become addicted like we are! We hope to see you there!

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