Truck Load of Goodies

Food trucks are all the rage nowadays. How many food trucks are there in Benicia? 

Working in the industrial park, I see three, maybe four food trucks. I have only visited two. The taco truck on Park and Industrial has played a large role on my department's lunches, and my visits to Got Plate Lunch or GPL are frequent — more like weekly.

Have you ever eaten somewhere that reminded you of your original Hawaiian home? 

I may have left the island of Oahu 14 years ago, but GPL serves Hawaiian-inspired eats or how I describe them "local kine grinds". This mobile eatery definitely keeps me "close to home". GPL certainly brings out the Hawaiian girl in me. My first visit was in December and ever since I have been working my way through their menu. 

The first plate I ordered was their mini Loco-Moco. One of the many breakfast staples on the Islands of Hawaii, the dish consists eggs (prepared your way) on hamburger steak over white rice — smothered all over with a homemade gravy. Now this was not a staple for me in Hawaii. 

Some of the plates I would recommended include their SPAM and Portugese Sausage musubi (of course!). A musubi is nori wrapped around rice with meat in the middle. Served with sesame seeds on top, this dish could be a great appetizer or meal in itself because it is very, very filling. Their kal-bi (Korean barbecue meat) brings me back to all of the gatherings and parties I have been both in Hawaii and here — the smell and taste always gives me a sense of nostalgia. 

I was even given the opportunity to try out GPL's test plates, like their crispy tofu served with their specialty soy bean sauce over edamame. Catering to the request of healthier dishes, this one definitely hits the mark. 

I cannot forget to mention the garlic shrimp dish. This made-on-demand dish is by far the most popular on the menu — so popular that if you do not arrive early to order, you'll miss the opportunity to taste succulent shrimp over rice with a side of cabbage and cucumber. Squeeze a slice of lemon over the shrimp for added pazazz, and you'll be coming back for more very soon. 

Saving the best of GPL for last: the service. Jamie, her family, and staff are amazing. They'll remember your name, reviews, your suggestions, your criticisms, and your appreciation as customers. When I'm asked, "tell me what you think?", every time they pass me a new dish I haven't tried, I make sure to share my thoughts. 

You can find GPL here: www.GotPlateLunch.com. Currently they operate in Vallejo and Benicia. You can follow them on Twitter and Facebook to find out what time they'll be out and the location they'll be serving from. If you cannot make the daytime shift, GPL is a popular token to the new on First Street in Benicia. 

Belly Good Eats for GPL! 

Have you been to Got Plate Lunch? What plates are your favorite? What plates would you like to see? Are there other food trucks you would recommend? What are your suggested plates to try out? Let us know in the comments below.