One of the pleasures of summer is eating outside on a warm evening, especially when no cooking is involved. That’s why Palo Altans love to sample the offerings at “Off the Grid,” an outdoor food truck event at Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel on Monday nights.
Outdoor dining, complete with wine and beer
photo credit: Yelp
Off the Grid (OTG) Palo Alto features live entertainment, outdoor seating, and a wide range of choices by some of the most popular food trucks in the Bay Area. And unlike other food truck locations, this one also offers beer, wine and specialty drinks served by Crowne Plaza Cabana’s 4290 Bistro and Bar.
Food trucks’ unique flavors satisfy foodies…(and plenty of regular stuff too)
Food trucks are known for specialty ethnic food and unusual combinations, and the vendors at OTG Palo Alto certainly fit that bill (check the Off the Grid website for the exact choices as trucks vary each week).
grilled mac and cheese? Yes please! photo credit: yelp
Looking for macaroni and cheese sandwiches? Check out Cheese Gone Wild. Or maybe Asian inspired chicken dishes from Cambodia or Indonesia? Visit Rice Rockit or Phnomnom.
And for dessert, nothing beats an ice cream taco from Rocko’s Ice Cream Tacos, or a caramel apple pie treat from Cutsey Cupcakes. Of course, OTG also offers familiar favorites like fried chicken from Southern Comfort Kitchen.
ice cream taco- yum! Photo credit: Yelp
Locals love the casual setting and friendly vendors
While lines can be long due to small teams serving each truck, this gives ample opportunity to catch up with neighbors and meet new people. Vendors know all the regulars and have even been known to share recipes with die-hard fans who want to recreate their favorite food truck dishes at home.
A glance at the Yelp page for Off the Grid Palo Alto shows why this venue gets 4.5 stars, with one reviewer exclaiming, “Horray for OTG in Palo Alto! …Easy to get to and fun for everyone! ”
Another enthusiastic explained, “I love the concept of Off the Grid because it lets you try out multiple trucks at once and if you’re in a big group, there’s bound to be something for everyone.”
Music, lights and fun attract people of all ages
photo credit: Yelp
Perhaps the best part about Off the Grid is that it is suitable and easily accessible for people of all ages and backgrounds. There is ample outdoor seating, and the nearby lawn provides an excellent area for families to picnic.
As children dance along to the music, performers showcase their renditions of the latest pop hits or share their cultures by singing in Spanish and French. Couples sit underneath the stringed lights and enjoy glasses of wine after long days at work.
Keep summer going by visiting OTG on Monday nights
Warm evenings will continue for several months in Palo Alto, so don’t miss a chance to put a smile on your face at OTG on Monday nights. It’s another reason to appreciate the wonderful city of Palo Alto.
photo credit: Off the Grid
Details:
- OTG takes place in the Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel parking lot on Monday evenings from 5-9pm.
- Address: 4290 El Camino Real Palo Alto. See map for directions.
- Visit Off the Grid for information about food truck vendors, menus, prices and more.
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