Off the Grid – Walnut Creek

Yummy food options and convenient location. Match made in heaven. It can get busy here, so I park at BART and take the free trolley (bus 4 from County Connections) to Off the Grid. You could easily walk too which I’ve done. Last week when I went it was unusually not busy and I could have easily parked on site. I like that each week they change vendors so you don’t get tired of the same old same old. Off the Grid provides chairs and live music which is great. The live music does not start until later though. I’d say around 7…

Yuuummmmyyyy! So many places to choose from. We sampled Brunch boys, Ceviche & co, Street Dogs, Yummi BBQ, Go Streatery, and IzzyA Custard.
Brunch boys (⁵⁄₅):
chicken and waffle sandwich– very tasty combination of flavors, the waffle was a little too crunchy. I like the waffle crispy on the outside but a little soft/​chewy in the middle.
Mexican brunch potatoes– Hell to the yeah! On point! My favorite item at Off the Grid! The chorizo was cooked perfectly and tasted fresh and delicious. They don’t skimp on the portions like some of the trucks.
Ceviche & Co (⁴⁄₅):
Ceviche was fresh and flavorful and the chimichurra was good but we probably wouldn’t try them again with so many other delicious choices.
Street Dogs (⁴⁄₅):
son had the Chicago dog with everything. He said it was delicious.
Yummi BBQ (²⁄₅ — pancit only):
son had the pancit and said it was super dry. Only disappointing item on our food quest.
Go Streatery (5÷5− Lemon Ricotta donuts only):
Three dollars for 5 donut holes. So flavorful and delicious. I’ll definitely try these again.
IzzyA Custard (⁴⁄₅):
Salty caramel custard and fizzy izzy float– both were tasty and service was great. I would like to see them offer their own signature combinations. Bonus: you can add Boba to your custard!
Not every truck is ⁵⁄₅ but the variety, atmosphere, easy parking, and live music make this a ⁵⁄₅ experience. I’m officially an Offthegrid groupie!

Oh my my, some SF swag food trucks in the east bay? Helk YEH!
I was driving to spinclass (FlyWheel in WC, which I love btw) and my always hungry self decided to pull over to see what the fuss was about. Food trucks galore! Tucked in a side street on north california, there was an array of cuisines lined up. It was right at 5pm, so it was just getting started.
Low and behold, I saw Shark Tank alum Cousins Maine Lobster, parked right before my very eyes! Wanting to instagram a pic of the infamous lobster roll in front of the truck and hashtag #sharktank, I decided to skip my spin class. Instead, I paid $ 15 for a lovely buttery roll with a side of root beer. Oh also I got clam chowder, just if I wasn’t fatty enough.
Definitely check it out when it happens, you can go to the Off the Grid website or instagram to see when they’re back in WC. It’s a cool place to chill and hang with your friends, or go byourself and demolish a lobster roll while a random dude tries to make conversation about the Warriors shirt you’re not wearing.

The lobster roll is to die for. I have never tasted anything so good in my life. It is sheer bliss. A highly recommend. Only downside is that it’s rather pricey.
The 7 hour cooked pork belly is yummy-​licious. And order a side of fried dumplings, you won’t be sorry.
Can’t wait to try all the other goods there next time.
I will be back!

I love Off the Grid gatherings. I have never been to this location, so glad to try it out.
It is beginning of winter, so a slight breeze. But not too cold.
A good 8 – 10 trucks, but with a smaller crowd, we were able to try 4 different food trucks!
This is held at an old McDonald’s, so there is parking.
Different trucks, which is what i wanted to see.
Good OTG vibe!

It’s actually more along the lines of 3 – 4 stars, but I’m annoyed by the number of people reviewing the parking situation. Gotta love the suburbs. You do realize that this particular location is within walking distance from bart? Just leave the car at home, bart it, and walk over! All of that exercise will help work off any cheesy porky fries, cronuts, Chairman Bao buns, or beer that you’ll probably be ingesting.
I have never been to an Off the Grid in the burbs before, so I have no idea if what they have to offer at this location is any better or worse than Concord or Pleasant Hill. That said, it’s not like one in SF or even in Oakland. Some days are better than others in terms of variety. On these days, they’ll have Chairman Bao, Burnt Endz, Bacon Bacon, and that giant donut truck whose name escapes me. I do wish that they had more trucks, but I am glad that they serve alcohol – that’s definitely a welcome addition. Hopefully, we’ll be seeing more food truck variety in the future.

This is location has an awkward setup. There is limited parking inside (what used the be McDonalds) but it’s cramped and people are double parking to wait for their food if there’s no space available. Otherwise you have to park on the streets for an hour or find a 2hr parking so you can enjoy the ambiance and stay for a bit. The food trucks are hidden so it’s hard to decide if your favorite truck is there, and if you should park far, and end up not eating anything you like. There’s no handicap or stroller ramp if you end up parking behind Pete’s metered parking spaces… so frustrating!!!
I don’t enjoy this place as much as Todo Santos, or Pleasant Hill City Hall.

What a pleasant surprise to find a food truck round up in the middle of Walnut Creek. A smaller event (about 10 trucks) with a good variety. There is a bar set up and a small event stage for music, improv, etc.
It was a little chilly the night I visited and the Improv team awkwardly performed for an audience of about 10. They were troopers and made it the best they could. It may have helped that those 10 had a glass of wine or beer in their hands.
My favorite part about this OtG location is the ironic location. It resides in a parking lot of a closed out McDonald’s. Best juxtaposition ever.

Great food, great time, come get some!

Cool spot to get a taste of the Food Trucks. Place can and will get packed. Environment is safe and fun. Bring the kids.

Fun place to come and try new types of food. Not nearly as big as the SF or Oakland off the Grids but it is way closer!

Time: 4:47pm/101°F sunny
Purpose: Had late afternoon meetings in contra costa. Colleague message me about OTG either do it now or I’ll have to come back next week. It’s a no brainer right?
Set-​up: Food trucks located in the old McDonald’s lot minutes off hwy ²⁴⁄₆₈₀ take exit Mt. Diablo headed towards downtown WC. Beer garden towards back of drive thru area along with beer garden (all alcoholic beverages stays at designated area). Parking is limited with some reserved (read the signs carefully). Entertainment is a canopy with music track repeated every hour. Seatings are all located in front of OTG truck itself (some areas are shaded) sits about 50+, so come early for best seating. Porta potty and step pump sink located directly in back of drive-​thru area.
Staff/​Vendor: Today’s truck line up are as follows: Beer & Wine, Izzy A’s, Adorubowl, Mantyaah!, Drewski’s, Toli Dumpling House, Bacon Bacon, Gyro Stop, Lobsta Truck, Street Dog Truck, Burnt Ends.
Cleanliness: Grade A, well kept no paper trys, plastic utensils seen on ground. OTG provided biodegradable trash liners place at meticulous locations throughout event. Porta potty/​pump sink provided back area.
Eats/​Drinks: Tonli Dumpling House 6/​$ 7 and lechon kawali bowl from Adorubowl $ 10.75. Since event is rotated weekly, it won’t be fair to review two places, but will post it in their rightful business page.
Punch Lines: First WC location, rotating line-​up, Tuesdays only, secure lot, pet friendly, shopping district, easy to get to, parking (difficult, paid meter till 8pm), limited entertainment, family oriented, good for on the go, not much shades, extra seating on McD’s patio picnic tables, most take plastic.
Tradeoffs: Depending on what week you come, it could be good or so-​so. Check OTG site before heading over. No guarantees if one doesn’t show up. Don’t cancel dinner plans just yet.
Final Thoughts: Its nice to have OTG located within the downtown area of WC. Seems like a good place to kick it after work. Can’t blame OTG for not having certain food represented. All they do is the event set-​up and the weekly food truck line up. Whether you like or don’t like a certain vendor it has nothing to do with them. Simple average size OTG in contra costa.

Hells yeah, OTG in WC. Thank God!!! Love all of you guys and am totally enjoying my $ 6 Sculpin. Raarrrr!!! NOM for Mediterranean fare courtesy of the Mediterranean truck… omg, soooo happy. *food orgasm*

I can not believe it. There is an Off the Grid that just opened in Walnut Creek July 14^th. After over a year at Pleasant Hill there is finally one in the heart of Downtown Walnut Creek… the old McDonald’s parking lot. A great place to have an OTG market… across from Scott’s.
What is so great about this market… BEER! This is their second East Bay market that has alcohol (Pleasant Hill has alcohol in their Wednesday market). I am coming for the food of course.
I will admit that the space is quite small and it will be difficult to find parking. My suggestion for parking is to park at the garage across from Cheesecake Factory or the garage where Macy’s is at.
A big turn out for their grand opening. Do I expect this market to get slow… NEVER! Will Off the Grid see me here every Tuesday… Yes! I will admit that now I do not have to go to Serremonte or San Anselmo on Tuesday… well maybe once and awhile =)