Off the Grid Lineup: Sept. 12, Plus Q&A With Curry Up Now

Curry Up Now has quickly become a fixture in the San Mateo foodie scene. The bay area was first introduced to Curry Up Now’s flair for Indian street fare with a fleet of three food trucks, any one of which can be found at the San Mateo Off The Grid food truck meet-up every Monday evening. Then, on San Mateo’s B Street.

Here is what the owner of the Curry Up Now eateries, Akash Kapoor, had to say in a recent interview with Patch contributing writer, Anastasia Crosson.

Patch: When did the Curry Up Now truck first start serving the masses?

Kapoor: The first truck was running in September 2009, all three by June of 2010. We are looking to start serving south Indian food and expand both our trucks and brick and mortar [restaurants].

Patch: In your words, what kind of cuisine does Curry Up Now serve?

Kapoor: Indian street food.

Patch: Have you ever had formal culinary training?

Kapoor: No restaurant training at all - just eating! Everything is cooked in a commercial kitchen. There, I taught [my truck chefs] how I want the food to come out.

Patch: What is the most ordered dish and what is your personal favorite?

Kapoor: The Chicken Tikka Masala Burritto is popular, but the Kathi Roll is my favorite.

Patch: Are you serving up any special dishes this week?

Kapoor: Well, the menu specials change daily. But a new dish we’ve seen becoming very popular is the Sexy Fries - it’s our take on chili cheese fries. Criss-cut sweet potato fries finished with Chicken Tikka Masala.

Off the Grid San Mateo is making Monday night dinner as easy as putting in an order.

What: A unique weekly event that brings some of the Bay Area's best gourmet food trucks to First and Baldwin streets, San Mateo. Expect a swell of commuters and hungry locals to dine and dash.

When: Today, Monday August 22 from 5p.m. to 9p.m.

Where: San Mateo Caltrain Station, between First and Baldwin streets downtown.

Who's going to be feeding the masses?

Curry Up Now @CurryUpNow serving contemporary Indian cuisine, including specialties like tikka masala burritos and pani puri, a fried potato dumpling. If today's lunch menu says anything about whats on order for dinner, look forward to Tikka Masala Burritos, Deconstructed Samosas and Sexy Fries.

3- Sum Eats @3sumeats This truck's specialties include American classics with a twist (Mac N' Cheese Spring Rolls) and hot sandwiches like a tender, juicy pulled-pork. Order the deviled eggs from the sides menu - they taste just like grandma's. This week’s specials include a “Cornflake Crusted Fried Chicken Sandwich” and a “Housemade Faux-lafel Burger,” with hummus, goat cheese spread, harrissa aioli and Alfalfa sprouts.

Sanguchon @Sanguchon_SF A Peruvian sandwich two-truck operation, started by the husband and wife team of restaurateurs who also own San Francisco-based restaurants Mochica and Piqueo’s as well as La Costanera in Half Moon Bay. This truck’s territory is Potrero Hill in San Francisco, so enjoy it while you can at San Mateo Off the Grid.

Little Green Cyclo @lilgreencyclo An ever-changing menu of Vietnamese inspired cuisine. This week's specials include Surf n' Turf Garlic Noodles and Duck Confit Spring Rolls.

Kara's Cupcakes @KarasCupcakes A spin-off from a brick and mortar cupcake shop, this food truck is also called the "Karavan." The seasonal flavor of August is an Organic Strawberry Cream.

Mama's Empanadas @mamaempanadassf serving empanadas, Mediterranean pocket pie-like tapas. Grab one filled with Niman Ranch beef.

Hiyaa @HiyaaaRoll Specialties include Banh Mi inspired fusion sandwiches complete with do chua slaw: pickled daikon and carrots, romaine lettuce, and cucumber. Rice plates like Korean marinated beef, Bulkogi over Rice, are equally as inventive.

Wow Truck @theWOWtruck Specializing in "silog," a Filipino breakfast plate that typically includes garlic fried rice, choice of meat, and an egg (called "itlog"). Try the Tasty Silog Taco: Sriracha Garlic Rice, Corned Beef, topped with an egg overeasy and Pico de Gallo.