Bomb noms AT tom toms

My wife often says, “Don’t be too busy to have a sandwich from a gas station. Well, while getting my tires rotated, I had a sushi roll from a truck and loved the experience. It was so good, I felt compelled to give it a shout out as quickly as I could. For those in the know, it likely comes as no surprise that I’m talking about Tom Tom’s Island Style food truck, featuring sushi rolls alongside homemade Guamanian and Pacific Islander cuisine.

We jumped right in with one of our favorites—lumpia. These crispy, tightrolled pork and vegetable spring rolls are served with a traditional vinegar base dipping sauce. They’re perfect for sharing and not so indulgent that you can’t have them with a roll too.

We dove into the hibachi combinations next and opted for the island fried rice upgrade.

Large-cut yellow onion, al dente wedges of zucchini, and red bell pepper slices were covered abundantly by an enormous portion of grilled chicken. The chicken combines breast and thigh meat, tender but with a grill-top-finish resulting in an exterior with a welcome bite. The meat is thoroughly covered in spice but doesn’t pack any heat—just a rich, smoky flavor. The vegetables have a pinch of salt, so you get a flavor blend highlighting the fresh veggies and the intentional flavor of the protein. The serving is finished with a doctored soy/teriyaki reduction that provides a hint of sweet ginger without masking the dish’s flavor.

Tom Tom’s island rice is out of this world. Small bits of carrot with fine-chopped green and yellow onion intermingle with egg in an island spice and soy bath that tastes straight from the wok to the container. Achiote gives a rich red color for the finish, and a side salad of red bell and freshly pickled cucumbers complete the dish. The result is filling as the portion provides an almost guaranteed second meal, all at an incredibly affordable price.

To finish things off, we picked up slushies. I’d be lying if I said the spinning machine doesn’t catch your eye and mesmerize you as you’re ordering your food. The three-dollar price point screams, “Why not?!” On a hot summer day, it makes perfect sense to chase down delicious food with a sweet and fruity iced beverage that further completes the beachside vibe that Tom creates with his food.

Tom invites you to call in and place your order, but it’s worth visiting to see the current menu before deciding. Keep in mind, there is no seating available, hence the insanely messy food box photo we took while enjoying it from the back of the car. Share your experience at Foodies of Chico on Facebook and, until then, life’s a beach—enjoy the waves.