I did not know artichokes could be this good! My boyfriend and I passed by Pezzini Farms on our way back from Monterey, and we were so stoked that there was a food truck selling fried artichokes. I've only ever had them steamed, but this was a game changer. Bit pricey but granted it is a food truck. The artichokes were so fresh and delicious. I would come back if I was in the area. RECS: + Fried artichokes ($12) paired perfectly with garlic dijon sauce. Honestly I could eat the artichokes alone too because the batter was well seasoned read more

See all

Rushing to get to the food truck before it closes is the rush of excitement any person needs from time to time. Especially, if it is well worth it! Which all the artichoke dishes are! My favorite is the fried artichokes with the special dip. Staff are very nice! Highly recommend! read more

I ordered the fried artichokes from this food truck which was right outside of Pezzini Farms. The artichokes were pretty good, but I especially loved that they offered different sauce options. I went with the garlic dijon, and it was so good. It paired perfectly with the fried artichokes. It did take a bit of time for the order to be ready, but luckily I was able to look through the farm stand while waiting. read more

The Choke Coach - Fried artichokes - Food Trucks Near Me - Salinas, California

So this review is courtesy of us driving down to Santa Cruz to visit my family, as we do a couple times a year on average... *many* years ago, we randomly stumbled on a place selling fried, locally-grown artichokes (Moss Landing Cafe). We always talk about going back there and then never do, but last trip, on the way there, we started wondering if there were any other places get a similar thing in the area, that happened to be closer to the route we were taking to get there. Turns out there very much was, so we re-routed the mile and change out here to try it. Anyway, my rating in this case definitely is mainly on price/value proposition - we were here for artichoke, so obviously that's what we got. The 8 pieces of fried artichoke, and a fried artichoke sandwich ($10 each as of months ago when we were there), to share, which we did. Well, they definitely were "pieces" - very small, basically bite-sized pieces, and the sandwich had four total pieces of artichoke, of the same size (so 2 in my half). Came out as quickly as you would expect (pretty quickly, given nobody else was around), and I've got no complaints on the actual quality of the end product (which was quite tasty), but yeah. I could've eaten 3 of those entire sandwiches myself. Value-wise, Moss Landing cafe is probably a better value, if you're going out that direction. They were tasty, though. read more

The cashier spoke so quietly I had to really concentrate and then figure out what she was saying. Portions are small, ordered a side of fried chokes and two artichoke tacos. About three bites is how big the tacos are. Food was good though. Not much seating, three tables and one had bird poop all over it. We shared the order and I am happy to have tried but not dying to go back. read more

First time here and I was glad that we stopped by, this place is the BOMB! The fried artichoke were amazing!!! I ordered that hot links and fried artichoke, I loved every bite. The service was excellent! It's food truck with tables and chairs and surrounded by artichoke orchard. Very good ambiance. 5 STARS. read more

The Choke Coach - First time here - Food Trucks Near Me - Salinas, California

Bought two orders of fried artichoke hearts. My wife and I were extremely disappointed and didn't finish them. The breading was as hard as a rock and the artichoke hearts seemed old. We also purchased an order of French fries which were fine. We have been there multiple times and this is the first bad experience we have had. read more

I wasn't expecting a food truck to be at my visit to Pezzini Farms (see me review for them), but since The Choke Coach was there, my wife and I decided to try their fried artichoke. While waiting for our order to be ready, we shopped at Pezzini Farms and the order was ready once we got back. The order of fried artichoke was $11 for ~9 pieces of 1.5-2 inch sized artichokes. We also opted to get a side of lemon dill dipping sauce. The fried artichoke was pretty good and probably did not need any dipping sauce, but the lemon dill sauce was very good and refreshing to complement the fried artichoke. My wife thought it was a little pricy for ~9 pieces of artichoke, but most food trucks are a little pricy. There are a couple tables and chairs to sit at to enjoy your food, but we just ate ours in our car. We were not hungry as we just had a late lunch not long ago in Monterey. The employees were pleasant, but not really friendly. The accept cash and credit card (for a small fee) as form of payments. If I am in the area and run across The Choke Coach again, I would consider trying out their other offerings. read more

See all

Had to try the fried artichokes. Delicious! Good customer service. Outside seating in the sun felt good today at 61°. Lots of artichoke entrees to choose from. read more

The Choke Coach - Menu - Food Trucks Near Me - Salinas, California

Absolutely delicious! My husband and I loved everything. The fried artichokes were crispy, had great flavor, and were not overly greasy. We also loved the soup! It was super unique with the cinnamon flavor and it warmed us up on a rather chilly day. We also really enjoyed the artichoke tacos because of how meaty the hearts were. Please consider adding an artichoke burrito to your menu! We're looking forward to returning. Thanks Choke Coach! read more

See all

Service is lackluster , the young girl is very nice but the older Mexican lady gave me a dirty look when I brought the cold steamed artichoke back for a replacement , never said sorry about that or anything either. Fries were not very fresh and the hotlink I got was just warm not hot , slightly disenchanted here :( read more

Had a good experience with nice customer service at this food truck located next to the cute & fun-to-explore Pezzini Farms stop. Some tables and chairs were available to enjoy our eats. The pastor burrito was just ok, but the deep fried artichokes were delicious! Compared to other places, these were big and artichoke hearty, had a thinner batter coating, and were sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. Got the ranch which was good too. Would definitely come here again when in the area to get some deep fried goodness. read more

The Choke Coach - The deep fried artichokes are SO good! - Food Trucks Near Me - Salinas, California

We ordered: 2 fried artichokes $18 1 tritip sandwich $11 Artichoke tacos $7 Cheeseburger $9 Artichoke cream soup $7 Verdict, good to get items: fried Artichokes, Artichoke cream soup and the cheeseburger The portion is small, but overall the food was delicious. Though the Artichoke tacos are basically tortillas with lots of lettuce and almost 0 Artichoke lol, so pass on getting this and the tritip sandwich is small/tiny, the cheeseburger is bigger and cheaper and tasty too. The fried artichokes were really good, and not heavy. The soup was very delicious and we were there on a cloudy cool day, so it was perfect. read more

So so good! We were nearby hiking at some of the state parks, and drove by just looking for a quick bite to eat. They were parked next to this cute shop that was selling local produce and delicious artichoke cupcakes. We ordered the fried artichokes and artichoke po boy and both were fantastic. Everything is made to order, and we didn't have to wait too long. Looking forward to coming back and trying a few more items on the menu. read more

See all

I wish I could give them more stars. This is the BEST spot to get artichokes ever!! Straight from the farm to your mouth. And the prices are more competitive than anywhere in town. Monterey has artichokes at restaurants for half the size and almost double the price. I live in LA but I make a point to stop here whenever I'm in Santa Cruz or Monterey even if it's a little out of the way, it's totally worth it. read more

I got the El Pastore burrito and it was pretty good. Extremely good for a food truck. The price was nice too. I definitely recommend adding cheese. I will definitely have to try again. read more

The Choke Coach - Food Trucks Near Me - Salinas, California

Everything is cooked to order. While you wait you can take a peek in the Pazinni shop next door to the Choke Coach . They also had fresh baked Artichoke cupcakes and bread so we got one to go for dessert! So good! read more

See all

We were looking for a snack as we were leaving Monterey for San Jose last week. We were thinking we would have to stop at a gas station for a quick snack on the road, but then we saw a sign for an artichoke farm with a food truck. I almost missed the exit but pulled across lanes to not miss it! What find. It's located at a farm stand selling all kinds of artichoke-y products, parked with a few tables in front. The service was great - so friendly. We tried the fried artichoke, grilled artichoke, and lumpia. I like the fried artichoke, loved the grilled artichoke, and thought the lumpia were just okay (the filling was bland - tasted like defrosted frozen vegetables from the mixed corn, carrot, and pea bag). It was a fun stop - a surprise snack! I would happily stop by again for more artichoke dishes! read more

See all

We always stop here when we're in the area to get fried artichokes! They're the best we've ever had!

Such a cool concept of artichoke-based dishes - I ordered 3 tacos ( artichoke, carne asada, and al pastor), but probably what I would recommend instead are the fried artichokes and the artichoke soup, very unique and delicious! The truck is conveniently located next to a small market as well read more

The Choke Coach - Food Trucks Near Me - Salinas, California

Found this adorable little truck while on a quick road trip and we were not disappointed. We love artichokes and we were so excited to try some of their unique variations! We ordered the artichoke tacos, fries and a drink and sat at one of the small tables with chairs provided. It was a gorgeous day and the prices at this truck are super reasonable. $6 for two artichoke tacos $2 for fries and just a couple bucks more for a water and soda. Staff was nice enough. The food took a bit longer than expected but to be fair, until we sat down to eat we were the only people there. Now, I am a bit of a fry snob and the fries were just average but they were salted well and I was given some ketchup which helped. The tacos, on the other hand, were delish! Artichoke, onion, lettuce and a yummy sauce with creamy artichoke flavors and a hint of lime. I could easily eat those tacos once a week for the rest of my life. If you are vegetarian, if you love artichokes, if you have a pupper that is always with you, you have to try this place... you'll love it! read more

See all

I'll keep this simple for the foodies out there seeking a new thrill. The food here is simple. The menu is simple. The delivery and outcome is simple. Don't even begin to believe your palate will be blown away. It just won't happen. Not here. It just never will. Simple menu, simple style and flavors, simple review. Fried artichokes is the mainstay and perhaps the only reason to visit. It's Iike chicken nuggets but better. Way better. But have a 5 year old put it away like no other? Well, obviously better aye? Only thing I'd say though, they are...slow. Truly slow. Sometimes I think that's why they're called the "choke" coach. They really show their limits when there is a line longer than four. Otherwise, if you're around the area, want some fried chokes at a "choke" kitchen, give this place a shot. It ain't bad, it ain't spectacular but it sure is familiar to the area at this point and worth a visit. See you around sometime. read more

See all

Good food, fun menu, great service. Stopped here in the middle of a road trip for a bite to eat and also checked out the store located next to the food truck. read more

Great place to grab a bite when you're picking up produce. Fried artichokes are perfectly fried. Grilled artichokes are so good. Try the different dipping sauces and you'll take it to the next level. I supplemented it with a hot link. So good! read more

The Choke Coach - Fried artichoke - Food Trucks Near Me - Salinas, California

I've never had a bad meal from here. Consistently great food. Can be a bit of a wait at times but I find walking through the market next door helps pass the time. read more

Decided to order lunch at the Choke Coach as it was at Pezzini Farms and we wanted to try some artichoke items. We got the artichoke tacos and the deep fried artichoke with garlic aioli. Typical food truck prices. They also charge an extra 50 cents for every $10 if you use your credit card but that's not really a big deal. Had to wait quite a bit for our food but it did come out hot. The deep fried artichokes were super crispy on the outside and tasted quite meaty on the inside. I think the garlic aioli was a bit overpowering. The tacos complemented the natural flavors of the artichoke better but portions were pretty small. Not sure if I'd come back again and again, but worth it to check out at least once! read more

The Choke Coach - Food Trucks Near Me - Salinas, California

The food was average. Very small portions. $9 for a tri tip sandwich that fit into a hotdog bun? I'll definitely pass this place up next time. I'm sure they have other good foods I just didn't get what I was hoping from this place. The famous deep fried artichoke was not something I loved. I also don't usually eat artichokes but eight dollars made for an an interesting experience. The artichoke is really soft and squishy, but it was crispy on the outside. Paired with Parmesan cheese and a really good lemon dipping sauce made them something I don't regret trying once. However the farm that this place was on had a really cool atmosphere. read more

The Choke Coach - Tri tip - Food Trucks Near Me - Salinas, California

See all

Delicious! I loved the fried artichokes, and would've love to try more on the menu. The store itself is cute as well, would definitely visit again! read more

What is not to love about this vendor? I've been going for years. The grilled artichoke tacos are great.

If you are craving anything artichoke; the choke coach is the place to go! Po boys, burritos, deep fried artichoke, grilled artichoke, artichoke soup, steamed artichoke, artichoke tacos, artichoke lumpia - its it has artichoke's; they have it! Everything is delicious, made fresh and unique. The artichoke cupcakes are also amazing! Fluffy, similar texture to banana bread and covered in a cream cheese frosting. The farm stand they park next to is absolutely amazing as well. You will not be disappointed with the choke coach! read more

What a great spot to stop at to get an artichoke snack!! Plus they have an amazing market with fresh produce, breads, snacks, goodies to buy!! Plus the bathrooms are super clean read more

The Choke Coach - The Choke Coach - Food Trucks Near Me - Salinas, California

See all

Artichokes every way you can think of, plus a couple more. Fried Artichoke is a must. A thick batter, nice crunch, great dips. Artichoke tacos are creamy and fresh, but these aren't the best thing they make. Same with the Artichoke Po'boy, but it's still a fun sandwich. I prefer just a simple grilled artichoke - I love pulling off each leaf until I get to the core. Just don't forget to get the Artichoke Soup - it's the best thing on this truck! They also make some sandwich staples like a burger and a Tri Tip in case you don't want to eat only artichoke, though I'm not sure why you wouldn't... So this is a truck of artichoke, an artichoke truck, if you will. Do not order from this truck if you do not love artichoke, but if you do love artichoke, you will regret nothing! read more

The only place we get artichokes. The tacos are a must try. Service is phenomenal. They have a couple tables for seating. Next door is a produce/gift shop. read more

Calling all artichoke lovers! This place is a must-stop near Monterey. We stopped here on the way from SF to Pacific Grove. We tried the deep-fried, steamed, and grilled artichokes with the garlic and lemon-dill dips. The garlic dip was by far our favorite! Highly recommend this food truck for a snack stop. It's also located next to a farm stand with fruits, veggies, and souvenirs. read more

See all

Sitting right next to Pezzini Farm stand is a little food truck with big flavors! I gotta admit that I never thought there were other ways to eat an Artichoke. Therefore it was quite a surprise to see that they had Artichoke Soup and French Fried Artichoke hearts on the menu, along with some awesome vegetarian Lumpia!! Everything hit a high level of quality, texture and flavors! The two things that I enjoyed the most were the Artichoke hearts which were crisp and had an almost tempura like texture. Also the soup had a unique flavor that I couldn't quite put my finger on, but I felt like it was rather broth-ey, like there was no substance. I definitely recommend this place and I would go back again!! read more

See all

The food was great. I had the Tri Tip Sandwich and my wife had the French Fried Artichokes. It was a great stop on the way to San Francisco from Monterey. read more

The Choke Coach - Tri Tip Sandwich - Food Trucks Near Me - Salinas, California

See all

A classic choice in the trip to Monterey. We've been stopping at this spot for the past 15+ years I believe. Maybe longer. It was good this time, although the tacos have changed and the fried artichoke portion seemed a bit smaller. The person working was friendly and doing her best. We will stop again. read more

The fried artichoke is We ordered the po boy, an order of fried artichoke with garlic aioli and bratwurst. Everything tasted excellent and we very much enjoyed our meal. Our food was made fresh to order, so we wandered around the market as it was prepared. Once it was ready, we were able to enjoy it at the outdoor seating. Highly recommended! read more

See all

A food truck dedicated to artichokes....where have you been all my life?!?!? We made a slight detour off our route just to come here. Since artichokes aren't quite as abundant as they are on the east coast as they are in California, we got our artichoke fix wherever we could! The menu is mostly different artichoke variations they also have lumpia and tacos. We tried out the steamed, fried and grilled artichokes as well as the artichoke soup and lumpia. Everything was delicious. We even went back for more lumpia and steamed artichoke. Definitely worth a visit! There is plenty of seating and you can stop in the market after too! read more

See all

I come across the food truck on my way back from last chance in Marina. I usually make a stop at the choke coach on our way home. Good food and good service. read more