Goselog, the beloved Filipino food truck, is making waves at the Turlock Certified Farmers Market. Known for its delicious lumpia, the Gose family will defend their title at the upcoming Lumpia Competition and Multicultural Foodie Fiesta in Modesto.
Last year, brothers Charles and Barry Gose, along with their wives, won big. They took home the prize for best non-traditional lumpia with their bacon-wrapped shrimp variety and wowed everyone to snag the People’s Choice Award, too.
This year, they’re excited to showcase their traditional “Shanghai Lumpia,” filled with pork. The festival is on Saturday, happening from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3430 Tully Road, Modesto.
Charles shares that the journey began in 2021 after the pandemic hit. After his brother was laid off from construction, they discussed starting a food truck. Charles’s brother had always dreamed of running one, so they took the plunge.
Initially, they worked from home, taking orders through Facebook. “We started with pop-up events, and people began to love our food,” Charles explains. Their big break came when Good Day Sacramento featured them, sparking interest from a larger audience.
The road wasn’t always smooth. They attempted to buy a food truck but were swindled by a builder who faced serious fraud charges. Instead of giving up, they pushed through and eventually acquired their current truck, which now serves at the farmers market every Saturday.
I stumbled upon Goselog this summer while exploring the market. A friend was enjoying the Shanghai lumpia and I couldn’t resist asking for a taste. It was a flavor explosion! I quickly ordered my own. After devouring five in minutes, I knew my family needed to try them too.
When I returned for another order, Charles greeted me with a smile. “You liked them,” he said. I reassured him, “They’re for my family.” He seemed pleased to have made a new fan.
At home, my wife loved them too, but my son was skeptical. After his first bite, his face lit up with joy. “Are there any more?” he asked eagerly. Within minutes, I was back at the food truck for a third order.
Now, every Saturday, my son wakes up early—an impressive feat for a teenager—to get his fix. He’s even introduced friends and family to Goselog, all of whom have become instant fans.
Goselog’s menu goes beyond just lumpia. There’s gulay lumpia, which includes ground beef with veggies, and a rich array of rice bowls like chicken adobo and marinated New York strip steak. Don’t miss their unique dessert lumpia, turon, filled with banana. They also serve a colorful drink called halo turron, packed with various ingredients like yam and jelly.
“People drive from Fresno just to try our food,” Charles says. “When someone recognizes us, it feels incredible. Our goal is to share our culture through food, and the joy we see from others is our true reward.”
As the food truck scene continues to thrive in California, family-run spots like Goselog show how passion and resilience can create something special for the community. You can learn more about Filipino cuisine and how it is celebrated at various cultural festivals by checking out this report from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
