By Mia Stainsby | Vancouver Sun
Photograph by: Wayne Leidenfrost , Vancouver Sun
Here are food trucks and carts worth a visit. (And revisits.) They’re not brick and mortar operations so they might be missing in action on some days if they’re busy with catering or selling at a summer festival, private event or farmers’ markets. Some, however, have brick and mortar sidekicks, like Tacofino, Re-Up and very shortly, Earnest Ice Cream. Check the Street Food Vancouver App or website for most current info.
AUSSIE PIE GUY
One Australian expat’s response to the Aussie pie? Oh, ya-a-a! There are eight kinds. What makes it Aussie? The top crust is puff pastry and the bottom is a shortcrust.
Where: At the 600 Hamilton St. streetfood pod
Info: aussiepieguy.com
CULVER CITY SALADS
Street foods can be kryptonite for health geeks. But not here. Salads with a base of quinoa, soba noodles or brown rice. Not rabbit food!
Where: At 600 Hamilton St. street food pod.
Info: culvercitysalds.com
EARNEST ICE CREAM
Operators are transforming a Japanese fire truck into an ice cream truck. Should be at farmers’ markets dispensing earnestly good ice cream before summer says adios.
Where: Farmers’ markets
Info: Earnesticecream.com
FEASTRO THE ROLLING BISTRO
Strong on fresh, local seafood. The crab and shrimp cake is street food plus.
Where: At Thurlow and West Cordova, across from the Olympic Torches and on Howe St. in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Info: feastro.ca
KABOOM BOX
Fresh, skilfully cooked fish and chips, po’ boy s, venison burgers, poutine.
Where: At West Georgia and Granville.
Info: thekaboombox.com
LE TIGRE
Three words: Kick-ass rice. (Or is that two words?) If the spicy dish with an egg on top doesn’t do it for you, how about Angry Tiger Balls (Crispy fried rice with bacon, kimchi, garlic and spicy mayo.)
Where: Mobile permit and location changes.
Info: letigrecuisine.ca.
MOM’S GRILLED CHEESE
These grilled cheese sandwiches have proved themselves worthy of standing in the rain for. In summer, of course, it’s a cinch.
Where: At Howe St. and Robson
Info: momsgrilledcheesetruck.com
RE-UP barbecue
Slow cooked barbecued pork and beef brisket. Takes its name from the drug dealing culture. (The juicy meats can be addictive.)
Where: At Hornby and Georgia
Info: reupbbq.com
PIG ON THE STREET
Southern Piggy, Piggy Blues, The Porker, are answers in food form to the question on the truck: “Achin’ for bacon?”
Where: Howe St. at Robson
Info: Pigonthestreet.com
SOHO ROAD NAAN KEBAB
Moist, marinated kebabs, seared in a tandoor by ‘uncle’ as well as butter chicken, lamb and chicken hariali. Really good Indian food wrapped in a puffy naan.
Where: At West Georgia and Granville.
Info: facebook.com/EatSohoRoad
ROAMING DRAGON
This dragon does indeed, roam. Korea, Malaysia, China, Japan, Vietnam and Thailand are on its. Their success, alas, had led to many absences from curbsides.
Where: They bounce between Burrard at Robson and Thurlow at Burrard
Info: roamingdragon.com
TACOFINO
The fish tacos rock as do in-season specials (spot prawn tacos, wild mushroom quesadillas). Watch out for the chocolate diablo cookies. They bite!
Where: Robson and Howe.
Info: Tacofino.com
VIJ’S RAILWAY EXPRESS
When the vendor runs the best Indian restaurant not only in Vancouver, but some say on this continent, you gotta be grateful. (It was recently nominated for enRoute magazines best new restaurants’ People’s Choice Awards.) The menu changes but the halibut coconut masala and deep-fried yucca with tamarind chutney have staying power.
Where: Georgia St. at Burrard
Info: vijsrailwayexpress.com
YOLK’S BREAKFAST
Cute in baby blue but this baby dispenses badass breakfasts; double-smoked bacon, free-range eggs, ciabatta, English muffin — mix’n’ match for a sandwich. I like it best when waffles are on special — a no wafflin’ choice for me!
Where: Dunsmuir St. and Beatty
Info: yolks.ca
