Summer is here, which means time for some outdoor dining. While many are lounging at patios, others are getting their cardio by finding the citys food carts. Street food is about convenience, but some of Vancouvers street food is worth setting time aside and seeking out.
Ive tried almost all the food carts in the city by now, and Im proud to see how diverse the options are. The focus on local and sustainable ingredients and environmentally friendly initiatives is high, and they set a fantastic example for other cities to follow. Despite food trucks being so last year, the street food scene in Vancouver is vibrant with a loyal following of street food fans.
Vancouvers Food Cart Fest, presented by Arrival and The Streetfood Vancouver Society, is every Sunday from 12-5pm until September 22. More than 20 of Vancouvers favourite food carts come together at 215 W. 1st (between the Cambie Street Bridge and Olympic Village). Along with food carts and trucks, there is live music, DJs, community markets, and entertainment for the whole family. Admission is $2; children under 13 are free.
While all the trucks have something unique to offer, here are 10 of my favourites from Vancouvers Food Cart Fest, listed in no particular order. This is not a Top 10 or Best Of list (I wrote previously on how I feel about those). These are simply things I like a lot and recommend. You have 12 Sundays to try them all.
1) Sweet & Spicy Chicken Karaage at Mogu Japanese Street Eats. Dont underestimate it this is no ordinary Chicken Karaage. This truck is under rated and their karaage is highly addictive.
2) Chicken and Waffles at Yolks. This truck serves upscale restaurant-quality breakfast without the price. Its properly executed food and its one of my favourites overall.
3) Tuna Ta Taco at TacoFino. This is another truck pretty much getting everything right. This West Coast-style taco features lightly seared sesame-soy albacore tuna, wasabi-ginger mayo, shredded cabbage, mango salsa and seaweed salad on a fire-toasted flour tortilla.
4) Korean Breakfast Burrito at Roaming Dragon. Its scrambled eggs, bell peppers, spinach, mozzarella cheese, salsa, Asian guacamole and Korean BBQ sauce.
5) Marghertia at Pazzarella. This is Canadas first wood-fired pizza truck and it is rather authentic to Neapolitan standards, too. The dough is made from 100 per cent Caputo 00 flour and the crust is foldable with a charred aroma all round.
6) The Market Bowl at JJs Trucketeria. Its a hearty vegetarian and vegan stew of market-fresh veggies on brown rice. The sauce is made from chickpeas and almonds and, for a truck focused on mainly meats, I was impressed!
7) The Breakfast Porker from Pig on the Street. Its double-smoked bacon, sage and apple sausage stuffing, home made chutney, goat Gouda, house-made caramelized onion mayo, avocado, fried eggs, greens, and Krissys house-made hot sauce all wrapped up in their handmade flatbread.
8) Kiss Ass Rice with Braised Pork Belly at Le Tigre. Its melt-in-your-mouth pork belly with a sous vide egg and seven-spice mayo.
9) The Jerk Chicken Roti at The Reef Runner, which is one of Vancouvers newest food trucks. Its an extension of The Reef restaurants and they make the roti fresh upon order. The Jerk Chicken poutine is also a hit.
10) Moms Meatloaf Grilled Cheese at Moms Grilled Cheese. I know its just a grilled cheese, but its a pretty impressive grilled cheese.
The first-ever We Heart Local Awards started July 1, and theres a category for Favourite Local Food Truck. I strongly encourage people to try as many trucks as possible before voting. Dont just vote for the most popular. Nominations are open from July 1 to 15 and voting is from July 16 to August 5. To nominate someone, and to vote later, go to BuyLocalEatNatural.com.
Find Mijune at the grand opening of Miku Restaurants relocation to Waterfront (200 Granville Street) on July 4. Find out more about Mijune at FollowMeFoodie.com or follow her on Twitter @followmefoodie.
