Soho Road Naan Kebab

So, I'm not going to lie, despite the tantalizing smells that always seeped from the Soho Road food truck, I had always avoided it.  I know, I know...but in my defense, I had been mislead.  I had been told that they strictly serve a skewer of meat on naan.  I love naan and I love a good skewer of meat, but I want a bit more than meat on naan for lunch.

Then came my love of The Pie Hole and the recommendation from The Pie Hole's creator that I had to try Soho Road...that it was her favourite food truck.  Now, I figured if someone who spends every Sunday at Food Cart Fest and makes as pies as delicious as she does...there has to be something to this Soho Road. 

Well, let me tell you folks, Soho Road is most definitely not just kebabs on naan.  It is traditional UK tandoori on fresh naan with all sorts of yummy veggies and sauces.  It is heavenly and is most definitely one of my favourite food trucks out there!  My only regret is that it took me so long to try it!  Oh well, guess I'll just have to make up for lost time...

Things to note: (1) Soho Road accepts cash and credit.  (2) They're located on the SW corner of Georgia and Granville (right in front of the VCC Canada Line entrance). (3) The lady working in the truck is lovely, thoroughly enjoys her job and is full of wisdom...so don't be afraid to ask if you have a question! and (4) This food truck is too good not to try folks, so get your butts down there!

The X that marks the spot.

The menu!  Don't even mess with the small...the large is where it's at.

My Hariali Chicken Naan Kebab: hariali chicken (chicken with a mint and cilantro sauce), mint chutney, fresh veggie salsa (I believe), what looked like a yogurt-based sauce, on fresh naan.  Scrumdidliumptious!  And the perfect size for lunch.  Just be careful when you eat the end...it's full of ooey gooey goodness.  ($10)

My cycling and lunching partner in crime's Lamb Seekh.  I'm not going to lie, I was too busy salivating over my own Naan Kebab to pay attention to what went into hers.  However, the finished product looked amazing and I got a first hand quote that it was delicious!  ($12)

https://www.facebook.com/EatSohoRoad

@SohoRoad

Brown Paper Packages Artisanal Ice Cream

Ladies and gents, do I have a treat for you!  During one of my trips to Food Cart Fest this summer I discovered a dessert that will take you back to your childhood: ice cream sandwiches by Brown Paper Packages Artisanal Ice Cream.  But we're not talking chocolate chip cookies and vanilla ice cream...we're talking all sorts of yummy flavours and goodness!  Absolutely delicious, not too sweet and just the right size.  So, if you're craving a cool treat at Food Cart Fest, definitely keep Brown Paper Packages in mind.

I have to choose one?  But I want them all!

 

These pictures definitely do not help in the decision making process.  They all look so yummy!

The final decision: Razzle Dazzle.  Chocolate ice cream with real raspberries in it, smooshed between two chocolate chocolate-chip cookies.  Amazing!

 http://brownpaperpackages.ca/

Twitter: @BPPicecream

Super Thai

I don't know about you, but new food trucks seem to be popping up left, right and center in Vancouver.  I love it!!!  I was super excited when I checked the Vancouver Food App the other day and discovered Super Thai.  So excited, that my long-legged food truck venturing friend and I decided that we should try it for lunch that very day.  The conclusion?  Lovely, yummy, authentic (as far as I could tell, but I'm not a Thai expert), fresh (each dish is made fresh to order), solid portions and good prices.  Definitely one to try.  So, let the pictures tantalize your taste buds and then get your butts down there to satisfy them!

Things to note: (1) Cash only.  (2) Super Thai is located at Granville and Hastings.  (3) As the food is made fresh to order, there is a bit of a wait to order and then get your dish.  But the freshness makes up for it.  (4) At first my long-legged food trucking adventuring friend and I were at a loss as to where we could sit to eat our meal.  We decided we'd meander further North to the Vancouver Sun building.  Low and behold, there are benches and picnic tables overlooking the North Shore, port and railway tracks, just to the right of the Vancouver Sun building.  It was amazing!

 Pad Thai: rice noodles, chicken, tofu, shrimp, egg, bean sprouts and peanuts on the side.  Yummy in my tummy!  ($8.00)

 

Thai Green Curry with Chicken: coconut milk, eggplant, green beans and basil.  Served with Jasmine Rice.  ($8.50)  Very nice.

 

The menu.

 

The X that marks the spot.

The panoramic view from our picnic table!

 

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Super-Thai-Food/503051076410387

Twitter: @superthaifood

Chou Chou breton crêpes

Folks, if you make your way to Food Cart Fest this weekend and are overwhelmed by the plethora of deliciousness surrounding you, here are some guidelines to survive:

1. Make sure you do a full walk of the food truck circle prior to purchasing anything.  There is an unlimited abyss of yummy goodness, but only so much room in your belly!
2. Pick your favourite meal for lunch and enjoy.
3. Make sure to leave enough room for two desserts (you know you want to!)
4. Ensure Chou Chou breton crêpes works into your food truck equation in some, way, shape or form.

I had the pleasure of eating at Chou Chou breton crêpes a couple weeks ago and absolutely loved it!  I had the homemade Strawberry Rhubarb crêpe as one of my two desserts and it was to die for!  Hot right off the presses, a truly homemade strawberry-rhubarb sauce with natural sweetness (not sugary at all) and just a touch of melted butter on the crêpe.  When I got to the last bite, I didn't want it to end!

Not to mention, the lady who runs this truck is a machine!  All by herself, churning out three crêpes at a time in unison as fast as Usain Bolt runs the 100m.  The only help she gets is in the money department.  I do believe it's her Mom in the back who she passes the money to and gets the change back from.  The whole process truly was a focused art form.  It was amazing to watch!  Although, I have to admit my favourite part was her sign: "CAUTION French Woman at Work."  Classic! 

The French woman hard at work.

The oh-so scrumptious menu.

 

 My homemade Strawberry Rhubarb crêpe!  ($5.50)

 

Not excited at all!

Catering?  Sign me up!

https://www.facebook.com/ChouchouBretonCrepes

Twitter: @chouchoucrepes

http://www.foodcartfest.com/#home
Twitter: @ArrivalAgency

Johnny's Pops

Johnny's Pops definitely supports the theory that size does not matter.  Despite the fact that this is the smallest food truck that I've encountered so far, the scrumptious handmade popsicles that come out of it are up there with the best food that the Vancouver food trucks have to offer!  I ordered a Raspberry basil and it was literally like eating puréed frozen raspberries with a hint of basil.  Amazing!  I could have eaten another three!  So, if you're out and about, are craving something cool and happen to see Johnny and his food truck...make a bee-line for it.

 

Johnny and his truck.

The menu.

Me and my oh so yummy popsicle!  The popsicles were $5 this day since a portion of the proceeds were being donated to charity.  I believe they're normally $4.

 

http://johnnys-pops.com/

Twitter: @JohnnysPops

Via Tevere Pizzeria Napoletana Food Truck!

When I was perusing the Vancouver Street Food App a couple weeks ago and saw Via Tevere Express, I almost lost my marbles.  I quickly did some googling and discovered that the oh so fabulous Via Tevere pizzeria from the Commercial area had most definitely opened up a food truck!  I'm not going to lie, I may have done a little happy dance at my desk.

 

The truck serves Saltimbocca sandwiches which is like a pizza in sandwich form if you ask me.  Imagine bread that tastes like pizza dough, baked in a wood fire oven (yes folks, this food truck most definitely has a built in wood fire oven!) then stuffed with fresh, simple ingredients.  Mouth watering goodness!  I literally was transported back to the sandwich that I had when visiting Pompeii.  Add to that, that the portion was filling and the price was reasonable...I was very impressed.  I'd definitely recommend making your way to this food truck sometime soon!

 

Things to note: (1) The Via Tevere Food Truck is located on the West side of Burrard between Pender and Hastings, Monday through Friday.  (2) I believe it is cash only, but don't quote me on that.



 

My Prosciutto/Arugula Saltimbocca: prosciutto crudo, fior di latte, arugula, tomato, basil mayo.  AMAZING!  ($8.50)

Oh...you're going to make my taste buds oh so happy!!!

 

Where the magic happens.

What exactly is a Saltimbocca?  Now you know.

The menu.

The truck!

 

http://viateverepizzeria.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ViaTeverePizzeria

Twitter: @ViaTeverePizza



Culver City Salads

I recently made my first trip to Culver City Salads with one of my favourite ex-colleagues of all-time.  Normally I'm so busy busting a gut (literally...I swear I get a better ab workout with her than at the gym!) with this ex-colleague that the food takes second place...but my salad from Culver City Salads was so good this time that it actually demanded attention between tears of laughter.

Culver City Salads is one of the new food trucks this year and I'm sure happy it's out and about on the streets now!  The salad was amazing, the ladies in the truck were super friendly and happy, service was quick since the salads are made fresh every morning (no 15 minute line-up here!), the prices were reasonable, and I was really impressed with their eco-friendly attitude.  Every part of their container was recyclable or compostable and they even had a jug of water for you to fill up for free, as long as you had your own container.  After this trip, Culver City Salads has quickly jumped onto my favourite food trucks list.  Definitely a must visit!

Things to note: (1) Cash only. (2) They are located in the new food truck pod at the Queen E theater (corner of Georgia and Hamilton), and (3) How it works: (a) pick your salad, (b) pick your dressing.  The Creamy Green dressing is their staple dressing.

My Soba Salad: spinach, arugula, mixed greens, soba noodles, chopped cabbage, blanched cauliflower, lentils, shredded carrot, zucchini, beets, sesame seeds, avocado and edible flowers with the Creamy Green dressing (miso, tahini, parsley, apple cider vinegar and garlic).  So fresh and absolutely scrumptious!  I was also very impressed with the size and contents.  It's not very often that I find a salad that will fill me up for lunch, but this one got me 99% of the way there.  If I had asked for extra avocado and extra soba noodles, it would have been perfect!  ($9)

The truck!  So cute. 

The menu.  I love the fact that it's set up like post-its on the side of the truck!

http://www.culvercitysalads.com/

Twitter: @Culvercitysalad 

Food Cart Fest

Ladies and gents, if you're looking for some fun in the sun this weekend, make your way down to the Olympic Village and check out Food Cart Fest!  I went this past weekend and it was one of the funnest (yes, I've decided that that is most definitely a word) afternoons I've had all summer.  Granted, food carts tended to make my tummy giddy with excitement at the best of times, so 20 of them all in one location had me doing cartwheels in the street!  Not to mention that they've paired up with the Vancouver Flea Market so there are clothes and goodies to peruse, and there were even tents with life-size versions of Jenga and Snakes & Ladders...awesome!  If I have my way, this is going to become a weekend staple for me. 
 
Things to note: (1) Food Cart Fest is located in the empty parking lot between Olympic Village and Cambie Bridge (the one with that cardboard tank that is now breaking down and becoming a garden).  You enter off the seawall and can approach either from Cambie Bridge or Olympic Village.  (2) There is a $2 entry fee.  At first having to pay to buy food bugged me a little.  However, $1 of the $2 is donated to a Loving Spoonful (a great charity) and the other $1 is well worth it when you see the misters, which brings me to my next point (3) They have people walking around with misters!!!  So, when you get hot you can just walk through their mist and cool off.  Brilliance!  (4) Most trucks are cash only.  They have an ATM there, but if you want to avoid ridiculous bank charges, make sure to have plenty of cash on you.  (5) There's music.  (6) There are tents for shade and tables and chairs to eat at.  However, the chairs and tables are hard to nab, so word to the wise, bring your own beach towel to lay down on the ground and sit on.  (7) Here are some of the vendors that took part in last week's festival:
 

• Brown Paper Packages Artisanal Ice Cream
• http://myloveoffood-shayne.blogspot.ca/2013/08/brown-paper-packages-artisanal-ice-cream.html
• The Pie Hole (pie ice cream sammies - best idea ever!!!)
• See below and http://myloveoffood-shayne.blogspot.ca/2013/07/the-pie-hole.html
• Johnny's Pops
• http://myloveoffood-shayne.blogspot.ca/2013/08/johnnys-pops.html
• Guanaco
• PazzaRella
• http://myloveoffood-shayne.blogspot.ca/2013/05/pazzarella.html
• Roaming Dragon
• Vij's Railway Express
• http://myloveoffood-shayne.blogspot.ca/2012/10/vijs-railway-express.html
• Roasted Corn
• See below
• Mangal Kiss
• http://myloveoffood-shayne.blogspot.ca/2013/04/the-kiss-of-mangal.html
• The Chili Tank
• Mogu
• http://myloveoffood-shayne.blogspot.ca/2012/09/mogu.html
• Dougie Dogs
• Kaboom Box
• http://myloveoffood-shayne.blogspot.ca/2012/10/the-kaboom-box-2.html
• JJ's Trucketeria
• See below
• Mom's Grilled Cheese
• http://myloveoffood-shayne.blogspot.ca/2013/02/moms-grilled-cheese.html
• Feastro
• http://myloveoffood-shayne.blogspot.ca/2012/07/feastro.html
• Holy Perogy
• http://myloveoffood-shayne.blogspot.ca/2012/08/holy-perogy.html
• Pig on the Street
• Soho Road
• http://myloveoffood-shayne.blogspot.ca/2013/08/soho-road-naan-kebab.html
• Street Meat
• http://myloveoffood-shayne.blogspot.ca/2013/05/street-meet.html
• Culver City Salads
• http://myloveoffood-shayne.blogspot.ca/2013/07/culver-city-salads.html
• Chou Chou breton crepes
• http://myloveoffood-shayne.blogspot.ca/2013/08/chou-chou-breton-crepes.html

 

Almost there!

First stop of the day: Italian Soda!  This was delicious, refreshing, probably the most inexpensive thing you'll see at the festival all day, and the kids were fabulous!  So polite, organized and each had their job to do.  I loved it!  Best $2 ever spent.

Stop 2 - Lunch!  I've been dying to try JJ's Trucketeria so was thrilled to see them at Food Cart Fest.  They definitely didn't disappoint.  The food was uber fresh and oh so yummy, the portions were solid and the prices were really good.  I can't wait to try more of their yummy goodness sometime soon! 

 

The menu.

Pick me, pick me!

Okay...I'll pick you!  My "Featured Salad."  Amazing!  ($5)

 

http://jjstrucketeria.wix.com/jjs-trucketeria#

Twitter: @jjstrucketeria

Stop 2 - Lunch continued!  I don't know about you, but I just can't resist a cob of freshly roasted corn...especially when it's smothered with all sorts of yummy goodness!  Plus, this truck is only out and about at special events...it doesn't have a regular Monday through Friday schedule...so how could I resist?  Interesting fact: it's affiliated with both the Roaming Dragon and Vij's Railway Express trucks.

The menu.

Roasted corn with cotija and parmesan cheeses, mayo, chile, paprika and a lime wedge.  They're making a killing at $5 a corn, but it was absolutely scrumptious!  I've definitely never had corn on the cob like that before.

And the icing on the cake (or should I say the filling in the pie)?  A strawberry rhubarb pie ice cream sammie from The Pie Hole!!!  Jenell, you completely outdid yourself with this creation!  Complete and absolute heaven.  Scrumptious cinnamon pie crust on either side of what I do believe was homemade strawberry rhubarb ice cream.  AMAZING!!!  Cold and refreshing, but not too sweet.  Next time I just might bring a cooler so I can bring a few of these home with me. 

 

Word to the wise, let it melt a little bit before eating so the ice cream is not too hard...but remember that once the melting starts there's no going back...so get chewing and make that tummy of yours happy!

 

http://www.vancouverpiehole.com/

Twitter: @pieholevan

 

Human snakes and ladders...love it!

http://www.foodcartfest.com/
Twitter: @ArrivalAgency

Fresh, Local, Wild...

I recently made my first trip of the year to Fresh, Local, Wild with my long-legged food truck adventuring friend.  Before we even got to the truck, I had a good idea of what I was going to order: the BC Fish Shawarma.  My friend's husband (who will remain nameless, but for those of you who know him, he has one heck of a stare!) had told me fabulous things about the shawarma so, even though I wasn't fully convinced that seafood would work in a shawarma, I had to try it.

Low and behold, it was delicious!  My long-legged friend ordered one as well and we both thoroughly enjoyed it.  I was pleasantly surprised by the plethora of veggies and was impressed with the amount of fish.  All in all, a very yummy lunch.  Word of wisdom, though, grab some napkins.  And then once you've grabbed as many as you think you'll need, grab that amount again.  And, whatever you do, don't make a rookie mistake like I did and eat directly over your lap.  All that yummy goodness doesn't come without a little messiness!

My BC Fish Shawarma: ling cod, halibut, steelhead, tabouleh, red onion, pita, hummus, and hot sauce.  ($10 + tax)

 

The menu.

The X that marks the spot.

 

http://www.freshlocalwild.com/

Twitter: @freshlocalwild

Yolk's

I have been dying to try Yolk's food truck for quite some time.  What could be better than brunch from a food truck?  Well...to be honest, nothing.  The options were great, the service made me chuckle, the food was ready quickly, and the meal was delicious!  If you're looking for a fun outdoor brunch option on a warm, sunny day, definitely head down to Yolk's.

Things to note: (1) They are located at the corner of Beatty and Dunsmuir.  (2) They accept VISA.  (3) Their juice is not freshly squeezed but is still very yummy, and (4) There's a lovely grassy area right across the street to eat your food.

The truck! So cute.

 

The menu.

Specials of the day.

Yolk's Special Juice ($3.25) and a Cold Pressed Iced Latté ($4).  I have no idea what was in Yolk's Special Juice, but it was delightful.

My single free-range egg sandwich with double smoked bacon, arugula, hollandaise sauce and english muffin with a truffle-lemon hashbrown skewer.  ($9.70)  Absolutely delightful!  The most gourmet and messiest breakfast sandwich I've ever had (they soft poach the eggs), and the potatoes were delightful...especially with their specialty spicy ketchup.

Polderside Farms Fried Chicken and Waffles. ($9.50)  When my brunching partner in crime ordered this, I thought they were a wee bit off their rocker.  I have never found the thought of fried chicken and waffles appetizing.  However, this partner in crime was not taking no for an answer when they offered me a tasted, so I tried it....I may have found my new food weakness folks!  The crunchy saltiness of the fried chicken with the sweetness of the waffles and syrup...unreal!  

Our gorgeous brunch view.

 

http://yolks.ca/

Twitter: @YolksBreakfast