Vancouver is so lucky. Not only are we spoiled for choice when it comes to restaurants (many destination ones at that), but our city’s food cart population continues to grow. Today, Mayor Gregor Robertson announced the city’s latest collection of 12 new stationary food carts around the city:
Ze Bite – French stew and sandwiches
North Side of W Cordova St, East of Burrard Street
Pig on the Street – British sandwiches
West Side of 700 Howe Street, mid block
Guanaco Truck – El Salvadorian
East side of Seymour Street, North of West Georgia Street
Kaboom Box – Seafood
North side of W Georgia Street, East of Thurlow Street
Feastro, The Rolling Bistro – Seafood
South side of Canada Place Way, West of Thurlow Street
Le Tigre – Asian
North side of Alberni Street, East of Bute Street
Rimfoodbaht – Thai
East side of Hamilton Street, North of Robson Street
Slingers – Italian
East side of Thurlow Street, North of West Hastings Street
Perodie Perogy – Perogies
East side of 700 Homer Street, mid block
Soho Road Naan Kebab – Indian
South side of 800 Smithe Street, six metres West of Howe Street
Mogu – Japanese
West side of Howe Street, North of Dunsmuir Street
The Burger Bus – Burgers
North side of Davie Street, East of Seymour Street
The finalists who applied to the City’s street food cart program and did not receive one of the 12 new street food locations will have the chance to apply for one of three stationary food cart pilot locations at Stanley, Queen Elizabeth, and Vanier parks.
“I’m very excited to see what creative and innovative food and cart ideas will come forward,” said Vancouver Park Board Chair Constance Barnes. “I’ve enjoyed the talents of food cart vendors on Vancouver streets and now I’m looking forward to enjoying the same in our green spaces with their spectacular views.”
“Vancouver’s street food cart program has been a great success and it is wonderful to see it being expanded to parks,” said Mayor Robertson. “Since the City expanded the program to provide more nutritious and ethnically diverse food in 2010, the program has become increasingly popular with local residents and visitors.”
Between the 12 new carts, four were parked onsite at City Hall this morning to greet their first customers. I sampled from two of the carts: Pig on the Street and Guanaco Truck. I’d previously sampled Soho Road (also onsite) at Vancouver Foodster’s Tasting Plates event back in February.
Guanaco serves a selection of El Salvadorian tamales, pupusas, beverages, and desserts. I tasted a very flavourful Queso Y Frijoles pupusa, with several aged cheeses and seasoned black beans. Not as greasy as other pupusas I’ve had in East Van. Their plantanos (fried, sweet plantain) are delicious!
[Queso Y Frijoles pupusa with plantanos at Guanaco Truck]
Mark Cothey and Krissy Seymour of Pig on the Street were longing for British bacon butties, and decided to create and sell their own from a van.
[Mark Cothey of Pig on the Street]
Krissy is a chef with restaurant experience since the age of 16; Mark is an English teacher. Pig on the Street is their creative collaboration.
[Krissy Seymour of Pig on the Street]
The city liked their idea and the subsequent taste testing went over well. They serve a variety of sarnies, including their must-try item, The Porker (Bacon, sausage and bacon stuffing with green apple, local goat gouda, caramelized onion mayo and greens).
Their bacon is sourced from Gelderman Farms. I tried their other famous item: the Bacon bourbon brownie, aka “Hair of the Hog“. This one packs a punch for its small size. I tasted the delightful combination of bourbon and bacon, together with the rich, moist chocolate brownie. This one will be the perfect compliment to any good cup of coffee picked up along the way.
The bacon and cheese twist bread is also a great take on the road treat, but I brought mine home to warm it up for a few seconds in the microwave. Ah, much better! For Vancouver bacon lovers, this will be the go-to food cart.
[Mayor Gregor Robertson checking out Italian food cart Slingers]
Click here to learn more about the City’s street food cart program.