Keep on (Food) Truckin’

WARNING

Do not read this post if you are hungry. Doing so may result in the following symptoms: stomach grumbles, uncontrollable salivation, culinary cravings and hallucinations about delicious food. Readers are advised to proceed at their own risk.

Food Truck Festival season is in full swing, and we’re here to make sure you make the most of it. Why shouldn’t you miss the Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival? Because we bet that not so long ago, food trucks weren’t even a part of your life. (Questionable post-bar hot dogs don’t count… even if you were on a first name basis with the guy who ran the stand.) But let’s not talk about what life was like before this explosion of street-side comfort food and fantastic fusion. Let’s revel in the now!

Mobile vending, once a cottage industry, continues to be one of the fastest growing trends in the food industry. Who do we have to thank? LA’s iconic Kogi BBQ Taco Truck, who birthed the movement in 2008, and economic decline. During the recession, restaurateurs were reluctant to invest their money in restaurants, instead favouring the more affordable and less risky food truck business. And today, food truck owners have well and truly established themselves as purveyors of some of the tastiest meals around.

Throughout Canada, community-minded chefs continue to take their food to the streets. This time it’s the Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival making the rounds. Between April 27 and June 16, the festival is setting up at various Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver stops, which includes a stop at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 25 between 11:00am and 6:00pm. The festival also features a beer garden, local artisans selling a myriad of goods ranging from jewelry and natural soaps to clothing, face painting, live entertainment and a mini escape room. Admission is free!

With over twenty food trucks to choose from, we’d advise coming with an appetite! Here’s just a taste of what’s in store: gooey Mac & Cheese, Indian fusion, authentic southern bbq, Caribbean cuisine, bacon pulled pork, pierogis, canolis, poutine, fresh squeezed lemonade …

Hungry yet? We did warn you.

Now that your appetite is piqued, check out the Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival website for the full list of vendors and food trucks.

Photo courtesy Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival