Monday, 8 October 2012 12:00
Kulture Food Truck Frenzy
When someone told me that food trucks had been invented, I imagined never having to leave my bed again in the pursuit of waffle fries, po’ boys or donuts. But then someone told me you had to hunt down food trucks, like some sort of primitive neanderthal. Sure, we have Twitter and Facebook as our dinosaurs…but I was still disappointed. Until, that is, I discovered a hoard of food trucks would be convening at this year’s Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto (known simply as the CNE).
Aptly titled “The Food Truck Frenzy,” I sharpened my best spear, threw on my most scandalous loincloth and hit the fair in search of unique sustenance and the secrets of this rare species. Below are my findings.
Food Trucks can often be found in close proximity to one and other.
Like a good carnival, many events call for food for the masses. Think sporting events, concerts and school fire drills. While the vehicles are usually in direct competition, the benefit of being near one is other lies in providing variety. No one can be expected to eat one solitary food for lunch, so naturally, I ate at four of the food trucks.
Food Trucks can move slowly, no matter what’s under the engine.
Eating at a truck eliminates tablecloths, dress code and napkin burning pyromaniacs (sometimes). But it does not eliminate the fact that it takes time to prepare real food. Many hungry fair goers forget this simple fact. Be patient, ask your neighbors what they’re ordering and decide if they’d be an easy robbery target.
Food Trucks don’t usually eat vegan or gluten free, but it’s cool when they do.
It’s 2012 so not everyone is hot dog tolerant anymore. One truck proving even the pickiest of us can eat well on the go is “Gourmet Bitches.” I had to meet the girls (for obvious reasons) and was pleased to sample one of their gluten free vegetable tacos. For $4, you could swear you were at a farmer’s market devouring fresh corn, tomatoes and avocado.
Food Trucks invent new foods you can’t find elsewhere.
I mean, where can you go to get a “Potato Tornado?” This was one item I knew I was having before I even got to the frenzy. Texas Tornado’s potato chip and hasselback potato hydbrid on a stick was as fun to eat as it was tasty, and it got attention from everyone who walked by. I wasn’t as daring as some, but those looking for a real tastebud thrill could find everything from pulled pork parfaits to pad thai french fries.
Some Food Trucks blow up. Literally and metaphorically.
Mere minutes (8 hours) before my red carpet arrival to the fair, a food truck quite literally blew up. Some trucks were lucky enough to have more fans than leaking propane.
Some Food Trucks are really just other things in disguise.
Food Trucks likely picked up this talent from The Transformers. The Sweetness Bakery was really just an easy bake oven on wheels! Peering in, you could swear you were hand and hand with your grandma at your local bakery and that feeling definitely transferred to their cupcakes. Fluffy, moist and sweet, they were better than any deep fried “delicacy” the fair itself was offering up.
Food Trucks have a great sense of humor.
Take the “Get Stuft” truck, for example. If it wasn’t already clear, the owner was proud to walk around with one of their trademark sausages and proudly shared it’s length in inches. I decided my immaturity meant I had no choice but to try one of their stuffed waffles, even though they were smaller than advertised (get it?). An honorable mention goes to “Fidel Gastro,” the best named truck at the event.
So the next time you hear the hum of a motor coming out from behind a bush, approach with conviction, knowing the gentle food truck will submit to your cash and provide you with memorable munchables. No longer do these metal beasts deserve to be associated with grease and indigestion.
By: Eva Severed
