Cheap, Quick Eats Downtown: Vancouver Food Trucks

Before 2010, the only food trucks you’d find in Vancouver sold hot dogs (aka “tube steaks”) or, in winter, roasted chestnuts. Then in 2010, the city came to its senses and allowed 17 new vendors to fire up their propane tanks. They were just the first in a whole convoy of food trucks: By the beginning of 2014, there were more than 100 food trucks cooking up everything from grilled cheese to pirogues and tacos to Thai. The best way to find a food truck is to download an app like Streetfood Vancouver, or visit www.streetfoodapp.com. Here are five of the best.

Japadog -- The original. Kurobuta, beef, or bratwurst sausage topped with “terimayo,” a combination of teriyaki sauce and mayo, and sprinkled with dried seaweed. Other toppings include kimchi and meat sauce. There are four trucks as well as a restaurant location at 530 Robson St., tel. 604/569-1158; www.japadog.com.

TacoFino Cantina -- Originally from Tofino on Vancouver Island, this truck has taken the city by storm with its excellent fish, bean, or pork-jowl tacos. Look for the orange truck painted with an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe at Robson and Howe streets, or drop by the commissary at 2327 E. Hastings St., tel. 604/253-8226; www.tacofino.com.

Fresh Local Wild -- As the name suggests, this truck focuses on fresh, local ingredients. Think buttermilk-fried oyster po’boy, salmon burger, or the signature seafood chowder poutine—local shellfish and bacon in a creamy chowder poured over crisp French fries. Find the truck at the corner of Hastings and Burrard streets. www.freshlocalwild.com.

Re-Up BBQ -- Southern BBQ comes to the West Coast with succulent pulled pork or beef brisket sandwiches and sweet tea. Find the truck at Hornby and West Georgia streets; there’s also a location inside the River Market in New Westminster. Tel. 604/553-3997; www.reupbbq.com.

Roaming Dragon -- Feeding the city’s hunger for pan-Asian flavors, this super-popular truck serves Chinese pork-belly sliders, Korean short rib tacos, and the ridiculously good Indonesian beef rendang poutine. The Roaming Dragon truck regularly shows up at charity events and farmer’s markets, as well as its popular Burrard and Robson location outside the art gallery. www.roamngdragon.com.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.