STREET CRED

By Cuisine7 Minutes
May 25, 2018By Cuisine

Food on the wheels isn’t new – think of the roaming ice-cream van tinkling its way through summer afternoons, or the kerbside kebab-andchips combo sobering up the rowdy crowds after a night out. But a while back, mobile eating became hip and supercool serveries began popping up at markets, festivals and streetsides, serving up just about everything: tacos, sliders, dumplings, crumpets, fries, gelato and chia-seed puddings as well as the more traditional fish and chips, pies and burgers. Proving they’re no flash in the pan, food trucks have flourished somehow managing to serve up hundreds of portions of restaurant-quality food from minute kitchens often no more than a single burner and a chopping board. Here’s a round up of our favourites, old and new.

AUCKLAND

THE WHITE LADY

Think pineapple, think beetroot, think classic Kiwi burgers with all the fixings. This Auckland institution has been around since 1948 and is the mother of all New Zealand food trucks. Serving up oldfashioned Kiwi takeaway fare to revellers, its specialties are toasties, burgers and shakes.
WHERE: Corner Commerce Street & Fort Street, central Auckland, and various other locations.
Facebook: @thewhitelady Instagram: @thewhiteladynz thewhitelady.co.nz

PUHA & PAKEHA

Pulled pork and Reuben sandwiches are classics, but they’ve been updated with old-world ingredients. Puha & Pakeha are refreshing some contemporary classics with indigenous ingredients such as horopito, karengo and kawakawa, and they cater to hoards at various locations around Auckland.
WHERE: Various locations around Auckland.
Facebook: @puhapakeha Instagram: @puhaaandpakeha puhaandpakeha.co.nz

WAIKATO AND BAY OF PLENTY

SOUTHERN FRIES

Inspired by the French Canadian poutine, this food truck uses fries as the canvas for wild flavours and filling meals. While there’s the cheese-and-gravy topped fries, there’s also burgers for sale, hot wings and regular specials to keep everyone salivating.
WHERE: Various locations around the Bay of Plenty.
Facebook: @southernfries Instagram: @southern_fries southernfries.co.nz

TARANAKI & MANAWATU

WEST COAST FISH COMPANY

Fish and chips – but not just any shark and tatties – and plenty of other fishy treats are found in this trailer. Mussel pancakes, tempura fish and fish sandwiches are on the evolving menu.
WHERE: Based in Taranaki, this food truck can be found around the North Island at various events.
Facebook: @Westcoast Fishcomp

THE CRAFTED AND CO.

It’s likely you’ll find the line before you see the actual truck. Big doughnuts, burgers, cakes and sandwiches are on the menu, but it’s always changing.
WHERE: Found around Manawatu, this truck is often at events around the area, too.
Facebook: @thecraftedandco Instagram: @thecraftedandco thecraftedandco.nz

DOS LOCOS TACO

The Colombian couple running this van have brought a level of authenticity to Mexican food this city had not seen. Dos Locos Taco are serving up super-spicy, herbaceous and filling quesadillas, nachos, burritos and, of course, tacos.
WHERE: Most of the time they can be found in the centre of Palmerston North, at The Square.
Facebook: @Doslocostaconz

WELLINGTON

THE GREEK FOOD TRUCK

Everything sold in the Greek Food Truck screams authenticity – from souvlaki, spicy mititei, burgers and fries to salads. It would be remiss not to try their gorgeous baklava too.
WHERE: Found every week at the Harbourside Markets, they also have their regular spots throughout the week.
Facebook: @thegreekfoodtruck Instagram: @thegreekfoodtruck thegreekfoodtruck.nz

LADY LUCK CARAVAN CAFE

There’s nothing like a pie and a coffee on the go, and that’s what these guys specialise in. The pies aren’t bogstandard gas-station scran however, they’re as gourmet as they get, and they also serve slices, muffins and various sweets. A favourite among tradies, some Wellingtonians travel from the city to try this gem.
WHERE: 188 Hutt Rd, Kaiwharawhara.
Facebook: @ Ladyluckcaravancafe

CHRISTCHURCH

EL QUINCHO

Wood-fired Argentinian delights come out of this truck, in the form of empanadas, grilled meats and various other Asado style foods. Vegetarians and vegans, don’t fear, they have deep-fried polenta too.
WHERE: Various locations around Christchurch.
Facebook: @Elquinchonz Instagram: @elquincho.nz

FIVE R’S PINOY FOOD

A seriously authentic taste of Filipino food comes from this converted trailer. The main offering is tocino, a dish of sweet pork with fried rice and egg, sunny-side up. But you’ll also find sweet halo-halo, longanisa sausage, fried pancit noodles and homemade Filipino favourites.
WHERE: Various locations around Christchurch.
Facebook: @Five R’s Pinoy Food

DUNEDIN

BACON BUTTIE MAN

One of the best bacon sandwiches you’ll find in New Zealand. Using high-quality bacon, these butties have been so popular they’ve opened up a brick-and-mortar shop in Ward St, and expanded the menu to include burgers and plenty of other treats.
WHERE: The truck can still be found around the city and at the Saturday morning farmers’ market.
Facebook: Bacon Buttie Station baconbuttiestation.com