In 1866, there was a rancher named Charles Goodnight – a colourful character who smoked more than 50 cigars a day and at 91 married his 26-year-old nurse.
However, his real legacy is that he invented the original food truck – the chuck wagon! Essentially the chuck wagon was a portable kitchen, Goodnight modified an old army surplus wagon equipped with shelves, storage, counter space, a water barrel and canvas to haul firewood.
The food he brought along was either preserved – dried beans, salted meat and corn meal – or gathered as he went along.
Fast forward to 2024 and think of the plethora of food trucks that trundle around our city streets serving up all manner of cuisine to hungry foodies. Here are five you need to hunt down for a feed to remember:
Burger Experience Like No Other
Discover Torquay’s burger experience like no other at Gypsy Burger on Zeally Bay Road. Originally born as a food truck, this Great Ocean Road dining destination and catering business lives in a beautiful sun-drenched spot opposite Taylor Park with market umbrellas alfresco for soaking up rays on balmy days.
On a journey that began 10 years ago, Gypsy also offers a mobile catering and food truck operation with a huge range of canapes and desserts, along with burgers; chow down a double beef and bacon burger with American cheddar, smoky BBQ sauce, house burger sauce, onions and pickles, or wrap your hands around a beer-battered fish butty with cheese, slaw, dill aioli, onion and pickles.
Appease Ravenous Hunger
Arana Hills foodies follow tantalising aromas along Dawson Parade to find The Wood Fired Oven and appease ravenous hunger pangs. This restaurant, food truck and catering business boasts warm and welcoming surrounds of wood panelling, vibrant red and orange walls and a live screen to watch all the sports action as you peruse an extensive menu of wood-fired pizza, along with strombolis, calzones, smoked delicacies and desserts.
Perhaps pick up a slice topped with shaved leg ham, salami, pepperoni, chorizo and mozzarella on a BBQ base, or the chicken supreme with smoked chicken, black olives, capsicum, mushroom, pineapple and mozzarella on a tomato base; dessert pizzas like the rocky delight are sure to entice – think marshmallows, chocolate, Turkish delight, almonds, flaked coconut and a chocolate swirl.
Hawker-style Fare on Offer
Taste street food from around the world at 8Things restaurant in Katoomba. This light, bright and airy venue on Katoomba Street embraces a monochromatic theme with ferns and fresh flowers adding a splash of nature and a calming vibe; while the food trailer appears at private functions and regular pop-ups.
Choose from a menu based on Chef Misha Laurent’s global travels and passion for hawker-style fare with Asian, North American and North African influences in dishes such as slow-cooked lamb shoulder tacos with red cabbage, minted yoghurt, hot sauce, cilantro and lime; or chow down on a crunchy pork belly Korean bao, with carrot, daikon, cucumber, sesame, green onions and fermented chilli.
Authentic Fare Like Yia Yia Makes
Brisbane foodies get their souvlaki fix from That Greek Truck, as it trundles around the city serving authentic fare like Yia-Yia makes. Setting up at various venues, markets and festivals, this food truck has diners salivating over mouth-watering meat marinated in olive oil, salt, pepper and oregano before being barbequed on board.
Kickstart a flavour explosion with juicy barbeque prawns, on a bed of lettuce and tomato, drizzled with lemon juice; or warm pita bread triangles served with garlic yoghurt. Wrap your hands around an open lamb souvlaki grill, with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, onion, feta and olives, drizzled with olive oil; before a dessert of rich baklava, layered with chopped nuts. That Greek Truck also caters for any event, so why not jump on board for your next occasion?
Capturing Old West Vibe
Capturing the vibe of the old west bringing a sense of rustic charm to each of its roadside locations and events, Brisbane foodies head to Deadwood Pizza to appease cravings for a slice of heaven. Pulling up at Wamuran Community Hall and Cruice Park in Woodford on alternating weekends, this mobile family, built, owned and operated food van is adorned with cattle skulls and gas lamps as hungry hombres are lured in by the tantalising aromas wafting from the wood-fired oven.
Order either a classic or gluten-free base and your choice of toppings such as Tropical Spice – ham, pineapple, onion, jalapeños, capers and cheese, on a BBQ base - or the Supreme with ham, olives, salami, mushroom, pepperoni, onion, capsicum and cheese; vegetarians pick up slice topped with mushroom, onion, sun-dried tomato, capsicum, asparagus, capers, olives and cheese.
