Where is Melbourne's Best Food Truck?

by Nadine Cresswell-Myatt (subscribe)

Hungry? Then quick follow that truck!

Food trucks aren't exactly a new phenomenon but the kind of food they now serve is exciting and innovative.

Gone are the days of soggy hot dogs and greasy chips. Now the takeaway is multi-cultural, gourmet and often freshly cooked.

These foodie trucks cruise the festivals, pop up at special events and are there under the streetlights when you get a case of the late night munchies.

One of originals was Beatbox Kitchen which began in 2009. The truck, dressed up like a giant jukebox, still draws the hungry crowds with its gourmet burgers.



For some inner city dwellers the fact that Beatbox Kitchen is outside their block of flats on a weekly basis is cause, if not for celebration, at least worthy of a stampede down the stairs.



Another burger with a difference and a loyal following is the Mr Burger which was dubbed by the Age as Melbourne's best new food truck in 2012. Some might say that we don't need any more burgers doing the rounds, but when a van offers your beef patty with caramelised onion or features a vegetarian option of a falafels in your bun, then you are glad they exist.

They have proven so popular that there are already six of these trucks doing the rounds.



A fairly recent and welcome arrival on the scene is White Guy Cooks Thai. These guys turn our traditional Asian hawker dishes made from seasonal ingredients.The inspiration for their offerings is the sense of colour and vibrancy that goes with communal outdoor eating in Asia.



There is a changing menu but you might find yourself with massman beef curry, pla sam rot (three flavour fish) or Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwich – with duck confit. Despite the name there is a rich diversity of Asian cuisine on offer.







Digging For Fire BBQ offers a range of dishes from all around the world with an emphasis on what gets cooked by fire. Think smoky short ribs here, Sri Lankan Goat skewers, Noojee rainbow trout or how about some cinnamon and chilli chicken wings.





Chingon is already a popular Mexican restaurant, but eating in Mexico is all about street food and they are now taking it to the streets in this romantic gold van which looks like Sleeping Beauty should be driving it.



They serve stunning food such as soft tacos, charred corn and salsas to make you salivate.



Now for dessert.

Lord Kelvin Ice-Cream offers real fruit blended with ice cream or frozen yoghurt. Blends are based on what's in season. Could be raspberry or strawberry or some awesome combos.



Solar Bar started cranking out fresh juices in April 2013. Pure fruit blended with ice. As the name suggests it is also solar powered. It was designed by Mardy Daniel from Festivalcouch.

Up until now finding such gourmet feasts was a bit of hit and miss affair. It usually meant people had to look up social media and hope the truck was there when they piled out of their cars in anticipation.

Suddenly all that hit and miss has changed with the introduction of a new mobile app cheekily called, Where the Truck which will tell you where the food trucks are now, just when you have the munchies.

So off you go, check out the app and follow that truck for some awesome feeds.

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Why? To cure the late night munchies

Where: Could be anywhere.

Cost: From $9

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