Street Food City is back! For the festival’s fifth anniversary, over 25 Vancouver food trucks will park in the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza from January 16-24, 2016. Last year, over 20,000 people attended the foodie extravaganza, indulging in the multicultural menus of Vancouver’s food truck scene.
As hosts of the World’s Best Food Truck Tour, we’re anything but amateurs at this game. For first-timers and old-timers, locals and visitors, here are:
9 Things to Know for Street Food City V
1. BRING CASH
Almost all of Vancouver’s food trucks accept debit or credit, but bringing a wad of cash will save you from “transaction errors” or machine breakdowns that often occur with mobile payment systems.
2. STAY HYDRATED
There are going to be some seriously-tempting drinks at the food trucks for Street Food City, so you don’t want to waste your sweet coin on water. Bring a refillable bottle with you – there are even some water fountains around the Vancouver Art Gallery!
3. WEAR PANTS
Thinking about showing up to Street Food City in your undies? Think again! On a serious note, it’s smart to choose pants over skirts or dresses for food truck festivals, as seating will be limited. Though there will be some tables and chairs for the event, foodies will also be perching on the Vancouver Art Gallery steps and benches!
4. DO A LAP
There are 25+ food trucks showing up for the festival, each with a unique offering. Before you commit, have a walk around lot to view the menus and check out what others are eating. If there’s one thing we know, foodies are a friendly bunch – don’t be shy to ask where they got what they’re eating!
5. HAVE A HANKERING
If 25 trucks each had 5 menu items, that’s 125 options to make you weak in the knees. Whether you have a craving, check out the menus in advance, or follow our Twitter list of food trucks, anything that guides your hunger will help!
6. DIVIDE and REUNITE
Attending with friends? Check out the food trucks together, divide up to tackle the lines, and pick a location to reunite. If you line up as a group to pick up one order at a time, you’ll likely have a painful wait (and food gone cold)!
7. PACE YOURSELF
When there are 25+ trucks to choose from, it’s a classic battle of appetite vs. desire. If you’re keen to try many items, convince your friends to order different dishes and eat “family style.” Or, why not eat at Street Food City, go for a stroll around downtown, and return for round 2! Pacific Centre shopping, the Vancouver Art Gallery and Robson Square are all in immediate vicinity.
8. DON’T PARK
Parking in downtown Vancouver is a pricey affair. If you can avoid driving, the extra savings will earn you a food truck feast! The Vancouver Art Gallery is highly accessible by transit – you can use Translink’s Trip Planner here.
9. DO GOOD
This year, Vancouver food trucks at Street Food City are featuring special menu items that benefit A Loving Spoonful. $1 from every order of special items will be donated to the volunteer-driven organization that provides meals to those living with HIV/AIDs in Metro Vancouver. So, eat well and do some good!
Street Food City
Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza
January 16-24, 2016
Monday – Friday: 11:00am-3:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Do you have tips to share for Street Food City? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below! Happy Feasting!
