A few years ago, you had a better chance of finding a moose on the streets of Saskatoon than a food truck. Now people just have to walk a few blocks downtown to get their fill.
From Scout Mex Hall to Thrive Juice Co., companies are starting to shed the street meat stereotype. People can buy burgers, hot dogs, burritos, vegan burritos, cold pressed juices, and a lot more.
Two Scout customers, Jonathan Davo and Mariana Gonzalez, said it was time for Saskatoon to embrace street food.
“We grew up in Mexico, so street food is a must and I think it’s just in our blood right now,” Davo said with a laugh.
“I think it’s finally coming to Saskatoon, which we’re really excited about,” said Gonzalez. “We thought it would take Saskatoon a while, and I think a few people had the guts to start it.”
Sierra McCaan, owner of Scout Mex Hall, said she dived into the food truck industry to offer something different.
Customers queue at Scout Mex Hall on Broadway Avenue. (Peter Mills / CBC)
That winter, McCaan bought a truck in Vancouver, drove it back to Saskatoon, and a new food truck was born.
“People got pretty excited about it,” said McCaan. “I didn’t get any negative feedback. I was concerned that the menu should be adventurous and open to different diets, but not too crazy that people wouldn’t get near the food truck. I think we’re nice. It’s for everyone.” something in terms of nutrition, but also in terms of taste. “
McCaan said Saskatoon is still catching up when it comes to food truck businesses.
“All over the world, street food is represented in some way,” she said. “Canada is way behind and Saskatoon was behind in Canada. Regina has more food trucks than we do I think. But it allows you to try different foods for a reasonable price because that’s how we’re on the road. And so hopefully works Saskatoon is committed to making food trucks affordable for small businesses so that we can offer interesting, well-prepared food at a lower price than a restaurant. ”
Owners welcome friendly competition
While the rules of food trucks have been debated many times in town hall, food truck owners in Saskatoon keep their businesses warm.
Maile Crowe and Danica Slattery, co-owners of Thrive Juice Co., said you won’t see food truck wars in town.
“We’re all friends and it’s nice when we park close together because more people come out,” said Crowe. “Nobody is really in competition and sometimes we just feel like a little farce. It’s great fun.”
There are a number of city ordinances that dictate where a food truck can drive. For example, you need to be at least 20 meters away from permanent restaurants. Crowe and Slattery would like fewer restrictions.
Maile Crowe and Danica Slattery, co-owners of Thrive Juice Co. (Peter Mills / CBC)
“It would be nice if more people could be in a row because I know we tried that for the Jazz Festival and that didn’t work,” said Crowe.
“It would be nice if there was a little space for food trucks to park for a day and have some seating and stuff for people to walk around,” said Slattery. “I know there are things like that in other cities.”
A festival will soon be named in honor of Saskatoon’s food trucks. The first annual Street Meet Festival takes place on September 6th.
New bike on the block
Countless children in Saskatoon remember the ringing of bells coming down the block, and immediately afterwards their parents begging for money before the Dickie Dee rolled by.
A brand new mobile food service, Drift Cycle Ice Pops, is hoping to recreate that feeling.
Drift Cycle Ice Pops is driving the streets of Saskatoon for the first time this afternoon. Similar to Thrive Juice, Samantha Benesh, a Drift Cycle representative, said her goal was to offer a fresh, healthy product.
“We’re not just your traditional popsicle,” said Benesh. “They’re all original and have great flavors like banana cardamom. I made some watermelon mint last night. Some strawberry rhubarb with locally grown rhubarb of course. And we want to try and access locally grown food over the summer.”
Benesh said her Ice Pops Bike is also leading the way for her next project, the Drift Cafe, due to open in Riversdale this fall.
Where are you today
Most food trucks post their location, menus and photos on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
If you want to find your favorite food truck, you can also visit Snack Map.
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