Okay, let’s be real here, what could possibly be better than a food truck?
It’s a restaurant that comes to you! If it involves food, and it’s mobile, we’re so there. And with the local food truck scene’s popularity skyrocketing, it’s no surprise so many newbies have popped up recently.
We thought we’d weigh in, with six of the best new food trucks on the Gold Coast that we’re totally crushing on right now.
Zicatela
With swoon-worthy names like Eduardo and Mauricio, the friendly owners of new mobile taqueria Zicatela, you know you’re in for some authentic street eats. Named in honour of the epic Mexican surf break, it’s little wonder this food truck is frequently rotating on the roster at Balter Brewing HQ. Which is exactly where we first fell in love with their wood-fired tacos (the fish and pollo tacos are honestly some of the BEST we’ve ever wrapped our lips around), wings, loaded nachos, and insanely good breakfast burritos. Hang on, wood-fired Mexican? Yep, they have a wood-fired oven inside the truck and that smokey goodness needs to be tasted to be believed. Hola!
Ze Pickle
We haven’t even met ‘em yet, but we’re quietly confident this is going to be one ballin’ food truck to watch out for. If expanding into Sydney and Brisbane wasn’t enough for this Burleigh-born burger joint, infamous Ze Pickle is soon to be on the move with their very own truck! Say what?! They’ve imported a sweet 1984 Chevy Step Van from the US of A, which is currently being transformed and is set to launch before summer. While all your fave burgers and bar snacks will be on offer, we’re totes digging plans that they’ll debut any crazy foodie inventions here, trialling them via the food truck before they hit the stores. Our mates at Ze Pickle tell us they’ll be hitting up select events and festivals between Bris-vegas and the GC, with several weddings already on the books (yep, they can do finger-food fancy for your fussy guests!), and even have plans for a band van tour taking the roadshow down the east coast. These lads are straight up smashin’ it. Cheers, Ze Pickle!
Burgers by Junior
Everyone’s fave Mermaid Beach burger joint has recently taken its food out of the kitchen and straight to the people; “proper burgers” that hit the spot, without sending your stomach over the edge. From the cool crew behind Easy Street Diner, Burgers by Junior’s menu is as simple as the soul-satisfying offerings. Take your pick from four seriously tasty options—the cheese burger, bacon cheeseburger, cheesy chicken burger, or mushroom burger, plus a side of cheesy fries or shakes. Now, we’ve been told these guys are pretty elusive at the moment, so if you spot ‘em or hear word they are popping up at a brewery or the like, you’re going to want to jump in the car and track ‘em down. Trust us, it’ll be love at first bite.
Little Wahaca
A newbie to Gold Coast’s mobile food family, Little Wahaca is bringing a fresh taste of Latin American street food to the #hangry market-going masses. Served out of an adorable vintage caravan, you’re going to love their Latin specialities—gorditas aka corn pockets stuffed with pork, smokey beans, or (for breakfast) bacon and eggs; plus, plantain chips with guacamole, and sweet and savoury empanadas. Of late, we’ve spotted this cute food truck at The Village Markets and GC Design Collective Markets. Have you hunted ‘em down yet?
Papa Rolly’s
The Gemelli boys certainly don’t do things in halves, rolling out the biggest and boldest food truck, ermm bus, the GC has ever seen. With plenty of those Carney-brother genes smiling out from behind the counter, you know Papa Rolly’s wood-fired pizzas and hand-made pastas to-go will be as authentic as if Nonna had made them herself. Pretty much an Italian restaurant on wheels, it’s even kitted out with a Stefano Ferraro wood-fired oven sourced direct from Naples—coming to a private event or festival near you.
The Italian Job
If you didn’t already know—sorry to break the sad news, folks—but Kirra institution Bread + Butter as we know it will soon be no more. Damn you, progress! Thankfully, their epic wood-fired pizzas will live on through one of our fave new(ish) pizzerias on wheels—The Italian Job. Often spotted frequenting The Village Markets and Miami Marketta, their mobile eats sell out on the reg so get in quick for hand-made ciabattas and crusty pizzas fresh from their travelling wood-fired oven. Bellissimo!
Other Metropolist Faves
These newbies join a fleet of the best food trucks on the Gold Coast including other faves: The Weiner Haus, JR’s Smokehouse, Chubby’s Burgers, Little Havana, Barraca, Food Kartel, Siguenos, and Fiery Deli. Find these nifty meals on wheels plying Gold Coast’s markets, festivals, breweries, weddings, private events, nightly at food truck council-approved parks, or Surfers Paradise’s permanent truck stop, Paradise Alley.
Did we miss your faves among the best food trucks on the Gold Coast? Tell us in the comments.
Photo Credit: Brooke Darling for Metropolist