It might not seem the most sensible time to be doing a story on food trucks; right smack dab in the middle of winter. Or is it? When could these, some of our smallest food providers use the extra boost but now. Of course being the quiet season, some of these businesses are either on reduced hours or not moving around as much. Here’s an overview of our local restaurants on wheels. Some people didn’t get back to us before posting but we’ll include their details as best we could find.
Jerk Pan Man
When Cinton Smith, AKA “Diago” first arrived on the Sunshine Coast with family in tow, he’d been a landscaper in North Van. Unfortunately he developed tinnitus which forced him to re-think his career options. When they moved into their home, they held a housewarming party at which he served jerk chicken and curry goat to all their guests’ delight. A lightbulb moment follows and the Jerk Pan Man is born.
You may have seen or had the opportunity to try his food in the parking lot of the Roberts Creek Hall over the last couple of years (that’s where I had his jerk chicken). Diago has no formal food training but rather learned by helping his mama in her kitchen as a child in Jamaica. Covid hasn’t helped but he’s been building a steady following since starting. Currently he’s operating out of a hut he’s set up at their house at 1180 Orange Rd; between Roberts Creek and Gibsons. Requesting you call one hour in advance to place your order, the JPM food truck is serving 7 days a week from 12:00 to 7:00pm.
Salt & Swine
We did an article of S&S in a recent “Fanning the Flames” Q&A (see November 24th) but this is a food truck article and Salt & Swine falls under that heading so…
Owner Katrina Haerthe is only operating the truck one day a week currently while getting her new brick and mortar version ready to open. But you can still find her Tuesdays at Tapworks if you want a Mexi fix Salt & Swine style. Check their info on the below menu for hours and contact details.
The Shortcut
“The Shortcut” is a stationary food truck located at 755 Henry Road in close proximity to The Gibsons Heritage Farm at the corner of Reed Rd. Owned and operated by Chef Ryan Downey, he opened his business in September of 2020 “with a desire to highlight the sustainability of locally grown food by sourcing ingredients from around the Coast and shaping them into fresh and appealing takeout. The Gibsons Heritage Farm is a working farm as well as being an educational platform that believes in nurturing ecosystems and sustainable food production. We work closely with the farm to craft menu items around seasonal vegetables, fruits and other harvested food that ensures no food is wasted“.
The menu focuses on classic breakfast items like egg sandwiches and wraps, hash browns, fresh daily muffins and french-pressed coffee. The recently expanded menu to includes lunch items such as homemade soups, meat and vegetarian/vegan sandwiches, salads and a pierogi plate. They have a signature pierogi made for the Shortcut by Mamma Musey’s Pierogi which has a maple cheddar and maple sausage filling. You can have this as a meal, or inside our ‘Prairie Dog’ breakfast wrap.
As well, every Sunday there is a special menu starting at 1pm that includes a smoked feature item. One of their best-selling Sunday special items is a smoked beef brisket. Other special items include a smoked macaroni n cheese with optional smoked candied bacon, smoked pulled pork, smoked beef burgers and smoked eggs benedict.
The Shortcut makes every effort to offer delicious vegetarian, vegan and gluten-friendly options as well. We regularly have vegan muffins, vegan soups, vegetarian sandwiches and variations on the Sunday special to accommodate a variety of diets.
Hours are 8-3 Thursday and Friday, and 9-4 Saturday and Sunday.
https://www.theshortcutgibsons.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/the_shortcut_gibsons/
https://www.facebook.com/TheShortcutGibsons
As mentioned, there are a few people we reached out to that either we didn’t get a response from in time or they’re in the “up and coming stage”.
The Nomadic Kitchen
Highly regarded catering company owners and food truck operators Katija Dewar & Sonja Hausner base their operation next to the General Store in Halfmoon Bay.
HOURS
WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY: PRE-ORDER DINNERS
SATURDAY: FOOD TRUCK 11AM-4PM
SUNDAY: FOOD TRUCK 12-4PM
CLOSED MONDAY & TUESDAY
OUR FOOD TRUCK NEXT TO THE HALFMOON BAY GENERAL STORE
5642 MINTIE RD, HALFMOON BAY, BC V0N 1Y2
https://www.thenomadickitchen.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/the.nomadic.kitchen/?hl=en
Bruno’s Burgers
Just getting rolling…
Follow them here:
https://www.instagram.com/brunosburgers/?hl=en
Tipsy Beverage Co.
Mobile bartending/ beverage trailer. Looking forward to this one!
Just getting rolling…
Follow them here:
https://www.instagram.com/tipsybeverageco/?hl=en
Farm Hand Food Truck
Currently getting the tires rotated. Planned move to Smitty’s Oyster House in the Spring.
Their Instagram link isn’t currently up to date but check back.
