Guide to the Best Newfoundland Food Trucks
Just like the Newfoundland craft beer scene in recent years, the food truck scene is starting to take off, and it’s exciting. The two go so well together in fact, that you’ll often find a food truck partnered up with a brewery taproom. A perfect symbiotic relationship if you ask me.
Come for the beer, stay for the food. Come for the food, stay for a pint.
I sometimes think that if I get to pass through the Pearly Gates I’ll find a food truck outside a craft brewery. :P
Newfoundland has long had a “chip truck” culture. It wasn’t uncommon to find a converted RV parked near a highway or other thoroughfare slinging deep-fried goodies, mainly burgers and fries, sometimes seafood. This is Newfoundland after all.
Those RVs weren’t brightly painted. They never had a theme or a catchy, punny name. They didn’t experiment within a food niche. They deconstructed nothing. They were what they were and they were tasty.
But I’m excited to see more modern food trucks coming on the scene. Those that wheel around town, popping up in different locations, and dishing up curries and tacos and other street foods along with the traditional burgers and fries.
To help you navigate this new Newfoundland food truck landscape I pulled together a list of what I consider to be some of the best trucks on the go. It’s by no means a comprehensive list of every food truck in Newfoundland though so please let me know your favourite truck in the comments!
Table of Contents
The Indian Express
St. John’s and Area
The Indian Express truck is new to the scene but has become an almost instant success. They have a menu that changes up day to day but always includes two meat and two veg options for their curry combos. People rave about their butter chicken. For $10 you’ll get a generous portion of naan, rice, one meat, and one veg dish. They have a regular suppertime home on Major’s Path in St. John’s but change up their lunch time locations, posting the schedule on their website and social media.
Johnny & Mae’s
St. John’s and Area
Bring your appetite to Johnny & Mae’s for their delicious, gut-busting burgers and fried chicken sandwiches. If you’re just not getting enough salt in your diet, try their salt beef poutine. That’ll set ya right. They’re typically set up in the parking lot of St. Thomas Church in downtown St. John’s. Check their social media for daily menu details and hours. They often sell out so get there early.
Hitchen the Kitchen
St. John’s and Area
Hitchen the Kitchen is the food truck operated by Blue on Water that was one of the first to offer food truck tacos in St. John’s. Think of them as “elevated Newfoundland chip truck”. Some of their specials include lobster rolls and turkey dinner poutine. They’re typically camped out on Elizabeth Ave in St. John’s but check their social media for the latest menu and location news.
QVFC – Quidi Vidi Fish & Chips
Quidi Vidi
The first of the brewery-food truck pairings on this list, QVFC is located next to the Quidi Vidi Brewery and serve up fresh fish with a batter using Quidi Vidi’s Iceberg beer. Their menu is simple but delicious. I recommend the QVFB – battered cod fillet and shredded iceberg lettuce on a brioche bun.
Saucy Mouth
Mount Pearl and Bonavista
Saucy Mouth began in summer 2018 in Bonavista serving up the most extra versions of poutine (or street fries as the cool kids call them) this island has seen. Over the winter they took up residency at the newly opened Landwash Brewery in Mount Pearl. This summer they’re operating in both locations so more street fries, rice bowls, and cauliflower ‘wing’s for everyone!
Big Boy Baos
St. John’s Area
Full service restaurants getting into the food truck game is nothing new and Seto’s truck, Big Boy Baos, is a welcome addition. They specialize in the popular Chinese filled steamed bun. Try the pork belly. Seriously. They’re also bringing out a “baoburger” this summer. Big Boy Baos is typically located on Water St in St. John’s next to Jack Astor’s but check their social media for menu and location updates.
Krave – Licensed to Grill
Conception Bay South
Krave – Licensed to Grill just might have the only food truck donair on the Avalon. Try it in poutine form for some extra sauciness. They have a regular set menu but expect to see daily specials added in. They’re typically located outside Ninepenny Brewing in Conception Bay South but check their social media for any updates.
Global Eats
St. John’s and Area
This truck is just a baby but the concept is so wonderful that I wanted to include them. Global Eats, a food truck filled with staff from around the globe. The Association for New Canadians selected 12 newcomers for a training program that would see them staff the brand new truck this summer. They’ll be drawing inspiration from their own backgrounds so expect to find truly global cuisine. Locations haven’t been set yet so check with the ANC for details.
Ziggy Peelgood’s
St. John’s and Area
Ziggy Peelgood’s is a stalwart of the St. John’s mobile vending scene. They’ve been dishing up french fries to hungry festival and downtown crowds for over 25 years. If you want the perfect paper bag of home fries, look no further. They have multiple trucks and are a staple at summer events, so check out their social media for the latest news.
Oh My Cheeses
Port Rexton
I dies for a good pun so of course, I love Oh My Cheeses, located in the yard of the Port Rexton Brewery. How many ways can you think to create a grilled cheese sandwich? Over 5 years, Oh My Cheeses have created almost 90 versions! My own favourite is the Cupids: blueberry balsamic jam with old cheddar. They also serve up delicious street fries. Pair it with a pint from Port Rexton Brewery and you might have a perfect meal.
Spud Nados
Trinity, Bonavista Bay
Whether you want something savoury or a delicious deep-fried dessert (apple rings anyone?) Spud Nados in Trinity can hook you up. Or try their homemade potato chips (called chippos) with a seasoning like dill pickle. Or you can keep an eye out for favourite like bloomin’ onions, boneless wings, and poutine.
Poko Loko
Various Locations
Poko Loko is another food truck run by a full-service restaurant. Soul Azteka debuted their new taco truck this year and we’re loving it. They have a spot on New Gower Street in St. John’s near Mile One Stadium, but they also like to pop up around town, like at a Thursday night market, so check their social media for the latest details and to get your taco/burrito/torta fix.
Newfoundland Comfort
Corner Brook
I’m happy to include some west coast food truck options here. I don’t get out that way often but the next time I do, I’ll be stopping in to the Newfoundland Comfort food truck in the Canadian Tire parking lot in Corner Brook. The poutine supreme burger looks especially tempting. Fancy a bit of Jigg’s Dinner poutine? They have that too.
Luke’s Gourmet Poutinerie
South Brook
Luke’s recently made news, not for their poutine, but for two of their monster burgers: the “Mudder Trucker” which comes on an 8” bun and the “Frankensteiner” which comes on a 12” bun. They are truly burgers meant for sharing. Good for the ‘gram too. ;) I suggest you grab a few friends and go in on a burger at Luke’s next time you’re near South Brook.
Find Lukey’s Gourmet Poutinerie
Stage Grub
King’s Point
Stage Grub in King’s Point certainly has one of the most festive and scenic eating spots of Newfoundland food trucks. You might even get to see an iceberg along with your ice cream. People rave about their cod tacos, squid rings, and gourmet burgers. If you want that Instagramworthy photo, get yourself a soft serve icecream in rainbow colours.
Shells Meals on Wheels
Baie Verte Junction
I hadn’t heard of this truck before but it has a very dedicated following. Those who know, love Shells it seems. They’re best known for their squid rings and moose burgers. If you’re visiting Newfoundland for the first time, you really should give a moose burger a try. Mmm… I just may make a visit to try their pulled moose sandwich myself. Summer bucket list item? I think so!
December 30th, 2019 at 4:08 pm (#)
Love your travel blog. I’ve always had the eastern provinces of Canada on my visit list and you paint an appealing picture.
May 22nd, 2020 at 5:25 pm (#)
You do not have “WelcomeHome Lunchbox” on your site. This is a fairly new truck but one of the Best I ever had. Check it out/
September 7th, 2020 at 8:04 pm (#)
you missed the youth venture winner of Sweet tails and treats dessert truck in Grand falls – Windsor
July 9th, 2021 at 12:37 am (#)
How do I get my Food Truck listed on site?