Best of Melbourne 2020: city’s top 10 food trucks revealed
Love grabbing a bite to eat at one of Melbourne’s many food trucks? We’ve uncovered the city’s favourite creators of cruising cuisine — find out who came out on top. SEE ALL THE WINNERS AND FINALISTS
The Best of Melbourne
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Melbourne has so many food trucks, it can be hard to pick a favourite.
But now, we can steer you in the right direction after you revealed your top choices in our latest Best of Melbourne poll.
We put the call out to find our city's favourite street food vendors and you delivered in droves, serving up hundreds of nominations and thousands of votes.
The top 10 food trucks feature cuisine from all corners — from piping hot Greek doughnuts and not-so-basic hot dogs, to Uruguayan steak sandwiches and the city’s first Italian pasta truck.
The only question is, how will you choose which to visit first?
You can also see all the finalists at the bottom of the story.
And check out our other Best of Melbourne polls HERE, including where to find our best hairdressers, personal trainers, mechanics and dog groomers.
MORE:
ALL THE BEST OF MELBOURNE WINNERS IN ONE PLACE
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10. THE REAL JERK FOOD TRUCK, SPRINGVALE
44 Westall Rd
The Real Jerk Food Truck owner Roderick Grant says authentic Jamaican and Caribbean food plus big servings are the secret to the truck’s success.
“We take a lot of care representing the Jamaican and Caribbean food culture the best way we can,” Mr Grant said.
“The food we serve is really tasty and cooked in the most authentic way.
“Our servings aren’t small either – people come to us and have a real filling meal.”
His truck has been spicing up night markets and big events for three years.
Tuck into a Big Load with jerk chicken – twice fried, with rice, peas, coconut slaw and scotch bonnet mayonnaise.
The lighter, popular dishes include the light jerk with jerk chicken, high melt cheese, coconut slaw, chips, drizzled with scotch bonnet mayo and jerk barbecue sauce.
Other dishes include the Jerk Between-the-Buns burger and potato chips, which are served with additional sauces including jerk barbecue and scotch bonnet mayonnaise.
Mr Grant said food trucks parks had evolved in recent years.
“They’re so popular as they offer people a different variety of cuisines. In recent years food truck owners have stepped up the game and put much effort in – right down to their unique design of their trucks.”
~Suzan Delibasic
More: facebook.com/therealjerkfoodtruck/
instagram.com/therealjerkfoodtruck
9. TASTE OF CYPRUS, ESSENDON AND ASCOT VALE
203 Keilor Rd, Essendon
448-462 Mt Alexander Rd, Ascot Vale
Michael Italiano is not shy when it comes to proclaiming why his family’s food truck is a favourite of Leader readers.
“We make the best souvlaki in Melbourne,” he said.
Taste of Cyprus has been operating for three years and growing its fanbase the longer it is open, now operating in Essendon and Ascot Vale six days a week.
Mr Italiano said his passion for Cypriot Greek food using home recipes was key to what made their products so good.
“I marinate my own meat, like at a traditional barbecue in Cyprus every weekend,” he said.
“To make the souvlakis, we cook with olive oil but that gives a bit more sweetness in bread, it’s better than vegetable oil and we use rocket instead of lettuce — it gives an extra kick.
“We also use high quality cheese and then we have our waffle fries.”
Meanwhile the halloumi for another popular menu item, the halloumi souvlaki, is sourced directly from Cyprus “as not many in Australia know how to make it”.
While the tasty food is what draws customers to the truck, the service helps keep them coming back.
Ryan Campisano said the food was“amazing” and “the staff are so friendly and helpful”, adding that he ate there “at least three times a week”.
John Toussas said there was “great traditional food, plenty of variety and reasonable prices, all that with a smile”, while Jac Smith said “the boys go out of their way to make everyone’s meal special”.
Mr Italiano said he was “over the moon” with the response from his customers.
Working with his wife Maria Athanatos, who owns the business, and son Daniel in the truck, the family hopes to open their own shop at some point.
Taste of Cyprus is at 448-462 Mt Alexander Rd in Ascot Vale on Friday (5pm-11pm) and the weekend (noon-11pm), while it is at 203 Keilor Rd in Essendon from Tuesday to Thursday (5pm-11pm).
~Geordie Cowan
More: facebook.com/tasteofcyprusmelbourne/
instagram.com/tasteofcyprus_melb/
8. ST. GERRY’S, THORNBURY AND THROUGHOUT MELBOURNE
794 High St
A Thornbury Greek doughnut food truck started out as just a rough plan on the mobile phone of owner Dean Giannakis seven years ago.
Now St Gerry’s is an empire, much loved throughout the city, and it all links back to Mr Giannakis’ Greek heritage.
“I remember seeing these doughnuts being made in a cart on the side of the road on Kesalonia, the Greek island where I’m from,” he said.
“I drafted up a business plan on my phone on the beach later that day and I haven’t looked back since.”
Mr Giannakis said he’s had pop-up shops across Melbourne, participated in food collaboration events around the country and even has his sights set on the international market.
“I love sharing my heritage and my food — it gives me joy,” he said.
Ben Starvaggi said the doughnuts were better than his “yiayias”.
“Simple doughnuts done so well, always served with a smile,” he said.
Sophia Floros said St Gerry’s doughnuts were well “worth all the carbs”.
“Cannot resist these hot fluffy Greek doughnuts — I’ve tried all the toppings,” she said.
~Anthony Piovesan
More: www.stgerrys.com.au/
7. YO INDIA, THROUGHOUT MELBOURNE
It’s a family affair for the well-travelled foodies behind Yo India, who are bringing a unique twist to the South Asian tasty cuisine.
Raymond and Conan Gomes are the Caroline Springs father-son duo behind the food truck, which has been serving festival-goers and event guests across Victoria for about five years.
While they have some popular Indian dishes on the menu, each recipe has the family’s own spin, inspired by many holidays abroad.
Son Conan said he and his father had always wanted to run a restaurant together but decided on a food truck after being inspired by a friend.
The team behind the scenes in the truck often includes Conan’s mother and brother as well.
Conan said his father had worked as an international chef for more than 30 years in restaurants across Europe, Asia and the Middle East before the family arrived in Australia.
“We grew up in Croatia and Romania,” he said.
“We travelled the world quite a lot as a family and we’d like to come back and cook our own little things, trying something a bit different at home.”
He said the Indian food his family served was unique and inspired by their holidays.
“The food has our own flare, with the flavour combinations not something you’d typically find on an Indian plate,” he said.
“We have a tandoori platter with hummus and a salad that has been prepared a little differently.”
Also on the menu are Chili Beef Tacos with a mix of Indian and Mexican spices, salad and sriracha mayonnaise.
The Rotiwich is a spin on the traditional tandoori chicken dish served inside a roti roll and served with salad and caramelised mango chutney.
Yo India faithful John Bublio said his go-to dish was the 24-hour marinated tandoori chicken classic, extra roti, which went down well with a mango lassi.
“Every time I visit the family-owned truck I’m greeted with a friendly and fantastic smile,” Mr Bublio said.
“Food is always consistently amazing.”
~Laura Armitage
More: yoindia.com.au/
6. PASTA FACE FOOD TRUCK, THROUGHOUT MELBOURNE
For chef Daniel D’Agostino satisfaction is seeing curious customers become loyal fans.
And there’s been plenty of hearty converts to his Pasta Face food truck, who have followed him to various locations across suburban Melbourne to get their fix.
Now the word of mouth has reached fever pitch, with scores of devoted customers celebrating their love for D’Agostino’s gourmet Italian food in Leader’s search for Melbourne’s best food trucks.
It’s also provided a boon in catering private functions, with most referrals to the business now coming from people who have heard impressed friends and family rave about their food.
“Most definitely it’s all about our customers. Being a chef, to get recognition from them is great,” D’Agostino said.
“We have a lot of returning customers and often get told we’re their favourite truck, that’s why I do it and it’s a passion of mine to satisfy people.”
Leader reader Linda Fracaro described Pasta Face’s food as “home made (and) melt in your mouth”.
Nadia Trantino wrote: “The friendliest bunch of people serving the freshest quickest authentic and tastiest meals around”, while Josh Mills raved that he had “never had a bad meal from them”.
~Andrew Rogers
More: www.pastaface.com.au/
5. LA FOODIES, MORNINGTON PENINSULA AND SURROUNDS
After her takeaway shop was washed away by the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004, Angela Lord thought she would never have her own business again.
“I remember watching the news and seeing my shop, which was about 200m from the beach, completely covered by water,” she said.
“I thought ‘that is that, no more food business for me’.
“To be honest I was just happy my family was alive. We were on the beach in the water not long before the big wave came.”
Last year she changed her mind and with life partner Craig Evans started La Foodies food truck.
Together they spend weekends cooking up a storm at markets, festivals and private events across the Mornington Peninsula and greater Frankston.
“People think we’re mad to have a food truck when we are both working full time in other jobs,” she said.
“But I just love it. I love making the food and chatting to people who love to eat it.”
La Foodies celebrates Sri Lankan cuisine.
“I’m a Burgher (Sri Lankan of Eurasian descent) so my curries aren’t the traditional hot ones you find in Sri Lankan restaurants.”
Ms Lord said her latest creation – Sri Lankan fries – was a great place to start for those unsure about curries.
“I pour the curry gravy from our beef, chicken or vegetarian dishes over the freshly cooked chips, top it with a special dip I make from yoghurt and herbs and spices and then add some deep fried curry leaves.”
~Lucy Callander
More: lafoodies.com.au/
www.facebook.com/La-Foodies-1562045773860815/?ref=your_pages
instagram.com/lafoodiesofficialpage/
4. EL CHIVI, THROUGHOUT MELBOURNE
It’s an unlikely combination – a man from Montevideo and his Kiwi wife slinging steak sandwiches.
But Marty and Anna Eppel’s Uruguayan food truck El Chivi has become a cult hit throughout Melbourne.
The menu draws on Marty’s Uruguayan roots – he grew up eating its national dish, the Chivito, at family gatherings.
It traditionally has thin steak, mozzarella cheese, mayonnaise, olives and bacon – but the Ringwood East duo have put their own spin on it with four flavours and a vegan option.
They’ve proven a big hit with loyal customers such as Anna Robertson, who raved about their value and freshness.
“Everything is fresh, big portions, actual steak that melts in your mouth, totally different to a standard steak sanga,” she wrote on Facebook.
El Chivo also offers a breakfast roll, chips, jalapeño poppers and a Uruguayan-inspired iced tea.
Mrs Eppel said she and her husband started the business four years ago and built the food truck in Marty’s grandfather’s Clayton garage.
“It’s been lots of hard work and long hours, but its great to see it come to reality and we’ve had lots of fun doing it,” she said.
“We’re one of the only Uruguayan food options in Melbourne, so it’s good to be representing that and spreading the word.”
~Kiel Egging
More: www.elchivi.com/
facebook.com/elchivisteaksandwiches/
3. THE D’S SOUVLAKI, ESSENDON
339 Pascoe Vale Rd
Melbourne’s most popular souvlaki van has always been a family affair.
Husband and wife duo Daniel and Cara Ruscigno have run the Essendon-based D’s Souvlaki van for seven years.
After seeing the explosion of kebab food trucks in the area, the pair saw the opportunity to fill a gap in the market.
Originally a bricklayer, Mr Ruscigno said his favourite thing about the industry was meeting customers from all walks of life.
“I just always loved food,” he said.
“I always cooked at home and we wanted to transfer that into a good quality food van.”
Mr Ruscigno said the secret to their popularity was in the way the souvlaki was cooked.
Mr and Mrs Ruscigno are regularly joined in the kitchen by their three children, DJ, Julian and Aliciya.
“It’s a real family affair,” he said.
The popular food truck is open from Thursdays to Saturdays at 339 Pascoe Vale Rd, Essendon.
~Jessica Coates
More: facebook.com/thedssouvlaki/
2. SHIVA INDIAN CUISINE, THROUGHOUT MELBOURNE
Street food was being peddled along the streets of India long before food trucks were a thing — so it should come as no surprise the team at Shiva Indian Cuisine know how to please a hungry crowd.
Sachin Garg and Arun Chauhan started the mobile version of their popular Prahran restaurant in 2015 to keep up with demand.
Five years later, the truck is dishing out between 700 and 800 meals a day on weekends.
“God is good to me, I always have customers,” Garg said.
Popular dishes include butter chicken, vegan samosas and beef vindaloo.
“We try and do different menus for each event, but I’ll always have one beef, one chicken, one lamb and two vegan options on it,” he said.
“I’ve recently started making a cheese naan that is good, very popular.”
Garg drives his truck across Melbourne to be on hand at all the major events, including the Air Show, F1 Grand Prix and White Night festival.
Patel Amitkumar says Shiva has “the best butter chicken in Melbourne”.
Naveen Choppadandi says the team serves their meals with love, while Murali Chaitanya Aduri hailed the vegetarian options as “simply superb”.
~Jordy Atkinson
More: www.shiva.net.au/food-truck/
instagram.com/shivaindiancuisine/
1. HOT DOG HUSTLE, BRAYBROOK
252 Ballarat Road
With burger joints at every corner, Mango Huynh knew the inner west was in dire need of a hot dog truck.
And his gut feeling couldn’t have been more on the money, with his food truck, Hot Dog Hustle, a bustling success in Braybrook — and now named Melbourne’s best food truck.
Located off Ballarat Rd, the truck exclusively sells a range of gourmet and decadent hot dog creations.
The most popular hot dog is the Bulgogi Cheesesteak, which includes sliced up soy-marinated steak on top of a fresh hot dog bun coated in sauce and melted cheese.
Another popular option is the Furi, a spicy hot dog with spicy sauce topped with jalapeños and roasted chillies.
The truck also dishes up piping hot fries and onion rings for a full meal experience.
And for those who aren’t too keen on meat, the truck serves up a delicious deep-fried vegetarian curry croquette.
Owner Mango Huynh said it felt “fantastic” to be nominated as a finalist.
“We’ve worked quite hard, we’ve been here for almost three years and now we’re finally starting to get noticed,” he said.
The 29-year-old, who previously worked as a dinner chef, said he decided to open up the truck because he couldn’t afford to open a restaurant at the time.
Now, he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Billy Greenham said Mango’s smile “made his day” whenever he came to the truck.
“It’s both great food and a family vibe – food is on another level!” he said.
The entrepreneur has plans to open a brick-and-mortar hot dog restaurant – but don’t worry, the food truck isn’t going anywhere.
Hot Dog Hustle is open Wednesdays to Sundays from 4pm to 10:30pm.
~Emilie Baxter
More: hotdoghustle.com.au