Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/810732
LOCAL INTEL 34 W H AT T O E AT, D R I N K , TA S T E Japanese: The Anthony Bourdain-approved Japadog is one of Vancouver's original gourmet street-food carts. Try: Negimiso dog sprinkled with seaweed and slathered with wasabi-mayo. CLOCKWISE: SUZANNE RUSHTON (TACOFINO TRUCK), TACOFINO (FISH TACOS), AARON AUBREY (VIKRAM VIJ), ARIANE COLENBRANDER (BEACH BAY CAFÉ) HEATHER HARVEY/FLICKR (JAPADOG) West End: On the way to the beach at English Bay, stop at the walk-up window of Beach Bay Café for takeaway fish 'n' chips, available year-round. Mount Pleasant: Get an oyster po'boy sandwich to go at Gastown: Tacofino's Burrito Bar is a strictly takeout spot where you can order the likes of a chorizo burrito (or stay in and have a Michelada at the Tacofino Taco Bar). Granville Island: Edible Canada's takeout window includes such must-try delicacies as duck fat frites and poutine. Tacofino food truck R oaming food trucks serve a gourmet round of Vancouver's diverse culinary influences. Download the free Street Food Vancouver app to pinpoint where the 100-plus trucks are parked or hit up a stationary take-out spot instead. Street eats Vancouver's laid-back but food-focused vibe makes for lots of fab food to grab on the go Vikram Vij Chef, restaurateur and TV personality Vikram Vij shares his secrets of eating local while on the go. • FRESH FARE: Farmers markets are an amazing go-to for picking up something fresh, local and delicious and just eating it while you walk along, exploring more of the produce our province has to offer. • ETHNIC EATS: One of my favourite things is walking through the Punjabi district on Main around 49th. It feels like home: less livestock, but the same colour, bustle and some incredible treats you can pick up at stores and food outlets. When I buy there, the food rarely makes it home. INDULGE: Sample eats from Vancouver's food trucks gathered at the Vancouver Art Gallery during Street Food City, part of the annual Dine Out™ Vancouver Festival from January 19 to February 4. ON WHEELS Here are five food trucks to try. Mexican: Tacofino's food truck, emblazoned with the Virgin de Guadalupe, is the go-to for tasty tacos. Try: Classic Baja-style fish taco with crispy ling cod, cabbage, salsa fresca and chipotle mayo. Indian: Take a tour of Indian cuisine at Vij's Railway Express, another offering from chef Vikram Vij of Vij's and Rangoli fame. (It won the People's Choice Award for enRoute magazine's Best New Restaurant in Canada.) Try: Butter chicken schnitzel. Asian: The pan-Asian flavours of Le Tigre became such a hit, its chef opened a permanent restaurant, Torafuku. Try: Angry Kitty Cat Squares of crispy fried rice, kimchi, basil, spicy mayo and nori. Locavore: Sample über West Coast, plant-based drinks at The Juice Truck, Vancouver's first cold-pressed juice company. Try: Almost Chocolate smoothie, made with banana, medjool dates and almond milk. The Fish Counter. Walk it off en route back downtown. Chinatown: Fetch Kiosk, in the stately Old Electric Building, has a service window from which to order an Irish BLT or apple pulled pork. BRICKS AND MORTAR These neighbourhood pick-up pitstops offer anything but "fast food."