Alley Burger/Food Truck Experience

[darklord700]

Tried Soup in a bun today. A cute little concoction that they put soup inside a sour dought bun. The soup is better than your food court fair but for $8, I think it is at least $2-$3 overpriced.

[Komskies]

And then did you eat the bowl?!

[red sky]

So what is the best truck out there? I have had Cheesy Bizness, Perogy Boyz, and Alley Burger. Is Naaco better than Red Diner?

[The Yen Man]

Is Alley Burger really that good? I had it the other day, and it tastes about the same as any other burger. Not sure why it's worth the $5. Their poutine was pretty good though.

[Tyler]

East Village was super busy but a lot of fun today.

Great getting everyone out to the Riverwalk from downtown who probably never venture any further than Macleod.

[secol]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Is Alley Burger really that good? I had it the other day, and it tastes about the same as any other burger. Not sure why it's worth the $5. Their poutine was pretty good though.

did you have the whole truck or the alley burger? i hear whole truck is fresher and actually made to order (because it's customizable) compared to the alley burger

[Regular_John]

Got to try blamwich this weekend, had the Mississippi Fish Boy, which was piece of cod covered in coleslaw and some kinda sauce.

The quality was pretty good, it was definitely a solid sandwich and great to try something unique to the city.

But $9 for a just the sandwich (no side, no drink) is a little on the steep side. I dunno maybe even if they'd thrown in a pickle or a handful of chips or something along with it I'd feel a little better. But when your floating that close to $10 and I'm not being served at a table you need to provide just a bit more.

[Mccree]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

But $9 for a just the sandwich (no side, no drink) is a little on the steep side. I dunno maybe even if they'd thrown in a pickle or a handful of chips or something along with it I'd feel a little better. But when your floating that close to $10 and I'm not being served at a table you need to provide just a bit more.

I think this is a problem with most food trucks. Small, expensive portions. I would have thought that without the overhead of "true restaurant" that the prices would be lower or larger portion. I still enjoy them thou.

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by Mccree

I think this is a problem with most food trucks. Small, expensive portions. I would have thought that without the overhead of "true restaurant" that the prices would be lower or larger portion. I still enjoy them thou.

Yeah it does seem to be a reoccurring theme. Honestly I get the basic "we're offering something unique with different ingredients, so the prices are a little higher." which is fine, but the portions need to be filling either way.

They've basically gotta find the sweet spot for price/portion between fastfood/take out fare and casual dining (EG: moxies/chili's etc) stuff. I have no problem paying $10-$15 for something good and unique, but I should feel full afterwards.

[red sky]

I agree 100%. I was hoping more competition would result in lower prices but they seem to be all over priced. Ironically, the first food truck (Alley Burger) is still the chepeast with a $5 burger option.

I tried the Red Wagon Diner truck last Friday. Had the ruban. While it was tasty, the portion was on the small side.

[secol]

red wagpn is one of the better deals in terms of food/price/taste IMO

[Stampede2TheCup]

Originally Posted by Mccree

I think this is a problem with most food trucks. Small, expensive portions. I would have thought that without the overhead of "true restaurant" that the prices would be lower or larger portion. I still enjoy them thou.

Their lower overhead also comes with a far lower amount of customers they can serve out of a small kitchen in a very shorter window of time. I really don't think the prices are as such because they're greedy or overcharging. Of course I'd love to pay less but don't see it as a problem. It's just simply what we have to pay for street gourmet.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by red sky

I agree 100%. I was hoping more competition would result in lower prices but they seem to be all over priced. Ironically, the first food truck (Alley Burger) is still the chepeast with a $5 burger option.

Yesterday, it was $5+ GST, so effectively, Alleyburger has increased their prices by 5%.

[showtime]

lower overhead, sure. But the people who run these trucks work their asses off. Its not just jump on the truck and go. Hours and hours of prep happen before they generally even make it to the truck.

[fundmark19]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Yesterday, it was $5+ GST, so effectively, Alleyburger has increased their prices by 5%.

I for one do not support this GST business. I will no longer support them!

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

I for one do not support this GST business. I will no longer support them!

before, the $5 listed price had the tax included.

[fundmark19]

Damnit! I have been bamboozled

[Bunk]

The trucks aren't cheap either - generally about $100k to get one and put in a full service kitchen. These aren't rinky dink operations.

[secol]

finally got to try soup in a bun today....thought i'd be hungry afterwards but the chowder with the bread was actually pretty filling. decent chowder, real pieces of whole shrimp.....they only give you a spoon but you really need a knife as well since you can't dig the bread out with the plastic spoon

[Regular_John]

Looks like our friends at the Flamew are hopping in on the trend of 2012:

The Flames Food Truck is a coming this fall.
http://flames.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=83253

Yup, put a fork in it, this trend has jumped the shark. Although it did give us the tasty Naaco Truck, so some good came of it.