Lately, we have all noticed a radical change in how we approach food, especially in our country, which is still very conservative when it comes to gastronomy. We are finally seeing, and it is a welcome change, a truly notable desire to embrace a more casual relationship with what we eat. In fact, over the last few months, we have seen the growth of a street food culture, with an uninhibited approach to eating, focused primarily on the pleasure of the experience!
It is with this in mind that I wanted to try and put together a small guide (not exhaustive, of course) of the places, vans, and other food trucks that can be found in Paris today.
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Table of Contents
Daily Wagon
The Daily Wagon is a food truck concept inspired by various countries or regions. This nomadic restaurant chain offers a varied and multi-cosmopolitan selection with a sort of culinary world tour.
The first truck from this concept to arrive in Paris was the So British food truck, featuring the famous Fish & Chips (fried cod fillet and fries), an icon of England. Everything is served in a cone decorated like British newspapers.
Having never tasted authentic English Fish & Chips, I couldn’t really offer a comparison worthy of the name, but I found the one at Daily Wagon extremely tasty. Special mention to the fries, which were both super crispy and fluffy—a real treat!
During this month of July 2013, 3 new food trucks will be launched by the brand: the Vegetarian, the American with its traditional burgers, and the Mexican with burritos and tacos.
Daily Wagon
Menu for €9 including drink
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Cantine California
This Parisian food truck experiments with creating classic California recipes, but with organic products purchased directly from French producers. The goal is to surprise Parisians by revisiting American classics with local French ingredients, all in a friendly, Californian-style atmosphere.
On the menu: avocado burger, smoked and spicy homemade mayonnaise with caramelized onions, veggie burger with a chickpea and cilantro patty, carnitas tacos (chipotle-braised pork), tequila-grilled shrimp, sweet potato fries, and more.
Cantine California’s trucks can be found at the capital’s markets (Raspail market 75006 or Saint Honoré market 75001) or out on the street (4 days a week in central Paris), and you can follow their routes online, of course. A little extra: you can also find the food truck’s recipes in a book published by Hachette Cuisine.
Book by Jordan Feilders / photography by Virginie Garnier / stylist Coralie Ferreira / 96 pages / €12.50
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Marguerite du Pré
Straight from her farm in Normandy, Marguerite du Pré reinvents frozen yogurt. She offers an artisanal, 100% natural, organic frozen yogurt that is 0% fat, gluten-free, with no artificial colors or preservatives.
Vintage Citroën “Tub” vans, the Marguerite Mobile, will be popping up all over Paris this summer to deliver her delicious products. The stops will be indicated on the Marguerite du Pré Facebook page.
To adapt to summer, the yogurt is served in a waffle cone or a biodegradable and recyclable cup—of course, one must be consistent throughout the process.
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WikiPearls in a WikiBar
The WikiBar is the first Parisian point of sale for the start-up WikiFoods, which offers its first product to the public: WikiPearl ice creams. WikiFoods is a company committed to fighting against over-packaging that markets an edible wrapper. The goal of this start-up is to provide responsible “food” solutions—both 100% biodegradable and tasty—for food or drinks. The birth of this concept is based on a simple observation: packaging is invading and polluting our daily lives on a global scale.
The principle of WikiPearls is entirely inspired by nature because they are spherical in shape, like pearls, and just as nature wraps certain fruits (grapes, apples, cherries, etc.) in an edible skin composed of natural ingredients, Wikipearls are permeable to nutrients while protecting contents that can be served as ice creams, drinks, creams, etc.
Around a friendly bar with sleek lines, the WikiBar, designed by French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, offers a preview of WikiPearl Ice Creams created in collaboration with Master Ice Cream Maker Philippe Faur.
Having tested these products myself, I must say it is an experience worth trying. WikiPearl Ice Creams are like nothing I had ever eaten before… I cannot guarantee that you will like these ice creams because reactions vary greatly from person to person, but for my part, I really enjoyed this unique and original discovery.
WikiBar
4, rue du Bouloi – 75001 ParisOpen Friday and Sunday from 12pm-2:30pm and 4:30pm-7pm / Saturday from 12pm to 10pm
WikiPearl ice cream prices (Coconut – Mango / Hazelnut – Chocolate / Peanut – Vanilla): €2.50 each / €4.50 for 2 / €6 for 3
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Hutch Hot Dogs House
I won’t give you another full pitch about this place that I love, but these are certainly the best hot dogs in Paris; proof is right here.
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Street food book
To round off this overview, I would like to introduce you to a book that I found perfectly in line with the theme of this article: Street food.
Yanning Samot has traveled the capital to help us discover her favorite cantinas and to take us on a world tour of recipes to eat on the go, while walking, or at the corner of a table. The book offers a selection of addresses (makeshift stalls, food trucks, market stalls, etc.) and cult dishes not to be missed.
Street food by Yanning Samot
published by Hachette Cuisine / photos by Virginie Garnier
148 pages / €22.50
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Top Tip: to locate food trucks on a map, I advise you to check out the Fous De Trucks search engine, which will allow you to spot those closest to where you are. I hope I’ve made your mouth water with these few places. And what are your favorite street food spots?
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If you are a burger lover, take a look at my little guide to Burgers in Paris!
Photo credits: Mademoiselle Bon Plan and Julie Brando Photos are not royalty-free, photographer authorization required before any use
