Beep, beep! Make way for the food truck revolution

What’s On reviews food trucks in Dubai, including Find Salt, Melt, Jake’s Food Truck, Vida Food Truck, Moti Roti, Desert Chill, Ghaf Kitchen.

More…
– BBQ Spots
– Perfect picnic
– Outdoor brunches
– Best restaurants
– What’s On Awards 2014

Over the past few years, food trucks have become an integral part of the global indie food scene, and thanks to a few savvy entrepreneurs, the UAE has finally caught on. In addition to convenience, these mobile eateries offer fresh fare at reasonable prices. Whether your taste buds crave wagyu burgers, mac ‘n’ cheese, gourmet fish finger sandwiches, or spicy chicken with rice, food trucks are a great option for finding a unique  – and delicious – meal.

MELT
With a dream for delicious desserts and the passion to provide healthy, tasty, affordable sweets, Melt have decided to stick to 100 per cent fruit fare. Enjoy a scrumptious dessert menu including frozen yoghurt, fruity ice-lollies and cold-brewed ice teas. While you’ll usually see them parked at most sporting, cultural and live entertainment events, Melt does have a permanent spot just outside JA Ocean View hotel in JBR should you need a guilt-free treat.

meltandmore.com

GHAF KTCHEN
On a mission to elevate British staples such as fish finger sandwiches, prawn cocktail and Eton mess to gourmet status, Ghaf Kitchen director David O’Brien has created a mobile menu that has become a familiar sight on the Dubai culinary scene. The city’s first gourmet restaurant on wheels is a lovingly restored 1962 Citroën H van and has been popping up at food festivals, markets, private parties, concerts, sporting events and weddings. The on-board chef whizzes up full feasts and canapés that leave a lasting impression long after they’ve rolled away.

ghafkitchen.com

SALT
Love it or hate it, the infamous SALT food truck has been garnering a massive social media following over the past two months. The brand doesn’t advertise and relies solely on Twitter (#findsalt) and Instagram (@FindSalt) to draw in customers. Operating in a catch-us-if-you-can way, SALT serves up wagyu sliders and French fries at undisclosed locations around the country. The food is tasty and simple, but the airstream truck, retro style and picture-perfect set up make it an Instagammers’ haven.  

instagram.com/FindSalt

JAKE’S FOOD TRUCK
Dubai foodies can now try a bagel burger at a food truck that has begun pootling around the city. Taking its design cue from the California surf scene, Jake’s food truck is a gleaming silver monster, dishing up fries and its quirky burgers. Like any food truck these days, it’s all about the Instagram. Follow them @thefoodtruckdubai to find their ever-changing location

instagram.com/thefoodtruckdubai

DESERT CHILL
Carving out a sugar-coated niche once owned solely by Mister Softee, brothers Dan and Nathen Furlong have helped create bright spots of charm on Dubai’s streets. The wonderfully colourful ice-cream van, Desert Chill, can be spotted around the UAE’s neighbourhoods, plus at birthday bashes, weddings and dinner parties, attracting children and big kids alike. They even have the musical chimes to send your nostalgia into overdrive.

desertchill.ae

MOTI ROTI
Headed by entrepreneur Tahir Shah and driven by a passion for delicious yet accessible Pakistani cuisine, Moti Roti has been serving customers all year. The Moti Roti menu boasts fresh whole wheat, handmade flatbread with a choice of chicken, potato or mutton fillings; salad boxes filled with shredded lettuce, carrot, white radish and a choice of filling; or rice boxes with healthy brown pilau rice and a choice of filling for just Dhs25. These mobile food stations are built to resemble Pakistani trucks and tuk-tuks and can be found in Media One Hotel, Tecom, Impact Hub and at the Ripe Market at Zabeel Park.

motiroti.me

VIDA FOOD TRUCK
The team behind the delightful Urban Picnic brunch is launching the first hotel-owned meal on wheels – The Vida Food Truck. Top chefs prepare laidback cuisine inside a 1960s airstream trailer stationed at The Pavilion in Downtown Dubai, and customers can pick up a portion of mac n cheese, ceviche and popcorn pittas, bunny chow (a South-African dish using a hollowed out loaf of bread filled with curry) and smoked brisket in a bun. Meals are served on the go or you can order The Vida Food Truck to cater to a party of up to 50 people; they’ll even bring the beach chairs and picnic tables.

vida-hotels.com