Category: Food Trucks

Calle Mexico; A Neighbourhood Gem

Calle Mexico; A Neighbourhood Gem

Calle Mexico is a hidden gem located on 107 avenue and 111 street. Juan Taiango and Angelica Del Carmen started out in Edmonton with their food truck of the same name in May of 2015. It was so popular that they were able to open a tiny restaurant in March of 2016. This restaurant expanded to double the size on December 1, 2016 and they got a liquor license!

Juan is a red seal chef, the man behind all of the social media, and the face that you will see on the food truck. His partner Angelina is the sweet smile you will see at the restaurant when you pop in to enjoy some really great food. Both are from Mexico and have been in Canada for 8+ years now. They used to manage a Cora’s before they ventured out on their own.

Calle Mexico is truly unique. When you walk through those doors, you are greeted warmly; like walking into someone’s home as guests.  There is always some great music playing in the background.

Everything on the menu is FRESH! Juan and Angelina pride themselves in making everything from scratch on a daily basis. I love the salsa verde so much that I suggested Angelina should bottle it and sell it. When she explained to me that it was made fresh daily and would be so hard to get it to the customer as fresh, I think I finally understood.

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The menu is absolutely awesome, with a little of this and a little of that. The Foodtruck menu is also available on their website. My favourite is the Alambre Tacos with sirloin, bacon and ham.  The salsas are “help yourself” but my favourite is the salsa verde made with tomatillos.

The daily specials are also a “must try”.  Brisket tacos are amazing and Angy always has something sweet and wonderful made for dessert.  I highly recommend the tres leches cake (three milks cake).  It was absolutely delicious!

Now that they are licensed, they have cerveza, margaritas and tequila to add to the already awesome selection of Jaritos flavoured sodas, horchata and Jamaica (a drink made with hibiscus flowers).

Now that there is more room to sit, you can invite all of your friends to come and join you for some awesome food!  They are closed on Taco Tuesday unfortunately, but that is the only day that they are not open during the week.  If you have a large group, you may want to call ahead for reservations.

If you can’t make it down to the restaurant, they can deliver through Skip The Dishes.

Summer brings the food truck back to the streets, often seen in Leduc as that is where Juan and Angy live.  If you haven’t downloaded the Streetfood App yet, you really should!  You can find out Calle’s schedule as well as other popular trucks in the Edmonton area.

If you love Mexican food as much as I do, you really need to come down to the restaurant, or find the food truck and give these guys a try!

 

Calle Mexico Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Help Save B’s Diner!

Help Save B’s Diner!

As I am sure you have all heard in the media, B’s Diner has had to close the doors of the Old Strathcona location.

Many people have expressed that the community needs to give back to someone who has supported and cared for so many…  Here is your chance!

Help Save B’s Diner – GoFundMe Campaign

She might throw something at me for doing this, but I just can’t stand idly by and watch this happen!  I have worked right by her side the last couple of months on a few projects, and B’s just needs to be!  She is such a generous person, let us show her how much we appreciate all of the hard work she has done for Edmonton.

 

#FoodTruckFriday Feature – Paradise Grill

#FoodTruckFriday Feature – Paradise Grill

Originally founded as “Pub Paradise” in 1999.  The Chef’s name is Owen.  He has 20 plus years of cooking under his belt.  Owen wanted to share his Jamaican culinary skills with Edmonton by giving us a taste of his irresistible Jerk Chicken made with his own secret blend of spices.  Hence the food truck “Paradise Grill” was born.

Paradise Grill

These guys are hard to find.  They aren’t on the Streetfood App and they don’t use their social media very often.  I was lucky enough to catch them at the Canada Day Celebrations at the Alberta Legislature grounds.

Chef Owen - Paradise Grill

As you can see, the Jerk Chicken is grilled on charcoal with a smile!  There were several food trucks gathered, but this one’s aroma was just too good to walk by.  They smelled divine!

There wasn’t much for choices on the menu for the night.  You had Jerk Chicken, assorted wings or Jamaican Patties.  After getting a nostril full of the Jerk Chicken, there was no other choice.

Paradise Grill Jerk Chicken

You pay $10 for your chicken and above is what you get. I should have taken a comparison photo to show you the portion size.  I was still hungry when I was finished.  The Jerk Chicken tastes as good as it smells.  Your mouth has some pleasant heat in it during the whole experience. The spice blend is amazing.

Hand cut fries would have been really good. Steak fries are not my favourite. Hot sauce is available for your meal if you need more heat.

Paradise grill will cater your event. They need a bit more room to set up – there is the mobile kitchen and the grills.

Paradise Grill is on Facebook and you can also find them on Twitter as @paradisegrill4u

Paradise Grill Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

#FoodTruckFriday Feature – Dolce and Banana

#FoodTruckFriday Feature – Dolce and Banana

Dolce and Banana is new to the streets of Edmonton this year:

Edmonton’s only ITALIAN FOOD TRUCK specializing in fresh pasta, grilled panini, Italian pastries & dessert, homemade Italian soda’s and specialty coffees.

Ernesto Rizzi has been part of a family run pasta business for a few years now.  Pasta by Caterina is available at some of the Markets around Edmonton.

Now Ernesto has branched off and started his own venture with his brand new foodtruck.  He is one of the “Trucks with heart” that you will see at Eden’s Market for YESS every Sunday.

There is not pasta on the truck yet, but I hear a rumor that it may be coming soon!

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#FoodTruckFriday Feature – Native Delights

#FoodTruckFriday Feature – Native Delights

During my trip to the newly opened Mother’s Market (post to follow) I came across Ian Gladue and his shiny new concession stall for Native Delights.  Technically this is “not” a food truck, but Native Delights does have mobile carts that you will see in and around the city sharing his love of food.  They are now in their second year.

Native Delights at Mothers Market

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#FoodTruckFriday Feature – Street Eats

#FoodTruckFriday Feature – Street Eats

Here is another “Truck that Cares”.  Street Eats is one of the trucks that you will see at Eden’s Market on 124. This is a Farmer’s Market that supports YESS. They aren’t a regular, but I hope to see them back again!

Street Eats is one of the trucks that will take the leftover items at the end of the day and will hand them out to the less fortunate.  They are hoping to have a collection tin soon to be able to help local charities.

Street Eats started their Edmonton Food Truck journey last year. It is a family run business that specializes in “Comfort Food just like Mom used to make but with a gourmet touch”. This is indeed a great description.

Street Eats Edmonton
Street Eats Food Truck – Great Comfort Food!

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#FoodTruckFriday Feature – Street Eats

#FoodTruckFriday Feature – Street Eats

Here is another “Truck that Cares”.  Street Eats is one of the trucks that you will see at Eden’s Market on 124. This is a Farmer’s Market that supports YESS. They aren’t a regular, but I hope to see them back again!

Street Eats is one of the trucks that will take the leftover items at the end of the day and will hand them out to the less fortunate.  They are hoping to have a collection tin soon to be able to help local charities.

Street Eats started their Edmonton Food Truck journey last year. It is a family run business that specializes in “Comfort Food just like Mom used to make but with a gourmet touch”. This is indeed a great description.

Street Eats Edmonton
Street Eats Food Truck – Great Comfort Food!

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#FoodTruckFriday Feature – Casa 12 Doce

#FoodTruckFriday Feature – Casa 12 Doce

As many of my readers know, I am a huge supporter of the Edmonton Food Truck scene.  I decided to do something different this season and feature a different truck weekly.  Here is truck #2!

I wasn’t able to catch them last season as they were not downtown.  Casa 12 Doce is based out of Sherwood Park and now in their second season.

Carlos Farrill is the Chef behind the Foodtruck.  He hails from Mexico and has been all around the world cooking.  He decided to call Canada home.

While on a search for great Mexican food in the Edmonton area, he found things that were close, but not like his family used to make it.  This is where the Food Truck was born.  If Carlos couldn’t find it, then neither could anyone else.  “If you make it, they will come”.  Casa 12 Doce was born.

If you have had the chance to partake of the Casa 12 Doce menu, you will have had a very lovely lady explain the food and take your order.  That was Janette.  She is the other half of Casa 12 Doce.

I was lucky enough to have caught Casa 12 Doce at the Stantec Employee Appreciation event.  It is a food truck extravaganza! There were six trucks to choose from.

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Eden’s Market for YESS is Back!

Eden’s Market for YESS is Back!

Eden’s Market/Jaime’s Corner is a farmer’s market project that started last year.  This is the only market in Edmonton that supports a charity.  All of the stall rental fees go to YESS (Youth Empowerment and Support Services).  Eden’s runs every Sunday from 11am to 4pm and they are located on trendy 124 Street and 106 Avenue.

Eden's Market
Please note – the hours have changed from 11am to 4pm.

Eden’s is a small market with a big heart.  They have a nice selection of vendors, a couple of food trucks, and an area to sit and enjoy food. They also have a face painting area so you can keep the kids occupied while you are shopping.

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124 Street Grand Market – Sense of Community

124 Street Grand Market – Sense of Community

124 Street Grand Market is now in it’s third year. Located on 124 Street and 108 avenue, it has a different feel from any other Farmer’s Market that I have attended in the past.

Kirsta Franke, the Market Director, has brought together a unique atmosphere and a sense of community. There is always a DJ or live music, food vendors, craft vendors and food trucks. The market runs rain or shine from 4pm to 8pm every Thursday until October 9th.

I like to pop by the market for a lot of different things and hope to make it a habit this year.  124 Street is full of restaurants and great shops.  The business association already has a sense of community and Kirsta has managed to carry on this spirit to to the market.  I always recognize a face or two every time I attend.

For my food truck followers, you always have Cookie Love which brings their handcrafted cookie ice-cream sandwiches to the market.  They will usually greet you at the entrance of the market.  Don’t wait to get your dessert first, there is only so many cookies to go around and you might miss out if you don’t pick one up right away. (I have done this a couple of times.)

There are always a handful of food trucks to choose from.  At the Grand Opening they had Drift, Little Village, Orbit, Sailin’ On and The Fruit Truck.

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