The Canada Beef Sizzling Food Truck Tour
From the largest smokehouse on wheels to the smallest taco cart, Steven Hellmann, founder of The Foodies Group, scoured Ontario to find you the best beefed-up dishes on some of the country’s coolest and culturally diverse food trucks.
Keep reading to discover the versatility of Canadian beef and how Canada’s fantastic multicultural landscape has influenced some iconic street eats’.
The Arepa Republic
To kick things off, The Foodies Group headed over to The Arepa Republic for some authentic Venezuelan cuisine. This Latin American truck has been serving up fresh arepas to the community since 2015 when owner Louis decided to mobilize his passion for this cornmeal creation!
We sank our teeth into the Pelua Arepa, a grilled white cornmeal sandwich filled (emphasis on FILLED) with tender pieces of shredded Canadian flank steak and topped with a mound of cheddar cheese. The mild cornmeal exterior is the perfect vessel to soak up all those succulent juices, leaving you with a flavourful beef experience like you’ve never had before.
Not in the mood for a sammy? Then you’ve got to try The Arepa Republic’s homemade beef empanadas. These crispy pockets of beefy goodness embody everything we love about comfort food, all wrapped up into one delightful handheld dish. The bottom line is these people definitely know their beef, and if you’re in the mood for traditional homemade Latin cooking, then The Arepa Republic is the truck for you!
9350 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 5G2
The Smoke Stop
It’s only fitting to put together a list of the best beefed-up dishes served on food trucks and include the largest smokehouse on wheels. That’s why we paid a visit to The Smoke Stop, a food truck dedicated to all things BBQ. The Smoke Stop’s commitment to vigorous smoking methods and homemade condiments keep their menu dynamic and customers coming back for more.
We recommend The Smoke Stop Big Show for all you meatatarians out there, a single, but ridiculously massive, beef rib smoked overnight and served with the truck’s signature sauces.
If you’re a sandwich lover, try The Smoke Show, a smoked tri-tip beef sandwich served on a fresh Kaiser roll topped with a delicious gremolata and served with the Smoke Stop hot sauce and Smoke Stop BBQ aoili.
Whichever dish you choose, you can’t forget to accompany it with The Smoke Stop’s signature “Savage” poutine. Playing homage to the classic French-Canadian dish, the Savage Poutine features hand-cut French fries topped with cheese curds, beef gravy, and shredded smoked beef rib. A quintessential pairing to any beef-based meal.
9350 Yonge St, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 5G2
Dos Amigos Taco Stand
There’s almost something euphoric about finding an elusive tiny taco cart in the middle of an industrial complex. So, you better believe when The Foodies Group heard about Dos Amigos Taco Stand and their signature beef tacos, we knew we had to share.
The stand’s signature beef taco is made using both shoulder and leg cuts of Canadian beef, perfect cuts for enduring the long braising period needed to develop its rich flavour. The braised beef is then placed in a warm flour tortilla on a bed of fresh French fries and topped with cabbage slaw, chipotle sour cream, green tomatillo sauce, coriander, pickled onion, crispy onions, and a lime wedge.
This is a perfectly balanced beef experience that embodies all the traditional flavour notes of authentic Mexican cuisine. If you’re lucky enough to find this tiny yet iconic landmark you won’t be disappointed! This taco immediately shot to the top of Steven’s list.
2600a John St, Markham, ON L3R 2W6
Tut’s Egyptian Street Food
Looking for uniquely beefy street food unlike any no other? Then Tut’s Egyptian Street Food is just for you!
Specializing in Egyptian sandwiches, Tut’s has changed the food truck scene with its innovative menu and freshly baked in-house bread. The truck offers a variety of hand-sized sandwiches, but the Kebda, Soguk, and Kofta were what we really came for.
Perhaps on the more adventurous side of beef-based dishes, the Kebda is a pan-fried beef liver sandwich served with house-made tahini sauce and green chili peppers. The pan-fried beef livers delicate flavour and buttery texture engulf your taste buds leaving you yearning for just one more bite.
Looking for something slightly less adventurous but still out of your beef comfort zone, then we recommend you try the Soguk. The Soguk is a 100 % Canadian beef sausage sandwich seasoned with an Egyptian spice blend topped with mustard mint sauce, sumac, and caramelized onion. Think sausage on a bun but 1000 times better!
520 Progress Ave, Scarborough, ON
The Funky Patacon
Ever wonder what a flank steak sandwich would taste like if it were nestled between two freshly fried plantain patties instead of buns? Neither did we, until we tried it, and it became an instant hit. The Funky Patacon is a Latin American truck specializing in all things plantain.
The signature sandwich that we recommend you try is the Running Cow! This flavourful shredded flank steak sandwich is pressed between two plantain patties and topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese, ketchup, garlic mayo, and homemade pico pico sauce. You should really reconsider your life choices if you aren’t left speechless after one bite of this innovative Canadian beef masterpiece.
520 Progress Ave, Scarborough, ON
Still haven’t gotten your fill of beef? Check out our video of Steven’s food truck adventure and watch as he finds some of the best Canadian beef dishes that Ontario’s food trucks have to offer!