Food

10 Kingston Food Trucks

By on

August 18, 2021

- Food

Here are 10 trucks, carts and trailers that serve up seriously delicious street eats in Kingston.

LEGEND

🌾 gluten-free options

🌱 vegan options

🍄 vegetarian options




BBQ BABES 🌾🌱🍄

Canadian Tire, 1040 Division Street

11am – 6pm daily


This mother-daughter duo transitioned from traveling festival to festival across Ontario to being one of Kinston’s most beloved stationary food trucks. Their food truck was voted Kingston’s #1 Food Truck and #1 BBQ of 2020. If you try their burgers, brisket, or corn dogs, your taste buds will know why. They serve smoked meats with a signature rub and sauce, all made from scratch. With weekly specials like cheeseburger pickle poutine and gluten-free options for every item on the menu, you’re bound to find something you love – no extra condiments required.


Must-try: Pulled pork sandwich (applewood smoked pulled pork with dill pickle, homemade BBQ sauce, and a soft bun)



SOUP CHEF FOOD TRUCK 🌾🌱🍄

Fairfield Park, 4574 Loyalist Parkway

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 11am – 6pm, Friday, Saturday 11am – 7pm, Closed on Tuesday



Must-try: Spicy Italian sausage soup




JUICY KIK KINGSTON 🌾🌱🍄

3100 Princess Street

Weekdays 11am – 6pm, Saturday 11am – 5pm, Closed on Sunday


This is not your regular food truck. Juicy Kik packs their menu with nutrient-dense options like super juice, smoothies, smoothie bowls, wraps, and salads. While you can still get some great French fries here, Juicy Kik is dedicated to fresh ingredients and healthy, innovative food and drinks. Brighten your day with one of their signature blue smoothies!


Must-try: 24K GOLD smoothie bowl (acai, banana, mango, blueberries, and coconut milk base topped with edible gold flakes, dates, banana, granola, mango, and bee pollen.)




THE GREAT CANADIAN COUNTRY CABIN CHIP HUT 🍄

666 Collins Bay Road

Monday – Saturday 11am – 7pm, Sunday 11am – 6pm


Is it possible to create a list of food trucks without including a fry truck? While technically not a food truck, this small stand is ready to fulfil your craving for hand-cut chips. You can also order traditional fare such as hotdogs, burgers, and even hand-dipped corn dogs. Powered by a food-loving family, this is a stop you don’t want to miss.


Must-try: French fries




DAYS ON FRONT FOOD TRUCK 🌾🌱🍄

730 Front Road

Wednesday – Saturday 4pm – 8pm


Although new to the food truck scene this summer, Days on Front restaurant has already proven itself by offering simple, yet refined, dishes. By using local and seasonal ingredients whenever possible, their licensed food truck is sure to be a summertime hit with a patio where you can sit to enjoy your meal. The menu may evolve but it currently offers mains (like pasta), sandwiches, salads, and even desserts. You can definitely get a well-rounded meal here.


Must-try: Anything from their extensive drink menu and wine list




THE CHURRO GUY 🍄

Memorial Centre Farmers Market – 303 York Street

Sunday 9am – 2pm


If you needed another reason to take a trip to the Memorial Centre Farmers’ Market, The Churro Guy should be it. Place your order online if you have your heart set on something specific, then head over to the Memorial Centre to pick up your delicious treats. You also don’t have to order ahead as they have a selection of baked goods available on-site. Their small but mighty selection includes Cape Breton oatcakes, sweet potato burger buns and hot, fresh, churros. The Churro Guy uses pasteurized, whole goat milk and farm-fresh eggs in their products.


Must-try: Cinnamon Twist (a single twisted cinnamon bun)




B’S BIKE BITES 🌾🌱🍄

While not technically a food truck, you’ll want to keep an eye out for this travelling food cart. B’s Bike Bites has a live tracker so that you can follow along with B’s route and listen for the telltale bells that mean some refreshing snacks are on their way to you. Bailey DiGenova (B) rides a cart similar to an old-fashioned Dickie Dee, delivering ice cream and beverages. B, who has Autism and is non-verbal, developed the business with his parents in summer 2020.


Must-try: Whatever chilly treats you’re craving!




MULLER’S KITCHEN 🍄

Leon’s Furniture Kingston – 2730 Princess Street

Wednesday – Sunday, 11:30am – 5:30pm


This food truck brings you both barbecue staples and unique features. They’ve managed to make hotdogs, burgers, sandwiches, and poutines even yummier with distinct pairings – oxtail poutine with homemade gravy, cheese curds, and fried leeks, anyone? Whether they’re offering rainbow buns from a local bakery or bringing the east coast to you with 4 oz. lobster rolls, you’re sure to find something creative and delicious here.


Must-try: B.C. Grilled Cheese (goat cheese, candied pecans, buckwheat honey, rosemary butter, sourdough bread)




OTTER CREEK FARMS FOOD TRUCK 🌱🍄

The Royal Kingston Curling Club – 130 Days Road

Wednesday – Sunday 12 pm – 7 pm


*While mainly parked outside the Curling Club and Spearhead Brewery, hours and locations shift each week, so be sure to check out their Facebook page for updated schedule information on Mondays.


Otter Creek Farms Food Truck is a fan-favourite. They serve their original Otter Creek Wagyu Burger along with vegan and vegetarian options, fries, salads, and even a Buddha Bowl packed with seasonal vegetables. Keep an eye out on their social media for their funky “Chalkboard Specials” that rotate weekly.


Must-try: Thousand Islands burger (two 3oz Otter Creek Farms wagyu patties, special sauce, Wilton cheddar, lettuce, pickle, onion, sesame seed bun)




WEST END SMOKEY

RONA Parking Lot – 2342 Princess Street

Thursday (Pulled Pork Sandwich) 11:30 – 4:00 pm, Friday (Pulled Pork Sandwich, Smoked Wings) 11:30 – 6 pm, Saturday (Pulled Pork Sandwich, Smoked Ribs) 11:30 – 6 pm


If you’re craving smoked meat, look no further than the RONA parking lot. While single portions are available on-site, you might want to pre-order as well, because customers are saying this is truly the best smoked BBQ meat around. Depending on the day, you can find pulled pork that’s been slow cooked for 14+ hours, saucy ribs, and chicken wings. West End Smokey focuses on low slow cooking, secret spices, and a lot of patience.


Must-try: Their Friday night chicken wings





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Food

Walk, Eat, Repeat: Kingston Food Tours

By on

October 18, 2019

- Food

For over fifty-five million years, humankind and our earliest ancestors have roamed the planet in search of one thing – FOOD.


We’re still at it. Food is both the world’s single largest industry and critical to our survival. Not surprising then, that from Amsterdam to Zagreb and everywhere in between, food tours are the smart new way to explore a city, check out the culinary highlights, and meet a group of like-minded people who are interested in food, community, and local history. And then, of course, there’s the FOOD itself!


Long-term resident of Kingston, Heather Ford, and her business partner son, Daniel Barrett, launched Kingston Food Tours in June 2016. “Our emphasis is on local and artisanal,” says Daniel, “One of our primary goals is to expose Kingstonians and visitors alike, to local personalities, chefs, and restaurants that share our passion for supporting community, and sourcing locally wherever possible.”


Kingston Food Tour guide Daniel Barrett

 

I meet my tour in Confederation Park, where owner and tour guide Daniel introduces group members and establishes an easy rapport. We’re a small crowd, including a young couple from Germany who “do food tours in every city they visit,” and a pair of knowledgeable and enthusiastic food lovers from Toronto. Daniel tells us what’s in store for the next couple of hours as we head out walking and eating our way through Kingston’s historic downtown.


Our first stop is Dianne’s Fish Snack and Smoke House – a beautifully renovated, classic old limestone building. The menu is inspired by the owners’ east coast heritage combined with their love of Mexican cuisine. We tuck into a fantastically tasty beer battered (and sustainably caught) Baja fish taco topped with pico de gallo, avocado-tomatillo crema, and pickled red onions on a corn tortilla and wash it down with a perfect margarita. I make a mental note to myself to come back and have the exact same combination again, another time.

 

As we set off for our next stop, Daniel fills us in on lots of local history and even though I’ve lived in this city since 2001 and take an avid interest in both its history and the food scene, I’m delighted to learn plenty of interesting, new information.

 

For the next couple of hours, we explore the city with our palates. Every stop offers a little something different. We are ushered into private spaces like the bread oven kitchen at Pan Chancho, where we sample fresh bread, cheese, and maple chomeur. Next up, we’re perched at the bar in Atomica, eating a delicate thin-crust pizza with arugula and pine nuts and drinking Red Fox, a local beer brewed by MacKinnon Brothers Brewing on their 200 year old family farm. From there we’re off to Olivea to sample a rich slow-cooked beef cheek ragu on homemade gnocchi. Then it’s the stylish Tango Nuevo for Börek, a traditional Turkish pastry filled with feta, cheddar, and parsley, served with a robust olive tapenade.


On site at delicious Olivea.

 

The pace changes a little as we move on to visit a couple of specialty food stores including General Brock’s Commissary for a Canadian history lesson along with samples of savoury shortbread and cheese, salami and specialty mustards; and the Kingston Olive Oil Company, for a flight of premium olive oil and balsamic vinegar samples.

 

Just as we’re seriously beginning to lag, we make our way to The Common Market, our final stop for a tantalizing taste of Slickers Campfire ice cream (think marshmallows toasted over an open fire) and a Spanish cortado – espresso laced with a small touch of warmed Limestone Creamery milk.


Smiling face at The Common Market

 

Our little group of strangers has bonded over food and stories and we part friends. That’s the power of food. If you haven’t already taken a food tour, it’s time.

 

Book your first (or next) Kingston Food Tour today and get ready for a city full of flavour.

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Food

Pan Chancho Bakery & Cafe

By on

October 10, 2019

- Food

The delectable smells of fresh bread and pastries, gourmet entrées, desserts, and other delectable creations overwhelm your senses as you walk into Kingston’s Pan Chancho Bakery and Café.

Although I have visited many a time, I keep returning because there is always something new to discover and to indulge in. Combined with ever-helpful and knowledgeable staff, I am immediately reminded of all the reasons why Kingston is one of the fastest growing tourism markets in the country.

As General Manager of Chez Piggy and Pan Chancho for over thirty years, Nick Waterfield had already been part of Chez Piggy Restaurant since its inception in 1979, when Canadian rock musician Zal Yanovsky opened the restaurant with his wife Rose Richardson. Since then, Nick has seen Pan Chancho established in 1984 and evolve from a small bakery originally at Johnson and King Streets into an unmistakable landmark in the downtown Kingston scene.

A little clue to the true meaning of Pan Chancho's name.
A little clue to the true meaning of Pan Chancho’s name.

With an extensive collection of baked goods and products, it's no wonder that Pan Chancho is so popular.
With an extensive collection of baked goods and products, it’s no wonder that Pan Chancho is so popular.

Looking for a delicious meal? Look no further!
Looking for a delicious meal? Look no further!

As Nick describes, “It’s more than just a bakery. It’s all about really good flavourful food. It’s an artisan bakery, take-home lunches and dinners, locally sourced meats and dairy, frozen goods, sit down licensed café, a patio with live music once a week in the summer… it’s a gathering place.”

Though Nick could not pick a favourite (“I would recommend everything!” he says), popular items are the chocolate profiteroles, scones, and their delicious artisan breads. As it turns out, each staff member has a “must-have” item as well, further emphasizing Pan Chancho’s appeal to any kind of taste buds. When I spoke with Nick just before the Easter long weekend, hot cross buns, chocolate salted shortbread, cupcakes and other sweets were the highly sought after items. Pan Chancho changes their menus seasonally and also adds items based on customer recommendations, including the recent addition of gluten-free goodies. In fact, it is difficult to phase out any menu item as customers stay loyal and true to their favourites and will make a point to ask for them back!

Indulge in Pan Chanco's popular double-chocolate profiterole!
Indulge in Pan Chanco’s popular double-chocolate profiterole!

Available by popular demand - gluten-free products!
Available by popular demand – gluten-free products!

Choose from a wide assortment of delicious breads, baguettes, buns and baked goods!
Choose from a wide assortment of delicious breads, baguettes, buns and baked goods!

At Pan Chancho, there’s something for everyone: grab a dinner-to-go after a busy day, linger over breakfast with friends on a Saturday, or pick up a box of delectable pastries as a treat for your family (or maybe just yourself). If you’re looking for local products, you can browse selections from a variety of local producers, including Limestone Creamery,Seed to Sausage and Lyon’s Family Farms. For cheese-lovers, Pan Chancho sources Prince Edward County producers for certain cheeses (with over 100 kinds of cheeses in total), and other Canadian sources promoting healthy and organic choices.

Seed to Sausage is just one of Pan Chancho's featured local producers!
Seed to Sausage is just one of Pan Chancho’s featured local producers!

A full list of products available from local producers.
A full list of products available from local producers.

Pan Chancho is a cheese-lovers paradise, with cheeses sourced from Prince Edward County
Pan Chancho is a cheese-lovers paradise, with cheeses sourced from Prince Edward County

As if a full-time café and bakery wasn’t enough, Pan Chancho also offers a renowned catering service for office or business functions as well as a private dining room for more intimate celebrations. Despite thousands of people passing through their doors each day, Pan Chancho maintains their trademark high quality, by what Nick described as a focus on good customer service, an eye for detail, and of course, good food.

In need of a sit-down?
In need of a sit-down?

This year, Pan Chancho celebrates 20 years of serving not only the local Kingston community, but also visitors from around the world. Pan Chancho’s fame has only grown and Nick attributes that to its family values – it is an intergenerational legacy with a number of children of staff working there as well.

Pan Chancho has certainly carved out its own place and identity in downtown Kingston, staying true to the intent and vision of Zal and Rose, who are arguably two pioneers of Kingston’s vibrant downtown community with their desire to highlight local ingredients and products.

As summer approaches, Pan Chancho, both inside and outside on the patio is sure to fill up quickly – be sure to beat the crowd to get the best selection of offerings!

Fun Facts:

  • It takes about seventy-five individuals to keep the café and bakery running.

  • Pan Chancho’s name is commonly misunderstood (and mispronounced) – instead of naming it “Chez Piggy Bakery,” Rose, one of the original owners, thought up something unique; pan chancho means “Bread Pig” in an obscure Spanish dialect from Central America.

  • Cooke’s Fine Foods has a “Chez Piggy” blend of coffee you can also purchase in-store.

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