Home-grown food truck frenzy in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
UAE food trucks at Emirates Golf Club on alternate Saturdays
Finally the UAE can boast its very own home-grown food truck scene – a little behind the rest of the world, but better late than never. I am not talking about international trucks flown in from the UK, or established restaurants on wheels, but independent concepts developed locally here in the emirates by young entrepreneurs – admittedly some with sound financial backing. And whilst a couple of trucks churn out (boring) burgers, there’s plenty more variety.
Nine trucks have banded together with the help of Alex Teodoresco (the founder of Street Nights), to create an all-encompassing street food event on alternating Saturdays at Dubai’s Emirates Golf Club (next event is on the 27th February). There are two options – a food truck brunch from 12 to 4pm with unlimited food and alcohol for AED 285 (AED 175 for kids) – or join in from 4pm onwards to pay on consumption. I think the organisers should also add a non-alcoholic brunch option for adults too – otherwise it makes it cost prohibitive. The set-up is fun and quirky with plenty of shaded seating.
If you’re in Abu Dhabi don’t fret, the Love Food Festival showcases local (and British food trucks) this weekend at Mushrif Central Park (18 – 20th February) – see photo below from last year’s event.
Back in Dubai later this month on the 25 – 27th February, the same company behind the above event, is running Eat The World for Dubai Food Festival, featuring street food with local and Brit food trucks at Burj Park, Downtown.
Here’s a peek into some of the home-grown trucks you can expect to see roaming around the UAE – in alphabetical order:
- Calle Tacos – pronounced ‘Caye’, a Mexican-owned truck for your fix of Tex-Mex tacos, burritos, nachos and quesadillas with all sorts of fillings.
- Gobai – a twist on Goan street food.
- Jake’s Burgers – basically a range of burgers in a bagel. This team is also behind natural, gluten-free frozen gelato bars, Hip Pops.
- Ka’ak Al Manara – a stall rather than a food truck but street food all the same. Sweet, round sesame breads, Lebanon’s popular ‘ka’ak’ street food is toasted with a choice of savoury and sweet spreads.
- Moti Roti – Tahir Shah’s Pakistani wholewheat roti wraps, brown rice and salad bowls are particularly close to my heart (and tummy) because his original pop-up is a stone’s throw from my home. Wholesome, healthy and filling, they make me a regular customer.
- Saj2Go – for traditional, baked Lebanese ‘saj’ round flatbreads with a variety of fillings. You will find this bright yellow truck at lifestyle events in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi like the upcoming Dubai jazz festival and the boat show.
- Shmokin’s – as the name suggests, this truck is all about barbequed meats, specifically 8-12 hour charcoal and hickory wood-smoked beef ribs, brisket and turkey. All coated in a secret spice rub – and served with horseradish potato salad, coleslaw and corn on the cob.
- The Shebi – the brainchild of an Indian lady and a Lebanese guy, the food here is a fusion of both cultures – a chicken shawarma wrapped in paratha, falafel pitta pockets and butter chicken shawarma on rice.
- YumTingz – char-grilled burgers, camel meat included.
- You will also stumble upon Toasted for cheese toasties, ice-cream veteran Desert Chill, frozen yoghurt Melt, and organic coffee Bio Bean.
Download the Roundup app to see where some of these food trucks are next popping up, or follow your favourites on their social media channels.
Do you have a favourite food truck in the UAE, or one from back home that you wish would pop across here?
A bientôt.
FooDiva. x
Related posts:
Dubai’s first food truck?
Peek into the UAE’s next culinary festival with a competition – presented by Gourmet Abu Dhabi
Sophie’s – a new home-grown café opens in Dubai
A trio of culinary events in the capital and a competition – by Abu Dhabi Food Festival
5 progressive dinners in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Just heard about the food truck brunch yesterday and I have to say I’m very excited about it. Didn’t realise they didn’t have a no alcohol option, that’s a bit of an oversight. Still very keen to try it, an afternoon eating in the sun sounds glorious. I love the food truck movement, so pleased it’s finally making some waves here in Dubai.
They haven’t publicised it much Krysia which is partly why I wanted to write this post. Hopefully they’ll add in a non-booze package.
Great round up – with lots of useful info for a Saturday day out with a difference. Thanks for the heads up.
Pleasure Garry. Nice alternative to a hotel brunch!
Thanks for this info..I shall definitely look forward to the Abu Dhabi event..
Let me know how it fares for you Bilna 🙂
Me and my husband work in a 9 to 5 jobs which are as unexciting as they can be. Both of us want to start anything for food in dubai concentrating on indian street food wd a twist. .Is there anyone who can guide us wd d same. .idea for a food truck is something which we had on our minds but just don’t know where to start from. .Can anyone help us?
Hi Umang. Try Roundup. http://blog.roundup.ae/
This is my take for a new and improved and amazing and talented FoodTrucks concept…..Daaahling!
Vision: To be the supremo food truck worldwide
Mission: To offer sub par food at exorbitant prices in luxurious set up
Target Market: Walletbrains and feautox stilletos
Truck Branding: Any rubbish truck dressed up in Swarovsky crystals (which is basically lead glass minus the branding)
Outdoor seating: Ostrich leather fauteuil (armchair) available at your friendly gigantic far eastern mall
Foodtrays: Cloisonne arabic pattern (compulsory for sale with the food)
Food attendants costumes: Moroccan Berber dress with the face tattoos
Food: Who cares as long as it is vulgarly expensive and unpronounceable and alien foreign
Fun factor: Priceless
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Sit back and Enjoy the greenbacks………I do!
I do love your wit Jay, but have you tried them? And thanks for your good wishes 🙂
Ugh Oh. Congrat on the Award 😉