5 Tasty Takeout Windows

From food trucks to roadside stands, Vancouver is home to a variety of tasty takeout windows! Youthink visits five of 'em.

Vancouver is home to some of the most delicious and spectacular cuisine in the world, but sometimes it can also be the most expensive. Fortunately, there is a savoury savior in this situation. Nestled in Vancouver’s various nooks and crannies are an assortment of tasty takeout windows, offering unique and satisfying food options that won’t break the bank. You can find them in mobile form, from food carts to food trucks, or you can find them serving right from the building to the street. Here are my picks for five of the most delicious and popular takeout windows in Vancouver.

The Kaboom Box

You’ll find The Kaboom Box on trendy Granville Street. The well-known food truck serves up some exquisite fresh and sustainable food, all the while hitting a peak menu price of only $9! The Kaboom Box offers a variety of seafood options, such as oysters and cod, as well as a meat-free burger called the Veggie Vanburger. I ordered and indulged in a world-famous salmon sandwich. It was spectacular. The service was quick and friendly and the food was irresistible. For a nutritious lunch, head to The Kaboom Box.
Calvin’s Pick: World-Famous Hot Smoked Salmon “Salmwich”, $7.59
Wait Time: 4-7 minutes

La Brasserie

On the corner of West Georgia and Granville, La Brasserie’s street cart has a memorable menu – because there is only one item on it! Feeling skeptical about the limited options, I paid just under $7 for their Brass Chicken Sandwich and could hardly wrap my mouth around it. The sandwich was monster sized, and stuffed with thick strips of beer brined rotisserie chicken, slathered in creamy gravy and topped with crispy fried onions. Unfortunately, the buttermilk bun became soft and fell apart after I failed to pack away the behemoth, so things got a little messy. Nonetheless, this food truck cannot be missed. It’s the perfect option for an evening bite.
Calvin’s Pick: Brass Chicken Sandwich, $6.25
Wait Time: 2-5 minutes

Japadog

As far as I’m concerned, Japadog is one of the most creative food carts in all of Vancouver. Just as the name suggests, Japadog blends the North American street food staple hot dog with ingredients native to Japan. The result is a thick and juicy sausage showered in seaweed and teriyaki sauce. Before you dismiss it as being “weird food”, give it a try! The menu has a variety of different hot dog options to appeal to everyone – take the vegetarian Yasai hot dog, a veggie sausage topped with a blend of vegetables and sour sauce, for example. I believe Japadog will capture your taste buds like it did mine.
Calvin’s Pick: The Terimayo, $6.75
Wait Time: 8-12 minutes

Café Crêpe

I first discovered Café Crêpe while wandering in amongst the patriotic crowd during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games and immediately fell for the French-inspired cuisine. The chain has a varied menu that includes burgers, fries, pizzas, coffees and desserts, but specializes in Parisian-style sweet and savoury crepes. Indulge in a generous sized crepe filled with fresh fruit and homemade whipped cream, or try one stuffed with meat and Swiss cheese, topped with mushrooms and Dijon mustard. You can dine-in, but it’s more fun to order from the takeout window. Café Crêpe makes for a great brunch, snack or evening treat.
Calvin’s Pick: Dark Chocolate with Strawberries and Cognac, $8.50
Wait Time: 5-7 minutes

Go Fish

No one enjoys standing in line, but False Creek’s Go Fish seafood shack is one takeout window worth lining up for. Go Fish serves up some of the best tempura-battered cod (or halibut or salmon) in all of Vancouver, with a breezy harbour view backdrop. If the seating around the shack is busy, simply take your meal further afield – fish and chips go hand-in-hand with a walk along the seawall. Hint: Your meal will taste even better with a side of crispy fries and a sparkling lemonade.
Calvin’s Pick: Two Pieces of Cod and Fries with Coleslaw, $10.50
Wait Time: 10-20 minutes