Tasty Street Scene

by Genevieve Morton

When TacoTaco first appeared in Hobart in 2012, the line-up for casual Mexican fare was long and the need for a street food scene was clear.

“It was crazy,” TacoTaco co-owner Matt Hidding said, “We sold out in half an hour.” Six years on, TacoTaco is still going strong and is joined on the streets, at markets and festivals across Tasmania by a colourful band of food trucks offering fresh, fast and tasty street food.

TacoTaco

The success of TacoTaco now sees two trucks take on its South Hobart, Bellerive, Kingston and CBD weekly destinations along with pop ups at festivals across Tasmania all year round. The TacoTaco menu is simple with a range of tacos, quesadillas and nachos. If you’re a vegetarian, you’ll be treated to a spicy black bean taco with pickled cabbage and sour cream. Best pick: Smokey pork taco with apple slaw ($6)

Manneken Eats

Tasmanian produce meets Belgian flavours at the 100% vegetarian Manneken Eats food truck. Newcomers to the scene in February this year, they quickly established themselves as the veggie alternative with a range of Belgian burgers and fries. You can find them at the Hobart Twilight Market, Kingston Beach every second Sunday and Bream Creek on the first Sunday of the month. Best pick: Double-cooked Belgian fries with homemade vegan sauce ($6.50)

Spice On Wheels

Indian street food comes to Hobart with spicy Paneer Tikka Masala, veggie Korma and Butter Chicken – to get you started. An extensive naan lover’s list includes mushroom, chicken and cheese, keema, peshawari and spinach and cheese naans. You can catch the colourful Spice On Wheels outside The Spice House regularly in Forster Street, New Town. Best pick: Pav bhaji ($10)

Chan Bao

The much-loved Taiwanese soul food truck is a regular at the Hobart Twilight Market and the Hobart Brewing Co. The menu includes crispy waffle chips, a Taiwanese sesame noodle salad and their stand-out delight – steamed bao buns filled with spicy pork, chicken or beef and pickled veg. If you’re a vegan (and gluten-free) the team has created a mixed pickled mushroom bao bun just for you. Best pick: Waffle chips with sweet chilli mayo ($6)

The Ember Box

Hand crafted wood-fired pizzas with all your favourite toppings and some unexpected specials. Originating in Holland and operating in Hobart for three years, this truck enjoys a solid following wherever it goes. You can find them regularly at the Hobart Twilight Market, Red Square Hobart and the Harmony Garden Centre in Lauderdale. Watch out for the Tassie seafood special with mussels, prawns, garlic and lemon. Best pick: Local braised lamb pizza with kalamata olives, feta, spinach, onions and herbs ($22)

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Hobart Happenings

by Stephanie Williams

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