Want more food trucks in Ottawa? The city agrees

Ottawa Travel Guide

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Thursday, 25 October 2012 16:48

A growing demand for food trucks has inspired the city of Ottawa to loosen restrictions on the mobile eateries, much to the approval of locals as well as chefs trying to make a mark on the culinary environment. By next spring, guests at a hotel in Ottawa could see as many as 20 additional food trucks on the capital’s streets.

Bay Ward Councillor Mark Taylor, the chair of the city's community and protective services committee, is the man to thank for introducing the proposal, and believes the legislative move will allow creative chefs to offer their unique goods to both visitors and residents of Ottawa.

According to Ottawa West, Taylor wants more ethnic food trucks to grace the streets rather than the typical poutine and hot dog stands. While there's no denying that poutine will always be a staple of Canadian comfort food, folks like Taylor are trying to introduce the city to more multicultural cuisines and let the people decide which food trucks should be allowed, which some councillors are hesitant about.

"It should be up to the market, the individual business person, what they are going to sell," said Ward College Councillor Rick Chiarelli. "It's not our job to engineer menus."

Mobile eateries like Trailer Pork Boys, Fridays Organics, TacoLot and Bite This are only a few of the lunch trucks that have already gotten the nod of approval from foodies and hungry visitors. Anyone who has ever travelled to Ottawa has come to expect impressive meals during their stay, and with an increase in the number of food carts and trucks, the trend will continue!