Phone: (09) 973 2305
Web: foodtruckgarage.co.nz
Cuisine: Dine-in and takeout fast food
Rating: 8.5/10
Have you seen the way teenagers eat when they're out? Their lack of seriousness is fantastic. With the constant checking of their phones, scant attention is being paid to their surrounds - let alone what's in front of them - you could be forgiven for thinking taking them to a restaurant was a waste of time and money. It's not: you just have to find the right eatery.
My destination was the Food Truck Garage, a bricks and mortar spin-off from TV series The Food Truck. It's a clever collaboration between chef/presenter, Michael Van de Elzen, a seasoned restaurateur, and the production company that created the show. It follows the same philosophy as the series, of turning out fast food that won't send you to a fast grave.
I have friends who, with their two teenage daughters, have recently relocated to New Zealand from LA, and I had it in my mind that if I could fill them with burgers, fries and hot dogs and show them some of our own little tinsel town, it may serve to lessen the feeling of dislocation. It worked a treat.
First, the Food Truck Garage is situated in the lively City Works Depot development, a great precinct showing off Auckland's growing commitment towards creating spaces with the "great-to-hang-out-in" factor and, second, Van de Elzen's concept is brilliantly executed and unmistakably Kiwi. The atmosphere and design is fun, with the original Food Truck parked outside pumping out hot dogs and the open-plan space inside feeling every bit the backyard plywood shed, albeit with a designer spin. Character comes with old metal school chairs, table water served in retro milk bottles and pots overflowing with fresh herbs.
