CNE Princess Gate – Candy Coated Culinista
When: Friday, August 24th 2012 – 11am-10pm, Saturday, August 25th & Sunday August 26th – 10am-10 pm & Friday, August 23rd 2013 – 11 am-10 pm, Saturday, August 24th 213 – 10 am 10 pm & Sunday, August 25th 2013 – 10am-10pm)
Where: Princes’ Boulevard in front of Allstream Centre & Direct Energy Centre
I watch a lot of Eat St. on Food Network and when I say a lot I mean like 1 episode a day. Even if it’s a repeat it’s a fun show that makes me very envious of all the food trucks in the U.S.A. Toronto is slowly grabbing on to this food truck revolution and street meat isn’t only hot dogs but now are some very authentic, classy and inspiring foods. I subscribe to Toronto Food Trucks; so when the better weather comes around and the food trucks roll out and I get updated to where the trucks will be. I have visited some and when summer hits I always try and see if any are in my area.
For three years now I go to the CNE with Mr. C. and two of my friends. I am hoping we can make this a yearly thing and for two years now the Food Truck Frenzy has been on. The frenzy features many food trucks from around the GTA.
The first thing I do is see all the offerings from each food truck and then I line up and get my grub on. There are plenty of trucks at this event. We had a great time tasting foods and food combinations we wouldn’t normally. We all left the CNE grounds full and when I got home I managed to find a little more space for the Greek fries I had left over.
Here’s the rundown of my stops over the last two Food Truck Frenzy’s
Blue Donkey Streatery
http://bluedonkeystreatery.com/
This truck is a bright blue with a donkey on it, you can’t miss it and they offer a selection of Greek inspired foods.
When we were ready to leave I needed to make one more stop for a late night snack before the park closed, I grabbed the Feta Fries with Tzatziki for $8. The Greek fries are hand cut and sprinkled with feta. I have had something similar before from The Arkadia House in Scarborough and this too was amazing. To me it’s like cheese fries but a classier.
Beach Boys Food Truck
A rotating menu of summertime food inspired by the 60’s rock band, with a blend of the California
culture they personify.
Bacon Nation
http://baconnation.co
A USA food truck that is driven by “slow food” combined with a Northwest style.
Mr.C . went here and had a burger with bacon, ham & pulled pork. By the time I got to him to take a pic it was almost done. I’m guessing he really enjoyed it. He did laugh at the fact that it was all pig in various forms.
Buster’s Sea Cove
A sea food focused food truck that sells oysters on the half shelf, lobster rolls, fish tacos, crab rolls & Key lime pie. I also saw them at the TO Food Fest 2013.
Crossroads Diner
http://crossroadsdiner.ca/
Healthy seasonal options and some guilty pleasures. Their focus is a modern twist of the diner classics at affordable prices and great quality products.
Food Dudes
http://www.thefooddudes.com
They are a full service catering company that uses the highest quality ingredients and the best service while tending to the clients’ needs.
Frankie Fettuccine
http://www.frankiefett.com/
Gourmet Pasta dishes is sold by this Food Truck.
Fidel Gastro
http://www.fidelgastro.ca/
This truck serves up sandwiches with a twist.
Let’s Be Frank
A Toronto based food truck that serves Nathan’s Famous all beef dogs.
I ordered the sliders: a pair of mini hot dogs which was the perfect snack. I topped my hot dog with Dijon mustard, ketchup and relish. I usually don’t eat beef hot dogs, but this was great. I would have this again as a full size dog. My friend ordered the Ultimate Dog, a hot dog wrapped in pea meal bacon topped with melted cheese.
Gourmet Gringos
http://www.gourmetgringos.com/
Gourmet Latin food.
Gourmet B1tches
http://www.gourmetb1tches.com
Healthy food options with some flare.
Hank Daddy’s Barbeque
http://www.hankdaddysbbq.com/
All things BBQ’d. Serving pork, chicken, beef and ribs at fairs, festivals and catered events.
Hogtown Smoke
BBQ smokehouse slow & low with an on board truck smoker.
Mike’s Dog House
http://www.mikesdoghouse.ca/Mikes_Site/Home.html
Mike’s started as a hot dog stand that grew to a special event catering vehicle
Per Se Mobile
http://www.persemobile.com/
This food truck has taste from all the diverse roots in the GTA.
When I went to this food truck there was one thing on the menu that caught my attention, and also the attention of us all. The Raw Sugar Cane Lemonade; as 3 of us have Caribbean roots we gravitated to this and Mr. C just liked the idea of it. The lemonade is made with Real Panela (whole cane sugar) served in a 16oz cup with a lime and ice for $4. It was one of the best lemonades I’ve had, you could taste the sugar cane and we enjoyed it so much that we all went back for seconds when we had our late night snack.
This year again all four of us enjoyed the raw cane sugar lemonade. It is that good and we looked forward to having it again.
My friends had the Per Se Poutine which is a Demi-Glazed (Gravy) with Brisket, Cheese Blend all served on a bed of Fresh Home Cut Kettle Chips. This looked delicious and I must say even though this is food truck food, they style & plate their food well; even if it’s going into a paper dish.
Pretty Sweet
Mobile cupcakery specializing in noveau flavours and artfully decorated creations.
Stuft Gourmet Sausages
http://getstuft.ca/
This food truck is street meat at its finest. Toronto has lots of hot dog vendors but none like this. Here the bun just has a hole at the top to stuff your meat and sauce into it. It’s definitely a less messy way to eat a hot dog and a smart idea.
Mr. C. came here and ordered the Creole Turducken, a turkey, duck and chicken seasoned in authentic Creole spices and topped with a mustard sauce for $9. I snagged a bite and it tasted good but the seasoning isn’t my thing however; Mr. C. loved it and would have it again. A year later he still raves about the Creole Turducken.
Sweetness Bakery
http://www.sweetnessbakery.ca/
Quality baked goods whipped up by accredited pastry chefs and bakers. This truck is named after the owners daughter Chloe “Sweetness” is her nickname. Their boy Foster, at 2 was diagnosed with peanut and tree nut allergies and after that experience they needed to find better food options for when they eat out. The food truck has a line called “Foster favourites” a nut free alternative.
Texas Tornado
http://texastornado.ca
Tornado fries are seasoned in five different options – Sour Cream & Onion, Salt and Vinegar, Dill Pickle, Wild Buffalo or just Sea Salt. Also on the menu is Tornado potato, Twister Dog, Poutine & French Fries.
Tiny Tom Donuts
http://tinytomdonuts.ca/
A regular at the CNE is Tiny Toms you must try this even if only once. Mini doughnuts are served fresh right in front of you. You can watch the hopper toss out the doughnuts and select from cinnamon,chocolate, icing sugar or apple-cinnamon at $5 a dozen.
This has too much topping for me but this is a favourite for many, and for once a year why not just do it right?
The Urban Smoke 2012-2013
http://urbansmokefoodtruck.com/
A southern style both traditional and fusion Gourmet BBQ.
I ordered the Dirty Bob, a Texas Brisket with Swiss cheese, onions and mushrooms $8. I have never had brisket before so I decided today was the day to give it a try. It was like a grilled cheese sandwich to me with meat added. I really enjoyed it but Mr. C. abruptly said after taking a bite “never make brisket for me please”. It’s a fattier meat and he did not like that at all.
Wood Fired Pizza
There was a pizza place there that was serving thin crust pizza in 3 spicy flavours including a vegetarian and of course pepperoni. Mr. C. and the girls loved it. Not too much crust and falvouful toppings.
Yalla Paramount
Middle Eastern Cuisine: Shawarma, Falafels, Grape Leaves & Musakaa can be found here.
Yogurty’s
Yogurt by weight: You order you yogurt and add any of the toppings you want.
Other food trucks there were: S.W.A.T., Nazca and Pancha.
Per Se Poutine – Per Se Mobile
Yogurty’s – Candy Coated Culinista
Wood Fire Pizza – Candy Coated Culinista
Sweetness Bakery – Candy Coated Culinista
Per Se Mobile – Candy Coated Culinista
Let’s Be Frank – Candy Coated Culinista
Fish Taco – CNE Food Truck Frenzy
Ultimate Dog – Let’s be Frank
Sliders – Let’s Be Frank
candy coated culinista 
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