The Toronto Food Truck Festival returns to Woodbine Park this week, bringing four days of street food, live music and free children's games to the city's east end over the August long weekend.
According to Streets of Toronto, the festival runs Friday, July 31 from 5 to 10 p.m., continues Aug. 1 and 2 from noon to 10 p.m., and wraps up Monday, Aug. 3 from noon to 8 p.m. Admission is free.
The park at 1695 Queen St. E. will host a lineup of mobile kitchens offering a wide range of cuisines. Bank Bao will serve its signature stuffed buns, Coal Pot Jerk will bring Jamaican flavours, and Los Vietnamita Taqueria will offer a Vietnamese take on tacos.
Comfort food options include Rebozos Taqueria, Shelby's and Mustache Burger. For those with a sweet tooth, dessert trucks such as Cheat Day Desserts, Chill Delights Ice Cream and Super Churros will be on hand.
Organizers have also made room for a range of dietary needs, with vegetarian, vegan, halal and gluten-free options available throughout the festival, so no one in a group needs to go hungry.
Live music all weekend
The food is only part of the draw. Festivalgoers can grab a cold beer while taking in live performances each day.
Sister Boombox and From the Hip open the weekend on Friday, followed Saturday by Crooked Zebras and Smile. Sunday features Sugar and Red Astro Band, and the long weekend closes out Monday with sets from Till Paradise, Canadiana Band and Dramazoid. DJs SiDD SiKK and Cyrus will spin tracks throughout the four days.
Eating challenges are also on the schedule for those who want to test their appetites.
Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome at the festival, according to Streets of Toronto, so families can bring their dogs along.
For GTA residents planning to attend, Woodbine Park sits near the eastern waterfront, steps from Queen Street East and within reach of transit and lakeside trails, making it an easy add-on to a weekend walk or beach trip.
With free entry and hours stretching to 10 p.m. on three of the four days, the festival offers a low-cost way to close out the last long weekend of the summer.
