Dubai: UAE residents will soon be spoilt for choice when it comes to grub on the go as an unprecedented street food revolution is being unleashed across the country.
In the next few weeks, Roundup of 54° East, a Dubai-based food and beverages franchise company, will be supporting the roll-out of 12 food trucks on UAE streets, with the fleet size crossing the 100 mark before the year ends.
Kris Haggie, senior director of consultancy and director of Roundup Food Truck Division, told XPRESS: “The first truck - Calle Tacos, a Mexican restaurant from California - is already up and running at Modhesh World in Dubai World Trade Centre. Eleven more trucks have been lined up for release in the coming month.”
Wide variety
Foodies can expect a wide variety of fare from the food trucks originating from different parts of the world. They include Goan street food from Gobai, shawarma from Shawermaty and Shawarma Station, American smoked ribs and Brisket sandwiches from Mr Brisket, sliders and wings from The MOB Truck, toasted sandwiches from Toasted, coffee and juices from Bio Bean, kebabs from Indian BBQ, even pizza in a cone from Kono Pizza and healthy foods from The FIT Truck.
Haggie said the new fleet of food trucks will be motorable and can be accessed at different locations in different time slots. “We wanted to offer the full benefit of a food truck in the region, unlike many existing options that are essentially pop-up stores. Although there is no provision for free-roaming trucks here like in the US, these vehicles will be mobile and can be accessed at permitted locations and in specific time slots.”
He said that the food trucks have their own independent owners and Roundup only supports their operations. “We do everything from getting the approvals, sponsorships and licences to obtaining a central kitchen space and the specific kind of vehicle (step van, airstream double decker bus etc). We also arrange for equipment, vehicle fabrication, wrap and handover.”
The food trucks are expected to spawn a whole new street food culture. According to Haggie, grub on the go has a huge appeal. Distinct from the occasional fine dining, casual dining is often preferred as it is faster, cheaper and more convenient. Other factors that work in favour of food trucks are that they are more easily accessible and customers can actually see the food being prepared.
Haggie said it takes anywhere between Dh500,000 to Dh1 million to set up a food truck and as such seen as a viable opportunity by many entrepreneurs.
He said Roundup will also have an app that can be downloaded from the App store. The app features all the food trucks and users can receive notifications, see their menus, track their locations live and even book them for various events.
World of flavours on wheels
1. Calle Tacos - Mexican
2. Toasted - Toasted sandwiches
3. Gobai - Goan street food
4. Shawarma Station – Shawarma
5. Shawermaty – Shawarma
6. Bio Bean – Coffee, juices
7. Kono Pizza – Pizza in a cone
8. Pizza/Hamburger
9. Indian BBQ – Kebabs
10. The MOB Truck – Sliders and wings
11. The FIT Truck – Healthy foods
12. Mr Brisket – American smoked ribs and Brisket sandwiches
YOUSPEAK: Do you enjoy street food? Tell us why?
