Head: Meals on wheels

Thanks to the earthquakes and a lack of afforable hospitality tenancies, food trucks have become a major part of our city's food culture - and we're better off for them. Parked up on gravel lots all over the central city, food trucks are offering a huge range of cuisines from Nepalese to Mexican to Vietnamese. The low cost of operating and intense competition means creativity and better prices for customers. Win win! There are so many good ones, it's impossible to mention them all, but if you're after a great food truck experience we recommend you check these ones out next time you're hungry. Keep an eye on Cafe Chat as more trucks roll out in Christchurch this summer.

- Loco's Texmex Cuisine, locostexmex.co.nz

Carys Monteath Mamacita's Mexican food truck

Rob Fey prides himself on bringing accessible Texmex to the masses and does so out of his cool graffiti art truck on the Hereford and Colombo St corner. Grab a burrito with sour cream and beans, salsa and cheese. We think the best dish from Loco's goes to the chipotle beef wrap with garlic mayo, greens and fresh salsa. Spice it up with Fire Dragon sauce, if you're game.

- Mamacita's, mamacitas.co.nz

This Calfornian Mexican-style food truck is a stalwart champion of the food truck scene and a regular at The Commons and events around the city. Grab a pulled pork burrito or quesadilla from the only food truck with a vertical garden. Owner Jess Lynch is working the grill most days, ensuring the food is top notch, quick and affordable. We recommend the carne asada tacos.





Carys Monteath Heisenburger Lyttelton does mean burgers.

- Heisenburger Lyttelton, Facebook

Just like television series Breaking Bad, Heisenburger has all the grit and chemistry to be the best truck burger joint around. Evan Kiddey runs the back-to-basics grill and serves up some top milkshakes as well. Is there anything better than a great burger? Once stationary in Lyttelton, Heisenburger is living up to its RV namesake and is on the move, popping up at bars and events all over the place. Keep track on Facebook, we reckon the classic Heisenburger is the best on the menu.

- Dukes of Sandwich - Facebook

Carys Monteath The Dukes of Sandwich food truck

Gourmet sandwiches are tough to get just right, but the Dukes have them nailed. Laura Sisson and Rob Gilbert serve up gunpowder pork, fennel slaw and "French toast" in hot ciabatta from their little maroon and cream retro-style truck. They do events, The Commons and Saturday markets. They probably win the award for cutest little truck as well. Try the dijon beef ciabatta.

- Street Food, Facebook

Asia is renowned for its awesome street food and that's where Street Food comes in. It's all about Vietnamese-French fusion dating back to colonial times. Grab yourself a banh mi - a French stick roll filled with pate, fresh herbs, chilli and grilled meat. Rice paper rolls are a must-have this summer. You'll find the funky black caravan on Peterborough St for lunch.