Needless to say, summers spent outdoors frolicking from one food festival to another are a thing of the past but the one summer keepsake we did manage to secure is our beloved food trucks.
In the time of social distancing post COVID-19, restaurateurs and street vendors are continuously finding new and innovative ways to serve hungry diners.
The latest concept coming to Toronto this weekend is a contactless drive-thru food truck market. Street Eats Market is launching this Father's Day weekend in the North Lot of Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
According to a press release, the organizers of Street Eats Market have been working with the public health unit for several months to coordinate the event, which comes at the heels of the city's decision to reopen food trucks and street food vendors.
Running June 19 and June 20 between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m., this two-day event will feature 12 food truck favourites including Jerk Brothers, Meltwich, Rebozos Taqueria, Johnny Rocco's Pizza Wagon, Eva's Original Chimneys, Beaver Tails and Tiny Tom's Donuts.
To limit overcrowding and ensure a safe and seamless pickup, orders are to be placed and paid for ahead of time online with a preferred pickup time slot. Customers will have to enter their license plate number to identify their order. Once orders are placed, a designated time, location and lane number will be outlined on the order receipt where diners can pick up their meals on the day of the event. To ensure that pickups are completely contactless, vendors will be placing orders on high tables next to the cars to be retrieved by guests.
Eating on the premises is currently not permitted by public health officials, so diners will have to exit the grounds and enjoy their meals elsewhere -- tailgating and gatherings are also not permitted.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to Baycrest Hospital on behalf of Street Eats Market and Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
